Josh Smith returns, Hawks superb defense, balanced scoring effort grounds Grizzlies

Hawks 105 Grizzlies 95
24 15 30 26
24 26 33 22

BOX SCORE

Well, I sure wish i was the D that Sekou is referring to in his blog entry, something about a guy who accurately predicted all of the Hawks first 16 games wins and losses, coinscidence his name is D and im DJ, maybe it is me. If or if not, THIS was me, in yesterday's rare preview, i wrote the casual prediction of a 105-95 Hawks win, and, there you have it. But the story of this Hawks win is so much more than the score.

Josh Smith's return was grand, defensively, offensively (still taking those 3s, if Hawks aren't the #1 3pt shooting team in the league by the end of the season, ill say thanks JOSH!), still as explosive as ever, Josh Smith is, was, and always has been that X-factor that makes them able to beat ANY team in the league, i mean, of course any team is capable of beating any team in a game situation, but the 08-09 Hawks without Josh Smith were a 45 win team good for 5th seed in the East and beyond, but the 08-09 Hawks WITH Josh Smith are a 50 win team and may even earn homecourt advantage in the 1st round THIS SEASON.

SWAGGER Of the Game

Mike Bibby
Wow, Mike is really showing what he can do this year, you can see his floor leadership and decision making skill is at an all-time high, he is easily in his prime at 30 years old, shooting a career high FG%, 3pt FG%, now if we can just get that FT% above 80 he'll be an all-star PG. Last night Bibby scored 20 pts (7/11 FGs 4/6 3pt FGs 2/2 FTs) 3 rbs 10 asts, that will be his 7th game so far with 20 pts or more, his 2nd game with 10+ assists, and his 7th game shooting 50% or better from 3. I mean, he isn't quite Devin Harris (Bibby for Harris and the Hawks go to the Finals) but the Hawks aren't gonna get much better than this from another veteran PG in the league, Bibby is a great fit for this team. Mike Bibby played a perfect second half: 6-6 FGA, 4-4 3PTA, 5 assists, 0 turnovers.

SUPERSTAR JOE
Joe Johnson
Thats the Joe we know, thats the 3rd best SG in the league Joe, thats one of the most versitile players in the league, shooting and passing beautifully leading his team with Bibby to a win. Not every night Joe will score 26 pts 5 rbs 5 asts

The Invisible X factor
Marvin Williams
Marvin Williams scouting report from the opposing team about him probably reads, "average at everything, try not to completely ignore him" and so far opponents haven't taken heed to that little truth of advice in that statement, because Marvin's a shooter now, he may not be Ray Allen or Peja Stoy, but he's got a better 3pt % than both of those players right now. He has also improve in his ball handling and passing ability, there were several nice assists made in this game, 16 pts (4/9 FGs 2/5 3pt FGs 6/6 FTs) 4 rbs 5 asts.





The BO$$
Al Horford is the Boss, i guess. After the Hawks beat the Bucks at Phillips Arena, somebody asked Al his nickname, or rather he volunteered it, then, clearly making it up on the spot declared, "I'm the BOSS!" at the time i was making fun of him for it, my friend asked me, "is that anybody's nickname is the NBA?" i said "no, maybe in the WWE" so im laughing joking about it, and i go to Phillips Arena and they booming it over the system everytime he scores now, "AL HORFORD, THE BOSS!" Wooooww.... we'll see how long it sticks, probably as long as LeBron's wrist kissing thing before each free throw.
NEVERTHELESS, "the BOSs" had a good game, it would be good for Horford to average a double-double, but with this hawks team, its so not important these induvidual milestone statistics, and with Horford especially because his presence is bigger this season than the last, especially on the offensive end. 15 pts (7/9 FGs 1/2 FTs) 5 rbs 4 asts is a good stat line for the starting center.

Hawks ball movement is beautiful.


Joe Johnson is still magnificent.

Al Horford is still a beast

Josh Smith is still great.

Season Prediction:
Many people called me crazy for my preseason prediction of a 47-35 record for the Hawks this season, a 10 game improvement for a team that only added bench would have been great, but no one could have predicted the Hawks beautiful ball movement, excellent 3point shooting, all-star play of Mike Bibby, and improvement of Marvin Williams, if you look at my previous prediction i predicted Marvin would DISimprove this season, but i am glad to be wrong, Marvin is a very important piece to the Championship-level Hawks, whenever we get there, but THIS SEASON, it is not outside the realm of possibility to achieve a record of... 50-32 - 5th seed in eastern conference, i would put us at 4th seed, but its too early to count out Detriot and Allen Iverson, no matter what, THAT is who we will see in the first round playoffs this year, in my prediction, and since that D person predicted November I am going to predict December

Hawks VS Grizzlies W
Hawks VS Knicks W
Hawks @ Dallas W
Hawks @ Rockets L
Hawks @ Spurs W
Hawks @ Miami W
hawks VS Cleveland W
Hawks VS Charlotte W
hawks VS Celtics W
Hawks VS Golden State W
Hawks VS Detroit W
hawks VS OK City W
Hawks VS Chicago W
Hawks VS Denver L
hawks @ Indiana W

and dont call me a jynxer if they lose a few of these games, but i think worst case scenario, Hawks will go 10-6 in December to match the November record, and if they stay on that path these Hawks may end up....50-32 exactly as i predicted, i swear if the Hawks get 50+ wins Mike Woodson deserves Coach of the Year, so follow December with me i wanna see the Hawks succeed.

Hawks record going into 2009: 23-8