On the game of the recieving his Coach of the Year award and with official announcement on the MVP just made, the Atlanta Hawks essentially bullied and dominated the Chicago Bulls led by an amazing performance by Joe Johnson. Ric Bucher said it was easily the best performance of Joe Johnson's playoff career, and he was not exaggerating. 34 points 12 for 18 FGs 5 of 5 three-pointers 5 of 5 free throws, 4 rebounds 3 assists 3 steals.
The night Thibodeau is saluted as the league's top coach, it's Drew who orchestrated yet another Game 1 upset on the road against a higher-seeded team to give the Hawks their first playoff victory in the second round since 1997. And on the eve that Rose is expected to pick up the league's MVP award, it's Teague who came out of nowhere to help hound the explosive Bulls guard into a 2-for-10 start from the field that led to an 11-for-27 finish from Rose.
the Hawks outscored the Bulls 31-24 in the 4th quarter to ensure the win, an amazing showing of an improvement this post-season in clutch situations.
Just as Joe Johnson himself said, he doesn't get all the glory when they win and although it was a great efficient scoring game from him, it was a true team effort with good decisions from everybody, even Josh Smith despite his 3 for 11 shooting this game. He had 8 points 6 rebounds 4 assists and 4 HUGE blocks.
Jeff Teague started bravely and took the challenge of the MVP Derrick Rose, his 10 points 5 assists don't show the great defense he played and how he kept the tempo very well.
The LAST time the Hawks won a 2nd round playoff game was in 1997, when they beat a 1st seeded Bulls team... In the United Center...by a score of 103-95.
Jordan went for 12-29, 0-6 from 3.
Im sure that had to 'Shock the World' back then as well.
