After brilliant performance against Utah, Josh Smith has terrible game letting the new-teammate Morris Brothers shine in a 87-92 Suns Win

Well, Josh Smith can only be Josh Smith.

 This is why it takes an enormous amount of patience and FAITH to be a 2012-2013 Atlanta Hawks fan. Josh Smith has continually improved in his handling of responsibilities and being a team leader, but just as soon as a fan gets excited about what we see, he has a dud game. 5 points on 2/11 FGs 0/5 3ptFGs 1/4 FTs 10 rbs 5 asts and 5 TOs is not a good stat line, Josh.

It didn't help it was the same night Jeff Teague had an off-night as well. 6 points (3/10 FGs) 1 ast 4 TOs 2 stls.

Al Horford has his 8th game in a row of 20+ points with 20 pts (8/16 FG3 2/2 3ptFGs!) And what's up with Al Horford hitting all these threes lately?! Could it be Al has a little Dirk in his blood?

It could have simply all been divine in order for the only pair of twin brothers in the NBA to shine as they finally have unexpectedly become teammates, due to a trade-deadline deal with the Houston Rockets.

Markieef Morris was drafted by the Suns with the 14th pick in the 2011 draft and admitted it was a bit difficult to get used to playing without his brother, Marcus, early in his career. He became a good impact player, but now these identical twin brothers will get the comfort and empowerment of playing with each other on an NBA-level, and the Atlanta Hawks were simply the latest victims of that, likely by accidentally taking this 13-32 Suns team lightly.

Hopefully, this game was the wake up call the Hawks needed in order for them to play well enough to defeat the 29-30 Kobe-Bryant-will-not-be-denied-.500 Los Angeles Lakers.

No Josh, No Al, and even though Joe struggled the Hawks are too deep, Williams, Bibby & ZaZa Shine

Hawks 91 Wizards 87
26 24 17 20
28 16 26 21

With 6:27 on the clock and the Hawks up by 2, Caron Butler launched a 3. Bang. Joe Johnson dribbled down court and seemingly half-heartedly drove in the lane into traffic, the ball was stolen by Caron Butler. In transition, Butler looking, looking, pulls up for three. Bang. Now, with the score 79-75 Wizards up by 4 with 5:37 Woodson calls a timeout.

Oh, no Hawks, we can't have this happen again, its one thing for the Hawks to lose Al Horford in the 1st quarter of a game and lose, having not been prepared not to play with the starting PF/C, but the Hawks cannot get outexecuted down the stretch at Phillips Arena by the bottom team in the EC. Wait, that scene seems very familiar, oh yes, Last season, the Wizards had stared 0-5, and the Hawks had gained some attention with 2 convincing wins early in the season against Dallas (first game of the season) and Pheonix (sans Amare) both at Phillips Arena. I'm sure Hawks fans don't want to recall that because that was the Hawks first home loss of the season, by 11 points no less, despite getting 20,22,23 from Marvin, Joe, and Josh, respectively.

So, Woodson subs in Evans for Flip, and ZaZa inbounds the ball to Joe, and after an exchange of bricks and ZaZa's 15th and 16th rebounds, he hits 1 of 2 free throws and then Mike Bibby gets a layup to make the score 78-79, and after Nick Young misses an ugly wild shot, Joe Johnson abuses him off the dribble and shoots a turnaround 17 footer, it bounced up off the rim once, twice, and dropped in the bucket to give the Hawks a 80-79 lead. Blatche layup 81-80, Joe assists Evans for a 3 to make it 83-83. AND THEN we let Stevenson pull up for an uncontested-enough 2, Joe dribbles it down and fires off a bad pass that gets stolen, and the same stevenson hit another shot, almost hit a 3 but it was a 19 footer, score 87-83 with 1:05 left, Wizards bench celebrating.

At this point im thinking about that promise i made, lol, the future of me and this blog, i had wondered if i did shut this blog down if anybody would miss it, but i feel this. i do this for the love of the sport of basketball, i will always love basketball but i also do it for the lack of love my city and my team gets from the mainstream media, i cannot sit back and watch other people miscover the players and personell of this team, even if i was getting no comments and readers id still write to creative express what i, with this blog, have become a part of, and i want you, reader, to know that i appreciate the comments and feedback from this passion i express here, all my other sports/news bloggers, i appreciate u.

Sorry, i had to aggrivate some of those fuzzy emotions inside because this was an epic ending to this game, it was vindictive on the attitude and abilities the Hawks have this season, this is such a better team than last season.

After a mispossession on the inbound, Hawks passed it into the great Joe Johnson who stepped right into his shot and launched a 30 footer. Swish. 87-86. Hawks defense. Swarming, ball being whipped around, shot clock dwindling, Stevenson launched an ill-advised 30 footer that hits no rim, shot clock expires, great defense. Still not over, with 32 seconds left, Joe dribbles up the floor, he finds Marvin Williams in the right corner, steps right into his shot (its amazing, the way he shoots, that ugly form he used to hit that midrange semi-consistently last season, is the same form he uses for that three, of course). BANG. 89-87 Hawks, 25 seconds left. Wizards miss, foul Flip Murray, both free throws and game over 91-87.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

21 pts (7/14 FGs 6/6 FTs 1/3 3pt FGs) 14 rbs 4 asts 2 stls

Its beautiful i wrote that monday article praising Marvin, i felt he would be the deciding factor in this game and during this time where we are without Josh and Al, and Marvin stepped up big time, scoring and rebounds, and a nice assist night, all while defending Antwan Jamison, or, he was able to do it because Antwan was "defending" him, lol.

19 pts (7/22 FGs 2/8 3pt FGs 3/4 FTs) 8 rbs 8 asts 1 stl 2 blks

Joe Johnson was no slouch in this game, if 19/8/8 is below average that is quite something to say about that players ability, and Joe Johnson has that ability, he is a true superstar, great player, top 5 guard in the league definitely.



25 pts (12/22 FGs 1/4 3pt FGs) 6 rbs 3 asts

Bibby was good in this game, he played his game, took the opportunities that came and made plays, he did not distribute the ball especially well, but Joe did so thats fine, he played well.

4 pts 18 rbs 4 asts (1/4 FGs 2/6 FTs)

And of course the Zealous ZaZa, he played his heart out last night, much better than last game, i think he plays best when concentrating on defense and rebounding, he has some offensive post skills, but far and few often, let him average 6/6 off the bench, he is a very important part of this team.











So that was a good win, now lets dominate Charlotte on Friday and get ready for LeBron on Saturday, that is the big one.

The Hawks cap preseason with Victory over Pistons in Detroit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.(AP) Zaza Pachulia scored 18 points, including the deciding layup in the final minute, to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Detroit Pistons 88-87 in the exhibition finale for both teams Thursday night.

Both coaches rested key players. Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace didn't play for Detroit, while Joe Johnson sat out for Atlanta.

Former Pistons guard Flip Murray led the Hawks (5-3) with 19 points, and Maurice Evans and Marvin Williams had 14 each. Arron Afflalo had 15 points for the Pistons (6-2), rookie Walter Sharpe added 13 and Jason Maxiell had 11.

Tayshaun Prince and Chauncey Billups combined for 15 first-quarter points to help Detroit take a 24-15 lead, but neither played again after the end of the period.

Atlanta opened the second quarter with a 17-2 run and led 42-39 at the half.

Detroit's reserves, though, turned the game around at the beginning of the second half.

The Pistons started the third quarter with a 24-7 run - including 18 points from second-year guards Rodney Stuckey and Afflalo - to go up 63-49.

The Hawks fought their way back and led late in the fourth quarter until Alex Acker's 3-pointer gave Detroit an 87-86 edge with 2:01 to go.

Pachulia put Atlanta back in front with less than a minute left, and Maxiell missed a jumper at the other end.

Evans missed what would have been a clinching 3-pointer, but Stuckey's half-court attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

2008-2009 Season Preview, Atlanta Hawks, Eastern Conference Assessment Predictions

Southeastern Division:





Orlando Magic ( 52-30)


The Orlando Magic are better this season than they've ever been and the Magic are the #2 seed in the eastern conference and a legitimate championship contender at least the eastern conference. Alot of people are feeling that Micheal Pietrus, a 6-6 G/F with GS last season, will not be a significant upgrade over Maurice Evans. I think that Pietrus will be at least as good as Evans and start at SG to add stability to their team, consistent shooting and slashing ability that will make requirement-doubling Dwight Howard a big price to pay, if he learns to hit his free throws(68.6% FTs). Courtney Lee will be a good player, he will probably play sparingly, but will score and play defense. and Anthony Johnson is a highly underrated 34 year old point guard, he was always a veteran leader on the hawks and played strong and clutch down the stretch of those few and far wins, and he hasn't slowed down a bit, playing big minutes for the Magic. Kenyon Dooling was a decent guard (not PG) who could shoot but he was always a additude problem and felt he was better than he was, the Magic will not miss him, and the other best bench player, Kieth Bogans will be better in his place. Rashard Lewis (31) will be better, Hedu Turkoglu(29) will play better but score less points than last season, and Jameer Nelson(25) will be the Derek Fisher point guard leader, scoring and passing well, hitting free throws, and making good decisions.


and this is all outside the gold-medal DWIGHT HOWARD factor, whom will average
25.5 ppg 14.9 rpg 2.5 asts 2.1 blks 60.1% FGs 67.2% FTs
being the team leader offensively and defensively to make him an MVP candidate






Washington Wizards (50-32)
Gilbert Arenas is never going to stop talking, his perspective is one of the realist voices and he is one wildest personalities in the NBA, but his game is about to talk alot louder than he will. Gilbert Arenas is still the man on that team, he is going to adjust his game to fascilitate and score as great as he knows he can, but it all starts with GILBERT, it all depends on him if he can make the BIG three of Caron Butler, Antwan Jamison, and Agent Zero ALL all-stars and have their best season in franchise history, and the pieces around those three aren't too bad either. Deshawn Stevenson kept us entertained while Gilbert was gone, he made himself an important role player on this team, and now he has to adjust his play with Gilbert, he should score a little less but still hit make big plays and get Gilbert the ball for big shots. The young boys of the Wizards are gonna improve and play big minutes this season, Nick Young and Andrey Blatche. Blatche is already really underrated as a 22-year-old 6-11 small forward matchup nightmare on offense or defense, he is going to play more with 23-year-old Nick Young, the second year ROY contender. Brenden Haywood will be solid as usual, Etan Thomas is back so we hope they don't fist fight again, but if they share the center they'll both be solid, we're pretty dure Antonio Daniels is still there, but we don't care because in order for this team to be great its going to take the following:


Gilbert Arenas - 25.5 ppg 4.3 rpg 6.4 apg 44.3% FGs 36.7% 3pt FGs 80.1% FTs
Caron Butler - 20.3 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.4 apg 46.1% FGs 27.3% 3pt FGs 83.4% FTs
Antwan Jamison - 17.4 ppg 9.3 rpg 2.1 apg 45.3% FGs 36.4% 3pt FGs 74.2% FTs


Miami Heat (30-52)


Dwayne Wade is (probably) the best guard player in the NBA, he could very well be the second coming of Micheal Jordan, score 35 ppg this season, and lead the NBA-worst, used-to-be-champion Miami Heat to respectability and playoffs in 2009. Problem is, if he does he will need Jamaal Magloire and Udonis Haslem to play defense, the rookies, Mario Chalmers and Micheal Beasley to play their role, and James Jones to hit threes off the bench, i.e James Posey. And they can do it, maybe Micheal Beasley is as good as some say he is, he could average 17 pts 7 rbs and be the Rookie of the year, maybe Shawn Marion won't get traded even though he and Beasley are the same man Marion will play PF and average 17 pts 10 rbs, Jamaal Magloire will be reborn at 30 and averag 9 pts 9 rbs and Mario Chalmers starts and is rookie of the year candidate with Beasley averaging 10 pts 4 rbs 5 asts, i.e Rajon Rondo. Maybe James Jones is a 6th man of the year candidate and averages 10 pts off the bench and leads the league in 3pt FG%, maybe Alonzo Mourning DOESN'T get bought out to play for a real contender, and plays backup to Jamaal Magloire or Mark Blount......and plays his heart(no pun) out.


But in order for any of this to be a possibility, it all starts with gold medal Dwayne Wade, being the best PER player in the league and a likely MVP award winner averaging

Dwayne Wade - 33.4 ppg 5.4 rpg 5.4 apg 52.4% FGs 32.3% 3pt FGs 85.1% FTs

Charlotte Bobcats (27-55)




Sigh. Micheal Jordan, Larry Brown, and Bob Johnson is a train wreck in immediate unfolding. This is a team that looks good on the surface but when the surface is seen through you realize that this is a franchise that has not yet achieved respectability yet. Larry Brown is going to prove himself as a curse to young teams and give this franchise its worst record since its first year in business. D.J Augustine is a good player, but he will not be good until and only until he leaves that situation, he and Raymond Felton are going to beef, Adam Morrison is going to play big minutes and Gerald Wallace is going to demand a trade. Jason Richardson will remain good, averaging 20 ppg, but in the attempted development of Adam Morrison, Richardson will take less control of the team and turn Vince Carter, just not caring. Now, the focal point of the defense, and maybe one day the offense, Emeka Okafor, will also play up to his contract, he may have a career year, and he is the deciding factor on whether or not the Bobcats will completely suck or just be bad, if he's good (15 ppg 10 rpg) the Bobcats will only be bad, but its set in stone, the Bobcats will be at least bad. Sorry, fans.


Emeka Okafor - 15.2 ppg 10.1 rpg 2.1 bpg 52.1% FGs 67.8% FTs
Jason Richardson - 18.7 ppg 5.1 rpg 3.2 apg 44.3% FGs 38.1% 3pt FGs 71.2% FTs
Gerald Wallace - 16.2 ppg 7.1 rpg 2.1 apg 1.8 spg 43.2% FGs 78.2% FTs



THE Atlanta Hawks (47-35)




The Atlanta Hawks, its our year baby. I speak as a general basketball fan first, knowledge and realistic expectation second, and hometown fan bias last. And with that being said, i think the Hawks are going to increase their win total by at least 8, but im betting 10, and i'm going to explain why. The Atlanta Hawks spent the first 20 games of the season, tinkering with the lineup, trying to find the best players for positions and matchups, often Anthony Johnson and Tyronne Lue started at PG, when the Hawks got Bibby, they were 22-28. They took some getting used to on the road, when the Hawks went 4-11 before their first winning streak finished 11-7 for a 37-45 record and the #8 seed in the 'Leastern Conference'.This season, the starting center is no rookie, the PG situation is not unstable, joe johnson will not be injured and Josh Smith, the leader offensively and defensively for this team will have his best season yet again. Mike Bibby will be the good PG consistently the Hawks have lacked since Jason Terry, he will be the leader to improve his teammates with passing first, scoring second. Joe Johnson is livid he wasn't chosen to be on Team USA, he will play consistently great like he always has, and be a third time all-star this year.


Mike Bibby - 14.5 ppg 4.5 rpg 6.5 apg 46.3% FGs 37.4% 3pt FGs 78.9% FTs
Joe Johnson - 20.3 ppg 4.2 rpg 5.2 apg 48.4% FGs 39.7% 3pt FGs 82.1% FTs
Marvin Williams - 12.2 ppg 5.2 rpg 2.3 apg 43.1% FGs 32.3% 3pt FGs 76.4% FTs
Josh Smith - 20.8 ppg 9.2 rpg 3.3 apg 3.1 bpg 2.1 spg 48.9% FGs 33.7% 3pt FGs 81.3% FTs
Al Horford - 14.2 ppg 10.4 rpg 2.1 apg 1.4 bpg 1.2 spg 51.4% FGs 80.1% FTs
bench

Maurice Evans 8.7 ppg 3.2 rpg 3.2 apg
Flip Murray 6.5 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg
Zaza Pachulia 5.1 ppg 4.8 rpg
Acie Law IV 4.2 ppg 3.2 apg
Jeremy Richarson 2.3 ppg
Randolph Morris 1.4 ppg 2.2 rpg



Southeast Division:

Orlando Magic (52-30)
Washington Wizards (50-32)
Miami Heat (30-52)
Charlotte Bobcats (27-55)
Atlanta Hawks (47-35)






Atlantic Division:

Boston Celtics (58-24)
Toronto Raptors (48-34)
Philiadelphia 76ers (50-32)
New York Knicks (24-58)
New Jersey Nets (18-64)



Central Division:

Chicago Bulls (44-38)
Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
Detroit Pistons (48-34)
Indiana Pacers (30-52)
Milwalkee Bucks (40-42)





1.celtics
2. magic
3. cavs
4. wizards
5. 76ers
6. pistons
7. raptors
8. hawks

GM Rick Sund signs Flip Murray, Atlanta Hawks starting to look like a team...

its a beautiful day in sports worldwide, the most beautiful sports event ever is in full effect, as is basketball for the USA and the NBA off-season

team usa is dominating in every game (except australia, we'll get them back later), it's too bad we didn't see Childress play with Greece to be dominated with the rest of them, that would make him home sweet home real soon, lol, but i hope Josh Childress is the star player and MVP of that team and league, so when he comes back to the hawks it would be monumental

the hawks are moving on without Childress for now though, GM Rick Sund continuing to explore the free agent market and make good decisions. GM Rick Sund recently signed Flip Murray, a 6'3 combo guard who played well in indiana and detroit, to be a veteran leader, scorer off the bench. Mike Woodson and Flip are on one accord (for now) and the hawks team is looking very strong for this upcoming season. There had been questions of team chemistry in the past, urgenct contract matters of important parts of the team and organization were rightfully a concern, after the resignation of the man that drafted and traded for all of the current hawks players of today, we chose someone we felt could make good decisions for the organization and team, and even though we have gone through the ludacris of Josh Childress, there seems to be some method to the madness after all.

This is a realistic opinion prediction of the Atlanta Hawks and the Southeast Division, i am a hawks blogger that believes Josh Smith is the best player on the team, Mike Woodson is the man for the job (for now) and the Hawks could win 45+ games this upcoming season, realisticly.

Southeast Division Alalysis:

Orlando Magic

Washington Wizards

Miami Heat

Charlotte Bobcats

this is actually going to be detailed analysis of the atlanta hawks of this season, , all factors considered:

coach Mike Woodson the hawks are better defensively than they have ever been, they play with a new confidence and swagger they gained in the playoffs, great home record, but also impressively winning on the road against teams that aren't supposed to lose to the hawks at home, earning the hawks some respect. believe it or not, Mike Woodson is not that bad. he actually has the favor and some respect of some of his players, and this team wants to be a defensive force, and believe it or not, mike was an intricate part of 04 Detroit Pistons championship defensive identity, hey if Doc Rivers can do it why not mike?

predicted team record : 47-35

Joe Johnson3x all-star

previous season stats: 21.7 ppg 4.5 rpg 5.8 apg 43.2% FGs 38.1% 3pt FGs 83.4% FTs

joe johnson is the leader of this team, mr. consistent has proven to be a top 10 SG in this league and one of the best all-around players in the nba. he improved hisp lay this season by increasing his FG and 3pt % by taking less shots and better shots, also formed a dynamic duo with Josh Smith, making plays for each other in the games, making opponents pay for double teaming him.
predicted next season stats: 20.2 pts 5.0 rbs 5.5 asts 48.2% FGs 40.1% 3pt FGs 85% FTs

Josh Smithall-star. dpoy.

previous season stats:17.2 ppg 8.2 rpg 3.4 apg 2.8 bpg 1.5 spg 45.9% FGs 25.3% 3pt FGs 71.1% FTs
Joshes improved shot selection and free throw shooting is what game him his first all-star selection and his continued improvement, focus on defense is what got him his first defensive player of the year award. after continuing to make his place in nba history as the first forward to average 3 bpg of all-time, and having an unstoppable in-the-paint game, josh also improved his game by being able to hit that 12-15 foot jumpshot, and he improved his 3pt shooting percentage, rightfully leading this young hawks team defensively and offensively.

predicted next season stats: 22.2 pts 8.3 rbs 3.0 asts 3.1 blks 2.1 stls 48.4% FGs 34.7% 3pt FGs 80.4% FTs

Al Horford

previous season stats: 10.1 ppg 9.7 rpg 1.5 apg 49.9% FGs 73.4% FTs

al horford and josh smith make the defensive identity of this hawks team, horford was one of the best rookies in the league last season and he proves his elite status in the east with improved play on both ends of the court, still playing the center position he has improved his jumpshot and led the hawks in scoring in 10 games this season, he is the leading rebounder on the team and 6th in rebounding in the league

predicted next season stats: 16.5 pts 11.3 rbs 2.0 asts 2.0 blks 50.4% FGs 82.1% FTs

Mike Bibbyprevious season stats: 13.9 ppg 3.5 rpg 6.0 apg 41.1% FGs 37.5% 3pt FGs 78.1% FTs

mike bibby is a solid point guard with good descision making skills, he has evolved as a passer because he elects to be more of a distributing PG first, scoring second. bibby is in the final year of his contract and he knows he wont be kept by the hawks so he is doing the best he can to help them win this season and in the post-season
predicted next season stats: 14.1 pts 4.1 rbs 6.2 asts 44.4% FGs 33.7% 3pt FGs 78.4% FTs

Marvin Williamsprevious season stats: 14.8 ppg 5.7 rpg 1.7 apg 46.2% FGs 10.1% 3pt FGs 82.2% FTs

marvin williams is a very bad player, he is very ackward inconsistent with no real specialty to his game, unless you consider a 12 foot jumpshot a specialty. he takes a step back this season with the improved play of josh smith and lack of josh childress, marvins minutes decline and so does his overall contribution to the team, he is not expected to be retained in the 09 off-season
predicted next season stats: 12.2 pts 4.3 rbs 2.1 asts 43.2% FGs 31.2% 3pt FGs

bench

Maurice Evans

previous season stats: 9.0 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.0 apg 48.1% FGs 38.8% 3pt FGs 71.2% FTs
mo evans turned out to be a great signing, bringing experienced veteran leadership, poise, and good shooting to the team, he is the teams 2nd most accurate 3 pt shooter, something childress could not provide, and he scores just as many points
predicted next season stats: 10.1 pts 3.1 rbs 2.3 asts 45.2% FGs 37.4 3pt FGs 78.3% FTs

Flip Murray

previous season stats: 9.4 ppg 2.0 rpg 3.5 apg 42.1% FGs 31.1% 3pt FGs 69.4% FTs
Flip Murray is pretty good for our team, he doesn't play as often because of his combo guard style of play, he is a pretty good scorer though, his veteran leadership is appreciated
predicted next season stats: 6.0 pts 2.1 rbs 1.3 asts

Acie Law IV

previous season stats: 4.2 ppg 2.1 apg

Acie Law wanted to really redeem himself this season, he did okay as the primary backup to mike bibby, but due to he splitting time with speedy claxton he did not get consistent minutes, acie law continues to be frustrated, he will be even more frustrated when bibby leaves and we sign someone else to be the starting pg
predicted next season stats: 6.1 pts 2.3 rbs 3.1 asts

Zaza Pachulia

previous season stats:
5.2 ppg 4.2 rpg

ZaZa is an intrigal part of this Hawks bench, he is our token foreign big man from the great republic of georgia, after being devestated by the war in his country, and due to the swagger shown in the playoffs, he is a fan favorite, and always brings aggresive play and good plays
predicted next season stats: 6.4 pts 6.5 rbs 2.3 asts 47.2% FGs 81% FTs

Randolph Morrisprevious season stats: irrelevent

this is a learning experience for morris, he is competing from the bench to be the starting center for the team when marvin leaves, he must lose alot of weight and become a more skilled passer, shot-blocker first, he will need to be a diop type enforcer center, not expected to be a scorer
predicted next season stats: 4.5 pts 3.4 rbs 1.1 blks

Jeremy Richardson
previous season stats:
Jeremy is a good role bench player, he is a SG/SF scorer, he is a good shooter, free throws, 3 pts, driving to the basket, and even a good defensive player
predicted next season stats:

Speedy Claxton
summer league stats:
predicted next season stats:


in conclusion, i am highlighting this hawks team because i see a eastern conference contender in the making, we got our big three, good PG (for now) and good center in the making, what will become one of the best benches in the league, i can see this occuring

Zaza Pachulia on CNN - Peace in the Republic of Georgia please

It is really a terrible tragedy in this current event, world news.

Let us step away from basketball with Zaza for a second and confront a terrible reality occuring in our ally's neighborhoods.

----------------------------------------------------------

The last few days have been tough on the Hawks' big man, as he has seen his otherwise peaceful homeland ravaged by fighting that has left over 2,000 dead and many more homeless..

Pachulia, who is about as big a sports celebrity as there is in Georgia (the Republic of, not the state), has been incredibly active since fighting broke out nearly a week ago, trying to help bring about a peaceful resolution. He attended peace rallies on Sunday and Tuesday night, and has appeared on CNN twice, once on CNN International and again yesterday on the regular network.

While most of the world's attention is on the Olympics in Beijing, Pachulia calls this time "the most stressful of his life" as he tries to stay in contact with his friends and family who are half the world away.

"Because of my age," says Pachulia, "A lot of my friends are still serving in the military. I have been able to get in contact with some of them, but others I have no idea. It's scary - I just want the fighting to end. Innocent people are being killed or losing their homes, and that just can't continue."

Zaza is supposed to travel back to Georgia next week to begin playing with his national team as they try to qualify for the 2009 European championships, but now that is up in the air.

"There are more important things than basketball going on right now," said Pachulia. "I want to go home and represent my country, but we can't be playing games when we have to worry about the stadium we are playing in being bombed."
Pachulia plans to continue to do all he can to help resolve the situation, but was quick to say that politics is not his game.
"I am not trying to talk about who is wrong and who is right," he said. "The most important thing to me is that there be peace, and that the people of Georgia not have to live in fear for their lives or their homes."

----------------

The Hawks really feel they CAN WIN This Series

HAWKS WIN AGAIN! Series tied 2-2, History in the Making?

player of the game: JOE JOHNSON - 35 pts 6 ast 14/24 fGs 2/6 3 pts



JOSH SMITH - 28 pts 6 rebs 7 BLOCKS 8/16 FGs 12/13 FTs

This is Huge. Bigger than 2007 Dallas Mavericks (67-15) getting beat by Golden State Warriors (42-40) because this team is the 'least' of all 'leastern conference' teams. FOOLS! The Hawks aren't just a group of young guys with potential, these are induvidually talented men and they play well as a team on the court. We have our ALL-STAR duo JOE JOHNSON and JOSH SMITH, and although he didn't make the all-star team this year, he SURELY will as he leads the league in blocks for many years to come.

Can we say nobody, i say, NOBODY expected this situation to occur? The Hawks had been thrashed in Boston by 23 and 19 points, respectively, then came to Phillips Arena and won by 9 and 5 points, even MORE respectively. DO PEOPLE SEE AND REALIZE HOW THEY WON GAME 4? The game 3 we won was a statement, a glory road to take off the 'roadkill' label, the 'lowly' hawks perception, and now game 4 will take us off the disrespected highway, the 'underrated' label, and now people are forced to take another look at this team, the passion, skill, and opportunity these young guys are in.

An interesting observation: Now who got the better of the suns/hawks trade?

boris diaw - 05-06 most improved player award (in the absense of Amare Stoudemire, the same year nash got his second MVP award when Kobe should have got his first)

joe johnson - 2-time all-star, avg. 22.0 ppg 5 ast shoot 43% Fgs and 40% 3pts while leading his team to the biggest playoff upset of all time.

the two best records in the NBA this year, the Boston Celtics 66-16 and the Detriot Pistons 59-23 are both tied with the worst records in the playoffs owned by the Philly Sixers 40-42 and the Atlanta Hawks (the worst winning pct in playoffs of all time) 37-45

Boston Celtics 66-16 vs Atlanta Hawks 37-45 - -- -- 2-2 tied
Detroit Pistons 59-23 vs Philly Sixers 40-42 ----- 2-2 tied

ZAZA PACHULIA! ZAZA PACHULIA! ZAZA PACHULIA! ZAZA PACHULIA!

fNow, I will give this man some respect. Understand that we, the fans, have HATED this player since he came to our team, for many and no reasons. It wasn't his fault his 3rd year from the country of Georgia he was forced to start for the Hawks and was blamed for our 13-69 record that year. But that player has risen from the ashes, he went through the storm and he experienced his glory moment in the NBA.



We in da house! GO HAWKS! ATL STAND UP!