Devin Harris, Vince Carter Homecourt Advantage, Robin Lopez season high, but Joe Johnson is magnificent, Hawks 108 Nets 115

Hawks 108 Nets 115

22 28 26 32

27 22 24 42

Great game.

it wasn't an outstanding performance defensively for the Hawks, especially in the 1st quarter, but the Nets played flawless offense this grand return game for Devin Harris to break a 3-game losing streak.

PeachtreeHoops, the #1 unofficial hawks blog gave some great statisical information that pretty much sums up everything:

I think it's fair to expect that if the following things occur the Hawks should win the game.

Joe Johnson scores 32 points on 16 shots.
Joe Johnson scores 21 points and does not miss a shot in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks make 15-27 three-pointers.
Marvin Williams scores 21 points.
Flip Murray scores 21 points on 13 shots.
Acie Law IV (welcome back) scores 9 points and has three assists in ten minutes.
Mike Bibby makes 4 three-pointers and doesn't turn the ball over once.

How did the Hawks go about wasting their broad offensive success last night?

By letting the Nets shoot better than 50% from the floor.
By also letting the Nets rebound more than 35% of their own missed shots.
By sending the Nets to free throw line almsot twice as often as the Hawks visited the stripe.
By forcing just 8 turnovers on roughly 90 Net possessions.

Give the Nets credit, they played a running game and made more shots than than the Hawks down the stretch. Rookie Brook Lopez had previously been as average as his brother, Robin Lopez on Suns, but tonight he hit a career-high 25 points on 11-17 FGs, doing most his scoring in the 1st half. Devin Harris was very good in this game though, 30 pts (8-17 FGs 2-4 3pt FGs 12-12 FTs)6 rbs 8 asts, and Vince Carter was a shadow of his former self scoring down the stretch in the crucial 4th quarter, 30 pts on 7-20 FGs 12-16 FTs. and who the hell is this guy, Ryan Anderson scoring 15 pts 4-4 3pts, but ive always hated this Dooling fool in Magic and he scored 10 pts

But the Hawks played great, Marvin Williams had an outstanding scoring output, 21 pts on 7-17 FGs 3-4 3pt FGs 4-6 FTs, Flip Murray played more minutes probably than he should have but was clutch, scored 21 pts in 37 minutes, but Acie Law IV was more clutch, scoring 9 pts in 10 minutes. The other starters didn't really have a good night, Bibby's 12 pts 4-11 fgs is about average for him, he may do better every once in a while and he will be more often than not, Al Horford is great in the making, but he as of 8 games into the season and 4 without Josh Smith he is not the strong low post threat he could-will be for the Hawks (safe for that crazy 27 pts 17 rbs 6 blks roadkiller), because in this game it was all offense. Which brings me to my next section:

isN't JOE JOHNSON at least the 3rd best SG in the NBA?!

32 pts (11-16 FGs 5-8 3pt FGs 5-6 FTs) 9 rbs 5 asts 2 stls
Those stats don't even begin to tell the story of the great that is Joe Johnson, as a PG he is the best floor leader, decision maker any team could have, his courtvision is seldom hindered by even the best defense at PG, on offense, it will take at least young Jason Kidd defense just to slow him down, and please do not let Joe back you down, he is among the best of them. As a Shooting Guard, Joe will make 40% guarenteed all the time, he is an excellent slasher, he is one of the best in the league in traffic and after ball pick-up, he hits midrange super consistently. As a Small Forward, Joe Johnson is a great rebounder

Josh Smith?

Josh Smith MAY return tonight, he has been listed as day-to-day until after the road trip, which is tonight so..

caption this pic, lol.

Hawks/Celtics Playoffs Rivalry Game 8 - Hawks superb but "the Truth" prevails; Hawks 102 Celtics 103

Truth Hurts

But just as the close and competitive as that game was, thats how close the Hawks are to the Celtics level

Box Score

The Hawks are earning some respect big time after this one, the whole world knows the odds were all against the Hawks, Josh out, second night of back-to-back, the significance of the rivalry that has become with us game the Hawks all the skill, energy, and adrenaline they needed to win. But, time was not on our side, its just not quite our time yet, it would have been TOO big a shock to the world, a little unbelievable that the Hawks would beat the Celtics in that circumstance, and then, if the Hawks did win, it wouldn't have been "Hawks WIN!" it would have been, "Celtics Lose" and people would be more reluctant to praise the Hawks, because now, they're just getting lucky, everyone knows they're not better than the Defending Champion Celtics, not yet. But with the game unfolding the way it did, it makes people give the Hawks credit like "Wow, that was a great game, hey, the Hawks are pretty good now"

The Atlanta Hawks VS Boston Celtics is the most exciting rivalry in the Eastern Conference right now, Although Kevin Garnett doesn't agree, (there are a number of reasons for that), the general public, sports fans vehemently agree, look at this infomation from the great Sekou Smith:

“A year ago a game between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks was hardly worth a second look. On Wednesday night, the telecast of the postseason rematch was the highest rated regular season game in Comcast SportsNet history.

The final half hour, which included Paul Pierce’s game-winning heroics, was the top rated program on Boston television, beating out network hits such as House and Law & Order. The game drew an estimated 245,000 households in New England and 163,000 in the Boston market alone.”

Yahoo! Sports behind the boxscore game review

AJC's Sekou Smith first loss recap

Eastern Rivalry Renewed: Hawks (6-0) VS Celtics (7-1)Preview

Atlanta Hawks (6-0) VS Boston Celtics (7-1)

Probable Starters
PG Rajon Rondo PPG 8.6 REB 3.9 ASST 6.3

SG Ray Allen PPG 15.5 REB 5.3 ASST 2.6

SF Paul Pierce PPG 18.8 REB 7.6 ASST 4.0

PF Kevin Garnett PPG 15.4 REB 10.0 ASST 1.6

C Kendrick Perkins PPG 5.4 REB 7.4 BLk 2.5
Reserves
Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell

Injuries:
Paul Pierce (hand) will play
Rondo (body) will play

Probable Inactive
JR Giddens
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell

Probable Starters
PG Mike Bibby PPG 14.2 REB 2.4 ASST 5.6

SG Joe Johnson PPG 25.2 REB 5.2 ASST 3.8

SF Marvin Williams PPG 10.8 REB 6.0 ASST 1.3

PF Al Horford PPG 8.8 REB 8.8 ASST 3.2

C Zaza Pachulia PPG 4.2 REB 5.2 ASST 0.8
Reserves
Acie Law
Solomon Jones
Maurice Evans
Flip Murray
Othello Hunter
Randolph Morris
Mario West
Speedy Claxton
Thomas Gardner
Josh Smith

Injuries
Josh Smith (ankle) day to day
Speedy Claxton (knee) out

Probable Inactive
Josh Smith
Speedy Claxton
Thomas Gardner

Key Matchups
vs
Bibby was very vocal about the Celtics fans during the playoffs, calling them bandwagon fans. I am sure they haven't forgotten that so expect him to be booed early and often.

vs
Joe Johnson will try to get the best of his former team. He has been averaging over 25 points per game and it will be up to Ray Allen to try to contain him like he couldn't do in the playoffs last season in this game.

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Al Horford
Al Horford's taunting earned the Celtics' Captain a fine when he retaliated with the so called gang sign in the playoffs. Expect KG to send him a message in this game.

Marvin Williams
Marvin is the biggest X factor of this game. As we all know Marvin Williams was suspended for the clothesline of Rajon Rondo in game 7 last season, he served his suspension and the Hawks are the best team in the East, with Josh Smith out, Marvin Williams must step up and take on some of the scoring load, have a breakout game of at least 18 pts 6 rbs to make his presence felt there.

Game Notes
The Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in the first round of the playoffs, surprising many fans on both sides. They started where they left off in the playoffs with a 5-0 start this season beating the Magic, 76ers, Hornets, Raptors and Thunder with the first 4 teams all having playoff aspirations and the Hornets being favored by some to win it all.

The Hawks took a page from the Celtics book and are doing it with defense, holding teams to 85.8 points per game which is second only to the Lakers 84.4. The Celtics come in third at 86.75. They are limiting teams to 40.8% field goal percentage which is 3rd best in the league behind the Celtics 38.2% and the Lakers 39%. This should be a defensive battle and the Celtics would be very wise not to start slow in this game because they may not be able to make it up against this Hawks defense.

The Hawks are playing in the second of back to back games, having faced the Bulls the night before and the Celtics had the previous night off but are playing in their 3rd game in 4 nights.

Al Horford DOMINATES the Bulls in career-high scoring night; Hawks remain perfect

Now You Know, ESPN

Beautiful, virtuoso performance by the REAL 2007 Rookie of the Year, how upset are people gonna be as he continues to improve and people review his resume and wonder WHY he didn't win Rookie of the Year, and no disrespect to the player that won, but why would the NBA do that for a franchise that wasn't going to exist anymore anyway..?

Hawks 113 Bulls 108
26 29 29 29
22 30 22 34

Al Horford knows that with Josh Smith out of the lineup, he must be the defensive anchor on the team. He also knew he was more than capable to have big scoring nights, and he felt that itch from the tip with Gator-buddy Joakim Noah.

In the first quarter, Al Horford went to work immedietely on Tyrus Thomas, scores. Going to work against Joakim Noah, scores, going against Aaron Gray, scores + the foul, by the end of the first quarter Al Horford had 8 pts 3 rbs 3 blks. He continued his onslaught in Karl Malone-fashion, gobbling up rebounds, getting putbacks, making free throws, after halftime the score was 55-52, AL Horford had 16 pts 7 rbs 5 blks.

Mike Bibby also had a great game,scoring the first basket of the second half on an assist by Joe Johnson, did anybody see that running off-the-backboard layup by Marvin Williams in the beginning of the 3rdQ? That was impressive



FLIP MURRAY

MO EVANS

NBA.COM HAWKS VS BULLS RECAP

ESPN.COM RECAP

Only TWO unbeaten teams in the NBA; Lakers and Hawks, lets compare

The Atlanta Hawks are soaring, people. It is not an early fluke, these Hawks are more than for real, i believe we have an Eastern Conference contender in the making here, and they are not that far from being made.

Hawks 89 Thunder 85
22 16 20 31
14 27 21 23

11/09/08 - Atlanta Hawks (5-0) VS Oklahoma City Thunder(1-5) (See: Seattle Supersonics)
Sunday's game was the first full game without Josh Smith, a HUGE factor on both ends of the floor, and at first it took some getting used to.

The first quarter the hawks played well, outscoring Thunder 22-14, it was unfortunate that Thunder(do i say Thunder or THE Thunder? It sounds gay either way) lost Chris Wilcox to a knee injury, and i guess the Hawks had some sympathy for Thunder in the second quarter, getting outscored 27-16, making the halftime score 41-38.

After a defensively contestive 3rd quarter with Hawks outscoring Thunder 21-20, the Hawks really turned it up for the 4th quarter, keyed by a certain 6th man of the year candidate, Flip Murray, scoring 9 points in the 4th with two 3-pointers and a steal, layup. Joe Johnson scored 8 in the 4th to ice this team, and the Hawks grinded out a win to remain undefeated.



The 2008-2009 Eastern Conference Order of Power

Tier 1
Boston Celtics (6-1)-
Champions. Enough said.

Tier 2
Detroit Pistons (4-2)-
The Pistons should be in Tier 1 with Boston, but they're not. I, for one, am a believer in the Allen Iverson trade, he should make that team better offensively, but unfortunately these two games played so far have only proved Allen Iverson's defensive liability that comes with his offense. If Iverson learned to distribute the ball a little better and score his 20 ppg, the Pistons will remain a championship contender, if this doesn't work, obviously AI and Detroit will divorce, as Iverson is in his contract year.

Cleveland Cavaliers (5-2)-
The Cavs are the biggest wildcard for a championship contender, i mean, of course there is the LeBron Factor, which alone make the Cavs a CONTENDER, but who else on that team can make them a CHAMPION? Mo Williams is averaging 14.1 ppg 4.5 apg, doing a little less than what Mike Bibby is doing for the Atlanta Hawks, so does that put them over the top? Actually, Williams has made less impact than most thought he would, he just fell back into the shadow of LeBron instead of being a leader with him, which is why i'm not ready to declare the Cavs a championship-calibur team, just a contender.
But LeBron James is averaging 28.1 ppg 9.0 rpg 7.0 asts on 47% FGs 77% FTs, great, but not better than last season in any way for James, if he can just average 80% on FTs, he'll be MVP

Orlando Magic (4-2) -
Dwight Howard is averaging 22.2 ppg 13.7 rpg 4.0 bpg but that 48.5% FTs is abysmal even for Howard, i mean, come on, i thought the World victory that is the Obama presidency and the US Gold Medal might motivate this young brother enough to improve his FT shooting at least a little bit! No, not at all, its gotten much worse, and i think the rest of the team has disimproved a little bit too. Of course its only been 6 games, but Hedu Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis really sucking right now, Lewis shooting 40.1% FGs 28.9% 3pt FGs 71.2% FTs for 17.7 ppg, Turkoglu, last season Most Improved Player Award winner, shooting 36.4% FGs 30.0% 3pt FGs 83.3% FTs for 15.5 ppg. If these two guys dont step up not only will they not be a championship team, but they will not even be DIVISION champs, as the Hawks win the Southeast(YYEAAHH BOY!)

Toronto Raptors (4-2)-
Chris Bosh is the best PF in the Eastern Conference, and 2nd to only Amare Stoudamire in the NBA, no doubt about it. He is dominating averaging 26.7 ppg 11.3 rpg 2.5 asts 53.7% FGs 83.1% FTs, and his frontcourtmate isn't doing so bad either. A far cry from his career averages but Jermaine O'Neal is averaging 10.2 ppg 6.7 rpg but the 1.8 blks is what helps Toronto the most. The Raptors are rolling, i don't think they are much better than the Atlanta Hawks, but the Bosh factor alone is slightly bigger than the Johnson factor, outside of that Atlanta wins at every position. I really don't get it though, just because Toronto won 49 games that one season and has been a consistent first round exit ever since, people want to see this team as much better than the Hawks. I'll not argue that perspective for now, but when the Hawks win 49 games this season, we will be considered better than the Raptors, and our Mike Woodson better get COY.

Tier 3 -
Atlanta Hawks (6-0)-
We won't be here in this 3rd tier by the end of this season. The Hawks have a chance to be one of the top 5 teams in the Eastern Conference, and if the east if still considered "least" then we will be the cream of the crop on top. Joe Johnson is 3rd in the NBA in John Hollinger's PER which makes him statistically, the 3rd best player in the NBA, Josh Smith is starting to bloom into a superstar himself defensively, and if he ever develops into that 20 ppg scorer he could, should be at the PF position, a MISMATCH EVERY NIGHT for whoever we play...Al Horford will undoubtedly be a double-double beast increasingly in his NBA career (although he has not averaged that thus far, his first game without Smoove proved much). Marvin Williams is about as solid and getting closer to consistent as you can ask from the Small Forward position, he defends well, rebounds, slashes a little bit, and if he is a brand new 3pt shooter? He is looking like NOT the biggest mistake Knight ever made...even though he probably still is, unless the Hawks get to the Finals before the Hornets, we know our team, Hawks may win the division this season.

Philadelphia 76ers -
Miami Heat -

The remaining teams in the Eastern Conference I feel don't have a realistic chance at becoming great in the near future; Wizards - injury prone, Pacers - No D, Bucks - Bogut, Knicks - maybe suprise, Nets - sucks,

KOBE vs JOE


























Kobe Bryant - 24.4 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.4 apg 1.8 stls 0.8 blks 47.3% FGs 33.3% 3pt FG 78.6% FTs in 33.3 MPG
Joe Johnson - 25.2 ppg 5.2 rpg 3.8 apg 1.4 stls 0.4 blks 50.5% FGS 44.4% 3pt FG 78.9% FTs in 37.4 MPG

Lakers - 1st in defensive effeciency (88.5 points allowed), 1st in offensive effeciency (112.2 points scored)
Hawks - 3rd in defensive effeciency(91.5 points allowed), 12th in offensive effeciency (106.4 points scored)

the JOSH SMITH factor
through the first 3 games, Josh Smith was averaging 14.5 ppg 10.7 rpg 3.5 blks 2.5 stls, and although he has only played 3 games so far, his impact on the defensive end cannot be overstated. I mean, the first game of the season against Dwight Howard and the Magic in Orlando, what he do: 17 pts 10 rbs 5 blks 4 stls, granted, Dwight Howard had 8 blocks in that same game, but obviously we won 99-85. The Hawks have obviously always had this great defensive player, but its about time the Hawks became a great defensive team.

the BEAST of AL HORFORD
Al Horford has played 5 games of excellence at the center/power forward position. Playing slightly fewer minutes than last season due to foul trouble Horford is averaging 8.8 ppg 8.8 rpg 3.2 spg 1.8 bpg, but in Smith's absense, Horford rightfully so became the defensive presence that Smith usually is, posting a stat line of 8 pts 12 rbs 2 asts 5 blks, if he continues this aggressiveness, the Hawks will be alright while Smith is gone.

Marvin "lights out" Williams?
The official number on the season is 4/7 but Marvin Williams has shown a new confidence in that 3point stroke that has NEVER been there before. He was taking and making 3pointers with ease in the New Orleans win Wednesday night, if Marvin can shoot say, 38-40% 3pt FGs this season, (you never know this season) he will have deserved the 3 year 20 million extention he should be offered :D i know that's kind of mean, but that's real

Mike "SolidRock" Bibby
Mike Bibby is a solid point guard. He is a strong solid point guard, he is GOOD, GUARENTEED for about 14 ppg 6 asts every night. Sometimes he even has games like the Toronto game, 19 pts 12 asts, but those are about as frequent as a full moon, but you can count on good floor leadership, decision making(sometimes) with Mike.

FlipMo SQUAD!
Mann, who the f*ck is Josh Childress? Na, i'm just playing i miss the kid and his afro but Flip Murray and Maurice Evans replace him FINE! When the Hawks first signed Mo Evans I was more excited about him, even after we signed Flip Murray, i thought he would not be a big impact player, boy have i been pleasantly wrong. Flip Murray is averaging 12.4 ppg 2.4 rpg 2.2 spg on 41.2% FGs 41.3% 3pt FGs, Maurice Evans has averaged 8.0 ppg 3.4 rpg, combined, these two average 20.4 ppg 6.0 rpg 3.0 apg, i don't think Josh Childress would have provided that this season. Flip is clutch man, Flip can make plays, of course sometimes he may make the wrong decision, but thats not been that often yet. And there are some people that say, "oh well, you like him now, just wait until the trade deadline, you'll be trynig to trade him" I see no such future, i think Flip will continue to be a fire off the bench and he himself will average at least 10 ppg, and Mo at least 8 ppg, thats good enough for the Hawks to win some games

Did somebody say the Hawks had a bad bench?
ZaZa Pachulia, Acie Law IV, Solomon Jones, Randolph Morris, Mario West, the Hawks go 12 DEEP with EASE this season! and none of those guys are scrubs! Well, maybe ZaZa sometimes (especially the way he played in OKC, ugh), but our bench is very good and for the most part, does better than just hold a lead, ive seen our bench extend leads in each game played so far.

11/18/08-11/18/08 - the 2008-2009 Atlanta Hawks weekly predictions:

11/11 - Hawks VS Bulls in Chicago - Hawks 95 Bulls 88
11/12 - Hawks VS Celtics in Boston - Hawks 88 Celtics 87
(i know, i know, it hasn't been done yet, the possibility is almost none without Smith but i am keeping the realistic faith ;)
11/14 - Hawks VS Nets in New Jersey - Hawks 98 Nets 88
11/15 - Hawks VS Nets in Atlanta - Hawks 112 Nets 95

Hawks will be 9-0 by next Monday, believe that