So much for home court advantage!

Are Josh Smith and the Hawks ready to fight Dwyane Wade and the Heat to keep home court advantage? We'll find out tonight.

Are Josh Smith and the Hawks ready to fight Dwyane Wade and the Heat to keep home court advantage? We're going to find out tonight at Philips Arena.

HAWKSVILLE - One by tragic one they fell Saturday.

Boston started it early, with a dazzling assist from Chicago rookie point guard Derrick Rose.

San Antonio kept it going, unable to keep the pace with an equally elderly … er, experienced Dallas team.

And Portland finished off the hat trick late last night, taken apart from start to finish by Houston’s Yao Ming and his crew.

So much for home court advantage, Hawks fans.

Your team has to come and play or all that hard work for home court could be gone in an instant if they allow Miami to steal the edge with  win tonight in Game 1 at Philips Arena.

I’m not making any predictions and I’m certainly not trying to scare you (I’d think Saturday’s pillaging of home teams was sufficient), I’m only pointing out that there’s no time to rest for the home team.

Come out sluggish early all you want in the playoffs and see what happens.

Because if you don’t the Heat is thinking “steal Game 1 and turn this thing upside down” is a very real possibility, then you’re crazy. I know that’s all I’d be talking about to my team or teammates this morning.

THE REAL X-FACTOR?

I picked Michael Beasley. Two other writers I know are convinced it’s Flip Murray.

But might the true X-factor in this Hawks-Heat series be veteran Heat center Jermaine O’Neal?

My main man Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald made a case for just that with his story on O’Neal out this morning.

Having known JO for a number of years now, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see him rewind the clock a bit in this series and give Al Horford and the Hawks fits in the post.

His injury issues have certainly dealt a blow to his game compared to where he was when we were both in Indiana (I was writing and he was playing, of course). Back then he was in the conversation about the best big men in the league, a national team member and in the top three of three of the MVP race one year.

No doubt, times have changed. He’s been shuffled around from Indy to Toronto and then to Miami all in the past couple of years. Now that he’s got a chance to perform on the big stage again, after watching the playoffs the past couple of years, I can’t see him fading into the background in this situation.

COMING UP ROSES

The next time anyone wants to debate you about drafting an elite point guard over an elite big man, just mention the name Derrick Rose over and over and over again.

Like many others, I wrote before last year’s draft that he had to be the Bulls’ pick at No. 1 overall. And he did nothing throughout what is sure to be his Rookie of the Year campaign to change my mind. But watching him destroy the Celtics yesterday in Boston was beyond my wildest imagination for a point guard barely old enough to vote.

Rose did what he wanted to out there and proves my post-CP3 and Deron Williams theory that if there’s a transcendent point guard talent in any draft, you have to take him above any swingman or big man that excites you. The position is just too important in today’s game to ignore, particularly when you have a chance to get a young one that will play at an elite level on a rookie scale contract (as opposed to overpaying for one later, as the Hawks did once, when you consistently ignore point guard talent in the draft).

HAWKS IN SIX

At least one person in South Florida is willing to say it out loud and pick the Hawks to win this series against the Heat.

Greg Stoda of the Palm Beach Post made a strong case as to why Dwyane Wade and the Heat could pull the upset, only to trash that thought at the end by predicting the Hawks in six.

Mr. Stoda comes to the same conclusion my photo-taking colleague and Smyrna neighbor Mark Bradley came to days ago, when he made his own case for the Hawks to take this thing in six.

I haven’t expressed an opinion publicly about where I think this series is headed. But six games sounds like a careful and accurate approximation of where we’re going.

TIMES ARE CHANGING

In a chat with Hawks part owner Michael Gearon Jr. earlier this week, we visited on several topics about this team that have changed as the wins have piled up, relatively speaking, in each of the past two seasons. He said something interesting to me about one of the barometers he uses for the change is that his son’s friends are now wearing Hawks jerseys and not those of stars on other teams.

I can’t think of a more grassroots way of gauging whether or not your team has “arrived” on the local sports scene. The only Falcons game I’ve been to since I’ve lived here was against Pittsburgh a couple years back and I was stunned to see all the Steelers fans (in their jerseys) filing through the doors at the Georgia Dome, only to be told later that “that’s just Atlanta.”

Well, according to one of Gearon’s partners, the Hawks are turning the tables beyond the metro area.

“I’m hundreds of miles from Atlanta in a suburb of Washington called Gaithersburg,” Hawks part owner Bruce Levenson said by phone the same day I spoke with Gearon. “And earlier this year I was leaving this office to go to the airport. And I got about four blocks from here and there was a guy standing at the bus stop in a Josh Smith jersey and it was really shocking to see, but a pleasant shock, if there can be something like that.”

That’s not the only subtle (or not) change Levenson has noticed in the Hawks’ profile the past couple of years.

“I’m usually there an hour or an hour and half early for home game,” he said. “And in past years when we were playing teams like the Celtics or the Lakers there would be hundreds of people watching the visiting team warm up and nobody watching our team warm up. It was interesting to see that start to change the second half of this year. To see the fans coming together, watching our team warm up … it’s just the little baby steps that are encouraging.”

Indeed. I still get questions to this day about the “notoriously” bad home crowds that are supposed to be so common here. I can honestly say it’s gotten a lot better. Philips Arena might not be the Staples Center or TD Banknorth Garden just yet, but it’s no better or worse than a number of other venues around the league.

And I’m expecting the playoff posse to be out in full effect tonight. Hawks-Heat Game 1 at 8 p.m.

But we’ll be here all day.

280 comments Add your comment

Big Ray

April 19th, 2009
11:53 pm

Rod,

I felt Marvin came out pretty hot, and aggressive. He only played 17 minutes or so, though. I understand where you’re coming from when the argument is “keep Marvin, get rid of Josh.”

Josh played very well tonight. Of course, there are those who are woefully ignorant and hateful to the point of where they want to minimize his effort and production as much as they can. Not unexpected.

I think nearly everybody here can recognize that this was a wonderful team effort. I noted six different players myself (including the head coach, and his great management of the game). But with every game, there tends to be highlights. They show them on sportscenter. They talk about them after the game. Excitement, man. Game-changing plays. Things that key momentum and what not.

I think that’s where the “Where Amazing” commercials come from.

Where are you band wagon heat fans?

April 19th, 2009
11:56 pm

Seem to recall quite a bit of you wade jersey wearing fools talking trash on this blog recently….64 points guys! Strong start. So where are you now? I can’t seem to find your comments tonight…go cry in your wade jersey….

Big Ray

April 20th, 2009
12:03 am

Mark,

Yeah, Josh got the job done tonight. Really helped his team out on both ends of the court. He does need to do that consistently. I’ll give him as much hell as I do praise. Some people can only manage a grudging, smarmy, condescending, one-dimensional compliment. Glad to see you’re not one of those. :) And I agree, if he develops a significantly better jumper over the offseason, he will be even harder to deal with. Of course, that would ruin it for some people…they want him to just dunk the ball all the time and score close to the basket…so they can say that all he does is dunk…

I thought Bibby played very well, too. Like a crafty veteran should, especially when faced with a fresh-legged rookie that really has not much to lose. I was impressed with his performance, and look forward to more of the same.

Woody managed the game quite well. Not only do I not have any complaints, I applaud him. I thought going a bit deeper with the bench might be a way to go, but with Acie unavailable, and Speedy not “up to speed,” the better decision was spending more minutes on the bench players he was comfortable playing. It worked, as none of the starters got over-worked.

Reality

April 20th, 2009
12:13 am

WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WE LOST! WE SUCK!

trade smoove

April 20th, 2009
12:16 am

i agree with astro joe. josh smith had a buncha dunks and that is all. what else does he do? he is a whiny silly player who only dunks da ball. hawks do not need him at all. marvin plays better so let him get the play time. at least he does more than dunk.

Bibby Johnson

April 20th, 2009
12:19 am

It wasnt the magic like Celtics playoff games last season but still a great win. Way to go Hawks!!

Dwayne Wade

April 20th, 2009
12:21 am

I was fouled…not fair!

Dwayne Wade

April 20th, 2009
12:22 am

Didn’t y’all see me on the ground…I got fouled…every time someone breathed on me…they all fouled me…that’s why i hit the deck every play.

Dwayne Wade

April 20th, 2009
12:29 am

Did our 7 points in the 4th quarter make SportsCenter?

Al

April 20th, 2009
12:42 am

I wasn’t gonna show up tonight since my team didn’t but here I am. From the coach, to D-Wade, to Beasley, Haslem, and the bench, we played awful. And your team was ready and took advantage of it. Smith was flying around all over the place. Damn. I’m gonna have nightmares I think. Still, it’s only 0-1 and not yet time to panic… I would like a Wade jersey to cry into WAYBWHF… Buy me one

Josh Smith

April 20th, 2009
12:48 am

Hey Dwayne you aint the only one who has it bad. I went and dunked on yall all night long and some people still dont like me. I thot I played good. Stop cryin or Ima dunk on you like I did Steve Nash. Ya heard!

Najeh Davenpoop

April 20th, 2009
12:48 am

I was at the game tonight. The crowd was unbelievable and so were the Hawks. I don’t know what the stats were but after a slightly sloppy start everyone was playing out of their minds, except Marvin who looked like he was still shaking off a little rust. Josh Smith had the crowd going crazy, including me. I can barely talk right now.

D-Wade came out shooting J’s like he didn’t want any part of the Hawks’ interior defense. The Hawks did a great job on him but I will admit he took himself out of the game a little bit with his shot selection.

It’s only one game and the Hawks have to keep bringing it, but after a statement like they made tonight it’s hard to see the Heat pulling off the upset in this series.

About the only thing wrong with tonight’s contest was the timeout skit with Harry the Hawk dancing with a couple of cross-dressers. They got booed off the court, and deservedly so.

Najeh Davenpoop

April 20th, 2009
12:50 am

And maybe the best part about tonight’s game? Unlike last year’s playoffs, where nearly half the crowd was wearing green, there were very few Heat jerseys in the crowd. I even saw a Glenn Robinson Hawks jersey… although I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing…

Hawks Fan In New Orleans

April 20th, 2009
12:59 am

I know for a fact that D Wade whines more than J Smash. Let the man have his glory without the hatin. After a game like that – its only nitpicking.

Dwayne Wade

April 20th, 2009
1:00 am

Shaquille, why have you abandoned me??

Al

April 20th, 2009
1:10 am

Dwyane, you should get some sleep. You spelled your own name wrong.

Josh Smith

April 20th, 2009
1:16 am

Yall leave me alone. And tell that fat guy who drives the astro van to mind his business.

Najeh Davenpoop

April 20th, 2009
2:38 am

It p-sses me off that the Hawks get the Cavs in the 2nd round no matter what… they should do it like football and have the top seed play the lowest seed in each round. Doesn’t make any sense for the Sixers and Bulls to play each other in the 2nd round in the very unlikely event they both pull an upset, while the higher-seeded Hawks have to face the Cavs.

Shamus Thacker

April 20th, 2009
3:54 am

Nice touch having T.I. be a prominent fixture at Philips.

Convicted felons are such wonderful role models.

U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E, and sickening!!

terrell barron

April 20th, 2009
7:22 am

Great win. Too bad we’re not in Boston and Orlando’s bracket. We might just be in the Eastern Conf finals this year, if we were. It’s going to be extremely difficult trying to stop Lebron.

terrell barron

April 20th, 2009
7:49 am

But Najeh, it’s supposed to be 3.Orlando vs 2.Boston, not Chicago vs. Philly. If we wanted to avoid Cleveland in the 2nd, we should’ve won the division. Too late now.

dap01

April 20th, 2009
8:02 am

Don’t our athletes look great when they are out running up and down the court?

ILL-logical

April 20th, 2009
8:44 am

Simple but effective formula: When the ball is shared ,we win.

Sidebar: Woodson just needs one more season to establish his resume as the turnaround guy. (He) can take your 13 win team full of young talent and have them in the playoffs within 3 years. Got to be a ton of jobs that fit that call for that skill set.(And you wonder why he doesn’t try and develop players)

Daniel

April 20th, 2009
8:53 am

I was at the game last night, and had a wonderful time!! The crowd was electric. When Josh plays under control and aggressive towards the basket, he makes this team not just good but dangerous. Marvin played extremely well given the short time back from injury and Joe just quietly plays a pros game. Gotta love it!!!
Hey Najeh… did you see the sportscenter package. Harry the Hawk and those dudes dancing were featured almost as much as the game!?!
ESPN gives us no love; even with a great win we are buried behind the Celtics who lost the day before and they show the most embarrassing part of the whole game. I love Harry, but I don’t need to see that again.

Daniel

April 20th, 2009
8:54 am

Shamus… I thought the same thing.

Glass Houses

April 20th, 2009
8:57 am

Hey Shamus – Last time I looked, TI was paying his debt to society. Have you never done anything wrong? And oh, by the way, did you spend thousands of dollars for underprivelidged kids to go to the game like TI did?

Daniel

April 20th, 2009
9:34 am

Glass Houses- TI is ABOUT to pay for his debt to society. I am glad he is bringing kids to the game, but he is representing our city to the nation. People deserve second chances but that doesn’t mean you get held up as a hero and the spotlight. And yes, I have too done things wrong before, but A)I haven’t been sentenced to a federal prison term on weapons charges, B) I am not being asked to introduce the Hawks on national tv. That opinion doesn’t make me a “Hater” (the most over used comment ever), I actually like TI. I just think the irony is too much.

Hey Daniel and Shamus

April 20th, 2009
9:46 am

We get it…sheesh…calm down. Way to find something negative to talk about even though we get a big win last night. I was more focused on the game other than the side show…but that’s just me. Typical Atlanta sports fans….even with a win you find something to b*tch about. Quit being offended so much and I promise you’ll enjoy life more. Get over it and if it keeps bothering you by all means go pick something else minor and insignifigant to whine and complian about…. Quick reminder to you both…bigger story of the night (you know..the one us sports fans are talking about) is that our home town team tore the heat a new one…..GO HAWKS!

richbrave

April 20th, 2009
9:55 am

Makes me glow just knowing I am in the “WIN IN SIX” group with GREG SKODA and the AJC’s own MARK BRADLEY. And I got to read the lines in the box score. Four of five starters shoot 50% from the field or better, and JJ is just one short of that standard. Whopping rebound advantage. My man BIG AL works out. And double the assists, well almost. Whew. Wish I had seen the game. Must have been impressive. You all are seeing what I saw in 2008 when the rising HAWKS played the slithering WIZARDS. DRMARY B’s fab five have grown up even if JOSH CHILDRESS is a GREEK. ASG endures, BK’s history and the WOODEN-one prevails. Anybody for ditching BIBBY at this point? No-o-o? Didn’t think so. GO HAWKS.

Daniel

April 20th, 2009
9:56 am

“Hey Daniel and Shamus”- you seem to be much more upset than me. I just made a simple statement. Also, you must have missed my take on the game. It certainly seems you are the one who needs to calm down, and at least I put my name on my blogs.

Daniel

April 20th, 2009
9:57 am

Here is a real question for the blog.
Are you willing to extend Woodson now?

Hey Daniel

April 20th, 2009
10:03 am

TI just called…said he’s gonna be at game 2 whether you like it or not. That alright with you and the fun police?

Astro Joe

April 20th, 2009
10:10 am

Wow, the room sure has gotten crowded. That’s GREAT. I’ve been here for a while. I’ve sent out many invitations to enjoy this season without the cynicism and skepticism that has become the norm. Doubting Thomas said that he needed to touch to believe. Last night, many of you finally got a chance to touch. Some have believed without physical evidence. However you got here, I hope that you stay. Don’t lose faith. This season is for real. Relax and enjoy!

Rick Sund

April 20th, 2009
10:11 am

If the Hawks win the 2nd round, Woody gets a 10-year extension. You heard it here first!

D-WANE WAID

April 20th, 2009
10:14 am

Did my 19 points make SportsCenter?

I Agree About TI

April 20th, 2009
10:16 am

I had my 7 year old son with me and I thought it was disrespectful of Atlanta Spirit to bring out such a ruthless character. The man is a criminal and makes our city look bad. Daniel and Shamus… I’M WITH YOU! That was a disgrace and we should all write our congressmen today to try and rectify this situation. We should have had MC Hammer or someone with class out there representing us. 2 Legit…2 Legit to quit!

TI

April 20th, 2009
10:17 am

You can have me at the game…you can choose that you don’t…

You can do whatever you like…you can do whatever you like

Glass Houses

April 20th, 2009
10:17 am

Daniel – I actually think that TI is a FANTASTIC role model. His story embodies the idea that one can turn ones life around; that one can even be sentanced to Federal prison all the while doing good for his fellow man; there ARE second chances; one CAN see the error of his ways and become an exemplary citizen (and the lessons go on and on).

There are millions of people currently in our prison system, and millions of them are scheduled to be released in the coming years. Let us hope that they will look at a role model like TI and decide that they can turn their life around without resorting to more criminal activity. Let us hope that society gives them a second chance AND a helping hand. If not, God help us all.

Volman

April 20th, 2009
10:20 am

Daniel, it’s okay.. Just chant “three to five!!” when T.I. shows up next. Just kidding. My take on that situation is that he IS doing his time because he messed up, but I do not believe he should be doing player intro’s for the teams. It is way too soon. You can’t just “forget” about what he did. Why not get someone like Young Jeezy or Lil Wayne or Ludacris for intro’s? Ah well. It’s a minor thing.

Man, the Hawks beat the Heat like they stole something last night. And did I see a Craig Claxton sighting? unreal.

I am proud of our fans but also disappointed at the same time because the game obviously wasn’t a sellout. The crowd was great, however…and there were VERY few Heat fans. Very few.

Okay, one down…3 to go. Then bring on LeBron and the referees.

Volman

April 20th, 2009
10:27 am

I can understand this whole “second chance” thing, but what about the people who don’t use their first chance? Do we get a prize?

I bet T.I. is a friendly and nice person, but he screwed up. There is no doubt about it. It isn’t like somebody placed guns in his car or whatever it was. He wasn’t suckered into doing what he did. He knew it had the potential to put him in jail, yet he did it. He should not get a free pass because he is doing MTV shows and giving free tickets away to Hawks games. I commend him for the effort that he has put forth to clear his name, I really do. I just do not think he deserves a free pass because he is “serving his time”. What he did was wrong.

One last thing (and this is just for debate, not being negative or anything) but why does T.I., who was involved with some fairly serious stuff (guns, I believe–correct me if I’m wrong) get his own television show, gets to do appearances, is still selling albums, etc. when somebody like Michael Vick, who also did some terrible things, is thrown under the bus? I understand killing animals in such a violent way that he did is a miserable thing to do, but I would rather take a dog’s life than ANY human be killed during whatever “transactions” went on with T.I. That’s my two cents.

A Thinkin Fan

April 20th, 2009
10:36 am

Game One under the belt – 1 at a time!!!

Da Real Real

April 20th, 2009
10:43 am

Well it looks like this blog has turned into a Falcon-like blog…Since it doesn’t sound like the guy who couldn’t understand why TI was at the game didn’t pay attention to his case I’d assume he didn’t realize he’s already served some of his time on house arrest and that he wont begin serving his jail time until May some time in fact I want to say its a month from yesterday. He’s got a year and a day to serve and who knows, who probably wont serve all of that time. Unlike Vick who decided to serve his time immediately TI appears to be going up to his final reporting date….

As for why Vick gets thrown under the bus so much….I don’t really know, you’d probably have to ask the folks who’s doing the throwing.

Da Real Real

April 20th, 2009
10:53 am

I’ll help you answer this:

“As for why Vick gets thrown under the bus so much….I don’t really know, you’d probably have to ask the folks who’s doing the throwing.”

He gets “thrown under the bus” because he was HANGING AND ELECTROCUTING DOGS!!!

Speedy Claxton

April 20th, 2009
10:54 am

Why y’all always so mean in Atlanta?!?!

Glass Houses

April 20th, 2009
10:55 am

People who don’t use their first chance get to vote and get to answer “no” on that question on employment applications about being convicted. A criminal record stays with you for life, as it should. That way the public can be aware of who they are dealing with and decide accordingly. It is a huge burden to bear. That is the permanent price you pay. But we also know that historically speaking, people with money are often able to expunge their record (socially speaking (see Martha Stewart, George W bush, several Kennedy’s, Rush Limbaugh and scores of other politicians and celebrities.)

And yes, I agree that MV’s punisment was disproportionate. But you can find laws all over the books that are not truly just. See mandatory sentancing and the “Rockefellar” laws.

Serving time is not getting a free pass.

(I think TI’s television show was considered part of his “community service” in his plea deal.)

Volman

April 20th, 2009
11:08 am

Glass Houses, I understand that I get to answer “no” on my employment papers. Like I said before, I bet T.I. is a decent person, but he is also a felon. I’m a nice person, hard working, and do the right thing. You cannot say that T.I. is going to be forever rememebred as the guy who had the gun charges. He came out with new hit songs, if I remember correctly, right after he was charged. Is this the American Dream we all hear of?

About Vick… I think he was treated fairly as far as sentencing. I’m a Falcons fan, so I wish he would not have gotten into trouble, but he did. He paid the price, and he will forever. It is different with T.I., though. He’s getting specials on MTV and giving tickets away. He’s doing special appearances. Michael Vick is being placed in a harsh federal prison and there are protests at his hearings. There is a HATRED for Michael Vick because of what he did to animals. I just do not know how there is no backlash on T.I. because what he did could start a chain that could result in lives being taken. Who knows what those guns were going to be used for?

I just do not think it is fair. Yes, he will serve his time. Yes, he is going to “do the right thing”. Yes, he will have this burden forever…We all know that. But deep deep down, will he be a changed man? Yes, he’ll be sorry…We are all sorry WHEN WE GET CAUGHT.

I’m sure that the millions of fans are going to still buy his albums and ring tones and go to his concerts. Michael Vick? You’ll be sure to see a protest on how cruel of a person he is.

Dogs vs. humans.

Glass Houses

April 20th, 2009
11:19 am

So it sounds like you want people to “HATE” TI like they do MV.

And you want the thought police to determine whether TI is REALLY a changed man.

And you want the law changed so that convicted felons can no longer earn a living to the best of thier ability.

And you want TI to be punished for “what MIGHT have happened” if he did not get caught.

Hmmmmm…..

Volman

April 20th, 2009
11:36 am

You must not be understand what I am trying to get at here.

There are many individuals who believe that because they are “famous” or have a lot of money that they are invincible. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears comes to mind right off the bat.

I never said that I wanted people to hate T.I., but I do want people to change their mindsets. Is it “cool” to talk about guns and giving money to dancers and smoking marijuana? I am not saying that T.I. does that, but his lifestyle suggests it. His actions suggest it.

He is going to “do his time” and then come back and make millions more. Yes, he is good with music and rhyming words together. I will give him that. Society WILL let him off the hook, though. His actions could take lives, but people are going to get angry at CEO’s of financial institutions (most people don’t even know why they are mad, but are blaming them because everybody else is) because “they hurt the economy”. Do you see what I mean? People are picknig and choosing what is wrong in certain situations. It is wrong to kill dogs, or wrong to be greedy and take unsecured assets and bundle them up and sell them to investors, but it IS NOT wrong to illegally sell guns? I must be missing something.

How come there is no backlash in the media about our secretary of the treasury who doesn’t pay his taxes? AND HE WANTS TO INCREASE TAXES? Unreal.

I guess it boils down to a scenario by scenario decision, but please do not tell me that T.I. will be “struggling with the burden” of his terrible judgement and decision making for the rest of his life. He “still has the millions” coming in no matter what, and will continue with that.

If one guy is going to be blamed and persecuted, then ALL of the felons should. I can guarantee you Michael Vick would have been boo’ed if he did the player introductions.

Astro Joe

April 20th, 2009
11:54 am

If I may interject some basketball into the “Road to Redemption” blog…

Spoelstra undoubtedly entered Game 1 thinking “we can’t let their backcourt go off, let’s see if someone else can beat us”. And guess what? Someone on the Hawks team (possibly even the coach), designed a game plan that featured the front court early (Marvin used all of his battery life to start the game) and ultimately Bibby/Joe/Flip combined for less than 30 points and we won. Likewise, Woody clearly wanted to take away the Heat’s most potent weapon and once they did, the Heat scored less than 50 points in the last 3 quarters. It was a perfect marriage of strategy and execution. Even more impressive when you consider that the Heat have a former Hawks assistant on their bench who is very, very familiar with the way the Hawks do things. Yet, they had no answer to the defensive storm. Man, that was fun last night.

Westurd

April 20th, 2009
11:58 am

WTF was the halftime show about? Only blip of the night.

Looks like all the heat fans got bumped off the wagon last night…..they be oh so quite today!