First blood?
The Heat have to be tired of seeing Josh Smith strike this pose!
HAWKSVILLE - We haven’t seen any in this Hawks-Heat series yet, but I can’t imagine we’ll make it another four quarters without it.
Someone has to draw first blood.
And I don’t mean the kind that comes from an accidental scratch on someone’s arm or a stray pass that cracks a guy in the mouth and causes a trickle off the side of mouth, Dracula style.
I’m talking about blood produced by a good ol’ fashioned, wicked “hard foul” served up playoff style (I keep seeing Heat backup center and wrestling superstar in waiting Jamaal Magloire in the middle of the scrum). My gut tells me we’re going to see one tonight in Game 2 at Philips Arena.
That said, no one is interested in cheap shots. That’s not at all what I’m talking about. But sooner or later you figure someone is going to catch someone else with a clean blow that draws blood (the Hawks have already handled that, figuratively, by dotting the Heat’s eye with that 26-point whippin’ Sunday night in Game 1) and the sight of that plasma will serve to inspire someone to play above and beyond their pay grade.
Forget that yarn about a series not really starting until the home team loses on its own floor. A good playoff series doesn’t start until someone gets clocked upside the head and the blood boils on both sides
There has to be some genuine disdain for each other for teams to compete at the required level to win in the postseason (the Hawks had to get their noses bloodied, figuratively, in Boston twice last year before standing up to the schoolyard bully of the league. I’m sure you remember Zaza Pachulia’s nose-to-nose with Kevin Garnett).
A slower, more physical and much more deliberate style in this series would certainly benefit the Heat, even with the great Dwyane Wade on their side. Because they showed Sunday night that allowing the Hawks, namely Josh Smith, to get to the rim unabated is bad business.
The Hawks are prepared for the increase in hand-to-hand combat. They noticed a spike in Game 1, after their lead reached 20 points and kept climbing after halftime. But that was just an appetizer for a Pat Riley-run production.
“We’re going to be ready for whatever comes our way,” Smith said. “We’re certainly not going to back down to anybody. We never have. And we’re a physical team, too.”
We’ll find out just how physical tonight, because the Heat’s goon squad will be deployed before they allow the Hawks to run wild again.
SOUTH FLORIDA REPORT
Our friends from greater Miami have been hard at work digging into the psyche of the Heat since their Game 1 meltdown and the results have been interesting (fingers have been pointed at everyone).
Miami Herald columnist Israel Gutierrez spotlighted two guys I think could sway the Heat’s fortunes in this series if they find a groove.
Palm Beach Post columnist Greg Stoda touched on Wade’s strange, second-half disappearance in Game 1, a complete departure for the league’s leading scorer. Don’t expect an encore.
Sun-Sentinel columnist Dave Hyde has two nice hits, one on “Udonis Beasley” and another on the unique connection between Al Horford and his father Tito Horford.
LAY OFF THE YOUNG FELLA
Being the keen observer of player development that I am, I’ve noticed the similarity in the way Michael Beasley is viewed, treated and examined by folks in Miami and the way Josh Smith was, is and continues to be viewed, treated and examined around here.
And it’s the same foolishness being mistaken for true player development around the league. The last time I checked, the Heat picked Beasley because they were in the lottery and not the other way around.
The fact is, when you spend all your time focusing on what a guy does that you don’t like, you conveniently ignore all the things they do well. And Beasley’s a marvelous offensive talent with an ability to both score and rebound at an incredibly high rate when he’s allowed to just play. But judging from his season stats and all the stuff written about his up and down rookie year, you’d think he was some project instead of one of the best pure talents to come out of the draft in recent years.
All this hand-wringing being done over Beasley’s immaturity, supposedly on and off the floor, is a colossal waste of time. The Heat would be better off letting the young fella play a little bit and correcting his mistakes constructively while also benefiting from the unique blend of skills he brings to their team (a team, mind you, that was in dire need of all of the above this time a year ago).
But instead, in true NBA fashion, folks are busy trashing the kid’s name, game and reputation in the name of “breaking him down to build him back up.” I know that routine and the dues-paying system that is supposed to be in place. And like I always have, I think it stinks.
That’s also why I love what Thunder general manager Sam Presti is doing with his youngsters in Oklahoma City. Sure, there’s plenty Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook have to to learn. Allowing them to do it in an environment where they can play to their potential and through their mistakes is much more sound in the long run than that “old school” approach. The Thunder’s method should be the blueprint and the rule rather than the exception.
SELLOUT BLUES …
Much has been made about the Hawks’ spirited campaign to sell out tonight’s game, and for good reason. The Hawks rarely get the national stage to themselves, so when they do, they want to make a good impression.
And for the record, Sunday’s crowd in Game 1 was fantastic. But there’s cache with a packed-to-the-rafters arena that the Hawks simply cannot claim on a consistent basis. Our esteemed friend and blog regular Stoned Mountain (he doesn’t post as much but he emails me with his thoughts regularly) offered up his own view of the Hawks’ predicament a few minutes ago. I’ll leave you with his thoughts (which are sure to be controversial to some):
Interesting that the Hawks don’t sell out, and in fact don’t get talked about much. The reason is pretty straight forward, I think.
What the Hawks do best is not crowd pleasing here.
At the game Sunday I found myself the only person around me applauding defense – grabbing rebounds, steals, forcing the opponent to exhaust the shot clock. Team work ain’t a big hit here. The only thing that interrupted their chatter was the occasional Josh dunk. Hitting 3’s gets polite applause but not ovations. They get a little excited at a steal and break away, mostly because they think a dunk is coming.
Not ’til late in the game, when the verdict is in doubt, do they get animated.
Certain teams get them excited – the Celtics and Kobe and LeBron.
But DWade and his sidekicks don’t do it.
Not a basketball town.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
504 comments Add your comment
Ernest
April 22nd, 2009
1:13 pm
Great comments by Stoned Mountain!! He does have a point. I like watching games with good ball movement on offense and excellent help defense. A dunk is just 2 points but most seem to get excited about them as though they count for more. I blame part of this on the highlights on the sports news as they focus on the ‘flashy’ over the ’substance’.
Barry
April 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
Hey Y’all:
Stone Mountain may have a point. I like run and gun, constant havoc, great defense (man to man/in your face), trash talking,fast pace basketball. The hawks play this style sometime but not all the time. This type of ball and winning usually does the trick in gaining fans. However, even though these Hawks establish base play is not like this. They still play good agressive defense and can run and gun on you in a minute. That is why they are so dangerous in these playoffs. Don’t lay back and go to sleep on there half court game because in a minute their blasting down court in spurts, slamming on you. The wins are coming based upon that and so will the crowd. Once everyone gets accustomed to the Hawks style of play and, of course, their winning, Phillips will consistantly be packed to the rafters. these young players also are starting to become household names here in Atlanta and throughout the NBA so fans get set to truly fall in love with the product that we have on the court. During these playoffs, these games are sellouts. And with more wins, deep into the playoffs, their will be standing room only crowds at the Phillips. No fans, get ready to “RUMMMMMMMMBBBBBBLE!!!” These Hawks are for real. And I am looking for us as fans to be at the Phillips to continue watching these young, nitty, gritty, nast Hawls “SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!”
NOW ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BASKETBALL????!!!!!!!!
SEE Y’ALL AT PHILLIPS! LET”S GO HAWKS!! LET”S GO HAWKS!!LETS GO HAWKS!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………..ATLANTA HAWKS,BOOM-BYE-YEAH!!!”……………
…………………………”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!!………………..
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
I think there is a reason why the fans are bad at Philips Arena. If you give them something to cheer for (big three pointers, dunks, crossovers, etc) then they will cheer and MAYBE chant “defense” on the next posession.
Atlanta is a very social town. The Hawks game is just a “thing to do”. In other towns, their hometown basketball team is a passion of theirs. I can think of teams like San Antonio or even Golden State where the fans are truly PASSIONATE about their teams. They buy jerseys, hats, and t-shirts. They show up early. They cheer the little things.
Atlanta does not. We have rappers wearing sunglasses inside (not saying thats a bad thing) because they want to “look cool”. Maybe it isn’t “cool” to cheer on the hometeam?
I know for one thing that the fans HAVE GOTTEN BETTER over my last three years of being a season ticket holder. A sign of that was about half of the arena boo’ing D-Wade whenever he touched the ball. I loved that.
ATLiens have GOT to get over the “who might be watching me” or “I have to look cool tonight” mentality and just BE FANS. The Hawks need us to just get lost in the game for a couple of hours and pour all our passion (that all of us have) into this team.
It can be done. The question is, will the fans actually LEARN how to be good fans?
SouthAfrican09
April 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
I feel so bad about Mutombo’s injury. Anyone know if the hostile Portland crowd applauded him as he was taken off the court?
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
African, no idea.
By the way, were you the guy who was at the game holding the “I came here from Africa” sign?
Wes
April 22nd, 2009
1:56 pm
is that TLue sitting on the front row in the Josh Smith pic?
Astro Joe
April 22nd, 2009
2:00 pm
I disagree that Atlanta is not a basketball town. But I do agree that our appreciation for the dimensions of the game is lacking. I was blogging that night about the KILLA defense. Many others were rejoicing in slams. I haven’t read many comments about how Mo Evans was treating Wade like a school-yard wannabe by getting in his grill constantly. I continue to read comments about Smith’s acrobatic act but very little is said about how he got those fast-break opportunities. But our collective lack of appreciation is due to the lack of quality ball in the past 10 years around these parts. If we haven’t learned to appreciate the excellence in execution it is likely because no one has taught us what that looks like. But we do know what a posterized moment looks like. I’d venture to say that while San Antonio fans may have been giddy about the Hawks fantastic defense, they probably would have treated Smith’s performance like an immoral act (”close your eye little Tommy, you shouldn’t see such blatant acts of physical prowess”). There’s room for both… a celebration of tremendous execution of the game’s principles AND some fist-bumping when someone reaches 18 inches above the rim and slams on every mojito-drinking, sun drenched, Speedo & flip-flop wearing Heat fan in South Beach.
Personally, I LOVE and appreciate all dimensions of the game.
I MUS.WRITE
April 22nd, 2009
2:01 pm
Hell Yeah thats T Lue in the front row ….What is he doing sitting on our bench
Khao$
April 22nd, 2009
2:07 pm
Atlanta’s first love and passion is college football/UGA. Our city has passionate fanbases, but not plentiful. That’s evidenced on this board. If you read the comments posted here on the daily, you’ll find much passion. That said, as a city, we will only support our pro team if 1) it is a huge surprise (Braves ‘91) or we have a megastar (Vick). The Braves have trouble selling out. The Falcons are in the same boat too. I’m listening to sportstalk right now and I heard more about Mark Sanchez than Marvin Williams. A nationwide poll was done on ESPN asking what were fans waiting for the most in each state: college or pro football. In the state of GA, you know what won out. I understand this with Alabama or Auburn fans where college football is the only show in town. However, it is what it is, college football reigns supreme down here. Everything else is an after thought.
The other issue is we are a city of transplants. I can’t fault a New Yorker, who lived in NY all of his life, for switching his allegience from the Knicks to the Hawks. That won’t happen. If I moved to NJ, I’ll still be a Hawks fan. You have to take that into consideration. Most of my friends from out of town think the Hawks have a nice squad, but they will quickly shift their attention to their team during our conversations.
Lastly, it is partially the fault of the teams (Hawks and Braves especially) due to the inept management this city has suffered over the years. Winning brings tradition. Tradition garners fan loyalty. UGA has tradition. The only team close to that in the pros for us is the Braves.We’ve lost so much, people expect us to lose, even when we make the playoffs. If we can erase that mindset and become a winner consistantly, I believe will gain more fans.
At the end of the day, it is sad because the Hawks are on the rise and people would much rather talk about Georgia’s intersquad game than NBA playoff basketball. Not that I’m knocking anyone for doing that. However, something special could be brewing with our basketball team. That’s the tragedy in all of this.
Al
April 22nd, 2009
2:10 pm
Sekou, could you PLEASE print out this column, walk over to Coach Spoelstra, and hand it to him during a timeout tonight. The fans in Miami just want Beasley to play. The local media is doing all the overanalyzing here. Haslem has been fantastic and we owe him a lot. His performance in Game 6 of the Finals was unforgettable. But its time to take a backseat now. It’s the only way we can get the Hawks to rethink triple teaming D-Wade. Beasley needs to start.
SouthAfrican09
April 22nd, 2009
2:30 pm
LOL yeah that was me. Haha. tsk cant believe u saw that. wish we had gotten something besides those pathetic towels tho!
Al
April 22nd, 2009
2:31 pm
Haha. Speedo wearing Heat fans. Speedos no, flip-flops yes. The beach is a great place to be. Flawless latin/white/black women in tiny bikinis and/or topless, sun, sand, ocean, alcohol. What’s not to like? I don’t do mojitos though. Beer does me just fine.
I think I’ll spend all day Saturday at the beach actually before heading over to the Arena for game 3 to watch my team redeem itself.
SouthAfrican09
April 22nd, 2009
2:33 pm
That T Lue pic is from last year…Duhhh
cp
April 22nd, 2009
2:40 pm
ESPN really wants Miami to win. They just refuse to believe that we just might have a better team. I noticed that none of the ESPN sports shows discussed us Monday. If the Heat had won they would have talked about it to death. I guess after being so bad for so long and being the butt of so many jokes that the people at ESPN are having a hard time giving us any type of props. Lets take care of business tonight and continue to fly under the radar.
swatguy
April 22nd, 2009
2:42 pm
Lue must have had a flight from Orlando.
Joe you are in the majority but slightly.
Hawks IQ is growing and with that BB IQ is following.
It was the same way in the 80’s as girl watching was what the Omni was famous for as much as ‘Nique and the Hawks.
I suspect another year will wake up the masses as to what’s really going on.
When the arena is packed Before tipoff, we will be a BB town.
Daniel
April 22nd, 2009
2:42 pm
As a Hawks fan, I have been waiting for game 3 to the true test for this team. We need to win on the road in the playoffs in order for us to take that next step. I had been of the belief that we just needed to “hold serve” here at home. However, the closer this game gets the more I feel that this game can be a real statement game. We all expect Wade and the wadettes to play better tonight, but if the Hawks were able to take their shot and dominate again I have to believe that our confidence will go through the roof. In a strange way it can be easier to “shock the world” than dominate when you should. Dominating the Heat tonight would be a major step in the maturation process of this team….. then of course its on to the road games.
Let’s Go Hawks!!!!
SWAT Native
April 22nd, 2009
2:43 pm
Back to Sekou’s original point on hard fouls, did everyone see the Detroit-Cleveland game last night? There was a hard foul on LBJ that resulted in a scuffle, then a few minutes later you saw Ilgauskis with blood streaming down his face after an elbow from Rasheed. I remember going to a Hawks-Miami playoff game back in the 90’s when the Heat still had Steve Smith and Grant Long that erupted into a wild brawl. I wonder if we will be in for something like that tonight (or eventually)?
Daniel
April 22nd, 2009
2:46 pm
cp- You are sooo right about ESPN. Heck, I got home from the game sunday and had to wait most of the night to catch any highlights on SC. They actually showed more of Harry the Hawk than the game. ESPN is suckled up to D.Wade, but whatever, this is our team, our town, and our time. Let’s take it.
Daniel
April 22nd, 2009
2:50 pm
Want to get the Hawks fan’s feedback on this. Last night Dennis Scott was asking whether or not Joe needs to be more vocal to become a true superstar. I for one really love the way Joe conducts his buisness and just because he is not “flashy” means nothing to me or his teamates. But, I have thought that the guy needs to get more calls. I mean he has the fewest free throw attempts for ANY player that gets his minutes. He only got one Tech all year. Now, I am not saying the guy needs to turn into Sheed or get a bunch of tats on his neck, but I would like to see him demand more respect from the officials. Yes, they should respect him without him having to do that, but it is what it is. Tim Duncan who is known as a quiet, team, fundamentals guy, often gets on the officials so it can be done. Just wanted to get some feedback on that topic.
Astro Joe
April 22nd, 2009
2:53 pm
Al, I forgot one. Cuban pork sandwich-eating… And 18 inches above the rim was an exaggeration.. maybe only 15 inches. Ha! Is it game time yet?
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
2:54 pm
That must be a pic of Josh from last season.
AstroJoe,
Do you really expect for fans to blog about how well a Hawk defender move his feet on defense or that was a great close out to contest an opponent shot? Outside of saying that the Hawks played good or terrible defense, nice block shot or steal, I wouldn’t expect more analysis on their defense than that on a blog.
As for the fans at Philips, well I been to all the home playoffs games from last year up to this point. I’m not sure what section Stone Mountain sit in but the crowd has been great from my view point. From booing DWade everytime he touches the ball to screaming defense when they are defending to Let’s Go Hawks when they are on offense. Quite an hostile environment for the opposing team from my view point…
O'brien
April 22nd, 2009
2:55 pm
Sekou, isn’t that the same old school approach Woody has with his rookies, not letting them play through mistakes, especially if there is a Vet playing in front of them?
Atlanta can be a basketball town, but I think the Hawks have been bad for so long that it takes people a while to come around (they keep waiting for the wheels to fall of again). If the Hawks become a perennial playoff team, I think ATL will embrace them even more.
Bo
April 22nd, 2009
2:57 pm
come on yall. Acie is next to T Lue in that picture. The pic is from last year. And u guys claim to be hawks fans
Bo
April 22nd, 2009
2:58 pm
Plus there’s empty seats and those seats weren’t empty game 1
Mark
April 22nd, 2009
2:59 pm
Volman, Astro Joe and Barry, GREAT POINTS!
My take is that we aren’t necessarily a basketball town, but a sports town in general. Atlanta sports have been so terrible that you can’t blame the fans for how they are. We all know that the falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons, the Hawks have never gotten past the second round, and Braves use to tease us with division titles and one world series title in a strike shortened year. As much as these hawks are exciting, we all know they won’t get past the second round this year. They might beat the Heat, but will probably lose in 4 or 5 games to Cleveland so there really is no hope in this town except for the Falcons who my have gotten it right with Thomas Dimitroff as GM. Plus the Falcons have a SINGLE OWNER who really wants to win, not an ownership group who is fighting over ownership (ASG) or a corporation (Liberty Media).
ES
April 22nd, 2009
3:04 pm
I was at the game Sunday and I thought the crowd was pretty solid. It wasn’t nearly what it was in the Boston series, but there were a surprising amount of Hawks who were die hards. There were probably only two guys in my section who consistenly cheered on every possession. Most of the fans seemed content just sitting back and watching the game, including the two Heat fans next to me. I’m generally dissapointed with Atlanta sports fans.
I have seen excuses made for why Atlantans don’t attend pro sports. But none of them add up. Too many transplants? I don’t see NY, LA and Chicago having problems filling up their seats. The teams stink? Last I checked, the Braves couldn’t sellout playoff games and the Hawks are in the playoffs the second year in the row.
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
3:09 pm
I think you have to add in the laziness of the people in Atlanta.
It HAS to be laziness… Nobody wants to waste energy on cheering “defense” or “lets go hawks” but they will “woooo” and “ahhh” and “booom!” when a dunk goes down. It is simply “selective laziness”.
And can people get TO THE GAMES ON TIME, PLLLLLLLLLEASE?!?! ONE GAME! I swear, the Atlanta Spirit should tell everyone that the games are 30-45 earlier than they really are so that the fans would show up late, but on time. They would be too LAZY to do anything about it when they realize they were duped.
Al
April 22nd, 2009
3:10 pm
LOL at Cuban pork sandwiches. I missed Cuban food when I moved away for a bit. I wish I had similar things to say about Atlanta, but I’ve only been there twice when I was younger. I just remember everything is named after Peach Trees.
Al
April 22nd, 2009
3:12 pm
ES, in fairness to the two Heat fans sitting next to you, they didn’t have much to cheer about on Sunday.
Mark
April 22nd, 2009
3:15 pm
ES, you are right about Atlanta fans, but you have to understand that watching an Atlanta sports team is like watching the same movie over and over. You already know how it’s gonna end. You have mentioned town such as NY, LA and Chicago. Those towns have some tradition of winning. For instance Chicago, they have a history of winning CHAMPIONSHIPS not DIVISION TITLES or(Bulls six times, White Sox,) so they have some hope. They have also experienced consistent winning that equated to a dynasty. Same for LA (Lakers) NY may not have won many championships in Basketball, but they have experienced consistent winning (YANKEES). We have never experienced a CHAMPIONSHIP DYNASTY because all of our teams lose when they get to the playoffs.
Sekou Smith
April 22nd, 2009
3:23 pm
It’s an old pic. I just liked the fact that we got my main man T. Lue on the blog (how else could we do that these days). And yes, the “old school” approach to rookies has been used here in Hawksville and I didn’t like it then either.
I’ve heard stories about those old Hawks-Heat playoff scuffles from Steve Smith and it’s funny stuff. Too bad those sorts of things cost guys so much now. That’s probably why you don’t see that sort of over-the-top intensity as much these days as you did then.
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
3:25 pm
Mark, you can’t look at it that way..Not at all.
So you are saying that the other 29 teams’ fans that do not win the NBA Championship should just not show up because they will be disappointed?
Being disappoitned is part of being a fan and supporting your team. You will not win every game. I bet those Patriots fans were upset when they lost game #19 in the Superbowl, but they for sure did not think they were going to lose.
That’s the difference…Many fans either do not care about the outcome or think the Hawks will “inevitably lose” in one of the rounds. We just need to be proud that the Hawks are here right now and we are not praying for a ping pong ball to bounce the right way for us.
What a difference two years makes. The Hawks are learning how to play…the fans need to learn how to cheer and be positive, no MATTER WHAT.
Jones born and raised in the A
April 22nd, 2009
3:27 pm
Great comment thats all they want to see but Josh Smith is better served for his defense but they dont critize that only his offense getting about 15 points and 7 rebounds a game is a plus he is our defense stopper something like mutumbo and mookie was just all in one but they want him to be like kobe or lebron isn’t that what we pay Joe Johnson for so why not examine him because he is good but not to the kobe, lebron status.
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
3:32 pm
“Josh Smith is the biggest bust of this draft class.”
-Jay Bilas
Thanks for everything Jay! You sure were right!
Ariose
April 22nd, 2009
3:32 pm
I want to get in on this game of “whats wrong with that picture” too!
Smoove Has worn Arm Sleeves this whole season dum-dums……lol
Braindawg
April 22nd, 2009
3:51 pm
Wow sounds like Stoned Mtn. is well STONED! The crowd was great, and the team even said they feed off of the crowd. That the crowd gave them a lift, and energy. This is a great b-ball town. As for the sell out talk problem, well you can blame some of that on the NBA itself. As a person who had to drop my cable so I could pay the water, electric, and gas bills. I cant even see My team in the playoffs! Why doesnt the league do like the NFL, or MLB and let a local station pick up the coverage during the playoffs? You cant even watch reg. season games without cable. Oh I forgot, this is the rich, spoiled brat league. Run by money hungry rich people who only care about the bottom line. And dont seem to care about the fans. I LOVE my home town HAWKS, but not the league they play in!! Thanks for your time and letting me get that off my chest. Go Hawks!
doc
April 22nd, 2009
3:53 pm
junior from last link … barkley only dreamed of doing wht josh has doen at his age. people forget there is a diffeernce between the old stars and where they were after three years or four years of college to compare that wth what josh has done at such an early age. is he a work in progress of course, what 23 yr ld nba player much less star isnt? did barkley mak such a statement in his second year, probably as their numbers are close but if you look at his to to assist ratio one might say he made a few mistakes too.
here is his stat sheet:
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/charles_barkley/index.html
i suspect there may not have been some other folks around him to share the points with like josh has. despite his detractors josh does play team ball almost to a fault when he passes up close looks at the basket to pass it outside. i imagine he is more the consummate team player is than sir charles was and i was huge sir charles fan and still am. also look at SC’s three point field goal % rofl pitiful and to think he is giving josh instructions on how to live unless he follows up with i was trash too from the outside and did all of my damage inside to get my fg % up until i learned how to shoot by spending the summers in a gym shooting the shots at least 500 a day. too funny.
mike sorry to have missed you. keep up the vibes man. also i had to laugh at your comment directed to me as the guy and his wife next to me actually knew the guy that you were talking about in the sexy hose. heh heh
Al
April 22nd, 2009
4:01 pm
Braindawg I agree with you. The Heat games also have trouble selling out even with a marquee name like Wade. A lot of it has to do with the economy too. I bought all my tickets all season on ebay where people are having to practically give away their resale tickets they intended to profit from. I bought seats in the third row (sitting next to Zo) for $45 dollars each for one game. Several times I bought first five row upper level seats for less than $5 dollars each (including one of the Atlanta games) on ebay. That won’t work in the playoffs though. But yeah, Atlanta’s not the only town with this problem.
KevinA
April 22nd, 2009
4:07 pm
Even if your an Hawks opponent it would be hard not to cheer a Josh smash. Tonights objective is to hold serve. If we do this requires the Heat to win 4 out of the next 5 to come back and win the series. Very tough to do. Look for Wade to play better and the score to be closer. Unless JJ, Bibby and Flip have bad nights, look for the Hawks win by 10. I believe it will be a defensive low scoreing battle. 92-82 I normally dont guess scores but tonight, I’m going there. The Hawks will clamp down in the 4th quarter and stiffle the Heat.
mike
April 22nd, 2009
4:16 pm
IM GONNA BREAK IT DOWN:
the true hawks fans that have been down forever sit in sections 113-117 (majority of long time season ticket holders).. they applaud Defense, offensive rebounds, etc
The poser, corporate, bandwagon fans sit in club.. they got tickets from their work, etc
Then you have the “white family from the suburbs” that gets their late, doesnt know whats going on in the game, and is just happy to buy some soveneirs from the kids… they are a little weirded out by the amount of blacks at the game though (a little “too hip hop” is what i heard from my old boss)
Then there is the “hip-hop and hip hop groupie crowd”… this included entertainers, producers, groupies, and wanna be’s.. the wanna be’s are the most prevalent.. they sit in club level but hang out up top by the bars and restaurants and dont even go to their seats (unless they have courtside).. these people pay no attention to the game and are extra happy if they can get into the “level lounge” (that small ultra exclusive bar underneath the club section).. the groupies are even worse, they get all dressed up ( i like that part), and just generally go to the game to meet people in the “industry” or try to meet a baller.. usually they somehow get that post game wristband (access to locker room and other areas) due to their looks.
and the rest of atl doesnt show up because they dont care.. they only care about college football… nba is a bunch of thugs to them. ask around… by the way i love the hawks and I will be in sec 117 cheering my ass off..
Maconga
April 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Team AND fan base are both under the radar. I am from Macon and took my UGA son to the Sunday game. He saw a bunch of his UGA friends and I saw another white guy (Yes!) just like me from Macon. Most of my friends pay no attention but their are some die hards down our way!
Team is growing and gaining confidence. We can win the series in five but could also loose it in seven. Keep playing hard. Do not care if we score 85 as long as the Heat scores 84!
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
4:25 pm
Mike, that was a “real” post. I like it. Actually, you are pretty much right on. Most of the “families” are there to get their kids some popcorn and a hawks t-shirt, and the “ballers” are there to look good and hang out at the “club level” area. Both do not really care about the outcome of the game (see my posts above).
Isn’t that what night clubs are for AFTER the game? haha.
Daniel
April 22nd, 2009
4:36 pm
mike- I am white from the burbs (well Decatur) and I sit in 105. I am a huge Hawks fan and scream and cheer.
But, overall you are right.
KevinA
April 22nd, 2009
4:39 pm
And then there are those of us that watch through the tv. They sit on the edge of their couch and yell at it. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Their Wives and girl friends buy them t shirts and pillows and other Hawks junk because they think it’s cute we act so weird.
mike
April 22nd, 2009
4:42 pm
daniel-
i should have not said that everyone in club does not cheer and is only there to “be seen”…. i know there are a few like yourself in club that are true hawks fans. my apologies…. now lets get loud tonight!!!
David Smith
April 22nd, 2009
5:03 pm
I have supported this team for years and agree with most of the posts made on this subject. I usually attend about 10-12 games per year and nothing irritates me more than getting to my seat early (30 minutes or an hour before tipoff) and having people getting in their seats by the second period (I usually sit in section 316-318 with tickets purchased on stubhub).I’ve always been a vocal fan from arguing bad calls to cheering spectacular plays (offense and defense). We as fans need to realize that many cities would kill to have a NBA franchise (Seattle anyone?) I wish i could go to tonight’s game (game three last year was a blast) but have to settle for watching it over a friend’s house (I’ve been unemployed for three months). GO HAWKS!!!!
doc
April 22nd, 2009
5:07 pm
daniel, ditto for section 111. mike, good explanation but bit too stereotypical as i being white sit between two african american businessmen who yell like crazy for the home team and enjoy and respect each other while doing it. really atl is small but the transplants are large and some NEVER adopt atl as home. guess what? none of this crap affects my ability to enjoy the game or find atl any less than enthusiastic for their team as it is not a basketball city. i really get tired of this thread of talk, has anyone really gone out to l a and seen why they have lost a nfl franchise, consider te nba as the stars game and pretty much divorced itself from baseball. it is bigger but like atl it has a lot of other things to choose from to do.
now let us all get ready to make the lint fly once more in the phillips!
i also think the hakws’ crowd is the most respectful one and to be diverse as it is is a huge statement for which i am proud of.
Fred
April 22nd, 2009
5:08 pm
I think we will see a much different game tonight: http://www.examiner.com/x-2723-Atlanta-Hawks-Examiner~y2009m4d22-What-can-we-expect-from-the-Hawks-tonight
Native Son
April 22nd, 2009
5:10 pm
Volman: There are Aliens in the seats alright, but not ATLIENS. Message from the most indigenous one.
Samuel
April 22nd, 2009
5:11 pm
Hey, has anyone here ever bought tickets over the net where they email the ticket to you. Are they trustworthy?
That foul is OFFENSIVE!!!
April 22nd, 2009
5:12 pm
I’ll be cheering in Section 318, where the DIE-HARD (and BROKE) fans dwell!!!
Let’s hope the boo-birds come out in force again tonight whenever dee waid has the ball!!
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
5:14 pm
David, you may want to try purchasing your tix thru ticketmaster before searching on stubhub. stubhub are generally resales which most are sold for profit… Just a FYI…
Dante Fitzgerald
April 22nd, 2009
5:14 pm
Ay,ay,aY… Goin 2 da game!!!!! Its gonna be anotha Slam dunk contest!!!
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
5:16 pm
Samuel, i purchase some thru ticketmaster that way and i didn’t have a problem…
cheese
April 22nd, 2009
5:17 pm
hawks fans are not as passionate. a couple of months ago visited the bay area in california and went to a warriors game. it was a regular season game on a friday night against the sixers. the arena was full. the atmosphere was like a playoff atmosphere compared to the hawks. it seemed like everyone had a warriors jersey, t-shirt, sweater, or hat on. but here its just casual people wearing casual clothes. they dont need ryan cameron to lead on the cheers while the people in the seats lead. the warriors didnt even win 30 games and look at how much support that team gets compared to our hawks. stoned mountain is right, this just is not a basketball town. only if the hawks make it to the playoffs. just imagine if we brought that atmosphere every night during the regular season, i bet the hawks would have just a good home record as the cavs.
bigjohnhawksfan
April 22nd, 2009
5:19 pm
doc: agreed about the diverse crowd. Practically everyone around me during game 1 was Chinese!
And they cheered and booed as loudly as I did. I’ll take serious foreign (overseas) transplants over the lame domestic (other NBA cities) transplants (and night club crowd) anyday!!
是亚特兰大鹰 (”GO ATLANTA HAWKS!!!”)
scottbravesfan
April 22nd, 2009
5:28 pm
Atlanta is not a basketball town. It’s a football and baseball town. Look at this blog there are 51 replies during a day when there is a playoff game. Now go click on the Braves blog and see how many posts are on there during a time when the team is playing like crap and there is supposed fan blog boycott. The fans are trying to boycott the team since it’s playing so bad that they do not deserve a blog even though there have still been over 500 replies to it. The Braves blogs get 1500 to 2000 replies on average. The Hawks? Not so much. Even the Falcons blog doesn’t get anywhere near that many replies.
The problem with the city of Atlanta as a basketball town is this. Local white people on average just do not care about the NBA. You might get them interested in college but they have a negative perception of the NBA and somewhat rightfully so. And if you meet a white NBA fan in Atlanta they most likely are from somewhere like New England or New York and root for the Knicks or the Celtics. Black people on average do not support their hometown teams, at least not in Atlanta. They support the Braves more so than the Hawks and Falcons but there are even a lot of black Red Sox fans that show up when Boston is at Turner Field, which is funny because the Red Sox are one of the most racist franchises in the history of sports.Most of this group were Bull fans in the 1990s and now they switch between Laker, Celtics, and Cavs. I have seriously seen the same black person wear a Paul Pierce Celtics jersey to the Boston game and then when the Cavs are in town he shows up wearing a Lebron jersey and rooting for the Cavs. This happens a lot and more so among black fans than any other segment of the population that I have seen. Why? I have no idea? Not saying we don’t have good white and black fans but those are the observations that I have seen as an Atlanta sports fan who cheers for the Hawks, Braves, Falcons, and Thrashers.
scottbravesfan
April 22nd, 2009
5:30 pm
Samuel,
I have bought tickets through ticketmaster and then printed them out at my house it’s always worked fine.
the real OLD GOLD
April 22nd, 2009
5:37 pm
Wade got a college type constant loud “BOOOO” non-stop whenever he even touched the ball. The fans were pumped and talking much trash before, during and after the game with every heat fan in sight. I think Atlanta is as much a basketball town as any, but it’s also a smart sports city. The braves had to win to prove it, the Falcons will have to continue to win to prove it, and the Hawks need a deep playoff run, and the fans will come around. NOW YOU KNOW! GO HAWKS!
theArsonist
April 22nd, 2009
5:56 pm
Most of the Hawks fans now are nothing more than bandwagon. I had two people tell me to sit down because they couldn’t see do to my excessive fanhood. Like that was my problem. I have been a fan and partial season ticket holder since 85. It’s been 20 years since the hawks have had the city this excited and you expect me to sit down? Thats why people think atlanta is a pathetic sports town.
BTW, maybe someone could let us know where Randy Wittman, Jon Battle, Jon Koncak, Antoine Carr, Cliff “Good News” Levingston, Scott Hastings and Anthony Webb are these days. It’d be nice to see the Hawks invite them all down to a playoff game and let us show our appreciation. And if they can find those guys perhaps they can find the dread head who wore the tricolored hat who sat by the Hawks entrance during the OMNI days. And what was the sportscasters name from that time who always said “Bullseye!” ?
theArsonist
April 22nd, 2009
5:59 pm
@scottbravesfan, I’m black and i have never worn any jersey that didnt have the hawks, falcons, braves, flames, or thrashers logo on it.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 22nd, 2009
6:03 pm
“the true hawks fans that have been down forever sit in sections 113-117 (majority of long time season ticket holders).. they applaud Defense, offensive rebounds, etc”
Uh… you can catch me in section 412 tonight, same as Game 1, cheering on the good box-outs and defensive rotations.
Just because poor people like me can’t afford 100-level playoff tickets doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the game or that we are not long-time fans.
I agree with most of the rest of what you said though…
tbhawksfan
April 22nd, 2009
6:41 pm
What a blog, the first part is crying for blood, the next part illiciting sympathy for the young millionaires. Pathetic and pathetic.
If Mia resorts to physical bball, OK. Why didn’t they bring it out in game one? Why is Mr. Smith stirring the crowed into a feeding frenzy with the sugestion of flowing blood. Then he gets all soft and sweet with the nurturing coaching style.
Hey, Cat, choose an emotional button and stick with it. Don’t jump from one emotional stimulus to another. it gets either confusing or superficial. Is it blood or love, I’m confused? Oh, it’s just Bball being marketed by the local media biatche.
Boy, I’m in for it now.
UGA
April 22nd, 2009
6:54 pm
GO HAWKS!!
Let’s get up 2-0!!
KevinA
April 22nd, 2009
7:56 pm
6 minutes away lol. This house is pumped up and ready to rock. Let’s kick some boooooodiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Kyle
April 22nd, 2009
8:11 pm
is it just me…or is every one of our starters better than their starters sans Wade? Like We are a much better team than they are
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:16 pm
Damn only Atlanta has a wild Hawk flying around the court.
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
8:16 pm
The Hawk Spirit has stole the show…
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:20 pm
I hear you Mel. We need to pick up the pace. I don’t like this slow pace.
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
8:21 pm
Hawks off to a slow start. Too many jumpers to start the game..
Kyle
April 22nd, 2009
8:21 pm
with the dunk JJJJJJJJJJJJoe Johnson
Sautee
April 22nd, 2009
8:21 pm
First team to 70 wins?
Wabe
April 22nd, 2009
8:21 pm
What was up with the Hawk flying around Philips?
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:22 pm
WOW JJ GOT A SLAM!!!
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
8:22 pm
Joe Johnson serves up a facial on Jermaine O’neal… That was nasty Joe….
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
8:23 pm
Agreed Lacsho. The Heat is trying to slow the game down so DWade can go one on one every possession…
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:23 pm
They need to pick up the defense intensity, and force some turnovers.
bigdave
April 22nd, 2009
8:23 pm
yuck… joe wit da yolk…!!!
fell ugly though… was supposed to be an AND 1…
bigdave
April 22nd, 2009
8:26 pm
WTF… THATS A T!!
bigdave
April 22nd, 2009
8:28 pm
WTF!!! TOUCH FOULS ON US…
freshd
April 22nd, 2009
8:29 pm
Where are all the hawks fans? All I see are empty seats. It”s not a good look for national TV. I know Kenny Smith and Sir Charles are gonna kill the hawks fans. These are the playoffs.
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:29 pm
Looks like Wade is going to get a lot of calls tonight.
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
8:30 pm
Mo has 2 quick fouls. Will we see Super Mario get some mins to harrass DWade….
Sautee
April 22nd, 2009
8:30 pm
It’s starting in spades for the touch foul calls. Stern must have texted the refs during the last time out.
Brandon
April 22nd, 2009
8:33 pm
if thats Danny Crawford out there Dwayne Wade is sure to get a majority of the calls.
bigdave
April 22nd, 2009
8:34 pm
HOW IS THAT A FOUL ON JOSH?
DrewCat
April 22nd, 2009
8:34 pm
The offense really needs to pick up. Maybe Flip can get going in Game 2 after a sub par Game 1
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:35 pm
Here we go Mel
Brandon
April 22nd, 2009
8:36 pm
Josh Smith is carrying the Hawks right now…
bigdave
April 22nd, 2009
8:38 pm
SLAP HIM MARIO…!!!
Sekou Smith
April 22nd, 2009
8:40 pm
The loose Hawk has to be the funniest thing I’ve seen all year. Classic Philips Arena moment if there ever was one.
Macaroni Tony
April 22nd, 2009
8:40 pm
the nba wants to see a lebron and wade matchup. WE’RE not getting any calls. And we’re at home.
Interested Observer
April 22nd, 2009
8:42 pm
Intergrity of the game > Television Ratings…many of these calls are going DWade’s and the Heat’s way. Hawks need to bring the intensity to start quarter number 2.
bigdave
April 22nd, 2009
8:46 pm
SEE WE HAVE TO HAMMER THEM… THEY DONT GIVE US ANYTHING EASY… HAMMER THEM..
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:46 pm
Ryan Cameron needs to get the crowd going. Damn can we get a little music in Phillips. It’s like the Hawks are playing in a library or a museum.
Sautee
April 22nd, 2009
8:51 pm
Now we’re starting to compete at their level of intensity.
Thanks Zaza.
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:51 pm
Man Beasly is going to be a beast. I like what Bibby is doing, and Woody finally calls a timeout.
Melle Mel I agree with you we need to throw super mario in. I’m a little worried b/c everyone is going one on one. We play our best ball when we get at least three passes before the shot.
Melvin
April 22nd, 2009
8:52 pm
They gave the Hawks a few token calls at the start of the game but DWade is getting all the calls now…
freshd
April 22nd, 2009
8:53 pm
The hawks need to bring up the energy, they”re playing like the heat are gonna roll over for them. If they don”t watch out the refs will turn this series to MIAMI, because the NBA wants to see D-WADE AND JAMES.
Lacsho
April 22nd, 2009
8:54 pm
Smoove needs to get his damn head in the game, and stop dribbling. I hate to say this, but Smoove cannot guard Beasly.