Celtics at Hawks, AKA For Some Reason Hawks Are Really, Really Up For This
Star power and rings ought to get Hawks' attention. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)
So why is it that the Hawks seem to get up for the Celtics more than any of the other members of the East Elite Tri-Council?
Well, when you consider that the Celtics boast three stars, won a championship in 2008 and owned the Hawks until this season, the real question is: Why wouldn’t the Hawks bring a little something extra against the C’s?
“We know we have to play on a totally different level against that team,” J.J. said. “They’ve got so many threats you can’t have no letdowns.”
If you are so inclined–and I know some of you are–you could take all the things that theoretically are working for the Hawks tonight and turn them around into signs of danger:
1. There’s that 3-0 record against Boston this season. That means the Hawks either a) have Boston’s number or b) can expect the Celtics, with prideful KG back, to do everything in their power to avoid their first four-game season sweep by the Hawks since ‘95-’96.
2. The Celtics left their energy in Orlando, where they blew a 16-point lead last night. That means the Celtics either a) will be too spent to do battle with the Hawks even if they really, really want this one especially since KG is still gimpy or b) will re-focus behind KG, who is ticked about giving up a game-winning layup to Rashard Lewis.. From the Boston Globe:
“I’ve got to be better. I told the guys it was on me and I’ve got to be better defensively. I’ll remember it, it fuels me, it will motivate me, so I’m better [tonight]’.’
Or maybe none of that plays a factor and the Hawks really are just better than the Celtics right now. Woody doesn’t think so.
“I still think they are the best team in the East,” he said.
– Woody said Al Horford , who got six stitches for a gash on his left thumb Monday at Houston, never complained about the injury that night or during the shootaround at San Antonio on Wednesday. Before the Hawks played the Spurs, Horford said he had trouble dribbling with his left hand but that’s about it.
Today, though, Horford acknowledged that when he returned to the game at Houston the thumb was “numb, I couldn’t really feel it” and “it was really bothering me” vs. the Spurs.
“Today, it feels a whole lot better,” Horford said. “I’ll be good to go tonight.”
Though he never used the thumb as an excuse, the injury might explain Horford’s 2-for-10 shooting against the Spurs. He still managed to get 10 rebounds vs. Houston and nine vs. San Antonio.
– The Hawks must win to keep alive Woody’s chances of joining Al and J.J. in Dallas for All-Star game. If the Celtics win tonight, the Hawks won’t surpass them for second place in the East by the end of Sunday.
– Talk amongst yourselves, Hawks fans.
MC
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371 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
January 29th, 2010
11:06 pm
Oh yeah and it was interesting to see how each team handled different 3rd quarter flare0ups. Doc (respected and beloved) had a major meltdown that led to his ejection, a huge fine and his team subsequently lost a double-digit lead in Boston. Woody gets a technical tonight but stays on the bench, his team battels thru a 3rd quarter where the Celtics shot almost as many free throws as the Hawks points in the quarter. And when the team fouls were re-set in the 4th quarter, the Hawks left the Celtics behind for a nice victory.
jlewis
January 29th, 2010
11:09 pm
I have no problem with the criticism, and the reason he left Phoenix was over $5 million and being disrespected, people in the know knew what they were losing, the Colangelo’s recommended Sarver pay him and they didnt. The unjust criticism from fans and Dominique will get back to him and he’ll be gone, and as you know, D-Wade and Kobe are not coming, the franchise can’t afford it.
You talk about Josh’s passion, I love it, but Josh was the worst coached high schooler I have ever seen in the league, he had no handles, shot or knew how to play. People need to give Woody some credit for Josh also, but they don’t, he played that kid and didnt give up on him. Appreciate the team, because when Joe leaves, trust me, it will be different, ask Phoenix
Big Ray
January 29th, 2010
11:10 pm
Vava ,
Your refined humor is not matching the public? You remind me of HB Ando calling the rest of the blog the “unwashed masses.” Quick, tell us another one. Like, your defacation has no odor…. LOL
Astro Joe ,
LOL. That really was a good one. Kudos to Woody for sticking with what was working, and knowing when to play which guard. I’m a tad worried about tomorrow night, though.
DecDawg
January 29th, 2010
11:12 pm
Truth be told, Marvin draws the toughest defensive assignments. Now when he’s out of the lineup, we rotate different guys onto Lebron, Carmelo, Durant, Pierce and the like but let’s not act like Joe always guards the best scorer. And for the record, I equate defense with hustle, ball denial, actually staying with your guy once he crosses the foul line, rotation, help defense, etc. And by this criteria, Joe is not indifferent but he can do more and it’s easy to see that he’s not giving maximum effort.
Big Ray
January 29th, 2010
11:13 pm
jlewis ,
Agreed on all points, but what makes you think that Joe is leaving? No kidding we wouldn’t be the same. You’re never the same when the all-star you built your team around leaves. How much different in the end would be anybody’s guess, and I’m not willing to step that far out into conjecture at this point, as Sund would have to make some seriously shrewd moves and….uh, I’m just going to do like anybody else and think about crossing that bridge IF and WHEN we get to it. Peace….
Big Ray
January 29th, 2010
11:15 pm
Sautee ,
That wasn’t over the line. That was refined humor. How dare you not comprehend the more subtle nuances of the humorously elite when they deign to smile upon you and take notice of your myopic existence? Whoooaaaa…gotta back off of these meds….
Sautee
January 29th, 2010
11:15 pm
Yeah Ray, how dare I?
O'Brien
January 29th, 2010
11:16 pm
Why did Bibby only play 9 minutes?
jlewis
January 29th, 2010
11:18 pm
Question is, why would he stay? Bibby played 9 minutes because when his shot is not falling he brings nothing to the floor, Jamal got his minutes.
vava74
January 29th, 2010
11:21 pm
Sautee,
You are looking at the whole blogging thing waaaay to seriously.
Nonetheless, I apologise if I offended you or your wife. That was not my intention since my words were not meant to be read literally. I even added a nice smiley face to break the ice since it was just a figure of speech…
As for your view on JJ in particular, it was not the first time that you (and your wife) judge JJ based on a lack of external manifestations of joy, leadership or unselfishness all based on what you can see on TV.
I think it is unfair to judge JJ like that.
JJ is averaging 20-5-5 (roughly) which should be a pretty good indication that he both scores, hustles and shares the rock.
Further to this, he is WIDELY perceived by his peers and by the experts as one of the most balanced players in the NBA and that includes considering him an elite defender.
Obviously, he does not match up well against everyone (Nate, for instance), but to forget his performances in which he completely shuts down some of the most dangerous opponents it is again unfair (there you are also wrong Astro) specially when he has to overcome day in day out Bibby’s lack of defensive capabilities.
All this came after you complained heavily against JJ in a game which we were winning. The fact that he only had 1 assist does not mean that he was not working out there to get things done, specially on defence where stats are more deceiving.
JJ is a great player and if he leaves, it will be very difficult to replace and our record will suffer.
All in all, I think you look at JJ with a more critical eye than you do other players. It’s only human and not the cause for a riot.
I was just pulling you chain in a moment of joy. It’s 4.20AM here in PT and to be honest, I am certifiably mad for still being up so late just for this “post game jousting”.
doc
January 29th, 2010
11:27 pm
rms, do you remember stating this? ….
“rms
January 29th, 2010
5:13 pm
I can hear the coughing beginning to start already…..CHOKE!!! No way these Hawks pull off a 4-0 sweep of the Celtics or my name aint rms!!!”
famous last words. heh heg
dude it was fun tonight to yell SWEEP as the game ended. best one of them could muster was wait until the playoffs. of the top four in the east, they are the team least likely to get out of the first round unless they get some juice from somewhere.
doc
January 29th, 2010
11:28 pm
another couple of airballs for jj tonight.
Season Ticket Holder
January 29th, 2010
11:28 pm
Joe Johnson started slow and struggled with his shot, but put it together when it was needed. The rest of the team played well while JJ found his groove. A great game and finally the fans cheered as if we have a team to be proud of. I think this sweep will go a long way for the psych of this “still young team”. Go HAWKS!
Wabe
January 29th, 2010
11:34 pm
I think we really need to go into and come out of the all-star break giving Teague more minutes. We’ve got to get him comfortable and creating for others within this offense. Bibby’s lack of minutes late in games points to his decline. It’s important for us to bring our young point gaurd along as we get later into the season and into the playoffs.
If Woody could spare this kid 10-15 good minutes every night, I’d be satsified. I just don’t like how he throws the kid out there here or there and then expects the kid to play up to the level of everybody else. I know we’re actually playing for something and games are precious, but we’ve got to get this kid into the fold.
Sautee
January 29th, 2010
11:34 pm
vava,
I think that I look at Joe, like I do the “leader” of every team. If you make the highest salary, than you have a responsibility to lead. If you are team captain, you have a responsibility to lead. I realize that his personality is ill-suited for the job. But you know, he didn’t take a pay cut for not having the personality of a leader.
That said, I have stated MANY times on this blog, that we will be worse off if he leaves.
Thank you for acknowledging that you offended my wife. Me, you can dis all day (or night) long. However, I STILL want you to show me where I said Joe was selfish, which you have accused me of. Or else take it back.
doc
January 29th, 2010
11:38 pm
o’b about bibby ….
because he sucked,
jamal was a huge upgrade and
he might have gotten an injury to the face in the first quarter it seemed
since i was at the game how bad did we start was it about 1 for 12. man it was ugly, down 16 to 7. we had to go to our second unit to turn things around there. within minutes they had gone on a 20 point spread to make it a double digit lead. seemed they were led by jamal and zaza.
Wabe
January 29th, 2010
11:39 pm
Not trying to sound like a critic tonight, because I know we just finished up a sweep of the C’s. Just think it’s in our best interest for us to get the kid up to speed to help us out in both the near and distant future.
And I know people can pull out the stats and downplay Teague getting more minutes, pointing to stats such as FG % or turnovers. But, our lack of a true PG holds us back more than one would suggest. The lulls we tend to experience point to this. We need a guy that can penetrate and set others up, and that’s exactly what Teague offers.
bigdave
January 29th, 2010
11:42 pm
Big Ray…
though im sure it gets overlooked due to my undeniable support i am critical of Joe’s play when it deserves criticism. just not one of those that choose to be unappreciative….
Astro…
not to mention the defense he’s played on legitimate pf and center post scorers (i dont think he’s been scored on)… how many 2 guards can do that?
maybe if Joe was a bit more of a RARA!! chest beating, pixy dust throwing guy he’d be liked more. maybe he needs to act hurt and tell everyone how hurt he his all the time instead of just shutting up and coming to work…
bottom line, Joe stepped up when we needed him.. like Portland, like Cleveland in Cleveland, like Bos.
vava74
January 29th, 2010
11:48 pm
Sautee,
new blog up. I posted the same post there and reply to your nee post there too.
Samuel
January 30th, 2010
12:12 am
Woody=COY
replica ugg
March 28th, 2010
7:44 am
If the Celtics can keep the Big Three are not injured, then they will go further