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Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 111, Knicks 102

11:51 pm January 28, 2011, by Michael Cunningham

Marvin went out swinging. (AP Photo)

Marvin went out swinging. (AP Photo)

  • The fisticuffs and flexing at the end shouldn’t overshadow the fact that the Hawks nearly blew this game with their usual twin sins of poor shot selection and sieve-like defense on the ball.
  • “That was almost a similar situation like we collapsed fourth quarter against Milwaukee,” L.D. said. “Losing focus of what got us the lead. I threw the challenge down at halftime. We played well, let’s see what we are made of the third quarter because we knew that team was not going to quit. But we got into a situation of trading baskets and against a team like New York you can’t do that because they have a lot of firepower.”
  • But the shaky play also shouldn’t obscure how the Hawks earned an emotionally-charged game in large part because they got plays at both ends from Smoove and an unexpected emotional lift from Al.
  • “I’m proud of the way our guys responded,” Drew said. “They did not lose their composure. They got back into a rhythm. Josh Smith did a great job when we were struggling somewhat for a basket and we were able to post him and he took advantage of it, made some really nice moves down low.”
  • With all that out of the way. . . Man, I’ve never seen Marvin so mad. “This is the second time,” Josh said. Can you help me out on that one, blog people?
  • “I’ve never seen him snap like that,” Drew said.
  • Even after Marvin connected on Shawne Williams, he was raging to get another shot at him.
  • “It kind of escalated so quickly,” Al said. “I was running by and I tried to get in there without getting hit. Marvin is a great guy. Shawne really had to get under his skin for Marvin to react like that, or do something to him.”
  • There’s probably no chance Marvin doesn’t get suspended for that punch since it was above the shoulder.
  • “I really can’t speak to that; I will let the NBA handle that,” Smoove said. “Emotions was running high and it got chippy out there. It just happens.”
  • In the end, competent play means more than alpha-male posturing but the Hawks did show some fight.
  • “We are definitely a team with a chip on our shoulder,” J.J. said. “You act out of anger sometimes. It is what it is.
  • Al said he didn’t really notice Knicks fans making noise for most of the game (probably because the Hawks dominated for two-plus quarters). But he heard them when he was at the line for free throws with 4:24 to play and he didn’t like it.
  • “It was kind of overwhelming,” he said. “I was like, ‘Wait a minute, we are at home. Regardless of if there are a lot of Knicks fans here, our fans have to get up.’ That’s what I tried to do was hype the crowd up. They definitely gave us a lift to get us over the hump.”
  • “Al got fired up,” Josh said. “That surprised me. He’s normally a calm dude. That got everyone’s adrenaline flowing, I think.”
  • The Hawks are human and have egos so of course it bothers them when they don’t get support in their building. (And yeah, I know J.J. didn’t help their case with this last spring.)
  • “It’s a little disheartening being at home and you’ve got so many fans cheering for the opposition,” L.D. said. “I know our guys, they want to play well, they want to give the fans a good show, they want to give them their money’s worth. But when you get the cheering for the home team on your court, it’s a little disheartening. I’ve been in this a long time, and it’s been like that. I just tell them to play through it and just be proud of that name across the chest.”
  • J.J. was fantastic in the first half: 16 points, 6 of 10 shooting, five rebounds, five assists, one turnover. Neither he nor the Hawks were as efficient in the second half but he still finished with a nice line.
  • “Everyone looks at his scoring but I look at his assists and rebounds because those are areas we really need help in,” L.D. said. “And he’s been defending like crazy. He guards ones, he guards twos. I’ve always stated that he’s a very underrated defender.”
  • Smoove showed how much of a force he can be when he decides to work over inferior defenders inside. I didn’t have a problem with the 3-pointer he launched (and made) late in the game. The shot clock was winding down, he caught it in rhythm on a pass from J.J. and, hell, he’s second on the team in accuracy.
  • Marvin (six free-throw attempts, four rebounds, 12 points on six shots) was aggressive even before he decided to try to knock out Shawne Williams.
  • Big minutes for Al (45) and Joe (41) with a game at Dallas tomorrow.
  • The Hawks dominated the Knicks in the first half using the formula that works best for them: Move the ball for good shots, rebound the misses and run. They also kept Stoudemire from attacking the rim and controlled New York’s shooters.
  • “We got the best of them in the first half,” Joe said.
  • Then Stoudemire, Felton and Shawne Williams went on the attack in the third quarter, the Hawks had a few bad possessions early in the fourth and it was a game again.
  • “As a team that’s just an area where we have to grow,” L.D. said. “We’ve done a lot of good things this year as far as accomplishments. We’ve really shown an ability to play on the road. We’ve shown an ability to play against good teams. As coach you are always looking for that consistency in putting four solid quarters together and it is not always going to work out perfect. You are searching for it. But I’m proud of how our guys responded,”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

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91 comments Add your comment

STRETCH

January 29th, 2011
10:23 am

MC,

Eventhough they are 2 and a half games out of 1st, they still need to make a move by the deadline. Im hoping they do. Do you think they will, or have you heard or are you sensing something happening soon?

superiorblogman

January 29th, 2011
10:29 am

Yeah, I am disappointed that Al kinda escalated the situation. The Knicks are rookies at being relevant we are vets. We did not need to do anything other than continue to push that lead from 20 to 30 when we had it at 20 and none of this would have happened. That is what is getting lost. We let another team come back when we had a big lead.

Doc

January 29th, 2011
10:35 am

Hopefully this will be a turning point in Marvin’s career. He needs to prove everybody wrong, and it starts with emotion, intensity and swagger.

Doctrapu

January 29th, 2011
10:46 am

Atlanta does not deserve a winning NBA team. The people here are the least passionate and supportive in the nation. So sick of front running bandwagon prop
E that lve in this city. So quick to root for some far away team. These idiots cheering for the Knicks are not from NY. They wanna be from NY. Hawks should relocate to a medium sized city that is starved for pro hopple. These lousy people in this town do not deserve a winner. Glad to see Horford and LD call out these sorry bums that attend games and don’t cheer for the home team while a bunch of fake wannabes root loudly for some team playing in a city one thousand miles away

niremetal

January 29th, 2011
10:53 am

MC,

I think the first was Marvin’s flagrant 2 on Rondo in Game 7 of the Hawks-Celtics series in ‘08. Even in that, Marvin seemed much more frustrated than angry. That was the only other time that I remember Marvin getting that physical with someone.

O'Brien

January 29th, 2011
10:57 am

I’m glad Marvin was the one who acted up, because out of our top 7 players, he is the one least missed. So a 2+ game suspension should not affect the team much.

I do like the fire he showed though (even if it was ill-timed). Fans like to see emotion from their players (remember ZaZa’s head butt of KG in the playoffs), and Marvin has played soft sometimes.

Maybe this will get him fired up when he comes back, and will help him to be more aggressive. I wouldnt mind seeing this kind of emotion out of Teague too.

Sautee

January 29th, 2011
10:59 am

superiorblogman,

About this from the last blog:

“Flip average 15 a game the last year he was with the Hawks. Crawford does not average much more.”

Not even close. Flip’s last year here he averaged 12.2 points per game. Not even close to the 15 that you claim.

I think that there is a decent argument about Flip’s production for his pay, vs. Jamal’s , but don’t be making ish up to try to prove a point.

In fact, what would you say if someone was claiming that Jamal averaged 18.8 (when he’s at 16.0 this year)?

Wouldn’t you call them out? That’s what YOU did. You inflated Flip’s numbers by 2.8 per game. Nothing “superior”about that.

Keep it real, please.

The Truth

January 29th, 2011
11:02 am

I wish Marvin would go after rebounds the same way he went after Shawne Williams; with a vengeance. We all know the dude plays much better when he’s mad. During a Hawks Live Show, “The Stinger” made a joking remark that Marvin’s teammate needs to step on his foot before the start of every game just to get him angry to prep his mindset.

O'Brien

January 29th, 2011
11:03 am

As for the game, I’m happy for the win. But their bad habits caused the game to be closer than it should have been.

I’m not too concerned about the starters playing heavy minutes, because it has not bothered them all year (Hawks are something like 11-3 on the second night of back to backs).

But I’m concerned about letting the Knicks back into the game (like we did to Milwaukee). Without a shot from Mo and Josh, Hawks might have lost this game.

But they found a way to get the win, so they deserve some credit for that. I am looking forward to a good showing against Dallas.

I look for Dallas PGs to have huge numbers against Bibby, but I think Hawks find a way to win.

Section 303

January 29th, 2011
11:23 am

Najeh, I agree on Frank Isola. He is a beat writer, but goes about the job like an abnoxious fan.

I can’t wait for the Hawks/Knicks on Feb. 16. I’m sick of talking heads (Kenny Smith), writers (Frank Isola), and players (Knicks) acting like it’s the Hawks that have to prove themselves to the Knicks. The Knicks have been a nonfactor in the league for about a decade now. The Hawks are coming off a 53-win season and back-to-back trips to the 2nd round. Hawks are not the ones with something to prove.

Section 303

January 29th, 2011
11:26 am

O’Brien, I hear you with the concern on the Hawks blowing the lead las night. I sat in my seat, when the lead was 20 +, knowing that it was only a matter of time before it started to evaporate.

However, it’s just the way things go in the NBA. Almost all the games I’ve seen where one team jumps on the other (say by 20 or more) has the team that is down come back. It just happens. Of course….didn’t quite work out that way last Friday against the Hornets.

lewis

January 29th, 2011
11:31 am

Stoudemire’s just pissed he doesn’t know how to rebound or play defense.
He’s really not that big of a deal against Al and Josh.
Lol @ his 3 rebounds

5th generation Atlantan here, can’t stand the huge influx of obnoxious new yorkers. get out of my arena please

O'Brien

January 29th, 2011
11:33 am

Section 303,

I feel like it happens with the Hawks more often than it does other teams (but that could be because I watch mostly Hawks games).

I guess we should be happy with the win, because the Knicks are a semi-good team. The Lakers lost at home to the Kings last night, so anything can happen any given game in the League.

Section 303

January 29th, 2011
11:35 am

lewis, my wife and I took a trip to NYC this summer. We loved the place! I’m even going back in March to catch the Knicks/Pacers at MSG. However, being around the Knicks fans when they play the Hawks makes me hate them, too. I love the city, but I hate all their f’ing sports teams.

terrell

January 29th, 2011
11:41 am

I heard Shawne Williams called Marvin Mr. #2 overall, and then started laughing.

terrell

January 29th, 2011
11:43 am

lol 2 people sying this might be the turning point of Marvin’s career. Hell, he nearly fell down(again), when he threw a punch.

terrell

January 29th, 2011
11:44 am

lol @ people. My bad

terrell

January 29th, 2011
11:46 am

Sec 303, NO TEAM IN THE NBA BLOWS BIG LEADS LIKE THE HAWKS. It’s been happening to us for years.

yodaddy

January 29th, 2011
11:49 am

THere was an article on AJC not too long ago…

“Since big-time professional sports arrived in 1966, teams sailing under the Atlanta flag have completed 149 seasons. (We won’t count baseball in 1994, when the World Series was canceled by a players’ strike, or the 2004-2005 NHL campaign, which was scrubbed due to a lockout.) Only one has yielded a championship. That’s a batting average of .007, which is nice if you’re James Bond, less nice if you’ve invested financial and emotional capital in any of those 148 misses.

The history of major Atlanta pro sports is of the cosmic whiff. Our teams build us up to let us down. The Hawks have never won more than one playoff series in any season since moving from St. Louis.”"

REPEAT!!! The Hawks have never won more than one playoff series.

Just as in anything…winning cures all. Maybe if we won 2 playoff series and appeared in ECF or the Finals…the fans would believe more. But we are a show me town and won’t blindly waste money on a team when there are a million other things to waste money on (Strip Clubs!).

Atlanta teams embarass the city in unusual ways. Take just a few weeks ago with the Falcons debacle (Blank is STILL depressed about that as are many people)…Take the 41 point historical loss to the Hornets….take the historical playoff beatdown by the Orlando Magic….Brooks Conrad…enough said….take the Braves winning 14 straight divisional titles and only winning one measly championship when we should have been a dynasty.

Section 303

January 29th, 2011
11:51 am

terrell, yes they do. You’re just like me, and about everyone else on here, it just hurts when the Hawks do it.

Although, I’ll give you this, whenever the Hawks get a big lead (last night), I just know it won’t last. Like, I’m so confident it won’t last I would bet my house on it. It’s never easy.

terrell

January 29th, 2011
11:53 am

Yo daddy, Strip Clubs are everywhere.

The Truth

January 29th, 2011
12:01 pm

Al Horford:

“Great win over The knicks tonight. Everyone came out an did their part. And YES! I am that kind of player, who does what he needs to win”.

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter.html#ixzz1CRcFxFJw

heartofdarkness

January 29th, 2011
12:18 pm

I think I spotted a trend change in interest in Marvin Williams around the league last night.

MsDee

January 29th, 2011
12:25 pm

@The Truth,

I think Horford is responding to Amare’s comment about, “who does Horford think he is, he isnt THAT kind of player”..

I love Horford and what he brings this team..KEEP IT UP, AL!!

Hummon

January 29th, 2011
12:56 pm

I’m not there much, but I was there last night. The game seemed to embody all there is to like and dislike about the Hawks. I LOVED Al’s antics on the free throw line. The large and vocal Northeastern / Rust Belt rooter contingent is one of the most tiresome aspects of being a sports fan in this city. Contra Amare, Al does not need to “calm down.” I want to see more of that when the crowd that has a Georgia license plate but a Cubs cap gets noisy.

Ra'mon

January 29th, 2011
1:12 pm

Around the league, did anyone see KG’s low blow last night? Is he trying to be Ric Flair?

Also the Kings beat the Lakers in the Staple Center. Cousins went 27 pts/10 reb. I guess LAL’s big lineup doesn’t help either.

cp

January 29th, 2011
1:12 pm

The Hawks blew the lead because they continue to make the same mistakes in crunch time plus guards attack Bibby when he is in the game. I wouldn’t be shocked if Barrera and Jason Terry have big games tonight. LD has to realize that Mo is not this good defender he seems to think he is. Sund has to get another pg in here or LD just has to live with Teague’s mistakes because the Hawks cant keep playing Bibby all these minutes.

kwooden1

January 29th, 2011
2:24 pm

I’m proud of how the HAWKS played late and I’m glad LD went with Marvin over Crawford for the final 4mins. (before he got ejected) I know they blew a big lead in the 3rd and part of the 4th, but a lot of that lead was built with Amare on the bench. New York is a quality team and the HAWKS showed some nice ball movement to end the game. I actually don’t really mind Marvin going off, because he probably needs to rest his back some more and someone needs to show some some fire on this team! (Marvin was +22 for the game!, don’t like +/- stat but that still says a lot for him) Hopefully Jamal will have a better shooting game tonight, I think NY was doing a good job of being physical with him. Also, night job by the HAWKS getting the ball in the paint. Al, Joe and Josh shot a least 50% of their shots in the paint and they combine for 17 of the teams 22 assists.

Hopefully tonight they can keep getting the ball in the paint and not depend to much more jumpshots. With Marvin out, looks like Wikins and Mo are going to have to step-up their games.

GO HAWKS!!

O'Brien

January 29th, 2011
2:44 pm

I like Jamal, but he can give leads back in a hurry (bad defense, bad shot selection, not staying within the offense like he should).

Which is why the Hawks need Marvin to be more consistent on offense, because he is the better option (instead of Jamal) down the stretch of a close game.

Marvin is not the defensive liability that Jamal is, so if Marvin can knock down shots on offense, that will be great.

It would be nice if Teague can step up (defensively) too. Because a team of Teague/JJ/Marvin/Josh/Al in the closing minutes has the potential to play very good team defense.

But Marvin and Teague must step up for that to happen. As long as Bibby and Jamal are in the game down the stretch, the other team wil always have a chance.

The Truth

January 29th, 2011
2:52 pm

“As long as Bibby and Jamal are in the game down the stretch, the other team wil always have a chance.”

Agreed; Long ball misses = Fastbreak chances for the opponents

Booo!

January 29th, 2011
3:00 pm

Shawne Williams CLEARLY Connected with the left punch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjLY-kc1DYQ

Booo!

January 29th, 2011
3:06 pm

CLEARLY Amare has never seen Horford in action before last night. This is not the Sissy Western Confrence!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8iqxmKCmLc

The Truth

January 29th, 2011
3:13 pm

Shawne Williams has a long rap sheet; makes sense for him to be in the mix of controversy:

“On September 11, 2007, Williams was arrested in Indianapolis, Indiana on a charge of possession of marijuana. Two passengers in Williams’ car were also arrested. One was charged with possession of marijuana, the other was charged with possession of a stolen handgun.[5][6]

In January of 2010, Williams was arrested in Memphis on felony drug charges for selling a codeine substance. Williams later pleaded guilty in April to misdemeanor drug possession. He was placed on six months’ probation, ordered to undergo mandatory drug testing, attend a drug offender school and make a $10,000 contribution to the Shelby County Drug Treatment Court.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawne_Williams

slimjr

January 29th, 2011
4:48 pm

Go get em Marvin..!!!!!!!

Marvin Williams and Shawne Williams receive suspensions for rough housing | ProBasketballTalk

January 29th, 2011
4:49 pm

[...] via Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 111, Knicks 102 | Atlanta Hawks. [...]

slimjr

January 29th, 2011
4:51 pm

Sund= your on the clock now.So what cha gonna do??The deadline is approaching……TIC TOC……

Native Son

January 29th, 2011
5:42 pm

It seems to me that we should rejoice when our Hawka show some fire. I liked what they did last night to a eastern conference foe. Stoudemire has a rude awakening on the east coast. Now let’s go get Chicago.

Blast

January 29th, 2011
6:55 pm

Great win last night! Can Hawks do it tonight?

Until Amare and his team beat the Hawks, he better close his mouth and stop yapping. Records don’t lie. New York-0, Hawks-2.

Imagine if all those Knick fans were Hawks fans. Hawks would sellout every game.

ILL-Logical

January 29th, 2011
8:05 pm

According to the DMN , jason Collins will start tonight:
http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/hawks-will-be-missing-starter-marvin-wil.html

HawkZFan

January 29th, 2011
8:47 pm

can someone tell me what al did to fire up the crowd yesterday?

Atlanta Fawkers

January 30th, 2011
10:13 am

TRADE NOW!!!!

LOSERS!!!!!

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