Atlanta Hawks: Amar’e Stoudemire promises ‘very, very intense’ game for post-fight rematch
New York–And so it begins.
It’s Round 3 of Hawks vs. Knicks at Madison Square Garden tomorrow, and of course the storyline in New York is focused on Atlanta’s 111-102 victory in Round 2 on Jan. 28. An intense game climaxed with Atlanta’s Marvin Williams coming to blows with Shawne Williams. Afterward, Amar’e Stoudemire called out Al Horford for his chest-pounding exhortations to Hawks fans at Philips Arena.
The league suspended Marvin for two games for his role in the fight, which he said happened after series of unspecified actions by the Knicks throughout the game. But Marvin downplayed the rematch.
“I am sure it is going to be intense,” he said. “But it’s in the past for me, and I’m sure it is for Shawne, too. It’s over; it’s done with. I am sure he feels the same way. It’s just another game.”
Shawne Williams, who got suspended for a game because of the altercation, also said he’s not bitter about the incident.
“I feel like we owe them guys from last game,” Williams told ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan today at Knicks practice. “Ain’t nothing personal, like I said that day. We were competing in the heat of the moment and it got out of hand. There’s no hard feelings after. You play the game and you get caught up in the moment and things happen sometimes. It’s not like it’s premeditated or anything. Everything’s good.”
While those two might be ready to move on, Amar’e sounds as if he’s eager to face fellow All-Star Horford.
Amar’e missed New York’s victory over the Nets on Saturday with a toe injury but said he’s ready for the Hawks:
“It’s going to be a very, very intense game after what happened in Atlanta. He don’t want to see me. I watched him play in Florida, and I’ve seen him play a few years in Atlanta. We’ve got two different games, and we’ll see how it plays out tomorrow.”
It sounds as if Amar’e is suggesting he’s tougher than Al. That’s similar to his comments after the game last month: ““I don’t know what Horford’s thinking. He needs to calm down. He’s not that type of player. He doesn’t want to see me on any night, so he’d better relax and calm down.”
Horford later responded on Twitter, saying: “I am that kind of player, who does what he needs to win…”
After the Hawks beat the Pistons Tuesday, Al didn’t have much to add.
“A comment was made that I found out [about],” he said. “He’s a competitor, I am too. That’s all there is to that.”
In the aftermath of that tough victory against the Knicks, Hawks coach Larry Drew said that while he didn’t condone fighting, he thinks the Hawks could have bolstered their rep by not backing down “when you feel things got tough.”
What kind of game does he expect tomorrow at the Garden?
“Same thing,” he said, chuckling. “It won’t be any different. It’s going to be a very hard-fought basketball game. It’s going to be a physical game. We just have to go in there and do what we always try to do on the road and control the tempo.
“We won’t get caught up in a lot of the hype behind it. We’ve got a job to do. This is game we want want to get, especially before the All-Star break. We have to go in there like gangbusters.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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70 comments Add your comment
ATL1
February 15th, 2011
9:13 pm
tim if he’s an azz then what are you?…
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
February 15th, 2011
9:22 pm
But first, Stoudemire will be matched up against fellow All-Star Horford for the first time since Jan. 28, when the Hawks and Knicks played an intense game in Atlanta. In that game, Hawks forward Marvin Williams and Knicks forward Shawne Williams got into an altercation, Marvin Williams drawing a two-game suspension and Shawne Williams getting a one-game penalty for throwing punches.
Horford was particularly vocal and demonstrative in Atlanta’s 111-102 victory last month, and Stoudemire was clearly relishing the prospect of going up against him again.
Amare is poppin’ off a little too much – He don’t want it with the Boss! I am excited about this game for real its like the 12th round of a grudge match.
“It’s going to be a very, very intense game after what happened in Atlanta,” said Stoudemire, who took umbrage at Horford’s histrionics. “He don’t want to see me. I watched him play in Florida, and I’ve seen him play a few years in Atlanta. We’ve got two different games, and we’ll see how it plays out tomorrow.”
Mr. Mojo
February 15th, 2011
9:34 pm
Stoudemire shouldnt be talking about toughness. Every year in the playoffs he has showed he has none. Gasol made him look like a fool last year. And he also plays no D. Horford and Josh gonna both take it to him tomorrow. On another note, Rick Sund go get this team some help even if its some frontcourt depth.
i_am_soulstar
February 15th, 2011
9:39 pm
Thanks Paradise Lost. GO HAWKS!!!
Dept. of Unintended Irony
February 15th, 2011
9:53 pm
“finally, thanks for reading my lame blog. i get credit for the clicks.”
Hooray for tim. He’s helping MC with every barb and stupid comment.
Now THAT’S Unintended Irony!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
February 15th, 2011
10:41 pm
AL HORFORD WILL OWN AMARE tomorrow because we call him BOSS!
(don’t click the link if you are easily offended)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Fig_LoBy4
now that’s how Horford and the boys need to roll through NYC – send the Knicks on their all-star break right.
brigadierjerry
February 15th, 2011
11:32 pm
One thing I would like to comment on is that the Hawks overall team is not too far from being elite. Really the only thing holding them back is the lack of a point guard that can take it to the cup. You cannot win if your guards or forward cannot take it to the rim. Hawks really dont have someone that can take it to the rim consistently or want to. Johnson can but doesnt do it enough.Bibby cant. If Josh Smith could focus on taking it consistently to the rim he could. If the Hawks can get a point guard such as Andre Miller they have a chance in the playoffs. Also, it will be Orlando vs Atlanta in the playoffs and I feel that Atlanta has a chance this year to beat Orlando good chance. I do not like the makeup of the Orlando team this year.
Buddy Grizzard
February 16th, 2011
5:39 am
If the Hawks had lost to the Pistons and amassed a 3-game losing streak against sub .500 competition, everybody would be admitting what we already know in our hearts… the Hawks are not championship contenders. Does the fact we beat the Pistons excuse us from having to make the admission?
G5_hawk
February 16th, 2011
8:20 am
Hawks Ball !
Jackass
February 16th, 2011
9:41 am
Jack, of course, you do watch hockey…you’re stupid!
Not so casual observer
February 16th, 2011
10:42 am
Tim,
A wise fellow once noted,
“Never start a war of words with someone who buys newsprint by the box car load.”
Mac-Town, Georgia (www.urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 16th, 2011
11:01 am
Stoudemire pops off at the mouth too much
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 16th, 2011
11:03 am
I still cant get over Marvin’s air punch
lewis
February 16th, 2011
11:58 am
Owner: ‘Sense of urgency’ to keep Thrashers from moving
tlanta Spirit co-owner Michael Gearon said there is now a “sense of urgency” to find additional investors or a buyer willing to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta. If the ownership group does not get additional financial help in the near future the franchise could be sold and moved to another city.
“If we are faced with that as the only alternative, that’s what’s going to happen,” Gearon told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an exclusive interview Tuesday. “I don’t think there is an ability to stomach another $20 million in losses. We just can’t do it.
“The reality is we need fans showing up and we need investors, or a primary investor.”
blah blah blah..etc…
According to the lawsuit, ownership reported more than $130 million in operating losses since 2005. Its franchise value also has dropped by more than $50 million, the document says.
“We need fan support. We need investors,” Gearon said. “I would love to have other members of the Atlanta community step up and take a lead role in this and I would be glad to stay in. We need support. We’ve put a lot of money into this team.”
Keeping it Real N ATL
February 16th, 2011
12:26 pm
SHUTUP TIM!!!
nyk4life
February 16th, 2011
12:40 pm
what a chump marvin williams is thats the most noteworthy thing hes done in his career. shawne williams is better and amare is gonna throw down 40+ on big al tonight
K.W.
February 16th, 2011
1:24 pm
LOL >>>>>>>>> http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx299/KW9891/UMAD.jpg
superiorblogman
February 16th, 2011
1:56 pm
Hawks win easily. On the other hand, they should not get into beefs with teams beneath them.
Lionhearted
February 16th, 2011
2:18 pm
LOL @ that pitcure of Al
W.R. Terrell
February 16th, 2011
11:37 pm
Well Hawks fans looks like we had another disappointment. The Hawks looked kinda silly tonight. Jump shots all over the place and against a team that gives out “please score in the paint” signs. Time to prepare for next year and i’m serious. This Hawks team is not a good one. I’ve been a fan for so long that I can never turn them off but i’m so tired of watching them lose with no purpose, they just lose. The playoffs are a dream this year, these Hawks are way too soft, scared to drive to the hoop because they may get fouled. Joe 120 million Johnson is definitely fearful of taking his 6′8 supposedly strong frame to the hoop….lolol…funny team.