Jazz at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread
- All Hawks except Jannero Pargo and Al Horford are available. Raja Bell (adductor) is a game-time decision for the Jazz.
- In case you didn’t notice, Joe Johnson has been good since he sat out those six games with knee tendinitis. He says he first started to think something was wrong at the beginning of February: “Some games it was OK, some games not. I could feel myself laboring.”
- You can see that this timeline matches up with his production so, generally, he’s been good when he’s been feeling good. “Getting your legs back under you, there is not a better feeling,” Joe said.
- Joe on lately barking more often at officials: “It’s tough at times. I try to stay away off them because we’ve got so many other guys on the team who are talking to them. But there comes a point in time where I have to say something.”
- Larry Drew:“That’s not typical Joe. He’s usually quiet, doesn’t say much to officials. He’s getting a little more fire. I love seeing that. If there is one guy you want to see get fired up, it’s Joe Johnson. He seems to really be into the game. When he gets more fired up, he’s more aggressive. Some guys go the other way.”
- Drew on Jeff Teague: “He’s stepping his game up. Teague goes through patches where he disappears but when he turns it up, he turns it up.”
- Drew on the Jazz, who have won six straight: “They’ve got a lot of good pieces and it looks like those pieces are starting to come together. They are athletic, strong, they really play an aggressive style. You have to be mentally ready. Playing our third game in three nights against a team like Utah should be a huge challenge.”
- The Biggest Game in the History of the Universe is going down Saturday, and I don’t mean Hawks-Sixers.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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657 comments Add your comment
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
9:55 pm
jlewis
March 25th, 2012
9:48 pm
I’ve followed this blog for the last 5 years, after tonight, this is it. Most of the people on here are not fans, just hate. To much negative energy.
_____________________
So you quit and go home? Quitcherbitchin. The Hawks won an extremely tough one tonight. Not many on here unhappy with that. Counteract that perceived negative energy with some positive stuff instead of whining about the critics.
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
9:59 pm
Thunder beating Heat. Spurs beat Sixers. Hawks win in 4OT. Only blemish is that Boston won tonight.
doc
March 25th, 2012
9:59 pm
nice one hawks
tell em to stick it where the sun dont shine
now to get set to head down on wed and fri
KevinM
March 25th, 2012
10:00 pm
SWAT, I’m with you…..great game at the DOME today and overshadowed what went on at Philips….24K watching Kentucky take it to Baylor.
Ran into Josh Harrelson after the UK game and he was all smiles…he’ll be back with Woody this Friday…get ready for Woody’s return to Philips.
Congrats to LD and the Hawks, now 10 games over .500 and sitting in 5th.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
10:01 pm
Ken Strickland
March 25th, 2012
9:52 pm
With a 4 overtime win in our 3rd gm in 3 nights, with 4 in a row, with 5 wins in 6gms on our 10gms in 14 days stretch, and their are fools who don’t think this team competitive. These fools also totally discounts what the Hawks are accomplishing in the month of March because they feel the Hawks didn’t do as well in Feb.
I have a feeling i’m not dealing with a very mature person(s). Therefore, I’d better back off before I end up being accused of VERBAL CHILD MOLESTATION.
_____________________
You should learn how to spell and write before calling others fools. The consistently irrational and unrealistic nature of your posts indicates that you likely are already involved in child molestation.
Buddy Grizzard
March 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
Was at the Phil tonight… Marv, Jeff and Joe all icewater in their veins. Great win.
rollo lawson
March 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
Maybe now Jeff Schultz and Mark Bradley can stop sniffing Chipper Jones’ jock strap long enough to write stories about the city’s best pro athlete, Joe Johnson. This team is primed to do some great things in the playoffs. Just watch. Don’t be surprised if they are the team playing the Heat in the ECF. I truly believe that we are better than the Bulls.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Dang, DawgNole… that’s harsh.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Ken, if you are talking to an adult, how is it verbal child molestation?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
10:06 pm
Jeff Schultz was at this game. There will be a column.
I can’t see the Hawks beating the Heat in any way, but if Al gets healthy for the playoffs, I think they can beat the Bulls. Wouldn’t bet on it, but I’d give them a good 35%-40% chance.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
“I can’t see the Hawks beating the Heat in any way, but if Al gets healthy for the playoffs, I think they can beat the Bulls. Wouldn’t bet on it, but I’d give them a good 35%-40% chance.” Najeh
Cosign. Let’s hope the stars align like last year for a rematch.
TMACfan
March 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
Serious question:
What happened to all you Joe Haters? You all were blasting him earlier.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
soullrenaissance
March 25th, 2012
9:54 pm
DawgNole
LD and Sund have blackballed TMac. Its wack that politics play such a role in the NBA.
_______________________
Couldn’t agree more, soul.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
I have to agree with soul, as well.
Why didn’t Tmac play? I would hope he gets extended minutes versus Milwaukee.
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
Honestly, I see the Hawks possibly losing 2 straight after tonight. Don’t think they will have enough for both the Bucks and the Bulls.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Dang, DawgNole… that’s harsh.
_____________________
Truth is a defense for libel, Big Lou.
jlewis
March 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
DawgNole:
You can kiss my a**
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
Honestly, I see the Hawks possibly losing 2 straight after tonight. Don’t think they will have enough for both the Bucks and the Bulls.
_______________________
Ditto that. It’s my old negativity creeping back in–thanks to 45 years of beatdowns. But in the meantime, I’m gonna enjoy this one. The team really stepped up tonight–and deserves all the accolades we can pile on.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
10:16 pm
jlewis
March 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
DawgNole:
You can kiss my a**
____________________
Why am I not surprised that you would come up with a response like that. I thought you weren’t going to be on the blog anymore? Liar.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
“Honestly, I see the Hawks possibly losing 2 straight after tonight. Don’t think they will have enough for both the Bucks and the Bulls.” HawkEye
I predict a loss at Milwaukee and a win versus the Bulls.
Rev in Tampa
March 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
Our beat writer needs to get to the bottom of the TMac issue. This is a pot just waiting to be stirred. I know that Chris Vivamore like stirring the drama soup.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
10:23 pm
Rev in Tampa
March 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
Our beat writer needs to get to the bottom of the TMac issue. This is a pot just waiting to be stirred. I know that Chris Vivamore like stirring the drama soup.
______________________
You’re right, Rev. Not playing the guy when he could help the team is inappropriate. He’s a talent with a load of experience–even though he is past his prime. Writers/columnists need to do a little digging here. I imagine that if we’d lost this one with TMac on the bench the whole time, we’d be hearing a bit more squawking.
brigadierjerry
March 25th, 2012
10:24 pm
Good win and give credit where credit is due. Hawks right now with all the injuries they have are doing more with less. I think the Hawks will fall anywhere between 3-5 seed. Right now they would play the 76ers which i give them a good chance of beating if those two meet in the playoffs outside of Orlando. I would give them a shot of beating the Knicks or Celtics if one of them wins the Atlantic and the Hawks remain the 5 seed.
Rev in Tampa
March 25th, 2012
10:25 pm
I’ve had a long day and am turing in for the night. But if some of you who are hanging around when MC posts the new blog, bomb him with requests to find out why TMac is buried on the bench.
yodaddybrother
March 25th, 2012
10:25 pm
we will win decisively in Milwaukee and then win a thriller against Chicago.
This team matches up well with Chicago I don’t care what any hater thinks.
Just as we have no answer for D. Rose they have none for Josh Smith and Joe Johnson can win his matchup any night of the week. Marvin can neutralize Deng and Noah and Zaza are a wash. The bench play for each team is about the same as well.
The season series is 2-1 but we all know the Hawks gift wrapped them a game early in the season and ran them out of their own gym. Something no other team has done. So I feel good about that matchup
Hawkfan
March 25th, 2012
10:26 pm
Incredible win. 4 OT on b2b2b! 3 wins in b2b2b! Watching Joe tonight a real pleasure. Clutch and digs deep. Joe should be a local hero. Came here when nobody else would, stayed when others may have left to join a championship contender. Let’s get another player this offseason to give him the shot he deserves. Props also to Josh, ZaZa, Marvin, Teague.
Cut TMac. He can only be a bad influence at this point. Find a strong rebound guy
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:27 pm
I love watching the Heat get dominated by OKC.
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
10:27 pm
The Chicago Bulls have already clinched a playoff berth with 16 games remaining to be played. Coach Thibodeau deserves another Coach of the Year Award.
SWAT Native
March 25th, 2012
10:28 pm
@KevinM – Great college basketball atmosphere, wasn’t it?
Oh, and respect to the Hawks for three tough wins in three nights.
yodaddybrother
March 25th, 2012
10:29 pm
T-Mac not playing and we’re winning so what’s the issue????
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:31 pm
I like the picture Jeff has for Joe Johnson–hilarious!
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/03/25/joe-johnson-finds-his-rhythm-and-hawks-win-again/?cp=1#comment-445568
phil
March 25th, 2012
10:31 pm
It took 4 OTs to win?
Proof that we stink, right there!!
Fire LD!!
Just kidding.
Melvin
March 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
Hawks have played most road games in the league and only 1 of 7 teams to have 30 wins. 95% of this was done without their All Star Center…
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
“This team matches up well with Chicago I don’t care what any hater thinks.”
Agreed. Best case scenario for the next 2 games: If we can blow out the Bucks and find some rest for our starters, we may be able to push the Bulls on Wed.
doc
March 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
tmac shot himself in the foot like he always has this time thinking he was still the man. nobody who cant play two games in a row is the man period. he did it to himself especially after the classless locker room uprising last yea, if that is why he isnt playing, though i think it is more his talent has declined. he is a scorer and not a winner until he gives further notice.
phil
March 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
Tmac can kiss my foot with his complaining and whining.
He’s worse than me on these blogs….
And that’s saying something!
brigadierjerry
March 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
As some has stated what is the deal with TMAC and why isnt he getting minutes?Is Drew really that stubborn that he is going to not play him?He must think he is Billy Martin what he used to do to Reggie Jackson
yodaddybrother
March 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
they could have given Derek Fisher a better number than 37
phil
March 25th, 2012
10:36 pm
Durant gives a fine interview. Impressed with him.
Heckuva player too, obviously…
Fire FG!!
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
10:38 pm
I’m sure LD’s answer to why he did not play TMac would’ve been he was a bad match-up. Lol.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:39 pm
Durant > Lebron
I want OKC to get ring after ring… so Lebron can cry, while his hairline creeps to the back of his head.
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
10:41 pm
yodaddybrother
March 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
they could have given Derek Fisher a better number than 37
___________________________________________________________
Check out Derek Fisher’s age.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fishede01.html
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:44 pm
Paul Gasol making a brick house in the first quarter. lol
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
10:45 pm
“they could have given Derek Fisher a better number than 37″
He picked that number on purpose; kinda like a f!ck you to the Lakers for getting rid of him. Funny if he wins a ring with OKC, though.
doc
March 25th, 2012
10:48 pm
big lou and phil yes to that.
durant is a man have liked what he says when the microphone is in front of him.
queen? well he is a queen.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 25th, 2012
10:50 pm
Great win tonight.
Those West teams always scare me a bit…Denver, PTL, Utah.
Rough schedule this week. Gotta think MIL will go all out vs us Tuesday. Need fresh legs to guard BJenn and Monta. guys better have tomorrow off to rest.
Wtf is the deal with T-Mac? Shoulda cut his azz for another big.
Too bad we couldn’t beat Boston. I said a week ago 4-1 was attainable
doc
March 25th, 2012
10:51 pm
phil on a long roll like a red sox tonight
heat been struggling in the west if i remember correctly not bulls however.
Michael
March 25th, 2012
10:54 pm
http://www.prohoopsnews.net
Big Daddy
March 25th, 2012
10:54 pm
Big ups to Zaza. With 20 rebounds and 15 points. He has been great for us in the middle. Has really stepped up his game.
doc
March 25th, 2012
10:55 pm
melvin they stay there to finish 5 of 6 at home
stern and refs have it out for us