We’re live from Hawks-Cavaliers: Will it be a new story?
The Hawks are hoping to control LeBron James and the Cavaliers better than in their playoff series. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
If you’re wondering whether tonight’s game between the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers will play out any differently than last year’s playoff series, you’re not alone. LeBron James isn’t sure what to make of the Hawks yet, either.
“We controlled the playoff series the whole way through,” James said moments ago in the Cavaliers’ locker room. “They’re a talented a talented team, but we controlled them and did what we wanted to do.”
When asked if the Hawks seem like a significantly different team now, James said, “I’ll tell you tonight after we play them. … I’ve watched tape. But you can’t just watch tape . When you play them, that’s when you can really tell about a team.”
The Hawks view tonight’s game as a measuring stick. They’re 21-8 but for the first time face the team that bounced them from the playoffs last season in four straight games. The Hawks are more versatile, deeper and better defensively than they were a year ago. They’re probably also a little tougher mentally. But James is right: You never really know about a team until games like this.
Josh Smith echoed those sentiments a little while ago, saying, “Any time we play against a marquee team in the East, let alone the NBA, we’ve got to gauge ourselves. We’ll definitely face adversity throughout the game. So we’ll just see how we’ll deal with that, too.”
It should be interesting. These are the fun games to watch and I’m here to chat about it, so let me know what you think.
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296 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:03 pm
Crawford leads the Hawks with 14. That’s good for him — but not really in big picture. Joe has been stuck on 11 for a week.
John Konkak
December 29th, 2009
8:04 pm
Hugh Durham could coach…but he couldn’ talk..??? his voval chords were gone….that always bothered me…..
willie martinez
December 29th, 2009
8:04 pm
konkak, check the blog. i never said you were a bust. and get out of here with the ethnic attempt at humor.
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:04 pm
Bibby is 0 for 4 and still scoreless.
ronjc in columbia, sc
December 29th, 2009
8:04 pm
I have only seen JJ make one game winning shot in big games. Could you do some research and let us know his numbers against Cle, Bos, Orl, and LAL?
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:05 pm
Koncak — Durham’s one of the all-time great guys, and a great quote, vocal chords notwithstanding.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:05 pm
wonder if teague will play
willie martinez
December 29th, 2009
8:06 pm
Jeff, i agree with the previous peice you wrote. Meyer is damaged goods no matter what. Seems like most recruits prefer stability over most else.
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:06 pm
Ronjc in Columbia — Right now? No. Watching the game. They might have it broken down in media guide but can’t get to it now.
willie martinez
December 29th, 2009
8:07 pm
Jeff, i didnt say i didnt like Durham. i thought he was great for UGA basketball. He just never seemed to acknowledge the students at the game. Even Felton did that.
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:07 pm
LeBron looks very average, for LeBron, that is.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:08 pm
these tip ins are getting annoyin
willie martinez
December 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
Only guy that was a better athete my time at Georgia was some guy named Herschel. you could pick him out of a crowd.
willie martinez
December 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
is LeBron having a bad night or is someone actually defensing him?
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
wooooooooooooooow
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:10 pm
4 points from the cavs that should have never happened
John Konkak
December 29th, 2009
8:12 pm
willie martinez …Terry Hoage was a pretty good athlete….IMHO
ronjc in columbia, sc
December 29th, 2009
8:12 pm
anyone else out there interested in McGrady if JJ leaves at end of year?
Pete
December 29th, 2009
8:13 pm
That last shot shows what Lebron is capable of. Not much of a factor in first half but well rested in case the Hawks show an unwillingness to conceed in second half
atmdawg
December 29th, 2009
8:14 pm
JJ seems to be crying about not being the go to guy. He took the last two plays off and it really hurt. Crawford is hot. Come on JJ be a team player!
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:14 pm
Willie, both. But what would you know about defense?
trik
December 29th, 2009
8:15 pm
Hawks win by 2 in ot I say
Herve T
December 29th, 2009
8:17 pm
they need to leave Marvin on Lebron
John Konkak
December 29th, 2009
8:17 pm
Jeff Schultz….words hurt…….I guess this is a big boy blog…..
Trembling Chihuahua
December 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
Jeff, Lebron was out partying til 4 am this morning in ATL. He was sluggish in the first half but his hangover should be about gone for the second half. Gotta love mini dude Jermaine Dupri for throwing him a party last night. I still think the Hawks will pull away in this one if Smoove doesn’t get in foul trouble in the 2nd half.
Eric P.
December 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
Need to play better defense this half.
GTFan1
December 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Jeff, looks like a full house on TV. Any scattered empties in the upper deck that often get hid on TV?
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
wow joe didnt see bibby
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:28 pm
Am I fashionably late or just rude?
Anthony
December 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
They’ve got to withstand the Cavs run early in the third and they’ve still got to move without the ball and crash the boards. That’s the key right now.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:30 pm
Good ball movement by the Hawks there, it’s always their hot button issue.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Yhere’s a highlight factory moment!
Sonny Clusters
December 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Jeff, are you courtside? Blue shirt?
John Konkak
December 29th, 2009
8:34 pm
Anthony…good post….
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:34 pm
bench bibby
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:34 pm
WOW, king James looking rather pedestrian tonight
Sonny Clusters
December 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
We was never any good at basketball. Clusters don’t jump.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:37 pm
Al swinging it one time too many…
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:38 pm
yea horford should have went up strong with that one
CavsFan1
December 29th, 2009
8:39 pm
Nice blog you have going here…..
http://thesportsdebates.com/2009/12/28/the-best-league-of-2009-debate-%E2%80%93-what-happened-to-all-the-drama/
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:39 pm
As a side note Jerome J. has entered John Sterling territory.
Not Disappointed
December 29th, 2009
8:40 pm
Glad to have you back on the blog Jeff. Hope you had a great holiday. Two questions; Will you be at the Orange Bowl with us next week & what are your numbers on the blog this year.
MAD-DONNA
December 29th, 2009
8:41 pm
I just don’t get all the standing around stuff!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:42 pm
King James must have had a VIP Party before the game.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
Josh has to make that play.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:44 pm
where would the hawks be without crawford
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:45 pm
Sorry folks… had to start working on another column ..Offensively, not much has changed. It’;s the Jamal Crawford show, which is a good thing because Joe hasnt hit a bucket since the first quarter.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:45 pm
Hawks activity in the O paint in this quarter has been bad
Trembling Chihuahua
December 29th, 2009
8:46 pm
Lebron is hungover!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:46 pm
Sonny — I’m about halfway up stands in main press row, not on floor.