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
Ed-Milledgeville
December 29th, 2009
8:47 pm
ACLaw & Speedy Claxton for Jamaal Crawford? Rick Sund should have a bronze bust in the HOF for that deal alone!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
If Joe J. lays another brick he’ll have to apply for a union card.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:49 pm
Ed: Spot on.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
horrible
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Offensive rebounds…. Hawks D nailed to the ground right now.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:53 pm
Crawford glass magic!
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:53 pm
Ed Agreed — Jamal now has 24 points. Next closest Hawk has 13 (Joe, but no baskets since 3:48 into the game).
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:54 pm
That makes 7 missed FT’s.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
ZaZa guarding Lurch tight.
Sonny Clusters
December 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
Jeff, you are two minutes from the closest Dairy Queen. 50 Upper Alabama St SW Ste 140. We was craving a waffle bowl sundae. Buy one for Crawford if you get a chance.
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
Nice end to quarter, except for that shot. At 75-74 (cliche coming) it’s anybody’s coming. Has anybody seen Mike Bibby?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
Bibby? He’s the one with the tattoo. Oh wait…
DAWG A
December 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
Jeff…. I am shocked you have not shut down the earlier blog about Georgia. It has really gotten out of hand! You have said more than once that you would not allow racist comments. Take the time to switch over and close it!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:02 pm
Cleveland trying to give it away and the Hawks won’t take it…
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:02 pm
smh
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
this is crazy
Goldenglove002
December 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
anyone else struggling with the feed on this game or is it just the TV?
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
call a timeout both teams are playing horrible
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
the ball must be on fire
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
9:03 pm
Wow .. that never used to be traveling in NBA.
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:04 pm
thats a jump stop lebronze woulda got away with it
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:04 pm
Quite a block and Crawford can’t get the steps King James does…
Vince Dooley
December 29th, 2009
9:05 pm
Can any of you guys come over tomorrow and help me rebuild my house?
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:05 pm
lebron would have got away with that
Vince Dooley
December 29th, 2009
9:07 pm
I can come pick you up if you need a ride….
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:07 pm
Will this be the final score?LOL
Goldenglove002
December 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
nevermind, its the TV. I’m house sitting and their TV is going to do this to me? I better get a bonus!
Brett
December 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
Hawks better win this one cause LB goes for 40 tomorrow
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
thats game
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
here we go with fix
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
DawgA — just did but don’t have time to clean up now, thanks.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
Woodson keeps them at the T line…
Vince Dooley
December 29th, 2009
9:10 pm
Remember, I am the BEST COACH!
Please name the stadium after me NOW…I’m not getting any younger!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:10 pm
5 mins. w/o a point…
Brett
December 29th, 2009
9:10 pm
haven’t scored in 5 minutes and Josh throws up long one!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:11 pm
Josh gets a fifth…I drink it…
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:12 pm
david stern demands a title for lebron this year so he can leave for new york
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
Woodson needs let the Hawks RUN!!!
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
bench joe bring in teague…we need somebody that wants to play
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
its the same ole same ole with the Hawks down the stretch no ne can hit big shots. If you plan on giving JJ a huge contract after this season rememeber against the top teams he folds and so does the other players. I am so sick of looking at J Smith complain about every call. He fouls all the time but he says he dosent.
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
the u sux
atmdawg
December 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
JJ should have tken contract. He is not a big game player.
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
Ok little help here. I’m down in Fla and listening live on 790.
Steve Holman making it sound like refs taking the game away.
Is this homer talk or is this legit?
Refs or not we HAVE NOt SCORED `ALL QTR!
DAWG A
December 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
Thanks Jeff!!! I may not agree with you at times or a lot of the people who blog.. but there is no place for that!!! Thanks again!
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:15 pm
still cant score
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:15 pm
Clank clank clank!
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:15 pm
josh goes out cavs will drive the rest of the game
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:16 pm
lol panic time…josh comes back in
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:16 pm
bench joeeeeeeeeeeee
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:17 pm
clank clank clank for JJ