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
9:17 pm
This quarter is not seven mins, 20 seconds old and Hawks haven’t scored.
atmdawg
December 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
PASS the ball JJ!
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
joe is horrible tonight
atmdawg
December 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
PUT JJ on the BENCH!
ronjc in columbia, sc
December 29th, 2009
9:18 pm
where is Bibby? Woodson needs to ge some movement on O.
Jason Elam's Brother
December 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
Has anybody seen my bro?
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
clank clank clank clank clank clank clank
ronjc in columbia, sc
December 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
A scoreless quarter???????????????
JM
December 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
What a chokejob by the Hawks. My god.
Sonny Clusters
December 29th, 2009
9:21 pm
We was thinking the Hawks should get closer before they shoot.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:21 pm
hawks just gave up
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:21 pm
Empty the F’n bench and see id ANYONE can score!
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:21 pm
“if”
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:21 pm
Lebron is not even having a big game and the Hawk s are stinking up the joint expect at least a 20 point drubbing tomorrow night in Cleveland!
Brett
December 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
tomorrow night will tell us a lot about this team and JJ
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
Vince Dooley: If you need brick layers, call Mike Woodson, he knows a few.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
Joe Johnson “they are who we thought they were”
Pete
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
why does the Atlanta offense remind me of the Cleveland Browns?
atmdawg
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
I have never seen anything like this. It all started when Crawford started scoring. I swear JJ started sulking and things went south.
Atl Hawks
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
This is sad hawks … you’re embarrassing yourselves badly.
First round team .. at best!
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
this is bull honkey
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
Glad I sold my tix for big premium and went south!
This sux…and homer Holman only make sit worse.
Talk about laying an egg!
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
What the hell Mike Woodson haven’t drawn a set play yet.And y’all want to keep him around???????
Mike Hunt
December 29th, 2009
9:23 pm
Hawks do not belong on the court with the better teams in the league. Pretenders. Joe Johnson – choke city. Not ready for prime time.
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Put in 3D…Dennis Scott!
Brett
December 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
only took 8:50
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Break ‘em they scored!
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
December 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
The Hawks can’t beat the good teams.
Damon Evans
December 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Jeff, sorry, i got knocked off line for a while. Funny retort though. Best, willie
Dawgs Man
December 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
Choking fools. its obvious there is a curse on Atlanta teams
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
a lil 2 late joe
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
Quarters like this is the reason why the Hawks havent offered Woodson a contract! A good coach would draw up a play to at least get a freethrow attempt! Woodson will be gone next year and this game is a true indication of what the Hawks really are this year, a number 4 or 5 seed in the East. they cant beat the big bois!
Brett
December 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
joe johnson reporting for duty.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
Hawks need stops and Bibby’s on the floor. Go figure.
Dawgs Man
December 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
We will lose by 30 tomorrow.
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
do it crazy
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Lord its hard to be an Atl sports fan.
JM
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
If you want to be elite, you’ve got to beat the elite teams on your home floor. In our two biggest home games this year (Orlando and Cleveland) our offense has totally disappeared. It’s looked like a clear case of stage fright in both games.
We’ve come a long way but we haven’t arrived yet.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
hahahahahahaha
daddydog
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Hawks got 6 fouls on Cavs, then went over 10 minutes without driving ball. Who is calling for all jumpshots?
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
He called two times out and didn’t draw up one set play. And y’all really want to keep him around???? I’M CONFUSED.
jwill
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
lurch with the dagger
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Lurch sends em to the aisles.
The Boss
December 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
Good Night!
atmdawg
December 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
Leave JJ at home tomorrow. Start Crawford. I just can not believe how bad he plays in big games.
Mike Hunt
December 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
what a choke job! hawks can beat the average teams. can’t hang with the good teams. lack of size, lack of heart, lack of a leader on the court. hawks = average team at best. like all atlanta pro sports teams. average to slightly below average.
Atl Hawks
December 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
“that’ll pretty much do it”
yeah, we kinda new that when the team gave up at the end of the 3rd. I can’t believe these guys get paid to quit like that.
J.J.M.
December 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
hawks will get blown out tomorrow
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
December 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
dawgfan13 can’t agree more lol.
dawgfan13
December 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
Expect at least a 20 point loss tomorrow in Cleveland because Lebron will go off! he has 14 points tonight and they won the game easily! Tomorrow he will have at least 30 with a 20 point win. The Hawks wont recover from this by tomorrow night.