Hawks do it their way to take Game 1 over Celtics (updated)
Josh Smith, here taking it to hoop against Greg Stiemsma, paced the Hawks with 22 points, 18 rebounds (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(Updated: 10:50 p.m.)
If they win this series, if the Hawks somehow manage to bury the Boston demon one postseason after burying the Orlando demon, it can’t be the Josh-and-Joe show. It has to be this guy, or that guy, the other guy or … wait, which guy was banned in Korea again?
It has to be like what happened Sunday night.
Boston cuts a 19-point lead to 10. What happens? Kirk Hinich hits a three-pointer. Jason Collins hits a pair of shots (wait, Jason Collins?). So starts an 11-2 run that re-inflates the lead to 19.
Later in the fourth quarter, Boston cuts the lead to eight. What happens? Jannero Pargo drives for a hoop. Tracy McGrady sneaks past three seemingly comatose Celtics for a rebound and a jam. Suddenly the lead is back up to 12.
This is how you win a playoff series. The Hawks won only one game Sunday night, not a series, but Game 1 was significant.
They defeated the Celtics 83-74 at Philips Arena (where Boston amusingly was swept in three playoff games in 2008). They won with significant contributions through the lineup. They won it, not because any single player carried them but because everybody carried them just enough.
It was like watching a line of ants transporting a kernel of rice.
“We knew we had to win the energy game,” coach Larry Drew said. “We had to win the hustle game. I think we did that.”
How perfectly was this win wrapped up in the end? It was the Celtics — the playoff-veteran team — that melted down in the end.
With the Hawks leading 78-74 and 1:01 left, Josh Smith dove on the court for a loose ball with Brandon Bass. Smith came up with the ball as the whistle blew. Bass was called for a foul. Guard Rajon Rondo, who has been the Celtics’ best player, argued the call, screaming for a jump ball. He was hit with a technical, then bumped official Marc Davis and was ejected. The free throws not only helped seal the win, Rondo may be suspended for Game 2 Tuesday night.
Did the floor just tilt?
Rondo’s interesting interpretation of what happened: “As I was walking I thought he stopped and my momentum carried me into him. I even think I tripped on his foot. I didn’t intentionally chest bump him.”
This is where I mention that the Hawks are playing without Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia, because, well, not a lot of people are picking the Hawks to win this series without them. (ESPN has a panel of 13 “experts”: 12 picked the Celtics, the other didn’t get the memo and picked the Hawks.)
It would have helped the Celtics if somebody other than Ray Allen could hit a three-point shot. As it was, he was wearing a suit because of a sprained ankle and his teammates went 0-for-11.
Drew summarized his team’s injury situation going into the playoffs: “This is the reason we had so much dialogue in the offseason about strengthening our bench. We needed depth. My bench will have to be effective for us to be successful.”
What we saw were players diving for loose balls, crashing the boards. We saw Johnson, while dreadful offensively — 3-for-15 shooting, 0-for-9 from three-range, 11 points, four turnovers — play strong on defense. It was Johnson who said before the game that the team must play “nastier” without Horford and Pachulia.
The Hawks hit eight of their first 11 shots. Hinrich, who generally has been pedestrian since coming back from an injury, hit a pair of threes. Atlanta led 16-4, 24-10, 29-12.
Smith was, in Drew’s word, “an animal.” He led the Hawks with 22 points, 18 rebounds four assists and a block.
“When he’s playing with that energy, when he’s playing with that type of rhythm, he just makes us so much better,” Drew said.
This isn’t like 2008, when the young Hawks could play “loosey-goosey,” in the playoff series against the Celtics because, as Johnson said, “Everybody expected us to get swept anyway.”
This series is different. Maybe externally, expectations aren’t high. But the Hawks view themselves as no worse than equals to the Celtics. They even finished the season with a better record, even though Boston was one of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch (24-10 after the All-Star break).
And in Game 1, the Hawks looked like the better team.
By Jeff Schultz
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103 comments Add your comment
rondoThimUP
April 29th, 2012
10:22 pm
ISnt it pretty much certain that Rondo will be suspended per the NBA rule book?
JSS
April 29th, 2012
10:24 pm
Game plan… Now they’ll be desperate, and that is exactly where you want them!
FreshmakerGT
April 29th, 2012
10:32 pm
Great job by the Hawks keeping their composure down the stretch when the shots weren’t falling. Good win. On to game 2!
j
April 29th, 2012
10:33 pm
notice how many bandwagon celtics fans were in the arena tonight? i saw one lady, wearing a rondo jersey, cheer for the Atlanta Hawks players when they came out onto the court for warm-ups. that is the sole reason why atlanta has the worst fans. people come out and cheer for the opposing team, even though they weren’t even born in the city they’re cheering for. at least i can say it was 80% Hawks fans tonight. F-Boston and their bandwagon fans.
day old fries
April 29th, 2012
10:34 pm
…game mvp: hinrich
Jeff Schultz
April 29th, 2012
10:36 pm
Rondothimup — Rondo’s suspension is automatic if the bump of the official is deemed intentional. If it’s deemed accidental/inadvertent, then it’s still possible but not automatic. That’s my understanding of rule.
j
April 29th, 2012
10:36 pm
Schultz, ESPN is biased and i bet half the “experts” are from Boston. I don’t watch ESPN anymore as it is.
Reggie
April 29th, 2012
10:37 pm
The Rondo decision will say alot about the NBA Brass…he should be suspended. If it was Joe Johnson who bumped the ref,I would feel the same way. Charles Barkley and Shaq already started the spin story to save Rondo but the bottom line is he made contact with the ref and should be dealt with according to NBA guidelines which is a suspension.
Durrtydogg
April 29th, 2012
10:38 pm
ESPN suuuucks! And dont get me started on TNT. I thought they were based in Atlanta?? I cant tell. They all defended Rondo and made excuses for the Celtics. Charles Fartly always has something to say about us. I mean, what did he ever win? Please remind me. Its always ATL bashing and all we do is take it. No more. Durrtydogg will stand up for all that is GA! No more Mr. Nice guy. I guess Charles likes being in Atlanta. We all know how he looooves Dome!!!
TC
April 29th, 2012
10:38 pm
There is no way the bump was not intentional
Reggie
April 29th, 2012
10:39 pm
And Jason Collins did a great job of hustling and moving his feet on defense…
rollow lawson
April 29th, 2012
10:40 pm
Great win Hawks. Fans cheering for the visiting Celtics should have been jumped after the game. No where else in the NBA does this happen. Even Josh said something about the few empty seats during the post game press conference. Why won’t the cheap owners spring for t-shirts in stead of those flimsy towels? Heck, the Memphis organization sprung for towels and t-shirts. Atlanta (some fans and ownership) doesn’t appreciate what they have. This team, if completely healthy, could represent the East. Yeah, I said it!!!
Dr Todd
April 29th, 2012
10:40 pm
So glad to be an Atlanta Hawks fan! And especially happy for Josh Smith, our hometown boy. Its time for this town to get excited about this potential breakout team. Our Town need a champion to get behind. Sure would be nice if we could get on a run!
moorman
April 29th, 2012
10:40 pm
i said it during the off season. when the hawks let jamal crawford go and replaced him with a WHOLE bench, i knew that sund was doing SOMETHING RIGHT. this hawks is deeper than any hawks team in atlanta EVER, and that includes the hawks bench’s under fratello. if they dont blow it, they going to the conference finals………..
DHunt
April 29th, 2012
10:41 pm
Good win tonight. It should have been a great win, because the Hawks should have won by 30, but for some reason it took them the whole second half to score fewer points than they scored in the first quarter. Still can’t get coached up to a decent half court offense.
I’m going to have nightmares about Jason Collins getting 30 min a game. But seriously, no way Boston should be favored over the Hawks. We have a better bench, far more athleticism, and two players at least as good as Boston’s top two, and certainly younger. We should literally run them into the ground. But that won’t happen because the Hawks are too inconsistent. So we will have to struggle through a long series that they win, but nobody gives the Hawks any credit for because all to often they look so completely and totally lost. They should get through a series against Chicago the same way. Maybe looking a bit better if Zaza or Al (or heaven help us both of them) can come back for 10-15 minutes a game. Very little chance we can get coached up enough to win a series against Miami without an inside presence.
Enjoying it while it lasts.
tfd
April 29th, 2012
10:42 pm
shaq kenny and barkley are idiots. there was a foul on the last play. the celtic player grabbed josh on the floor. that’s what drew the whistle. yet they are oblivious to this or ignore it? idiot commentators. tnt has the worst commentators.
Phil Lunney
April 29th, 2012
10:44 pm
The Hawks played tough and the Celtics started to come back and get some calls: Garnet fouls Ivan on a 2 handed shot at the basket, no call; Ivan gets back and backs into Garnet who gets the call and taunts. But the Hawks kept coming, turns out the Celtics don’t like not getting the call either. I still hope Zaza makes it back during this series.
Reggie
April 29th, 2012
10:44 pm
Barkley and Shaq did everything except wave green and white pom poms…they said Josh didnt get fouled on that scramble play…WHAT?? When Josh went to the floor he had a headband on and by the time the whistle blew the head band was ripped off his head…i was waiting for someone to yell FATALITY
SWAT Native
April 29th, 2012
10:45 pm
Seeing Rondo suspended would restore my faith in the NBA. Not expecting it, though.
tfd
April 29th, 2012
10:48 pm
good point on the headband reggie
j
April 29th, 2012
10:54 pm
it’s hard to respect any of those sports commentators b/c they are all biased. i let a few boston fans have it tonight and i’ll let them have it again tuesday. half of them should be ashamed to wear a boston jersey and actually be born in the city of atlanta. how in god’s name can you support the opposing team when you’re from this city? until we have more loyal fans, this team won’t survive later rounds. Imagine all the “Heat fans” that will come out if we play them in the eastern finals … so much for playing at home … i hope one of the players calls them out like dave justice did for the braves right before they won their only world series.
Reggie
April 29th, 2012
10:56 pm
Thanks tfd…the video don’t lie…you can remove a headband without contact…unless you using tweezers and last time i checked…they weren’t. By the way you suck ESPN and TNT…GO HAWKS
Hard In The Paint Like Josh Smith
April 29th, 2012
10:56 pm
inside the nba crew needs to stfu…refs missed the call when willie drove the ball for the and 1 and they not even mentioning that
cpsman_atlanta
April 29th, 2012
10:56 pm
I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we all realize that Atlanta Spirit Group doesn’t care about us, and BOYCOTT THE HAWKS, PHILIPS ARENA, and ANYTHING ASSOICATED WITH ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP FOREVER!!!! This team won’t win anything but a quick visit to the offseason. Sure, they won a game, so what. BOYCOTT ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP!!!
phil
April 29th, 2012
11:00 pm
Fire LD!!
R. Royce
April 29th, 2012
11:06 pm
I’ve started watching, for the most part-FoxSportSouth, even if I know that the game is broadcast on TNT or ESPN or National TV. Why? Because at FoxSportsSouth, I know the announcers will spin their take honestly on what the Hawks are doing and what they need to do. Plus-they’ve been pretty consistant all year with their commentary. Who cares about bald heak Chuck, Shaq and Kenny anyway-and doormat Ernie.
Gwinnett Fred
April 29th, 2012
11:08 pm
Not sure what you people that are bashing the TNT announcers were watching, but I recall at least 3 times they showed on a replay and pointed out that the refs screwed the Hawks on a call and the Rondo deal, they showed it enough times before finally stating that yes, there was a little chest extention to Rondo’s bump.
And also, what is with this saying “until Atlanta gets some real fans” talk? If a couple hundred people come out and cheer for the other team that you somehow deduce were native Atlantans, how the hell does that signal that ALL of Atlanta has a lack of real fans?
I think a lot of you people just like to bitch and moan regardless of the situation (like ‘great win, but we should have won by 30′ talk).
Just enjoy a great win that happened with a great effort and contributions from all around the lineup and let’s go make it 2-0 come Tuesday!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
11:09 pm
Nice win. With that said, they won Game 1 against Chicago last year too, and that didn’t end well. They have been here before. Let’s not get too excited until they get somewhere they haven’t been. They are supposed to win this series, as far as I’m concerned.
TJL
April 29th, 2012
11:13 pm
It’s obvious since nobody on TNT or ESPN picked the Hawks everybody has to try and run for cover. If this goes pass 6 games I’ll be shocked. ATL, we simply have a better team. We dominated this game and there is no way that JJ is gonna shoot that bad on Tuesday.
Look folks we spanked them with Jason Collins at center…..not much else needs to be said!
Rondo should be suspended hands down! It is what it is…….you bump a ref you sit down at least one game.
Personally, I wish he plays so we can put the boots on them again without no excuses!
No Love 4 da Hawks
April 29th, 2012
11:19 pm
I watched the game on TNT instead of SSN, and it seems to me that the whole panel is making excuses for the Celtics. They just lost this one. We know that Kenny, Shaq, and especially(Chuck) have already penciled in Boston to move on to the next round. Let’s just give Atl credit, they laid a butt kickin down 2nite. Do it to “em” again, LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
Hawks to Soar?
April 29th, 2012
11:22 pm
“It has to be like what happened Sunday night”
getting contributions from everyone is really nice but I also don’t mind if they split up their wins via contributions and 1 man shows. Win game 1 via contributions, next 2 via Joe .. heh … heh … ehh … , Josh, etc. shows and then back to contributions
Thex
April 29th, 2012
11:25 pm
Christopher Mehegan-really? Are you off your meds? GO HAWKS!
JSS
April 29th, 2012
11:34 pm
Where’s the charming Phil tonight? Josh Smith had pretty good game wouldn’t you say?
Hawks
April 29th, 2012
11:40 pm
TNT crew was embarrassing in their analysis of that play. Chuck has never hidden his dislike for the Hawks. Shaq is a moron who should have never been given a job. So i can ignore when they start talking like idiots and not acknowledging that Bass was pretending Josh’s head was the ball BUT Kenny Smith has no excuse.
Kenny keeps referencing that Rondo was mad about a call that happened on the play before. Well that play happened at 2:40 left in the game and the scramble happened at 40 seconds left in the game. So unless the NBA switched to 2 min shot clocks without my knowledge for the playoffs that isnt possible. In fact I remember Pierce hitting a jumper on the play before the scramble.
Seattle Hawks fan
April 29th, 2012
11:45 pm
I’m tired of people saying it’s because of ray allen being hurt…. Ever hear of our allstar Horford or our bruiser Zaza?!!
OtistheDrunk
April 29th, 2012
11:52 pm
On the possible suspension…don’t forget Commish David Stern selected Rondo over our Josh Smith as this years replacement for injured Joe Johnson in the NBA All Star game..a bias there from Stern already maybe??? Just sayin…..BUT in our favor to hopefully suspend…. it was also Rondo who was suspended two games last month for throwing a ball at an official!! Yeah Yeah I know the decision should be based on Rondo’s behavior tonight but if, God forbid, Stern’s even “on the fence”, it could send a strong message you don’t abuse the refs… not even once let alone twice in one season!
beone
April 29th, 2012
11:53 pm
TNT talking heads are highly paid player has beens. They are there to entertain, not provide expert commentary. They are really just foolish jerks. And the studio heads realize that such drivel is what most of the audience wants to hear. So my thought is to ignore them and TNT.
tom
April 30th, 2012
12:18 am
hope the nba, espn and tnt get what they don’t want…..the hawks and heat in the ECF. go hawks.
sam
April 30th, 2012
12:21 am
Great game tonight!!!! Great team effort, but don’t forget one guy did have 22 points and 18 rebounds!! Not a word about that from the TNT idiots – not to mention Jeff’s efforts, the guy who is really a rookie this year!! I think we should throw those TNT nuts out of our town, along with that Christopher nut!!! Do these ex basketball “greats” even bother to watch the game? It appears NOT!!! And if rondo is not suspended, some kind of sicko conspiracy in the NBA should be investigated and revealed.
Anyway, with all that said, THANKS GUYS!! Thanks for playing great all season without Al, the last few weeks without Zsa Zsa and never giving up or complaining all the time (like some team in green, and that, unfortunately, includes their coach).
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
cdog
April 30th, 2012
12:29 am
THE HAWKS AND FANS MUST TURN UP THE DEFENSIVE INTENSITY ON THE CELTICS. THEY SHOULD KEEP ATTACKING THEM.DON’T LET UP ON THEM.GO BACK TO BOSTON 2-0
Najeh Davenpoop
April 30th, 2012
12:58 am
“Why don’t we all realize that Atlanta Spirit Group doesn’t care about us, and BOYCOTT THE HAWKS, PHILIPS ARENA, and ANYTHING ASSOICATED WITH ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP FOREVER!!!! ”
No sports team owners care about us. For that matter, no owners or CEOs of any private company care about us. It’s not that serious.
Dr. Warren
April 30th, 2012
12:59 am
They should give out red/blue tshirts and get rid of all that damn green. Or do a red-out like at the UGA games.
falCANS
April 30th, 2012
1:01 am
In Josh I Trust!!!! ECF here we come!!!
Dawgster
April 30th, 2012
1:11 am
Najeh: Are you Gearon, Jr.? You make so much sense with your posts but always end up stupidly with a Spirit post. let it be, bro!
CamiloAtlanta
April 30th, 2012
2:07 am
I’m surprised it was that close. Did anybody notice the strangling D we put on Boston? These broadcasters and Boston fans think this team that WON tonite is the Hawks of old. You guys were lucky you had a chance. The Boston team is full of old farts or idiots who think they deserve wins just for showing up. Man, you guys are disillusioned. It’s the Hawks time to shine!
pj
April 30th, 2012
2:36 am
Jeff – for all that is sacred in this world – will you please – please – PLEASE make sure that J-Smoove, JJ, Teague and the bunch know precisely how the “world leader in sports” ESPN is treating them? I know they watch SOME coverage – and you pointed to the 12 of 13 “experts” but 1. When covering D Rose’s injury, the commentators discussed the affect it would have on the Eastern Conference playoffs and never said the words Atlanta or Hawks – ONCE. Tonight – with the exception of Stuart Scott calling us “the dirty, dirty” – ESPN pretty much ignored the fact that Atlanta won the game by PLAYING BETTER – but instead blamed Rondo’s mini ref bump as the culprit. Jeff – Tell the guys it’s making us mad. Tell them we ALL feel disrespected. Tell em to get Boston’s Rondo=less rear ends on Tuesday night. (btw, watched 80 minutes of Sportscenter tonight – didn’t see a Braves highlight once.) ESPN is TMZ sports division and plays to the top 5 markets. It’s disgusting.
Atl teams = CHOKE
April 30th, 2012
2:40 am
First off, Good win for the Hawks.
Just a couple things that I noticed:
Joe Johnson, the leader and the highest paid player in the NBA, disappeared once again in the playoffs. Cant get far with this happening.
The Hawks blew a big lead. They still lack the killer instinct. They gotta play like the Heat, keep on going hard regardless of the score. The score should have been at least a 20 point blowout.
Atl teams = CHOKE
April 30th, 2012
2:41 am
Rondo should be tossed, No way was that accidental. He bumped the ref while mean mugging him all the way through.
pj
April 30th, 2012
3:55 am
Help your local NBA team Schultz. Let em know personally that ESPN blows them off like they’re the Jazz. Tell em to MAKE espn talk about em by beating the C’s. Use your influence Jeff. Tick off Josh. Garnett wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.
Cybernetic Angel
April 30th, 2012
4:11 am
+1 for PJ, I can’t stand how the Hawks dominated the entire game and somehow still the story is that the game was “in doubt” and Rondo “got screwed” frack that, the Hawks were in control the whole way, and it was only close because we had gotten into a little offensive rut. There is absolutely no reason to doubt that we would have won, Rondo or no Rondo.
Sb
April 30th, 2012
5:42 am
Y’all are so sensitive. Acting like reality TV divas. Who cares about ESPN or TNT. Just enjoy the win and quit worrying about what other people are saying or not saying about our team. Sheesh. These posts read like high school girls whining about not winning prom queen.
Also, having been to Atlanta sporting events for 30+ years, we’ve always had fair weather fans, and always will. Try watching a Falcons game when the Eagles and Vick come to town. Tons of folks in red and black (season ticket holders no less) were cheering for Vick. It’s just the reality of living in this city.
Enjoy the game, and if you’re tired of the commentary, get off your butt and by a ticket and go see the game in person…
FalconUGAFan
April 30th, 2012
6:12 am
Great win, Hawks!
Will
April 30th, 2012
7:36 am
It was so funny last night watching Shaq, Barkley, K. Smith, trying find excuses why celtics loss, they sounded so stupid and dumm, I immediately lost the” little bit” respect I had for them.
Larry
April 30th, 2012
7:43 am
Boston wins tonight, sweeps at the Garden, Hawks get desperation win at home, Boston takes series 4-2 with a win back in Boston.
And the beat goes on…the beat goes on.
iBall
April 30th, 2012
7:45 am
Each year when the Hawks are in the playoffs we see the same thing every year. They CAN NOT when this series without a floor LEADER. It was evident after the after half when everybody went wild. Some one needs to reel them in when Joe goes ISO or when Josh starts jacking up jump shots at the wrong time. Great game in the first half, but what happens when the jumpers don’t go in. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SEE THIS?
VChan
April 30th, 2012
7:46 am
Mr. Mehagan, what will be your excuse when the old washed up, bad flopping, whining crying for every call Celtics get sent to their rocking chairs. Paul Pierce cries like a stuck pig on ever play. Celtics go home in 5 or 6.
VChan
April 30th, 2012
7:48 am
@ Atl teams = choke. I am sure you have seen a few NBA games and realize that most if not all teams go on a runs. That is the way of the NBA. It’s rare to see a team lay down like a dog (Knicks). Bottom line, you win by 1 or 30 = win. Stop looking at the past.
phil
April 30th, 2012
7:50 am
Fire Sb and VChan!!
MatN
April 30th, 2012
8:01 am
Mehegan-DUH DUHDUHDUH DUHDUH DUH DUH DUH DUHDUH DUHDUHDUHDUH. Idiot.
TNT crew is awful. ESPN is worse. Local broadcast is the way to go. Go Hawks!
Trojan
April 30th, 2012
8:05 am
ESPN caters to the nations 8th graders and similarly uninformed customers.
Rondo bumped the ref on purpose. He punked out and he should pay the price. Thanks for a good article, Jeff.
Will
April 30th, 2012
8:06 am
All of sudden ESPN wants to hollier that the hawks defeated the celtics in gm 1, amazing, all weekend ESPN and their talking heads have not even mention the hawks, if you didn”t live in ATL you would not have known their were a gm between the celtics-hawks. The only thing I have heard is the matchup between the celtics-bulls.
NOT SO FAST “BUBBA”
jay
April 30th, 2012
8:44 am
I love how Charles is so adamant about how you win Championships when he won zero! Hey Charles, STFU!
J
April 30th, 2012
8:46 am
I think have to be an ex-player with a biased opinion to workl for ESPN, that’s all it takes. No degree, no college education … i agree with most on here, Sports South is the way to go.
Frontman
April 30th, 2012
8:53 am
I throw up in my mouth every time I watch a playoff game and think about the $20 mil that Joe Johnson is being paid.
Joey
April 30th, 2012
9:00 am
Great game – didn’t take JJ long to begin his usual, post-season choke job.
SWAT Native
April 30th, 2012
9:09 am
Everyone should stop complaining about the TNT and ESPN crews and start watching NBATV. They have much more balanced coverage. “Bones” Barry said basically that Rondo’s explanation was BS, and there’s no way he shouldn’t be suspended.
Joey
April 30th, 2012
9:12 am
I have a feeling that, after the season he had, and how he has started the playoffs, there are gonna be a lot of new Josh Smith fans in the ATL, and elsewhere.
I have been trying to think of another NBA player who stepped up his game so much when it was so needed, for a whole season, and can’t think of one.
I love Al Horford, but he has to be a little bewildered by the Hawks’ play since his injury.
CP
April 30th, 2012
9:12 am
The Hawks team that played the first half is the one that can beat ANY NBA team. If they can play that way every night, they can write their own ticket. If they’re feet get nailed to floor on the offensive end and stop swinging the ball, they can’t win.
Go Hawks!!!!
indigo
April 30th, 2012
9:16 am
It’s a playoff game. It’s close very late in the game. A player complains loudly about a call, It was a Celtic this time, but maybe not next time. Don’t you think the referee should show great restraint before calling a technical? I thought he was very quick with the whistle considering the circumstances. Don’t fans want the game to be decided by the players, not officials calling technicals?
Joey
April 30th, 2012
9:18 am
“The score should have been at least a 20 point blowout.”
*******************************************
And it would have been if JJ scored as he has the last couple of months.
To give JJ some credit, he worked very hard on defense last night guarding Pierce, then had to endure Pierce, an excellent defender, guarding him.
10 or 12 ppg in this series is probably the best we will see from JJ.
5150 UOAD
April 30th, 2012
9:26 am
WHY the stupid confetti celebration after 1 game. Act like you have been there before Hawks Management.
BulldogBen
April 30th, 2012
9:33 am
Gonna be a tough series apparently. The Celtics were as bad as you can be for most of that game (0-11 from 3 point range??), had no Ray Allen, and were still in a position to win until the Rondo ejection.
Couple of comments/concerns:
1) The scariest thing in Hawks history is the game after Josh Smith plays lights out. He’ll jack up jump shots again on Tuesday because they went in on Sunday. He has NEVER done this consistently. Be afraid.
2) It was a 4 point game when Joe Johnson had one of the worst offensive possessions of the night. Drove in, got tied up, and dribbled it off his leg. This whole thing led to the Rondo ejection. Still, that overshadowed a horrible play by Joe.
JSS
April 30th, 2012
9:37 am
Ha ha, you people sitting here crying about ESPN or the AJC are nuts! The Hawks players know what their positions are in the media world. Josh Smith kept it real in his assessment at the beginning of the season. They have satellites, cable, and the Internet!
DePort
April 30th, 2012
9:54 am
Come on guys. It is no question that his chest bump was intentional. If he didnt mean to bump him wouldnt he have apologized or something right then? No he bowed up to him like he wanted to hit him. Not to mention it was a definite fould when the Celtics player tackled Josh and ripped his head band off. Then Rondo wanted to act like an idiot. If they dont suspend him for atleast one game then this proves that the higher ups in the NBA will do everything in their power to make the Celtics win.
Joey
April 30th, 2012
9:56 am
So BulldogBen, have you considered maybe the Celtics were so bad because of the Hawks defense? They had no Ray Allen, but we had no Al Horford or Za Za.
Lastly, the Celtics made a good comeback late, usually precipitated by the team in the lead running clock before trying to run a play.
But the Hawks had possession of the ball, and a 4-pt lead with 40 seconds left, when Rondo got ejected. That’s hardly the Celtics being, “in position to win.”
I call it the Hawks doing what it takes to get a win. Hawks 1 – Celtics 0.
Period.
BulldogBen
April 30th, 2012
10:10 am
Joey, with regards to the Hawks D my answer is no. Neither ATL or Boston play great defense and we haven’t had Horford all year so that’s moot.
40 seconds is a lifetime in the NBA and yes, being 4 points down with ALL of the momentum at the moment of the Rondo play put them right there to steal the game.
KG was a total no show in the first half. The Hawks can win this series but I just think this has 7 games written all over it. The C’s won’t play as bad as they did last night on Tuesday.
Admirable SnAckBar
April 30th, 2012
10:23 am
Last Celtics Hawks game saw JT hit with a tech for celebrating a dunk that cost the Hawks the game.
No benefit of the doubt for JT. refs dinged Hawks that time.
we’ll see what the league does to Rondo. benefit of the doubt for Rondo and Celts??? wouldn’t surprise me…
Joey
April 30th, 2012
10:35 am
“Neither ATL or Boston play great defense”
***********************************
Really?
NBA Opponent’s Points Per Game Rankings:
Hawks – #6
Celtice – #2
Maybe it’s just me, but 2nd and 6th best seems pretty great in a 30-team league . . .
Time
April 30th, 2012
11:29 am
Barkley = Fat guy that has never won anything. Nice dress in the commercials though Charlotte…uhh I meanj Charles. Shaq = The single biggest waste of talent that has EVER played in the NBA. He could have went down as the best most dominant player ever to play if he wasn’t concerned with rapping and eating donuts with his cop buddies in the offseason. Kenny Smith = You’re just a loudmouth scrub, who has somehow eeked out a living after his mediocre playing season by running his trap and exposing just how dumb he is.
TNT should look into some new “talent” for their show. The loudmouth clown bit has played out.
Time
April 30th, 2012
11:37 am
indigo – “Don’t you think the referee should show great restraint before calling a technical? I thought he was very quick with the whistle considering the circumstances.”
Even Rondo said the first tech was justified. Most likely he dropped the F bomb on the ref, which is automatic tech no matter the situation.
jroll1
April 30th, 2012
12:08 pm
Great win! I thought Joe was gonna shoot us out of the game! Teague, Ivan, and Heinrich all stepped up bigtime! I heard Jon Barry say, the Bulls can’t beat the Celtics with DRose hurt. I didn’t know the Celtics got a bye into the 2nd round?
heartofdarkness
April 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
Game one may be the biggest score differential in this series. Fans could enjoy two teams that match up well. The intensity should continue to increase, either to series finale or until one team breaks physically (injury) or mentally. Game two will be a study in whether advantages that emerged in game one can be nullified and weaknesses can be exploited. This should be a good series to test a coach’s ability to adapt to the opponent’s strategy, communicate a plan to his team and gain the player’s trust to execute the plan.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 30th, 2012
1:15 pm
“Najeh: Are you Gearon, Jr.? You make so much sense with your posts but always end up stupidly with a Spirit post. let it be, bro!”
Huh? I’m just saying, Arthur Blank doesn’t care about what the fans think any more than the Spirit Group do. Both of them care about making money. Blank is just a better businessman and realizes that he has to spend money and put out a good image of himself and the organization in order to make money. That’s really the only difference.
corporate tv ball sux
April 30th, 2012
1:28 pm
dont see too much difference between rondo and world peace. cant control emotions on the floor. i see the world peace incident more accidental than the rondo incident. loved the professionalism and class of jeff teague after the game. kg can kma! team ball. go hawks!
rollo lawson
April 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
Josh needs to call the TNT crew out after we put Boston out of the playoffs. Anyone with eyes can see that Boston does not match up well against Atlanta. Teague needs to play extended minutes in this series. When he is in the game, this team thrives. We slow down and stop attacking we he goes to the bench.
DawgNole
April 30th, 2012
1:39 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
11:09 pm
Nice win. With that said, they won Game 1 against Chicago last year too, and that didn’t end well. They have been here before. Let’s not get too excited until they get somewhere they haven’t been. They are supposed to win this series, as far as I’m concerned.
_____________________
“Somewhere they haven’t been,” of course (in ATL), is past Round 2. Got a fine start last night, but obviously a long way to go. As big as last night’s game was, tomorrow’s is now enormous. A win puts Boston in a major hole going back home. A loss brings them home with confidence and momentum.
DawgNole
April 30th, 2012
1:45 pm
SWAT Native
April 30th, 2012
9:09 am
Everyone should stop complaining about the TNT and ESPN crews and start watching NBATV. They have much more balanced coverage. “Bones” Barry said basically that Rondo’s explanation was BS, and there’s no way he shouldn’t be suspended.
_________________________
This is true; NBATV offers a more comfortable and objective approach that falls somewhere between the blatant homerism of SportSouth and the stunning bias of espn/TNT. Unfortunately, NBATV has no play-by-play coverage, but if you’re looking strictly for analysis, this channel provides an excellent alternative to the others.
rollo lawson
April 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
DawgNole,
Game 2 will be televised on NBA TV. Not sure which announcing team will be calling the game however.
drew
April 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
Great start! If the Hawks can maintain that level of intensity, good things will happen.
As far as the TNT and ESPN go, who cares. If the Hawks make the finals, or better yet, win it all, THEN they’ll get all this “respect” that some folks are whining about.
I seem to recall some Falcon fans crying about the lack of “respect” before their playoff game against the Giants last year…where they turned in a less than “respectable” performance. You don’t get the respect until you’ve accomplished something worthwhile.
And at least Sir Charles knows he’s a dumbass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxuynicf9rI
You gotta like a guy who can laugh at himself. He may be a dumbass, but he’s an entertaining dumbass!
possum Jones
April 30th, 2012
2:39 pm
1. Joe Johnson played $20M defense last night; when you d-up, your offense will suffer (most of you JJ haters are idiots just like TNT and espn).
2. JC played great defense on Garnett in the first half. That, and the hot shooting, contributed more to the run than anything.
3. hopefully the hawks are professionals and play thru the talking heads. Just like any pro team, you get calls by your play, not just your name. If the hawks can get thru Boston, they will be the best team in the East on their side of the bracket and I believe we match up well against the heat…remember we’ve had 20+ point leads on them in 2 of the 3 games this year and we beat them in Miami, going away.
First things first, game 2 Tuesday. Get your tickets ATL! Let’s make home court man something. Stop griping, come to the “playoff factory” and let the NBA know how you feel in the building rather from the couch (btw, there were $20 tickets available before game time, so there’s no excuse about cost, y’all).
DawgNole
April 30th, 2012
2:45 pm
rollo lawson
April 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
DawgNole,
Game 2 will be televised on NBA TV. Not sure which announcing team will be calling the game however.
___________________________
Glad to know that. Thanks for the heads-up.
Ta
April 30th, 2012
2:52 pm
Should read the pathetic responses by idiot celtic fans on here. Talk about a bunch of delusional morons.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4692865/stern-rondo-obviously-bumped-ref
B
April 30th, 2012
3:19 pm
Hey Larry, you dumbarese, there is no game tonight.
Hawksd
April 30th, 2012
3:22 pm
It was really important hawks took game 1! No question.
Yet it is absolutely vital they continue this -high energy hustle for every ball- attitude!!!!
This is whats seperating the two teams right now. DO NOT let a rondo suspension change the style of play…
Please hawks keep up the efforts and use your heads, the momentum is still on your side..
Vick Supporter
April 30th, 2012
3:26 pm
My Hawks looked good overall, but I’m very concerned whne the pace slows down. We need what we’ve been getting from Marvin the last couple of weeks to win this series.
Go Hawks
Eric C.
April 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
Rondo saying he didn’t mean to bump the ref is like the “fan man” saying he didn’t mean to crash the Bowe/Holyfield fight in 1993…ludicrous
Eric C.
April 30th, 2012
4:15 pm
I just laugh at Barkley…he admits his hatred for the Hawks and leaves nothing to the imagination
Wink
April 30th, 2012
5:49 pm
Rondo got his excuse to use from Kenny & Charles on TNT, they were looking for a way out for him. He must have been watching TNT in the dressing room.
I hope he plays, so we don’t turn Bradley into a superstar. That kid is tough and likes to score, at least Rondo will pass the ball. Also, the ball handling is shaky when he pressures Teague & JJ.
How many more BAD playoff games can we tolerate from Joe “I afraid of the playoffs” Johnson…dude consistently disappears when the spot light comes on. He was 0-9 from 3 point line and added 4 turnovers. Non factor in the fourth quarter…missed the Rondo technical with the game in the balance.
Our bench will have to play lights out to give our starters a chance to whole on for another victory…JJ has to play better to help this team, period!
We are looking at our best chance to make the Eastern Conference finals…Rondo may miss game, but I am sure the NBA does not want Hawks to advance…so the Commissioner will do his All Star thing and pardon Rondo again…even with that if we take care of home court and find a way to Beat Chicago without Rose…I like the odds with whoever is left to play for Finals opportunity.
None of this can happen, if JJ does not show up for at least 2 of the next 3 games!
Ben
April 30th, 2012
5:54 pm
Official. Rondo out for game 2
JustD
April 30th, 2012
5:56 pm
ATLANTA (AP)
Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended for Game 2 of the opening-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.
The NBA announced its decision Monday, less than 24 hours after Rondo stuck out his chest to bump referee Marc Davis while complaining about a call in the final minute of Boston’s 83-74 loss in Game 1.
Joe Johnson plans to play faster in Game 2 – Atlanta Journal Constitution | The Time of Press
April 30th, 2012
7:35 pm
[...] Hawks do it their way to take Game 1 over Celtics (updated) [...]
News: Joe Johnson plans to play faster in Game 2 – Atlanta Journal Constitution | News Aggregator for you
April 30th, 2012
7:41 pm
[...] Hawks do it their way to take Game 1 over Celtics (updated) [...]
Tired Tired Tired
May 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
I have watched this sorry excuse for a basketball whatever(not a team) for thirty seven years. I am Tired of watching millionaire pretend to be players collect a check and do absolutely NOTHING. Lousy players, Lousy coaching, Lousy management, Lousy ownership about sums it up. Get out of town LOSERS. Don’t let the million dollar door hit you in your sorry a$$ on the way out of town. Go embarass some other city LOSERS. Tired Tired Tired