The Celtics promised a ‘hit,’ but the Hawks hit back harder
Jamal Crawford beats the buzzer, making the Celtics even madder. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Celtic pride. Ever heard of it? Well, it should have been on display Friday night. Turns out all we saw was Celtic age. And all we heard was the whoosh of a younger team flashing past the regal C’s and sweeping them out the door.
The Hawks have played the Celtics four times this season, beaten them four times. No, these aren’t the playoffs and nobody has been eliminated, but we cannot miss the importance of this achievement. Boston was the team that dismissed the Hawks in Game 7 in May 2008, the team that swept the Hawks 4-0 last season. It wasn’t so long ago that we were asking ourselves, “Are the Celtics in the Hawks’ heads?”
And now? Said Jamal Crawford, the architect of Friday’s victory: “Not this year.” Then he smiled and patted his questioner on the back. “Not this year.”
The Celtics spent the offseason getting older. The Hawks spent it getting better. Trading for Crawford didn’t make one one-thousandth of the noise that accompanied Shaq relocating to Cleveland or Vince to Orlando or Rasheed to Boston, but that heist of Rick Sund’s was the move of the summer.
Crawford entered this game averaging 17.7 points and 3.3 assists against the Celtics this season, prompting Boston center Kendrick Perkins to reveal in a pregame interview: “We put out a hit on him today.”
(Note to Perkins: This probably wasn’t the best week in NBA history to use such verbiage.)
Told as much before the game, Crawford’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, really?” he said. Then he went out and scored 18 points and made four assists — in the first half. He flipped home a 45-footer at the first-quarter horn to give the Hawks the lead. He hoisted a stepback jumper over Perkins, who knocked him to the floor but couldn’t induce a miss. He drove for the hoop that gave the Hawks a 14-point lead just before halftime.
Put out a hit? For Boston, this was closer to a no-hitter.
But that’s the thing about these C’s. They’re yesterday’s men. They talk better than they play, at least against the Hawks. They were better than the local team in 2008 and 2009, but now it’s Twenty-Ten and time marches onward.
Before the game, Celtics announcer Mike Gorman asked Doc Rivers, the Boston coach: “Perception is that the team has struggled against the Hawks because they’re younger. Do you buy that?”
Said Rivers: “Well, they are.”
Younger and stronger. Younger and faster. Younger and deeper. Younger and better. If you’re the Hawks, the Celtics are now the team you’re hoping to see in Round 2 come May.
Said Al Horford: “We’re playing way better against them than we were. We know now we can definitely compete with anybody.”
It’s the Celtics who must be wondering if they can compete with the Hawks anymore. They invested no small amount of physical and psychic capital in this game — Perkins again: “We’re just trying not to get swept” — and they lost by nine points and threw the ball away 16 times and made a second-half run not because of talent but guile. (Translation: The C’s got the refs involved.)
Teams, the Hawks included, used to fear the Celtics. The Hawks tremble no longer. Before the game, a tape of Boston’s loss in Orlando on Thursday was playing, and the trash-talking Kevin Garnett was shown missing an alley-oop. Said one Hawk: “KG, you ain’t got it!”
Boston prides itself on its defense. Crawford cut it into paper dolls. He scored 28 points and made six assists and afterward he credited Perkins, sort of. “It fired me up when I heard about it.” Crawford said, speaking of the threatened “hit.”
And when Perkins slammed into him? “I just smiled. I figured the ‘hit’ was in the back of his mind, too.”
Once the Celtics were the impediment the Hawks couldn’t surmount. Now they’re just a team that’s 0-for-4 against Atlanta. Boston used to be the Beast of the East, the class of the league. But not this year. This year the Hawks are in the Celtics’ heads. Heh, heh.
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105 comments Add your comment
mmgtfan
January 29th, 2010
10:48 pm
First
mmgtfan
January 29th, 2010
10:48 pm
victory!
Bill
January 29th, 2010
10:52 pm
YOWZA!
Kane337
January 29th, 2010
10:53 pm
GO Hawks!!!
Josh
January 29th, 2010
10:54 pm
Good article Mark. I love “homer” opinions occasionally. I’m proud of the hawks, but we need to take care of business against those pesky Orlando sorcerors or whatever they’re called.
todd grantham
January 29th, 2010
10:55 pm
Mark, did you see what pepe said about brook whitmire? LOL
Reid Adair
January 29th, 2010
10:58 pm
Another outstanding performance by the Hawks against the Celtics. Despite Boston’s claim of having a “hit” on Jamal Crawford, he was outstanding – again. Joe Johnson came through big time in the fourth quarter when the Hawks needed it.
Josh
January 29th, 2010
11:01 pm
If Trey Thompkins stays all four years at Georgia and develops proper face-up technique and ball skills I think he would be a great fit at the 4 for the “Celtic Sweeping” Hawks. Smith needs to be at the 3 and Marvin isn’t showing the ability he unveiled last year.
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:01 pm
I try not to be a homer, Josh. But the Celtics aren’t a very humble bunch. (Doc Rivers is the exception. He’s a prince.)
marco11222
January 29th, 2010
11:03 pm
It’s been 15 yrs. since Atlanta’s last championship. Maybe this is our year!
tekcaj welloy
January 29th, 2010
11:03 pm
who cares about the hawks….where are the braves at????
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:04 pm
Why in the world would you want Josh Smith at small forward? So he can take more jumpers?
Reid Adair
January 29th, 2010
11:05 pm
Mark, you should have asked Kendrick Perkins how he thought the “hit” on Jamal Crawford worked.
Jamal is the True Truth
January 29th, 2010
11:05 pm
Now if the Hawks can only beat the Magic… hopefully, we’ll get one against the Magic. But if the Hawks don’t, the seeding is going to look mighty strange with the Hawks 4-0 against the Celtics and the Magic 4-0 against the Hawks. Better hope the Hawks can get the 2 seed!
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:06 pm
Mark, hawks are playin good, but the NBA season is to long….it should be playoff time….these games are pointless….just dragging on the inevitable
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:07 pm
Like a charm, I’m guessing he’d have said. But I didn’t get over to the Celtics’ locker room afterward, I’m afraid.
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:08 pm
with this article it sounds like………….Mark is ready to give Woodson his own bronze statue outside of Phillips……
mmgtfan
January 29th, 2010
11:08 pm
Mark, on a scale of 1 to 10 how huge would it be if the hawks won in Orlando tomorrow night?
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:09 pm
Buffalo needs to donate Chan Gailey’s contract to Georgia Tech…..we need the money mark…..we’re about to redo Alexander Memorial…..you know that?????
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:10 pm
Probably a 6, Id say.
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:11 pm
Maybe a 7, on second thought. Or 7.5. Or an 8.
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:11 pm
Mark I just gave you a news break, Alexander Memorial will be demolished for a new arena by 2012 !!!!!
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:12 pm
Didn’t know that, EWB. You have this on good authority?
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:12 pm
Dan Radokovich is getting things going at tech…..the project will be $45 million for the new arena….I suspect Paul Hewitt will be gone by then
Josh
January 29th, 2010
11:13 pm
Mark, honestly I still cringe when he puts the ball on the floor, but I want him to be able to cut backdoor to the basket and flash to the elbow; things that the 4 does not do in Woodson’s offense which I can’t complain about right now because it seems to be working.
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:13 pm
well don’t give anyone my name….lol….but I got an inside tip about a month ago, and if you go to Tech’s webside…..Radakovich had his state of the athletic department video which he announced his intentions
south ga boy
January 29th, 2010
11:14 pm
Nice article Mark, as a longtime Hawks fan (my dad took me to see “sweet Lou” and “Pistol Pete” as a kid) there is something brewing with this team that the 80’s and late 90’s Hawks teams didn’t seem to have. This team is not so dependant on one star (i:e Dominique) to carry them night in and night out. One night it’s Jamal, next night it’s JJ, another night it’s Josh or Al, and another night it’s simply the bench as it was tonight. This team is deep, kinda like (dare I say it) the Detroit pistons that won a championship. We may still be one year away from that but who knows. I just know that it’s nice to know that if one of your stars is having an off night, it’s ok. There are several other ways to win the game with this team. The sky is the limit. What do you think of my analysis of where this team is, Mark. PS. Love the ” cut out dolls ” line
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:16 pm
I’m only giving you this inside information because your a good man…..anyways the word on the street is this project will be done by 2012, and it will cost $45 million to build a new gym, however they will use the old side of Alexander Memorial and some of its remains to build this new gym due to the fact that a whole brand new facility on new land would cost $100 million
News just for you Mark…….from a Tech junkie
You're All Gay
January 29th, 2010
11:16 pm
Hawks finally bring an NBA title to Atlanta?
‘Bout damn time.
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:16 pm
Thanks, EWB. I’m obliged.
Josh
January 29th, 2010
11:17 pm
Also, since the Hawks (hopefully) will be drafting 30th, Lawal will not be around for us this year. He is definitely more polished than Thompkins inside but lacks the “Trey” range.
empty whiskey bottle
January 29th, 2010
11:17 pm
<—–formally known as "Opinion"
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
11:17 pm
And, on that note, I’m headed home. Anybody want anything from Taco Bell? (Orders from the Bradley daughters include a Mango Fruitista, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, two soft tacos and a Pepsi.)
Jamal is the True Truth
January 29th, 2010
11:18 pm
Mark, what do you think about the possibility that JJ leaves the team after the season? And do you think the Hawks, if that happens, stand a chance of signing Bosh?
Opinion
January 29th, 2010
11:19 pm
Radokovich had a great 33 min speech a couple of days ago about the state of GT athletics, you might want to view it………..ramblinwreck.com
it will tell you all the new projects going on at Tech in the next 5 years, new basketball arena, new indoor football building, and new indoor tennis courts, also new golf practice facility
Opinion
January 29th, 2010
11:19 pm
I like the chicken burritos, and a couple of pinto and cheese
Josh
January 29th, 2010
11:23 pm
Jamal is the True Truth, while I hope we can re-sign Johnson, I’m not sure it would be best for us to keep him for anything other than sentimental or leadership reasons. Also, I don’t see how Bosh fits into our offense. He’s a fantastic player, but we need someone to take the pressure off of Al so he can move to the 4. Then again, I probably have no idea what I’m talking about.
Brad in Jasper
January 29th, 2010
11:26 pm
As a Hawks fan for a long time, it is truly strange to feel in my gut the Hawks are about to do something to finish off a team like Boston, instead of find a way to lose at the end. Now if we can deal with those pesky Magicians.
Pepe
January 29th, 2010
11:26 pm
Mark – Do we (Hawk fans) really want Mike Woodson, with an expiring contract, coaching the All-Star game? We don’t need additional bidders for his services at the end of the season. Nah…what am I talking about? I hope he gets it…
Brad in Jasper
January 29th, 2010
11:27 pm
Still like to see how we fare in the Spring 7 games against CLE or ORL. The true test.
Opinion
January 29th, 2010
11:29 pm
hawks are good, but can we get by cleveland or orlando
James Adams
January 29th, 2010
11:32 pm
For someone who cried (at the age of 11) after the Games 6 and 7, these games mean a lot to me. I never tire of beating this team. I still get more fired up for this team than any other. Mark, you kind of feel like Virgil to my Daunte. Being a Hawks fan can be Hell sometimes. Im loving this, right now, though. I’ve been readin you since I was in High School. I hope this keeps up.
scottbravesfan
January 29th, 2010
11:43 pm
F Boston!!!!!
show me state
January 29th, 2010
11:45 pm
great season sweep against da celtics….i really like dis team…they are definitely a championship contender… and it seems like i’m da only one reppin’ da hawks up here in da show me state…..but it’s cool imma die hard hawks fan…regardless…..and i hope to see them on feb. 9 against da grizzlies….but in da meantime…..go hawks…..
My View
January 29th, 2010
11:46 pm
Mark. Im not trying to be a thorn, cause it aint my style, but did you give 4 answers to 1 questions. I always beat myself up, when I give two….. As far as the magnitude of tomorrow goes, I would give it a seven. High because they have dominated us worse than the C’s for the past two seasons, but low because we also have to get past the Lebrons. If we had won one of the back to back with the cavs then this game would loom larger. This would be a huge momentum builder to beat both however.
With that said, Im out of town and missed the game, but I appreciate the lit.
chem
January 29th, 2010
11:47 pm
don’t feed your girls taco bell, brad.
scottbravesfan
January 29th, 2010
11:47 pm
It never gets tiring beating any of the Boston sports teams. Their fans are the biggest A holes in the land.
Volman
January 29th, 2010
11:48 pm
Mark, I was screaming my head off all game long. Section 303 represented tonight! Loved the “Boston Sucks” chant. It was great “sweeping” those idiot fans out of the arena. And Perkins…he’s a punk with fake swagger that got carried to a title.
The Celtics have lost it.
Thanks for being a homer tonight, Mr. Bradley. Thanks.
My View
January 29th, 2010
11:48 pm
Mark. Im not trying to be a thorn, cause it aint my style, but did you give 4 answers to 1 questions. I always beat myself up, when I give two….. As far as the magnitude of tomorrow goes, I would give it a seven. High because they have dominated us worse than the C’s for the past two seasons, but low because we also have to get past the Lebrons. If we had won one of the back to back with the cavs then this game would loom larger. This would be a huge momentum builder to beat both however.
With that said, Im out of town and missed the game, but I appreciate the lit.
ATL-n-da House
January 29th, 2010
11:56 pm
You guys gotta see this!
Just read this on Boston Globe, it’s the beginning of their poor pitiful us column.
I also had a little fun at their expense commenting on the blog! Go check it out!
What a difference two years makes. The days when the Atlanta Hawks were just pack of young wolves biting at the heels of a veteran Celtics team on its way to an NBA championship seem like another lifetime.
Al Horford, their rookie of the year candidate two years, is now an all-star. Their young dunk-contest Their all-star scorer Joe Johnson is now a veteran who went from taking all the shots to simply making all the big ones.
But the biggest difference was easily Jamal Crawford, the hired gun who pumped big shot after big shot into the Celtics in last night’s 100-91 win. His 28-point performance seemed to single-handedly guarantee Atlanta’s fourth win of the season over the Celtics, completing the Hawks first season sweep of the Celtics since 1998-99 and it was the first four-game sweep since 1995-96.
The difference in the Celtics was simply time. Two more years of age, two more years of wear and team. With 40,000 minutes worth of hard miles on him, he wasn’t the same player that averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in the 2008 playoff series. He labored for 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting, fighting for six rebounds in his fourth game since returning from a hyperextended knee.
THOUGHT MY FELLOW HAWKS FANS WOULD ENJOY THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ATL-n-da House
January 30th, 2010
12:10 am
You guys gotta see the Boston Globe! They have a poor pitiful us article going. I had a little fun on their blog! Oh were getting old and we really need a trade. The evil Hawks added a sparp shooter in J. Crawford. I was on their 2 years ago and they were worried about can we get our money back for games 5,6,7 because a sweep was enevitable. The very arrogant ones are in total panic now.
Get ready ATL these young guns are gonna give us the Championship we have all been waiting for!
THIS IS THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Willy
January 30th, 2010
12:25 am
Mark,
I’m glad your blogs are doing so well. You deserve it. I’ve been a fan of your writing since Fratello’s Hawks. But if you keep it up with the Taco Bell commercials…I don’t know.
IN fort lauderdale
January 30th, 2010
1:00 am
YES YES YES, take out the clown celtics
BirdDawg
January 30th, 2010
1:13 am
Great work by the Hawks. Now, if they can learn to stop giving games away, especially to Cleveland, it’s on. 110% effort every night would be ideal, that’s what Cleveland does. But if the Hawks can give 100% effort 95% of the time, they’ll be headed to at least the Eastern Conference Finals.
tp
January 30th, 2010
2:38 am
Jamal Crawford makes the hawks a championship caliber team because he’s a fearless competitor. He can hurt you in so many different ways which makes it very difficult to defend him. What was Golden State thinking? I hope they keep him, Al and Josh in Atlanta until they retires. GO HAWKS!
The Celtics promised a 'hit,' but the Hawks hit back harder | Mark … Search
January 30th, 2010
2:45 am
[...] The Celtics promised a 'hit,' but the Hawks hit back harder | Mark … Tags: ajc, are-arrested, atlanta-hawks, bradley, few-more, flashed-past, games, new-locale, past-the-aging, pre-date-dilemma, tactical-visor, the-aging, warren-zevon, wearer PartyPoker Starts New “Hit Or Run” PromotionsVG247 » Blog Archive » Crysis 2 scans from German magazine hit the netStreetsblog Los Angeles » KPCC Looking for Your Hit and Run StoriesKevin Smith's 'Hit Somebody,' J.D. Salinger And Oprah's Birthday …Winter X Games 14 Thursday Live Blog Archive | US Post Today.Duff Gibson is Sport at its Best « Kristina GrovesTrucker faces summer trial in fatal crash | St. Louis Crime Beat …WWE Superstars (Allegedly) Hit Women! – Watch Kalib RunBlueTycoon: Thoughts About Everything » 2016 olympics 2016 summer …Watch Winter X Games 14 Live Streaming here View the Contact Powered by Search [...]
WorstRescueEVER
January 30th, 2010
3:31 am
Doesn’t Mark know he’s supposed to write about college football when the Hawks win? AJC policy only allows Hawks talk when they lose games.
GovClintonTyree
January 30th, 2010
5:45 am
This is a fun team to watch and they’re easy to root for. Bunch of good guys coming into their own. My seven-year old son, who is averaging 15 a game for his youth team, is shooting and penetrating “like Jamal Crawford” and “passing like Bibby”. Worth getting downtown to watch, as we did last week. Good times.
Marcus
January 30th, 2010
5:55 am
Luv the Boston beat down ……….. but we have to avoid the Orlando swoon. The Magic and Cavaliers have the same undefeated advantage on us. We seemed to have transferred the “invincibility” perception to them (from BOS). We just had back-to-back 4Q nut-ups vs. CLE and we have to learn from those.
Dr. Warren
January 30th, 2010
7:44 am
Is Boston really finished? They have been ahead of us in the standings all year until yesterday. Also, as much as I’d love for my hometown Atlanta to have the NBA championship, does anyone here have any idea how we’d get past LeBron and Kobe, not to mention Orlando, who we never seem to beat??
keep on ramblin
January 30th, 2010
8:03 am
so how about the crowd chanting boston sucks during the game it was wonderful
John
January 30th, 2010
8:03 am
So Alexander Memorial (aka The Big Tit) maybe be breathing its last – perhaps? Heck if you can’t trust a guy named empty whiskey bottle, who can you trust?
There’s been a lot of Hawk history made in that place. It was the first home of the transplanted St Louis Hawks – damned good team that was too. Hudson, Zelmo Beatty, Bill Bridges, Walt Hazard (in for Lennie Wilkens who refused to relocate to Dixie), player-coach Richie Guerin and Pogo Joe Caldwell.
The place looked terrible on TV – too dark. The Maravich Hawks played a year there too, waiting on the Omni.
And Dr. J played his only home game as a Hawk at The Tit. A pre-season matchup versus the Kentucky Colonels. He wore #54 – Tom Paine’s uni. Tom had been arrested and charged with rape. I think Cotton Fitzsimmons was coach by that time.
David
January 30th, 2010
8:17 am
The Hawks fans lack of class oozes from their pores. Check out boston.com and you’ll see. Even Hawks’ radio announcers were proclaiming “in your face Boston!!!”
David
January 30th, 2010
8:22 am
Question for Hawks fans:
I would understand such enthusiasm that is being displayed when beating an elite team, but what is the big deal in beating down an old and decrepit Celtics team?
Mike Jay
January 30th, 2010
8:43 am
Great win. Was fun to watch. Crawford is a 3 point machine. Both of the 2 + 1 variety and straight 3 pointers. Hell, I have seen him make a 4 point play at least 3 times in the pat month. He has to be the best unknown player in the NBA. Which makes him fit right in with the Hawks as that has been said about joe johnson and j smooth in the past.
I will say that the Hawks due tend to whine about bad calls (there were a bunch )a bit much. They need to get that under control before the playoffs start.
Joseph Allen McWhorter
January 30th, 2010
9:00 am
Hey, Mark, the Hawks have proven they can beat the Celtics this year and that is good but Orlando and Cleveland are the teams in the Hawks heads now. They have to prove they can beat those teams!
John
January 30th, 2010
9:02 am
Agree with Mike Jay about bad calls. The boys need to suck it up. The NBA is the preeminent bad call league – the Saints-Vikings game last Sunday not withstanding. Also where the most blatant displays of officiating bias are shamelessly displayed night in and night out.
The unwritten rule is that teams gotta earn their way into the refs “favored” column. If/when the Hawks get there (hopefully they’re close) the calls will start falling their way on a more consistent basis.
John
January 30th, 2010
9:21 am
Agree with Mike Jay about bad calls. The boys need to suck it up. The NBA is the preeminent bad call league – the Saints-Vikings game last Sunday not withstanding. Also where the most blatant displays of officiating bias are shamelessly displayed night in and night out.
The unwritten rule is that teams gotta earn their way into the refs “favored” column. If/when the Hawks get there (hopefully they’re close) the blatant calls will start falling their way on a more consistent basis.
Benjamin
January 30th, 2010
10:16 am
Kendrick Perkins showed me something yesterday. In particular, he showed me his big butt when he belly-flopped on Al Horford. They hacked and slammed us all night, and we still beat ‘em by 10. I think these Hawks are on the rise; those Celtics, on the other hand? Eh, not so much these days.
Boston’s in the final days of their latest run right now.
RA
January 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Now, to the extent that Atlanta is 0-2 to the Cavs when the probably should be 1-1, I’ll leave that lone, but the Lakers are also a legitimate 0-2 to the Cavs. I don’t think they’re in the Lakers heads though. I don’t think they’re in Atlanta’s either. What the Hawks are going to have to learn how to do is not get provoked and keep playing their game. They took a giant step forward there against Boston last night because they were doing EVERYTHING they could to get Smoove out of the game. But the Hawks kept their heads. That’s how you beat Cleveland, you keep your head and you keep playing your game, ignore the antics and cheep shots and all the crap, keep playing your game, and you’ve got a shot. Orlando is a different can of worms. This is a team that basically punked Cleveland in the conference finals and player for player has as much talent as any team in the league, and they ALWAYS show up against the Hawks. But I think that Woody was more right than wrong when he said that they just hadn’t figured them out yet. They had to figure out how to beat Boston, just like the Pistons of the 80’s had to figure out how to beat the Celtics, and the Bulls in turn had to figure out the Pistons… Same cycle different players. The Hawks are an elit team, or at the very least a very good one, but in order to take that next step, they’re going to have to knock off Boston, Cleveland, or Orlando. Those teams are holding all the keys and guarding all the doors. They can play with Boston, we know that. They have to figure out Cleveland and Orlando, and figure them out I believe they will. Whether that happens this season or not remains to be seen.
RA
January 30th, 2010
10:34 am
Yea, this one’s at David. I’m sorry if you feel that Hawks fans haven’t treated you fairly, but when teams are on top, they really need to consider the fact that it’s not going to last always. Over the last few years KG has talked his share of smack about the Hawks. Well, the chickens are coming home to roost. And Cleveland might want to learn that lesson too, because if Le bron leaves this summer, the rest of that teams that’s carried on all that foolishness better get ready because it’s going to be a case of bend over, here comes the broken broomstick.
And as far as old and broken down is concern, up until last night, the Celtics occupied the second spot in the Eastern conference and had one of the best overall records in the game. Are they old and decrepid, or did the Hawks just make them look that way?
maconga
January 30th, 2010
10:52 am
It is clear that the Hawks have stepped it up a notch this year while the Celtics have slipped. Our demon lives in Orlando. As Coach says, we have not figured them out yet. Let’s see how tonight goes.
Boneyard Randy
January 30th, 2010
11:00 am
Lost my voice last night yelling at Perkins from the 300s. I love to hate the Celtics more than anything and love it even more when I have transient fans that currently reside in Atlanta, but still root for the visiting team, sitting next to me and they lose. Love a celebratory shot of Jack after a Hawks win. Love watching Sportscenter covering the Hawks-Celtics highlights and love watching it over and over and over again. Love Zaza giving it EVERYTHING. Love J-Smoove’s passion. Love JJ’s ice. Love Jamal’s silent killer style. Lovin’ the Hawks. Today is a good day to be a fan.
John
January 30th, 2010
11:04 am
Fight the power! My posting privileges have been usurped! Why me? What makes me so special? I’ll get back to you on that.
I guess it could be my damned machine acting up again. Nah. Bradley’s got it in for me. Yeah. That’s it.
I finally qualify as a victim. It feels damned good too.
NBA Mid-Morning Buzz: Saturday, January 30 | Outdoor sports, camping, tenis, golf
January 30th, 2010
11:09 am
[...] The Celtics promised a ‘hit,’ but the Hawks hit back harder, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mark Bradley The Buzz: Here is Bradley’s opening [...]
Doc Rivers
January 30th, 2010
11:30 am
TheHawks caught us on back to backs coming from Orlando. We were leg weary in the 4th quarter. let’s see how they do tonight in Orlando in their back to back. I say Orlando by 20..
David
January 30th, 2010
11:44 am
@ RA:
My post had nothing to do with the feeling of being treated unfairly. It was just a commentary on what I see as a lack of class. I have watched a lot of Celtics games on NBA League Pass and have never heard the fans chant “Hawks suck!” or Tommy Heinsohn yell “in your face–take that!!” to an opponent. Check out a Celtics forum online and you won’t see the same type of gloating comments that I see from Hawks fans here in the AJC. As far as KG is concerned, please find the quotes, because I don’t recall him talking trash about the Hawks team.
As far as my comment about old and decrepit is concerned, check out the posts here and elsewhere. Most people feel that the Celtics are done and it is their age that they attribute it to.
BravesFan79
January 30th, 2010
12:22 pm
I still believe that the Celtics are the only team from the East capable of beating the Lakers in the finals. (Always been a big Ray Allen fan!) so i got love for the Celtics….
The best thing that could happen in the playoffs is for the Hawks/ Magic to get the 2/3 seeds, which would match up the Celtics/ Cavs in round 2. The Hawks beat the Magic, and the Celtics beat the Cavs. THEN Atlanta would have a GREAT shot at going to the NBA finals! Wow……. those are words i thought id never type.
Ken Stallings
January 30th, 2010
12:28 pm
I watched a bit of that game on the NBA Network, and from the highlights and what I saw, I thought the Celtics players were thuggish on the court. It was like they decided since they didn’t have the talent to beat the Hawks, they would just engage in thug ball to try to bully their way to victory.
The officials did call some technicals, but they should have called more and gotten control of the game. Not mentioned in the article was that the real hero of the Hawks’ effort was guard Joe Johnson, who took over the fourth period, especially the critical last several minutes where he single-handedly dominated the Celtics and made critical basket after basket.
Dr. Warren
January 30th, 2010
12:55 pm
Making the Semis would be the best the Atlanta Hawks have ever done. Lou Hudson & Maravich, Drew & Roundfield, Dominique & Doc, Mutombo & Steve Smith–none of those guys ever got past the Final 8. This team will have only a minor chance to get past LeBron or Kobe, but at least the Final 4 is a real possibility.
jgsbrids
January 30th, 2010
12:58 pm
i hate the celtics with a passion! i hate their fans with a passion! so to sweep them in four regular season games is truly a wonderful thing for a life-long hawks fan. i live in chattanooga, tn but travel down i-75 several times a year to check out the hawks, falcons and braves. in fact i was in the omni’s upper level in what was supposed to be casey jones’ retirement party back in game 6 of the playoffs–i was 21 that year–very devastated as i watched “good news” drive the lane and shoot an air ball to give the mean green a victory. than watched game 7–bird vs nique–great game but i knew the officials were never going to let that game go atlanta’s way. breath on bird, mchale, ainge or chief and their shooting ft’s…deck ‘nique to the ground and it’s play on. so i don’t care if it’s just a regular season sweep–it’s the celtics and i love it!!! way to go hawks–go get a win in florida tonight too. us longtime fans need this season! i’ve really enjoyed this club the last few years.
and as far as the rest of the way goes–i hope we hook up with boston again–i want to see them walk off the floor just once as losers to the hawks in a playoff series–let them get a taste of how it feels. for all the so-called celtic fans that were wearing green last night in philips–i hope you enjoyed your short rides back to buckhead, marietta and dunwoody…..see you at turner field rooting for the braves in a few months.
BravesFan79
January 30th, 2010
1:00 pm
Why all the Celtics hate?? I enjoyed watching the Lakers/ Celtics finals and if the Hawks dont make the NBA finals, id much rather see the Celtics there than the Queen James (overhyped), or the Magic (whod have little chance against the Lakers). I never was much of a Pierce fan… even tho hes a classy talented player, but i sure loved seeing Ray Allen and KG get those rings after all those years on struggling teams! PS…. how about that D that Allen put on Kobe in the finals! The lakers know… the Celtics are the one team they DONT want to face in the finals again!
This is coming from a Hawks fan.
Ree Roe
January 30th, 2010
1:20 pm
If I read another bandwagon comment about “why the Celtics hate?” I promise I’m gonna start calling out names. Why the hate? It started in May 2008, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 3, BOS vs. ATL in ATL Paul Pierce throwing up gang signs, Game 4 ZaZa vs. KG. Game 7 KG setting an illegal pick on ZaZa (should’ve been a flagrant foul). BOS’s refusal to acknowledge it’s a rivalry…if you’re a Hawks fan & don’t understand why we hate BOS, your not a real Hawks fan
-REEcently Roe!!!!
Dr. Warren
January 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
Ree Roe–NO, it started in the 80’s, when the Celtics eliminated Hawks in excruciating fashion, including the famous Bird-Dominique Game 7 Duel at the Garden.
Truth-Serum
January 30th, 2010
2:09 pm
Heh, heh. Good article!! Nice reading…if you are an atlanta fan…
for all those arm chair GM’s who say rivers is a better coach than woodson, – Yea, right.
Heh, heh.
Tonight, someone is crying Tim Tebow tears
January 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
Ree Roe is right. if you think Pierce is classy, you need to have a little chat out back with the bruhs.
Darrin "The Vent King"
January 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
This was a joyous moment and you’re right MB, these Celtics are the most un-humble, disrespectful, arrogant, classless, wanna-be bullies I’ve seen in awhile and KG and Perkins are the worst of the bunch followed by Pierce. That’s why I enjoyed this victory so much. Now they KNOW the Hawks can beat them and they know the Hawks know it too. Now if we can play the LeBron led Cavs and Dwight Howard led Magic this way we’ll be in business.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
Truth-Serum
January 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
can we get a center who can play defense? no im not talking about rebounds.
DCHawksFan
January 30th, 2010
2:38 pm
Why are there so many bandwagon Celtics and Lakers fans in Atlanta?
SLO-JOE JOHNSON IS GONE AFTER THIS YEAR
January 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
JOE HAS A GREAT SEASON,THEN WHEN THE PLAYOFFS COMES I KNOW AT LEAST HE WILL BE LEAVING EARLY,BECAUSE HE NEVER SHOWS UP IN THE PLAYOFFS GAMES!
P.S. GOOD LUCK IN NEW YORK NEXT YEAR JOE NO GAME JOHNSON!
Celtic girl 4 life
January 30th, 2010
2:58 pm
Ok. The Hawks have had a good year, I give you that. But to call the Celtics “old” just doesn’t cut it with me. How many championships have the Hawks won? Hmmmm…my guess is probably a lot less than the C’s 17 straight championships. It used to be the Hawks were laughed at. When people asked what our city’s bball team was, people would say ” we don’t have a team.” Just because they’ve had a good run so far, they don’t need to get cocky. Since when have the Hawks been a team to beat anyway? This year, and this year alone. My point to this rant is: Don’t count out the boys from BEANTOWN, they know how to throw down!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO CELTICS!!!!!
RA
January 30th, 2010
5:22 pm
@ David:
You haven’t been on the ajc very much have you? Two years ago during the playoffs, I didn’t have to go on other sites to find Celtic fans talking smack about my team, they were logged on here talking some of the worst smack you ever heard. And no, I’ve never heard Celtic fans at the Garden chant Hawks suck, but have you ever been listening to them the first time Bibby touches the ball at the Garden? I can’t make it out over the general den, but I’m sure that it’s a lot worse than Hawks Suck. As far as comments from Keven Garnette are concerned, I remember one in particular. It was last year and the Celtics had just escaped yet another game with Atlanta by the skin of their collective teeth and a reporter asked KG “Do you feel like Boston Atlanta matchup has blossomed into a rivalry?” To which KG responded, “Well, in order to have a rivalry, you have to get a win against somebody.” Now, that’s paraphrased, but I thought that that was a pretty classless remark particularly considering that any of those games from last year might have EASILY gone either way. I wonder if Atlanta’s domination of Boston this season merits KG’s definition of a true rivalry…
Look, you team isn’t washed up, they’re slumping, there’s a difference. KG is not in game shape, and as much as I hate to admit it, they’ll play a lot better when he is. Ray Allen will find his range, he’s too good a shooter and too great a player not to. Paul Pierce is still the Truth, Big Baby Davis may round back into shape, and probably will. I just see Boston being a major player in the East before everything is said and done.
I can’t apologize for the chants of Boston Sucks. Please allow me to say it plainly sir, we hate your team.
Alan
January 30th, 2010
7:18 pm
Looking good in the 1st qtr. Hope they get the magic curse lifted.
uberVU - social comments
January 30th, 2010
7:37 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MarkBradleyAJC: The Celtics took out a “hit” on Jamal Crawford, but Crawford and the Hawks hit back harder. http://bit.ly/dhOXin…
frank james
January 30th, 2010
8:19 pm
Proud of the Hawks this year! This is changing the subject alittle, but this is worth mentioning. At the GA. Dugout Club Clinic today Cecil Fielder, Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom and his brother were on a forum today. They shared different stories of their careers. I wish all high school baseball players could have heard them. They did a great job! And how great it is to see former players like Keith Lockhart, Charlie Liebrandt and Steve Bedrosian coaching on the high school level. It makes me proud to be a Braves fan and also I gained alot of respect for Cecil Fielder.
David
January 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
@ RA
Apparently the Hawks fans have the same requirements of a rivalry as Garnett does. Now that they’ve beaten Boston, they are certain it’s a rivalry.
Bibby called the fans in Boston “fair weather fans”–therefore the booing every time he touches the ball.
The “hate” feeling is not mutual, but it’s nice to be hated–it means the Celtics are doing something right.
DangerousDan87
January 30th, 2010
8:56 pm
The hate goes way back to when Danny Aige bit Tree Rolins finger on the bottom of a pile.
I just want to know what brilliant NBA guru scheduled the celtics and Magic on back to back nights and Orlando didn’t play yesterday— woooowooo
Alan
January 30th, 2010
9:00 pm
Just like I expected, getting blown out in Orlando again. We just don’t match up well with them. I hope we don’t meet them in the playoffs.
heywood...
January 30th, 2010
10:23 pm
here’s a bonus blog hit for ya, mark.
bfred
January 31st, 2010
12:37 pm
David, you have got to be freaking kidding me. I can’t speak for what is posted on Celts’ blogs but you cannot possibly be arguing that Atlanta fans are more obnoxious than Boston fans. We’re talking about the same city whose fans are routinely demonized for their indifference, right? I mean, come on.
Quagmire
January 31st, 2010
1:19 pm
Giggity!
Tweets that mention The Celtics promised a 'hit,' but the Hawks hit back harder | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 31st, 2010
11:02 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, ajc sports editor, Jason Walker, Wise_Diva, kevin chastain and others. kevin chastain said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: The Celtics took out a "hit" on Jamal Crawford, but Crawford and the Hawks hit back harder. http://bit.ly/dhOXin [...]
Tweets that mention The Celtics promised a 'hit,' but the Hawks hit back harder | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 31st, 2010
11:08 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, ReidAdair, Terence Jones, G Slick, blog new and others. blog new said: The Celtics promised a 'hit,' but the Hawks hit back harderAtlanta Journal Constitution (bl… http://reduce.li/5tloqr #promised [...]
David
February 1st, 2010
1:08 am
DangerousDan87
You have your facts wrong. It was Tree Rollins who bit Danny Ainge’s finger.
david
February 1st, 2010
10:27 am
Yeah