With Rose out, the Hawks have a path to the Eastern finals
With Derrick Rose gone, the Eastern Conference has been thrown wide open (AP photo)
The Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968. While based here, they’ve never won two playoff series in a single season. They may never have a better chance than they do now.
They hold the homecourt edge over Boston in Round 1. (Never mind that the Celtics are favored to win.) Should the Hawks beat the C’s, their Round 2 opponent will be Philadelphia, which has the worst record of any postseason qualifier, or Chicago, which just lost its best player for the duration.
Yes, the Bulls have had ample opportunity to get used to being without Derrick Rose this season, but always before they believed he’d be back for the playoffs. In Game 1 against Philly, with Chicago leading by 12 points with 1:20 remaining, Rose tore his ACL. With him, the Bulls might have won the NBA championship. Without him, they might lose to the 76ers. (Though probably not.)
If you’re the Hawks, you can’t put the cart before its equine puller. Beating Boston won’t be easy. But whoever wins this series should reach the Eastern Conference finals, somewhere the Atlanta Hawks have never been. (They twice made the Western finals, but back then you only needed one series victory to get there.)
These playoffs weren’t three hours old before the molecules got rearranged, and for once in their existence we can say the Hawks have caught a break. Heck, they might even get Al Horford back for the conference semis. That’s provided they reach the conference semis.
And that’s a major caveat. We learned in 1988 that getting close wasn’t the same as getting there. The Hawks took a 3-2 lead over Boston in Round 2 and faced a close-out game at the old Omni. They lost by two on a Friday night that ended with Cliff Levingston’s no-chance running lefty hook, and they lost the epic Game 7 in the old Garden. There is, however, one difference.
Those Celtics were old. These Celtics are older.
By Mark Bradley
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95 comments Add your comment
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
9:22 am
We do have the 4th best record.
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
9:27 am
Go Hawks!!!!!
RM
April 29th, 2012
9:34 am
Hopefully the Hawks will take notice and use it as motivation. They just need to focus on one game at a time. Let’s go Hawks!
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
9:59 am
Move over Tolkien and Rowling, Mark Bradley is the greatest writer of fantasy yet.
JSS
April 29th, 2012
10:04 am
Shamrock, stop acting like this is the 87 Celtics… This more like the Reggie Lewis/Bird/McHale/Parrish team that Cleveland finally sent packing in 7 games… This is going to be a tough series…
john
April 29th, 2012
10:34 am
its scary being without a center for the first round but i think the hawks take it in 7. Hopefully the celtics get tired.
Fussball Fan
April 29th, 2012
10:38 am
All the ATL Hawk fans are feeling disrespected by the national media, but what have the Hawks ever done to get respect from their own fans, much less the national media. The AJC writers and columnist always do this, they get the fans hopes up for the local teams and then they fall flat on their faces.
It is nothing wrong with supporting the home teams, but be realist. Say lets support our teams, but we have to do this and this to win this series. No, they don’t do that, instead they write lazy articles about how the road is paved with gold for Hawks. Again, the Hawks have done NOTHING in 42 years to deserve ANYONES respect. Only the people in ATL call Philips arena “The Highlight Factory”. You know why? The name makes you think some greaat team polays there and that is defienetly not the case. Stadiums or arenas with nicknmaes are usually called by those names on a nationwide basis and the team has usually won at least one championship. The only people who call Philips the Highlight Factory are the locals and the Hawks have NEVER (again in 42 yrs.) gotten to the conference finals, much less won a championship. Look at this, off the top of my head I know that the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and defunct Seattle Supersonics, have all been in the league less years than the Hawks and ALL of them have been to the conference finals at least 4 times.
Hawks fans, don’t cry about disrespect. Your team has to EARN/TAKE it!!!!
D-Man
April 29th, 2012
10:50 am
Watching ESPN this morning has me hopping mad. Magic, Wilbon, and those other two unimportant ANALysts were discussing the Bulls/Sixers series now that D-Rose is out and claimed the Bulls might make it out of that 1st round matchup only to have a hard time with the Celtics…wait, what? They beat the Hawks already? They always do that to the Hawks- last year against the Magic and two years ago with the Heat. They went on and on about the Cs like they’ve already won the series against the Hawks. The level of disrespect for the Hawks goes beyond that, it was a disrespect for the game itself. You can NEVER go so far as to discount your opponent that way in any sport and they basically dismissed the Hawks by not even BRINGING up their name during that discussion at all. All they talked about was the Bulls/Celtics. As if the Hawks don’t even deserved to be mentioned as even being in the playoffs. Charles Barkley celebrates it, ESPN fans it, and it goes on and on and on. If for anything else I hope these Hawks sees this as an opportunity to make Charles Fart-ley and company pay for disrespecting not only them, but the game itself. Go out and DESTROY THE CELTICS!!! End this Atlanta hate…please.
GO HAWKS!
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
11:04 am
You said it D Man. A win this series would be great. Destroying them would be awesome.
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
11:07 am
A win changes the discussion.
BravesFan79
April 29th, 2012
11:32 am
I remember thinking yesterday with about 10 minutes left in the game (this game is over, Rose shouldnt even be in the game). And guess what happened!
I see Steven A Smith on espn didnt even mention the Hawks as the 2nd round opponent for the Bulls, he skipped straight to Boston.
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
11:39 am
D-Man, I saw that too, they were acting like the Celtics got a first round bye, they never even mentioned the Hawks, as if the Hawks aren’t even in the play-offs. I like goofing on the Hawks as much as anybody but even I was taken aback by their lack of respect for the Hawks. As a matter of fact I was hoping, at the time, that the Hawks players didn’t see that clip.
PlasticMan
April 29th, 2012
11:49 am
I’m hoping the Hawks did watch Stephen A Smith’s interview this morning. It should motivate every single one of those players. Prove everyone wrong!
stevie zero
April 29th, 2012
12:36 pm
steven a smith better recognize yo
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
1:55 pm
D-Man
April 29th, 2012
10:50 am
Watching ESPN this morning has me hopping mad. Magic, Wilbon, and those other two unimportant ANALysts were discussing the Bulls/Sixers series now that D-Rose is out and claimed the Bulls might make it out of that 1st round matchup only to have a hard time with the Celtics…wait, what? They beat the Hawks already? They always do that to the Hawks- last year against the Magic and two years ago with the Heat. They went on and on about the Cs like they’ve already won the series against the Hawks. The level of disrespect for the Hawks goes beyond that, it was a disrespect for the game itself. You can NEVER go so far as to discount your opponent that way in any sport and they basically dismissed the Hawks by not even BRINGING up their name during that discussion at all. All they talked about was the Bulls/Celtics. As if the Hawks don’t even deserved to be mentioned as even being in the playoffs. Charles Barkley celebrates it, ESPN fans it, and it goes on and on and on. If for anything else I hope these Hawks sees this as an opportunity to make Charles Fart-ley and company pay for disrespecting not only them, but the game itself. Go out and DESTROY THE CELTICS!!! End this Atlanta hate…please.
______________________
To all of you on here indignant about the lack of respect for ATL from the national media, there’s only one sure way to put a stop to it, and the Hawks have not done that since moving to ATL in 1968.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
1:56 pm
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
11:07 am
A win changes the discussion.
_______________________
A championship changes it forever.
Fats OKelly
April 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
It is clear sailing now. We just have to paddle in. Drew is going to lead us to the title this yr
Galen Pell
April 29th, 2012
3:39 pm
If they don’t get Zaza back, they’re not getting past Boston.
vuduchld
April 29th, 2012
5:12 pm
The Celtics will find a way to beat the Hawks, they will manfufacture a play here, a play there with the Hawks choking in the end. I’m by no means a Celts fan, but the Hawks will do their usual choke routine, just like the Falcons. The Celtics are a real team that knows how to win, the Hawks, they keep pretending to do so.
steven A.
April 29th, 2012
5:36 pm
I cannot see anyway this Hawks Team wins the series against Boston. …No way..Doc Rivers said” the Hawks need players.” You have bunch of nice number 2s, but no number 1s. Ivan Johnson has a number “1″ personality with a number 2-3 skill set.
Hawker V
April 29th, 2012
5:58 pm
the celtics are old and washed up—ATL beats them in 5–bet the house.
Goober
April 29th, 2012
8:01 pm
and to think we nearly got to live a year without the needless basketball association…
bro
April 29th, 2012
10:56 pm
Who is the idiot that wrote this article. Don’t you have to get past the current opponent before you start talking about beating the next one. Must have been some crap for brains sports writer with nothing to write about. And you get paid for this dribble.
The man comes around...
April 29th, 2012
11:15 pm
bro…lol
Mark is the best ..get a life.
Funny A$$ $Hit
April 29th, 2012
11:20 pm
You moronic Hawk fans are always good for a laugh on any given day. No matter how bad my day has been, your stupidity and hopeless cause for winning a NBA title always makes it just a bit better. Just get it through your thick, double-wide trailer trash heads, the team, the city and you have no hope whatsoever of ever winning a title. Kind of like your Falcons…just stating the all too obvious.
Fats OKelly
April 29th, 2012
11:49 pm
We kicked the Celtics tonight and this is just the beginning. These Hawks are a blue collar team and that is the kind that can beat Boston. They dont smile. They just come to work with their lunch pale and go to work. Watch and see Drew take them far.
Kicking Celtic
April 30th, 2012
12:16 am
a$$ is what its about
AlphaMC
April 30th, 2012
1:03 am
Way to early. They barely won game 1 without Ray Allen and NO SHOW Garnett. I’m Hawks fan but they got to show it. They barely escaped. Listen to TNT Shaq and Barkley. They are right. Dribble Dribble Then Joe “OVERPAID” Johnson or Josh “WILD” Smith
pj
April 30th, 2012
2:22 am
Funny – we dominate the celtics from start to finish (and don’t give me the “boston doesn’t have Ray Allen”. We are playing without Horford) – and the coverage on ESPN centered around Rondo’s ref bump. I hope we sweep the greenie weenies and beat the Rose-less Bulls and then watch the Bristol morons continue to dismiss us. And I can’t find a Braves highlight on sportscenter EVER. ESPN has devolved into an advertising grab for New York, Boston, LA, Chicago and Dallas. It’s msnbc/foxnews for sports. Agenda driven by dollars – not real sports coverage. Colin Cowherd admitted on his radio show that he talks about whatever moves the dial to get ratings. Tebow. J Lin. Peyton. Saints Scandal. Hell, I had no clue that Greg Maddox was a special assistant to the GM and pitching consultant for the Rangers until I happened to flip to their game Sunday night. That is a legit baseball story that gets overshadowed by what Bobby Valentine says in Boston or what Metta World Artests elbow does in LA. It all makes me sick.
what did you drink
April 30th, 2012
2:25 am
That right go to Phillps arena and support that atlanta sprit loser of NHL which we never see again thanks to mayor n owners and a GM we all know who….screwed them and us just glad not make playoffs too…Now back to Larks Um Hawks if rose been out hawks still would lose to Bulls in 5 games series …and be gone Miami will win and again lose finals …what no one is sayin if clippers win and play La next they sure want have far to travel for home games will they!
MelHawk
April 30th, 2012
6:57 am
The hawks should beat the celtics easily and will upset the bulls—book it!!
Eric B
April 30th, 2012
7:21 am
You know what they say about the Hawks! Have a choke and a smile!
Delta Hog Moss
April 30th, 2012
8:28 am
Injecting hope in the Hawks fan base is cruel and unusual punishment Mark. What do you have against Hawks fans to do this to them?
McDawg
April 30th, 2012
9:18 am
Enter your comments here
GumbyWilliams
April 30th, 2012
9:29 am
I agree wholeheartedly! With Derrick Rose out, it actually opens up the opportunity for the Larry O’Brien trophy to all of the playoff teams. There is enough parity in the league where ANY TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS CAN HOIST THAT TROPHY IF THE EFFORT COMES FROM WITHIN (THE HEART). Remember what former Houston Rocket coach Rudy Tomjanivich once said—never underestimate the heart of a champion. The Hawks beat the Celtics last night by showing, grit, heart and determination. The Hawks played like champions and whats even more exciting about the Hawks is that if they eliminate Boston in the first round and move on to the second round–”Big” Al Horford will be available to assist the Hawks as they continue their championship quest. THE HAWKS ARE READY FOR ACTION!
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
10:15 am
Hawks almost blew this one as well as they played to start
Rondo should get suspended and that might do it for the Hawks
They won’t beat Chicago so stop dreaming
Whatsaballer?
April 30th, 2012
10:29 am
Please share whatever it is you are smoking Mark!
Man in Black
April 30th, 2012
11:50 am
ITS FREE THROWS!
We missed 7 free throws last night – at home!
No free throws – no rings.
If we had made just 4 of those 7 missed free throws the game would have never been in doubt in the end.
To get to the finals the team must make free throws.
hayman
April 30th, 2012
12:46 pm
the bulls without rose are still better than the hawks, not to mention, the bulls have been without rose pretty much half the year. the hawks have a chance, but lets not act like this is a slam dunk. the level of difficulty is not any easier
hayman
April 30th, 2012
12:48 pm
we got our hands full with the celtics
one game doesnt make a series, even with rondo sitting out
everybody forget how easily avery bradley can torch us?
GumbyWilliams
April 30th, 2012
1:07 pm
I agree with hayman. The hawks already have their hands full with the celtics. Lets first put away the celtics and then lets see if philadelphia can upset the bulls. If we face the bulls, without rose i think we can beat them, but we will still have to play strong defense and shoot well to take out the bulls. This particular season may be just what the doctor ordered for the hawks. First the hawks catch a break with a short strike-shortened season (only 66 games). The the eastern conference gets completely depleted and devoid of talent, with Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo (one game suspension) ALL OUT for the series, clearly clearing the path for the Hawks to be crowned champions if they just take care of their business, shoot over .50 percent, play solid defense, rebound the basketball, and stay away from turnovers. FINALLY, THE LARRY O’BRIEN TROPHY IS WITHIN THE HAWKS GRASP, IF THEY JUST REACH OUT AND GRAB IT!
DC
April 30th, 2012
1:08 pm
The hawks had a large lead and was playing the game clock instead of the opponent…they dominated the boards offensively and defensively…whats sad is all those FAKE celtics fans in the arena…acting like they are sad their “team” lost…they dont have a team..they would have a heat jersey on if we were playing lebron..
BasketBlog 4/30 « Sports Rapport
April 30th, 2012
1:42 pm
[...] the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mark Bradley thinks that Rose’s injury opens a door for the Hawks to make the Eastern Conference Finals: The Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968. While based here, they’ve never won two playoff series in a [...]
Milburn Drysdale
April 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Not according to Stephen A
Milburn Drysdale
April 30th, 2012
4:12 pm
Hey Funny Ass…the only funny thing I see is the Celts are old, over-rated, and slow. The Hawks may not win it all, but it is pretty obvious they are far more athletic than the Celts are. Oh and your baseball team sucks, too.