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
jjm
April 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
Not so fast my friend!
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
Believe me. I’ve learned never to count the Hawks in. (I’ve also learned never to count them out.)
J.J.M.
April 28th, 2012
7:51 pm
I think it comes down to how healthy zaza/horford will be…if they can squeak by the celtics and have zaza healthy then yes the hawks will/should go to the eastern finals
Marcus
April 28th, 2012
7:55 pm
shame what happened to D-Rose, even from a die-hard Hawks fan. We gotta handle the C’s, who will be riding their experience like nobody’s business. We need to prove we can beat the full-strength Celtics, even if Ray Allen is hobbled.
The way this years’ NBA season and playoffs have gone with all the injuries and compressed schedule, its like a winner-take-all, last survivor cage match.
Whopper Dawg
April 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
I still can’t believe Levingston took that last shot. My jaw was on the floor.
zgoldatl
April 28th, 2012
8:00 pm
I think the Hawks will make a run this year. The veteran bench leadership really makes a big difference, and in my opinion is what was missing the last couple years. See y’all at the Highlight Factory tomorrow.
Atl Teams = CHOKE
April 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Hawks have the easiest path to the ECF. But knowing them, they will lose in the first round, and the Fans will be left talking about what could have been.
Atl teams = CHOKE
April 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
The Playoffs are here. Atl teams are probably preparing for their annual choke.
OldTimer
April 28th, 2012
8:33 pm
Just bought two tickets.
Let’s kick some ass.
Yellow Fuzz
April 28th, 2012
8:41 pm
The bulls are a good team without rose, but my mind tells me the hawks will find a way to screw this up. I am a die hard hawks fan but this is what atlanta fans are used to, which is our teams getting to the playoffs and getting knocked our in the first round(braves,falcons)even though the hawks have been to the second round for two years.
Mash
April 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
The Hawks finally catching a break was my first thought as well after learning of Rose’s season ending injury. However, we still have to take care of business with the Celtics.
Strange things happen in strike shortened seasons. Hopefully the Hawks winning the Finals can be that strange thing this year.
LakeDawg
April 28th, 2012
8:47 pm
I gave the Hawks a 50/50 chance to beat Boston and advance into the second round (which I predicted they would lose), but with this opportunity opening up I must amend my prediction. Like you said Mark, they’ve never had this kind of opportunity to make some noise in the playoffs. My new prediction is……….they will lose to the Celtics 4-2.
Atl teams = CHOKE
April 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
When given the best opportunity, Atl teams choke. I hate to say it, but its true.
215_Basketball
April 28th, 2012
9:05 pm
Not a classy article at all. The NBA needs more players like Derrick Rose who really love the game and are a joy to watch. He now faces a tough rehab and life without the game for a while. Imagine what he and his family are going through. To speculate on what the Hawks might do with Rose out is classless. Let the Hawks try getting past the Celtics first before you even talk about anything else.
LakeDawg
April 28th, 2012
9:15 pm
“He now faces a tough rehab and life without the game for a while. Imagine what he and his family are going through.”
————————————————————————————————————————————
While I don’t wish injury on anyone, its a part of the game. I’m sure Rose and his family wish the injury hadn’t occurred, but me thinks you’re being a bit melodramatic. Its not as if he’s been the victim of a crime or lost his livelyhood. Talking about what is possible due to his injury is fair game and not classless.
zgoldatl
April 28th, 2012
9:22 pm
It may be jumping the gun, because we have a very challenging series with Boston ahead of us. However, it’s not classless, it’s true.
Outside Observer
April 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Rose only played in 39 games this season. The Bulls still had the best record in the conference. They might be missing their best player, but the Bulls are still a favorite to win the conference.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
It’s too bad about Rose, one of the most likable superstars in the league, but I’m not gonna lie — my first thought was that the Hawks’ road just got much easier. The Celtics are tough, but not unbeatable. The Bulls without Rose are tough, but not unbeatable. This is the Hawks’ time. You could make a case right now that the Hawks are the 2nd best team in the conference, what with the Rose injury and the Pacers currently gagging at home in Game 1 against the Dwight-less Magic. Time to go out there and prove it.
Atl teams = CHOKE
April 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
Wow Indiana just pulled an Atlanta. Epic Choke Job.
rob
April 28th, 2012
9:46 pm
Hawks need to take game 1 to send a message.
HAwks fan rics
April 28th, 2012
9:51 pm
HAwks need to restructure MArvins’s deal. He is a great rotation player. Amnestying him shouldn’t be an option.
Atl teams = CHOKE
April 28th, 2012
9:54 pm
Hawks need to restructure Joe Johnson’s deal. He’s holding this team back.
coloradobulldog
April 28th, 2012
10:23 pm
I know the Hawks aren’t favored to beat C’s. And w/o ZaZa/Al it will be tough. But no one gave us much hope last year of beating Orlando. Need Teague to step up vs Rondo like he did vs Rose last playoffs.
hbcuclassics
April 28th, 2012
10:24 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Draft Update:
Christian Thompson, S, SC State – Baltimore
Ryan Davis, DE/OLB, Bethune – Jacksonville
Mario Louis, WR, Grambling – Houston
Marquette King, P, FVSU – Oakland
James Dekle, G, Prairie View – Arizona
Kevin Elliott, WR, FAMU – Jacksonville
Demario Pippen, RB,Tuskegee – Denver
LaMont Bryant, TE, Morgan St – Baltimore
Bryan Tymes, TE, FAMU – San Francisco
Jared Green, WR, Southern – Carolina
Donovan Robinson, DE, Jackson St – New York Jets
Adrian Hamilton, DE, Prairie View – Dallas
Antonio Dennard, CB, Langston – Jaguars
Paul Cox, WR, Mississippi Valley St – Chargers
Nicolas Cooper, RB, Winston Salem St – Packers
stay tuned…www.hbuclassics.com
coloradobulldog
April 28th, 2012
10:25 pm
I can’t see how anyone can say Hawks choked last year when they were not favored vs Orlando or Chicago. Must but a Saint fan who has nothing else to live for now.
Chris
April 28th, 2012
10:28 pm
Keep Dreaming Mark….Keep Dreaming. We have no Big Man for the entire series against the Celtics and the Celtics have probably the best coach in the NBA on their sideline. He was so confident that his OLD team will beat the Hawks in the playoffs that he played his 2nd string and gave the Homecourt Advantage to the Hawks when he could have wrapped it up. WHY??? Because he knows it won’t matter where the games are played, the men in Green will prevail.
moorman
April 28th, 2012
10:35 pm
Its AMAZING the hawks have never made the eastern conference finals……………….just amazing. too bad nba basketball referees FIX certain games……………..lol
Walt Frazier
April 28th, 2012
10:39 pm
Mark Bradley, didn’t I tell you to stay off the drugs?
tulsabravo
April 28th, 2012
10:40 pm
Are you out of your ever-loving mind Mr. Bradley?
A rose by any other name
April 28th, 2012
10:56 pm
Don’t count your chickens just yet. The Bulls have played well all season without Rose. To a man, each player on the Bulls knew at some point in the playoffs, the softest player in the league would go down with a either a broken nail or the start of his cycle, so they are more than prepared to make a run without him.
KBB
April 28th, 2012
11:01 pm
LOL, yea right. Get past the Celtics first
go-BRAVOS
April 28th, 2012
11:06 pm
MB you said you’ve never counted the Hawks out either, well you must be bad at predicting because it is a 100% guarantee that these Hawks will either lose in the 1st RD or lose to the 76ers/Bulls winner.These guys have proven that they cannot win big games, a proven track record. They are the ATLANTA Hawks and as we all know no sports team from the Georgia can win the big one.
I’m starting to believe that the Braves never won in 95′ it was all a mirage. Never happened.
152 seasons= 1 title
JSS
April 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
Told Schultz when he was pitching for the Hawks to lose games to avoid the Celtics that the path of least resistance involved the Bulls… I hate Rose is hurt not just for the talent he possesses for the NBA game but because of the hit our Olympic team is taking with Billups, Howard, and now Rose gone and what that means for London in a little over 3 months. Take care of business Hawks, Rose has been a Hawks killer… Keep your mind on the Celtics, then we’ll see!
These Hawks to soar?
April 28th, 2012
11:50 pm
hope the Hawks show the C’s they’ve grown a ton since that 1 vs 8 / 7 game series back in 08 (and by a “ton” I’d like to see a sweep but i don’t think that’ll happen)
Dr. Warren
April 28th, 2012
11:51 pm
The Hawks will make the Eastern Conference Finals. Never before have they or their coaches felt deep down they had a legitimate chance to get there. Now they do. It will make a big difference.
I don't want to look ahead yet cause. . .
April 29th, 2012
12:49 am
we ’bout to enjoy kicking some Celtic a$$. Then we’ll look ahead.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:55 am
go-BRAVOS
April 28th, 2012
11:06 pm
MB you said you’ve never counted the Hawks out either, well you must be bad at predicting because it is a 100% guarantee that these Hawks will either lose in the 1st RD or lose to the 76ers/Bulls winner.These guys have proven that they cannot win big games, a proven track record. They are the ATLANTA Hawks and as we all know no sports team from the Georgia can win the big one.
I’m starting to believe that the Braves never won in 95′ it was all a mirage. Never happened.
152 seasons= 1 title
_______________________
Make that 154 seasons = 1 title.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:57 am
Dr. Warren
April 28th, 2012
11:51 pm
The Hawks will make the Eastern Conference Finals. Never before have they or their coaches felt deep down they had a legitimate chance to get there. Now they do. It will make a big difference.
_______________________
You usually offer up sensible comments. Not so sure about this one.
pj
April 29th, 2012
1:09 am
ESPN talking heads are talking about how this affects the playoffs too – but are dismissing the Hawks by all operating under the assumption that Celtics advance. They didn’t even say the words Atlanta or Hawks just now. What a bunch of garbage.
dirty south dawg
April 29th, 2012
2:17 am
imagine- how we never win thr big dance & then a miracle year (NOW) sees the hawks win the nba finals—braves let chipper retire with a world series—- & the falcons let gonzo retire with a super bowl….
it could happen…if the starz align just rite- & U BELIEVE…the starz are doing their part…will u do urs?
BELIEVE
Tdawg
April 29th, 2012
5:26 am
I have never in my life seen such out and out BS coming from those idiots on ESPN. You are right pj the jerks never once uttered the word, Atlanta or Hawks. Not once. They have mentioned every single team in the playoffs by name, but the Hawks. He!! I just don’t see why the Hawks even bother to play. Shoot the way the ESPN jerks are telling or not telling it, they don’t even exist. The Hawks have home court advantage and I don’t care what anyone say’s. Home court is a huge advantage in basketball, especially when the teams are evenly matched. If you hear the way the sports reporters tell it, or don’t tell it. The Hawks don’t even rate a single utterance on the tube. It’s not like the Celtics were smashing the Hawks. Heck the series was 2 to 1 in favor of the Celtics and the Hawks could have easily won all three game’s. I hope that the Hawks sweeps Boston if for no other reason than to show the ESPN reporter’s what a bunch of idiot’s they are. I’m hoping that the ESPN brass has been watching those bunch of incompetent jerks and straightens there arse out. I’ve never seen such disrespect in my life for any team. I mean the sorriest team in the playoffs should at least feel like they exist. And I thought that they showed a lot of hate for the dawgs a few years back. Well they have out did themselves now and I didn’t think that was possible.
ATLtodolavida
April 29th, 2012
7:12 am
Why did Levingston get the shot? Was Nique denied the ball?
will
April 29th, 2012
7:46 am
It’s not just ESPN, that hates and disrespects the hawks, TNT, NBA TV. C. Barkley said yday that once the bulls beat the 76ers, they’re next opponents are celtics and the heat. Shaq and K. Smith don’t believe the hawks have a snow chance in hell of beating the celtics in this series.
R. Miller, said about a yr ago when discussing the hawks fan situation, that the hawks play in a small market, which is totally false and you would think that these talking heads would do more research before they start running their mouth. ATL Metro 5.5 million people, Pacers market where miller played 1.7 million people that would be considered a small market.
I think these talking heads are on the verge of waking up a sleeping giant the ATL.
Larry
April 29th, 2012
7:52 am
Go with the team with more heart, more courage, more team synergy, and a superior coach by a mile. Boston in 5.
Hawks Rule!
April 29th, 2012
8:17 am
Mark this down—with rose out, the hawks will upset chicago and miami and win the East! The Hawks are on fire!!! Hawks v. Spurs for the NBA title!!!
kevkat
April 29th, 2012
8:26 am
The only people who can do anything about the comments(or lack of ) made by those on ESPN is the Hawks themselves. Here’s hoping they saw this and will be motivated to prove them all wrong.
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
8:53 am
I mooved from NY in 93. I only know the last twenty yrs of Hawks basketball. This team has IT. Iwant a 15+ pt. Win today. This team wants to destroy Boston. excorsize a few demons. I like hawks in 5. We can split the 2 in Boston. Sweep the 4 at home.
Respect is earned
April 29th, 2012
8:58 am
Im not sure why people offended that analyst are dismissing the Hawks. What have the Hawks ever done to garner legitimate respect? Respect is earned. Same goes for the Falcons.
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
9:09 am
I agree respect is earned. This squad of Hawks has gone deeper every yr in the last five playoffs. They have earned discusion. They won six of their final nine to earn home court. They whooped Dallas to leave no doubt early in the game.
atlchris77
April 29th, 2012
9:13 am
A win tonight will force a change in discussion. GO HAWKS!!!!
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.