Me, I think the Hawks have a real chance to steal Game 6
Philips Arena might not have seen its last NBA game of the season. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Not wanting to be a jinx or anything, I’ll refrain from making an actual prediction. But I do think the Hawks have a real chance in Game 6, and here’s why:
1. Al Horford changes the dynamics at both ends. You’ll notice that Boston, which prides itself on playing D, couldn’t stop Horford in the final 2 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter of Game 5. He scored the go-ahead-for-good hoop off a pick-and-roll with Jeff Teague — surely a called play out of a timeout — and made a tough hook over Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass to put the Hawks up four. And you had to notice that Horford’s slipping of Garnett’s screen forced Rajon Rondo to dribble into the corner on the final sequence, whereupon he lost the ball. Would all the folks who picked the Celtics to win this series have made the same choice if they’d known Horfy would be back?
2. A personal rule: A team only gets so many opportunities to win a series. The Celtics squandered a prime one in Game 5. The Hawks were at sea early, and if Paul Pierce had hit a 3-pointer to make it a 13-point game the home team might have wilted. But Pierce missed and Joe Johnson found Kirk Hinrich running long for a layup, and what could have been a 13-point spread was instead eight. The Celtics also had two chances to nose ahead in the final 20 seconds but Pierce tried a tough shot — Johnson defended expertly — that didn’t touch iron and Rondo couldn’t find anything in the 10 seconds after he stole Josh Smith’s inbound pass. (It helped that Smith was alert enough to impede Rondo in backcourt; it also helped that Doc Rivers had no timeouts.) Two chances, neither resulting in the ball getting as far as the rim: It could be that the Celtics will close this out tonight and forget all about Game 5, but what if they don’t?
3. The Hawks, as noted, are pretty good when you expect them not to be. They looked a beaten team after Game 4, and for much of Game 5 they acted as if they weren’t sure if they could pull this off. But winning in the way they won — holding off the more seasoned team at the end — had to swell their self-esteem. They’re still alive, and if they can steal Game 6 they’ll have Game 7 here. They’re a six-point underdog tonight, but to me they’re a mighty live ‘dog. Then again, I’ve been known to be wrong about the Hawks — oh, only about a hundred times this century.
By Mark Bradley
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126 comments Add your comment
FRANKLIN T
May 10th, 2012
10:55 am
FIRST?
Mitchell
May 10th, 2012
10:56 am
first?
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May 10th, 2012
10:56 am
[...] Hawks are in Boston tonight for Game 6Cedartown StandardESPN (blog) -NBCSports.com -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 486 news [...]
Mark Bradley
May 10th, 2012
10:58 am
Franklin T, as in taking kudos.
FRANKLIN T
May 10th, 2012
10:59 am
LET’S GO HAWKS! FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, WIN A BIG GAME.
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
11:01 am
Stick a fork in the Hawk’s – they’re done.
Rickster
May 10th, 2012
11:02 am
Or.. the Hawks even.
anynomous
May 10th, 2012
11:04 am
Bradley kiss of death?
chris
May 10th, 2012
11:05 am
Mark you kill me…….I give you credit for trying to see the glass as half full and not half empty but this is the same team that had the celtics at home in game 2 with their 2 best players on the bench and could not get it done. Now you think they will win 3 in a row……LOL
Chris Crawford
May 10th, 2012
11:06 am
Like Kevin Garnett, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLE!
Mr. Phil
May 10th, 2012
11:07 am
Mark,
Shouldn’t we all just be done with trying to predict this team. Far as I see it they are just as likely to lose tonight as they are to win the next three championships. Hate to sound frustrated but my team plays in the Twilight Zone not the Highlight Factory.
Lloyd Christmas
May 10th, 2012
11:08 am
The Hawks have the same chance I did with Mary Swanson
PMC
May 10th, 2012
11:11 am
FTW Go Hawks!
Priest Lauderdale
May 10th, 2012
11:11 am
What have the Hawks done in the last 5 years, or even this season that makes you think they can go on the road and win a game in Boston?
A mentally weak team with their only “leader” playing his third game in 5 days after not playing for 4 months. As much as i would love them to win… it’s not going to happen.
The rut
May 10th, 2012
11:11 am
Sure glad I quit wagering on games a few years ago. The kiss of death for Boston, I would take them minus six and bet my house.
DePort
May 10th, 2012
11:11 am
Lets play the game… I hate when people say its over before its over!
MS Bully
May 10th, 2012
11:11 am
Enter your comments here
Adams
May 10th, 2012
11:12 am
Not only does Horford change each end of the play for the Hawks but he makes everyone on the team a better player. You just can’t double up on Smith, Johnson or Teague when Horford is in the game. The Celtics will have their hands full tonight. Not saying the Hawks will win tonight but they have a chance.
doc
May 10th, 2012
11:13 am
predicatably unpredictable
MS Bully
May 10th, 2012
11:14 am
I’ll give you 17 reasons why the Hawks season will end tonight. The “Truth” will set you free. Go Celtics!!
MATT W
May 10th, 2012
11:15 am
GOOOO GATORS WAIT I THINK IM ON THE WRONG BLOG, I JUST LOVE READING BARK MADLEY…I MEAN MARK BRADLEYS BLOGS…HE IS MY HERO!!!!!!!!
PMC
May 10th, 2012
11:16 am
All depends on thier energy really and how much and how effectively they move the ball around.
If it’s flat footed and ISO it’s going to be a long night. If they are agressive, we’ve got a good chance.
If you can predict how they are going to play, you should be a wealthy human.
MATT W
May 10th, 2012
11:16 am
MARK BRADL3Y YOU ARE MY HERO!!!
ShawDiddi
May 10th, 2012
11:16 am
U GOTTA BELIEVE!!!!!!! Agree 100% with the article
Woffman
May 10th, 2012
11:16 am
These Hawks haven’t won a playoff game in Boston that I can remember. They have a very fragile team psyche. Boston believes they can win, the Hawks hope they can… big difference.
MATT W
May 10th, 2012
11:16 am
WAIT OR IS IT BARK MADL3Y, JUST KIDDING MARK HEHE
JOE JOHNSON
May 10th, 2012
11:18 am
I was really upset with the effort AL Horford gave Tuesday night. I was looking forward to my summer vacation.
JOE JOHNSON
May 10th, 2012
11:20 am
I am going to have a big game tonight!
ZaZa
May 10th, 2012
11:21 am
I will not be suiting up for tonights game.
realitycheck
May 10th, 2012
11:23 am
No way this veteran and playoff tested Celtics squad will blow this game. Hawks are finished and the excuses will be flying on the Bradley/Schultz blogs later tonight. The Celtics will be the hated villan for a day or two before the AJC redirects its venom back to both Nick Saban and the New Orleans Saints. Just another day in losersville USA! LOL!
Mark Bradley
May 10th, 2012
11:27 am
Won Game 5 on the parquet of the old Garden in 1988. Then lost Game 6 here and 7 there.
FRANKLIN T
May 10th, 2012
11:27 am
You gotta believe the Hawks will WIN!
hawksonlifesupport
May 10th, 2012
11:29 am
ah yes, the Bradley kiss of death….. Why could you not post an article of no hope, then they might’ve had a puncher’s chance……….
PMC
May 10th, 2012
11:29 am
It’s not about wishing or hoping. IF the Hawks come out and play agressively with lots of energy and move the ball around well they have a good chance to win.
If they are flat footed and try lots of ISO, it won’t be close.
The crowd doesn’t play.
FRANKLIN T
May 10th, 2012
11:29 am
WHAT ABOUT ANDY?
MATT W
May 10th, 2012
11:31 am
I KNOW ANDY VERY WELL…WAIT WHO IS THIS ANDY YOU SPEAK OF???
realitycheck
May 10th, 2012
11:32 am
Homer Bradley is still trying to fool the locals…….it’s his job. No way the playoff tested Celtics blow this……and we all know it. We will all see/hear the same old excuses later tonight and the Celtics will be the hated villian for a day or two before the AJC redirects the venom back to either Nick Saban or the New Orleans Saints.
MATT W
May 10th, 2012
11:33 am
I think the hawks will take it, I am a lifelong fan and you gotta believe they will do it…if not I will turn my full attention to the Braves!!!!!!!!
DePort
May 10th, 2012
11:33 am
You all forget that the Hawks gave away game 2 and 3 … and the series has changed now that our whole team is back… Lets just see what happens tonight!
MS Bully
May 10th, 2012
11:33 am
17 reasons the Hawks will lose. Look at the rafters in Boston!!
ARNOLD C
May 10th, 2012
11:35 am
It’s time for the Hawks to step up!
nate from detroit
May 10th, 2012
11:35 am
Mark, what have you been smoking? The Hawks will go to Boston and get you know what slapped back to ATL. The sad thing is that they will probably get blown out and Johnson and Smith will play and look like they could care less. I hope I’m wrong but I do not see them keeping this one within 15-20 pts.
Hawks Owner: Kevin Garnett Is The Dirtiest Guy In The League – SI.com | Amazing News
May 10th, 2012
11:38 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
ARNOLD C
May 10th, 2012
11:39 am
I hope the Hawks will shut the national media up! If they don’t it will be time for you to call them out!
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2012
11:41 am
I got really worried when I saw the headline and clicked the link fearing the Bradley kiss of death for the Hawks. Hopefully this strategy you’re using will be a winning one.
LetsGoHawks
May 10th, 2012
11:42 am
The weakest link in Boston’s stout defense is Bass.. LD!!!!! If you put Bass in Pick & Roll, Downscreens (w/ whoever he’s guarding), & backscreens situations, he will single handedly break down Boston’s defense.. I will be watching to see if any of these happen early, if so, back to ATL for Game 7!!! Go Hawks!!
Mtn Hawk
May 10th, 2012
11:46 am
Hawks winning tonight?? LOL
Spence
May 10th, 2012
11:47 am
Remember when you picked the Hawks over Orlando and then they got swept in the most embarrassing playoff series ever? Based on your article, I just took out a second mortgage on my house, sold my car, cashed in my life insurance, and am now betting against the Hawks tonight.
ATL
May 10th, 2012
11:47 am
I love reading the confidence of Atlanta sports fans… It’s sad that Atlanta sports has given us no reason to be confident.
CelticsCraig
May 10th, 2012
11:48 am
The Hawks have never come through when people start getting optimistic about their chance. The Celtics are angry and hungry….a bad combination for the Hawks. Celts 97 Hawks 78
ARNOLD C
May 10th, 2012
11:49 am
Please run the offense through Teague and not Johnson!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
11:49 am
The Hawks can win but it will be hard to overcome the Bradley Curse.
biz
May 10th, 2012
11:50 am
This century? Try this season. But then your not the only one Mark.
Trojan
May 10th, 2012
11:51 am
JJ’s bringing the ball up the court and dribbling like Bibby is not going to break down the defense. Come on LD, keep the ball in Teague’s hands and let JJ move with out the ball. Don’t worry about JJ being mad at you.
Bulldawg
May 10th, 2012
12:00 pm
Mark,
I believe in being optimistic, but I also believe in being realistic. This team has never proved it can win the big game. They are mind numbingly inconsistent. I think they will get blown out in Boston. They just don’t have the right mentality for a game like this. Horford hasn’t made a difference in past seasons in the playoffs. I can’t see him being the difference maker now.
Mark Bradley
May 10th, 2012
12:04 pm
So: If the Hawks never play the way you’d expect … what does that mean for Game 6?
Skip Called Hawks Games
May 10th, 2012
12:07 pm
1) Hawks please win at least one big game.
2) Suspend Charles Barkley.
3) Let me win the lottery.
Beliver!
May 10th, 2012
12:09 pm
Backsweep! I tell Ya!
GOHAWKS
May 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
They’ve played 8 games this season and 7 have been VERY close. Obvious advantage Boston but of course the Hawks can win this game.
Judy
May 10th, 2012
12:14 pm
I want the Hawks to win but lets get real. If they do win they are not going to beat Boston three games in a row. New owner and coach is needed and is there anyway to trade Joe?
tom
May 10th, 2012
12:17 pm
the perfect setup is here for the hawks to change their perception around the league. this is how you get respect. go hawks.
@clarkseydel
May 10th, 2012
12:21 pm
Al Horford looked shy in his come back until the second half of game four in Atlanta. I believe he once again realizes his power and the Hawks will take two in a row. We have Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague. Now THAT is a winning squad.
Eisendawg
May 10th, 2012
12:21 pm
Well, the Falcons did go to the SB, once, and Jimmy Carter was elected president, so I guess anything is possible. Maybe “Sea Biscuit” can come out of retirement and win the “Preakness” lol
Mike
May 10th, 2012
12:37 pm
This could be the last hurrah for this “core” if they lose tonight but I got a feeling that Hawks might pull it off if Joe start playing like he earned that money and everybody else is on their “A” game. C’s wants to close it out tonight, so they can get alittle bit rest before next round. Win or Go Home!
Dawgwild
May 10th, 2012
12:43 pm
Me I think Mark Bradley needs to wake up! These hawks are choke artists!
Trade Joe and let Josh go!
1988
May 10th, 2012
12:47 pm
I (like so may others) did not grow up here. When I moved to Atlanta, I came from a market without a pro basketball team, and tried to embrace the Hawks right away, with little real success. The current team (2008 to the present) has been a lot more fun to follow, and I would consider myself a fairly legitimate Hawks fan at this point. Listening to local sports talk shows and reading articles, it’s amazing how often 1988 is mentioned. I wasn’t living here then (or even all that much of an NBA fan) and for some reason, I always assumed that the Hawks lost to Boston in the Conference Finals in 1988, and that Boston then went on to win the NBA Championship.
When Mark referenced 1988 earlier in this blog, I looked up the history and realized the Hawks lost to the Celtics in the conference semi-finals, the Celtics in turn lost to the Pistons in six games, and the Lakers then beat the Pistons for the title. What this means is that the most talked-about playoff series in Atlanta Hawks history was a seven-game loss to the team that lost to the team that lost to the champions.
Thinking about that made me realize how truly special the opportunity is that the Hawks have this year. Winning tonight in Boston is a tall order, but it’s clearly not impossible. The Celtics finished with a worse record than Atlanta in the regular season for a reason, and the two teams simply aren’t that far apart in terms of talent, depth, or coaching. Win tonight and game seven is here on Saturday with all the momentum on the Hawks side. Win game seven, and you have the Sixers or the badly-injured Bulls in the next round with a real chance to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
Could it all end tonight? Sure. But if it doesn’t… maybe Atlanta fans will finally stop talking about 1988,
scjacket
May 10th, 2012
12:56 pm
make that 101 times this century.
Hawks Fan
May 10th, 2012
12:59 pm
Hawks can win…But will be tuff. I really think we need a huge game from JJ tonight. I’m talking 30+….I mean this is the type of game that a true superstar should rise up. Obviously need solid production from everybody else, but if JJ is hot, especially from 3, we have a chance.
Also, we have to hope Pierce isn’t at full strength. He looked a little “gimpy” in game 5.
kevkat
May 10th, 2012
1:04 pm
MS Bully
May 10th, 2012
11:33 am
17 reasons the Hawks will lose. Look at the rafters in Boston!!
And the reasons for 16 of what is in the rafters have either passed on or retired…
BIG AL FAN
May 10th, 2012
1:07 pm
hawks better win tonight, better not come out slow, predicting a very close game but since pierce knee is messed up Celtics will lose by one basket
DC
May 10th, 2012
1:10 pm
If everyone watches the game and has the mindset as me then you’ll be ok…
What I do is expect the Worst and if they do better than that..it isn’t as bad…if you expect Josh smith to never shoot a dumb jumper or make an errant throw…then your hair will turn grey and fall off…basically you’ll look like Jeff Schultz…
I am a hawks fan..but the players on the team sure do make it hard for me to be one…
Born2Buzz
May 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
Knowing our (ATL Fans) track record, the Hawks probably win tonight and then lose at home in Game 7.
We will still be stuck with the ASG no matter what happens. Dang.
Heisenberg
May 10th, 2012
1:25 pm
What will it take for the refs to call offensive fouls on Pierce? He either pushes off to get space for the jumper, or hooks the defender to drive around him. Somewhere Michale Irvin is smiling everytime Pierce gets off a shot.
tom
May 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
i’m going to go ahead and apologize for all 2,435,564 haters and doubters. hawks in 7!
Atl Teams = CHOKE
May 10th, 2012
1:32 pm
The Hawks WILL get blown out. We have seen this movie before, why would we expect a different ending?
Tgr
May 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
LOL. I guess that’s why they are 7 point dogs.
Celtics 92 Chokes 81
Heisenberg
May 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
Based on Hawks Cybill-like personality history, I could see them winning game 6 in Boston, only to get blown out at home in game 7.
Justin
May 10th, 2012
1:38 pm
Uhm Bulldawg, Horford did make a difference in past seasons. How do you think the Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in 2008 as an 8 seed? That was Boston’s best team ever. And last year the Hawks made it to Game 6 of the second round, which is progress over previous seasons. They were playing really well before Horford got injured, and his presence clearly made a huge difference in Game 5. Even the Boston commentators are saying as much, and pretty much saying that Horford is the main reason they’re nervous about the game tonight.
wxwax
May 10th, 2012
1:41 pm
Mark, I think you’re a great guy.
But you have the Reaper’s touch. Your picks are a jinx, I’m afraid.
Justin
May 10th, 2012
1:42 pm
a lot of negativity on this blog. The Hawks had 1 lousy game, which is an improvement on seasons past. Given their injuries, they’re about where they should be, and in decent shape to take this series.
Dewayne
May 10th, 2012
1:45 pm
Crazy how people can predict the outcome and sometimes the score. Why bother playing the game? geez the Hawks have already lost according to some of these people. The Hawks have a chance. They should have lost Game 5 to be honest. So let’s watch the game and see what happens!!!
rollo lawson
May 10th, 2012
1:45 pm
Keys to victory:
1. Shorten the bench: Heinrich, TMac, Ivan, Pargo, and Dampier. (No Willie Green)
2. Keep either Joe Johnson or Jeff Teague on the floor at all times. Same for either Josh or Al.
3. Memo to Al and especially Josh: Find the pg after a rebound or steal and just run the floor. JEFF TEAGUE IS THE PRIMARY BALL-HANDLER. HE WILL FIND YOU. START TRUSTING THE GUY!!!
4. Did I mention, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN!!!
5. No jump shots Josh please. Establish you inside game early, then take it outside if you must.
6. Memo to Drew. Run plays to get Joe off early. I ain’t talking about ISO-Joe either. Get him in his sweet spot (inside the lane).
7. Destroy Boston on the glass.
8. Teague, take it to Rondo’s arse!! Be aggressive early and often.
9. Weather the early storm!!
10. And overall, PLAY SMART!! That goes for you too Larry Drew. COACH SMART!!!
GT
May 10th, 2012
1:47 pm
Al Horford knows how to play with Teague. They are working to get each other open. Horford rolls and the defense either leaves him to guard Teague driving or stays with Horford giving Teague the tear drop he is so good at hitting. Too bad it came so late. Smith and Johnson draw all the attention so the real show is in the middle with Teague and Horford. Boston will guard the middle more tonight leaving Smith and Johnson wide open some. The problem with Smith is he won’t drive it to the middle he will take that lazy three point shot with 15 seconds left on the clock and Johnson looks like he is ill this series.
Justin
May 10th, 2012
1:55 pm
I like your points rollo but if you shorten the bench, you don’t play 10 players. There’s no need for Pargo to step on the floor in a game like this. Dampier should play less than 8 minutes unless there’s foul trouble. I’d give Tmac one run in the second qtr and see what he can do with it. He’s not really done anything since he turned his ankle. It would be nice to put Ivan for some hard fouls and to get under their skin some.
Trade Josh Smith
May 10th, 2012
1:56 pm
rollo lawson
If 3 and 5 happen we have a great chance…especially 3…it was so frustrating watching us get stops and turnovers last game only to have the bigs dribble the ball up court and get it stolen from them. Complete momentum stopper.
bfred
May 10th, 2012
1:56 pm
The post-monster ate my last effort, so I’ll try again and apologize in advance if the first one shows up later…
What does an athletic younger team do against an older opponent? Run them out of the gym! These 80-point games are ridiculous. Slowing the pace and trying to grind out wins plays right to the Celtics’ strengths. Push it up on every possession, run the floor! We’ll have them winded halfway through the third quarter PLUS we have the stronger bench.
Jonathan
May 10th, 2012
1:57 pm
Mark, didn’t you write the same article before the Falcons played the Giants this year in the playoffs? Did the Celtics owner pay you to write this piece?
Heisenberg
May 10th, 2012
2:05 pm
It is not so much as shortening the bench as quickly determining who off the bench can be effective. I would use Collins over Dampier as he has shown some effectiveness in the series making KG work for points. As for the backup wing players, at various times each of them has carried the second unit and each has stunk it up. Find out early who has it and get who does not have it off the floor.
rollo lawson
May 10th, 2012
2:08 pm
Justin, I noticed that. I meant to leave Pargo off. We dont need Ivan to shoot jumpers either. Just bang, defend, rebound, and intimidate. If he can’t do that, bring in Damp.
rollo lawson
May 10th, 2012
2:10 pm
Jason Collins should be in street clothes this game. Activate Stackhouse!
DawginLex
May 10th, 2012
2:26 pm
In a word
NO
heartofdarkness
May 10th, 2012
2:55 pm
Look for Fred MacMurray in the stands tonight, and a ball that bounces funny.
Larry
May 10th, 2012
3:02 pm
Mark,
With all due respect, I really don’t believe that you truly believe this.
IceColdATLien
May 10th, 2012
3:09 pm
MB: Make sure you stand by your current reasoning if there comes a game 7… because they would be expected to win that game, so I expect you to pick them to lose that one.
KJB
May 10th, 2012
3:11 pm
Enter your comments here
Bulldawg
May 10th, 2012
3:17 pm
Justin,
My point was that Horford has not made a difference getting the Hawks to the semis and beyond – the level where a team with this much talent should get to. I don’t think it will happen this year either.
As far as the 2008 Celtics team being the best ever, I’d have to respectfully disagree. I’ve followed the Celtics since the 70’s. I think some of the 80’s teams with Larry Bird, Ainge, Johnson, McHale, and Parrish would take the 2008 team in a seven game series. Those guys could play.
KJB
May 10th, 2012
3:24 pm
ATTENTION HAWKS: If you want to win tonight, play smart at all times….Josh please work down low & don’t even look at the 3point line…..Joe please no Iso & be more aggressive…..Teague please run Rondo crazy……need to not dribble so much, that’s what Boston wants anyway, move the ball around until you find the open man…..moving without the ball gives whoever has the ball a chance to find the open man (the Hawks biggest problem), stop standing around, I fought LD for that…..Al keep being Al…..Marvin take down low sometimes……Coach Drew learn how to mix it up every now & then, pay attention to Doc, T-Mac can run with some of the starters sometimes….Coach smart & the Hawks can when tonight….I promise if they follow this!!!!
TheFalcon
May 10th, 2012
3:40 pm
MB, What are you thinking? This was far from a positive article? I thought you were going to give some real meat as to why the Hawks might win tonight but instead..sounds like a pipe dream. Please give us some real meat to work with!
ZaZa GoneFoolYa
May 10th, 2012
4:08 pm
Mark my words: We WILL win this game tonight. Al will go bananas, Josh will go berzerk, Joe will go mildly insane, realize it, and then revert back to the personality of a 100 year old oak tree, Jeff will posterize Rondo, and Marvin will, well, just be Marvin..Let’s go HAWKS!!!
DEE
May 10th, 2012
4:29 pm
Hawks pull it off….and suprisingly by more than 6 pts……Stranger things have happened…this is Lebron’s year….so no matter who wins…they gonna get HEATED up but I see the Hawks squeaking to the Conference finals…..sorry Haters…..but remember I called it….
Bradley Curse
May 10th, 2012
4:55 pm
“Me, I think the Hawks have a real chance to steal Game 6″
really testing the waters with that one title ……
me thinks, if Hawks steal Game 6, Hawks fans need to start gearing themselves up for a really huge letdown game #7, “Here’s what we do: Game 6, we elevate you to a high where we make you think we can do anything this year then BOOM! Game 7 …. let down game and we’re talking potential blowout type stuff here”
Double Zero Eight
May 10th, 2012
5:02 pm
The best the Hawks can hope for is to keep the
game close. It will be a “moral victory: in their
minds if they lose by single digits, and Sund will
put his spin on things about what will happen
next year..
I expect the Hawks to fall behind by double digits
in the first quarter and never recover. They will be
intimidated by the crowd and the banners hanging
in the arena.
I hope that I am wrong.
ZaZa GoneFoolYa
May 10th, 2012
5:07 pm
Hawks will win 89 – 79 tonight. Just playing..They will win 90 – 79…
Felix
May 10th, 2012
5:23 pm
These Atlanta Hawks win at Boston?
Mark, have you been smoking weed?
Columbus
May 10th, 2012
5:49 pm
Wish Zaza was playing. He gets under Garnett’s skin and plays him physical and with Al in the lineup, the Hawks would win the series. Zaza’s game is perfect for the playoffs and is sorely missed. Hawks can still win with defense and running the Celtics out the building but will they do it?
Paul in NH
May 10th, 2012
5:55 pm
Justin
May 10th, 2012
1:38 pm
Uhm Bulldawg, Horford did make a difference in past seasons. How do you think the Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in 2008 as an 8 seed? That was Boston’s best team ever.
—–
The 2008 team were the best Celtics ever? Really??
Better than Bird, McHale, Parrish, Johnson, Ainge and Walton?
Better than Russell, Heinsohn, Jones and Jones?
Pete
May 10th, 2012
6:17 pm
Delusional to think a Hawks team could win in a place like Boston in a “must” situation.
Better chance seeing Ga. State defeating UGA in football………..for the national championship.
CamiloAtlanta
May 10th, 2012
7:02 pm
Win or lose, we all know heartbreak is there waiting. The question isn’t if we lose, it’s when? Yes, I’ve seen this movie a thousand times.
The Fat Lady
May 10th, 2012
7:17 pm
I sing tonight.
BravesFan79
May 10th, 2012
8:31 pm
Hawks will take tnights game and force game 7!
Bigguy
May 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
Doc Rivers is fugly
Spinniker
May 10th, 2012
9:11 pm
LOL, Celts went on a 16-0 run, the hawks are pathetic. Joe Johnson’s play is proving that he is not worth that $100 mili he got, sad!
amondi
May 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
the hawks will choke away another round 1 series. It’s loserville again in THE ATL! Rise up!
Bigguy
May 10th, 2012
9:57 pm
Mike crapello should shut his trap
Joe
May 10th, 2012
10:11 pm
The Hawks have no heart.. and this starts …. at the head. Ownership, coach, and then our 121 million dollar man.. all heartless. blow it up.. if it can be done before teh announce twooooo minuuuutes in the gaden, all the better
Bradley Curse
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
“Me, I think the Hawks have a real chance to steal Game 6″
mmmm … nope, wrong again
Dwayne C
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
“The Hawks have never come through when people start getting optimistic about their chance”
-CelticsCraig
^Spoken for truth! The Atlanta Hawks have a decent team. They also are no closer to winning an NBA championship now than anytime in the past. Period.
cdbgolf
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
once they took the lead 79- 76 they played not to lose.The took all the air out and dribbled the shot clock all the way down till they had to force up a crappy shot.Same ole same ole Hawks!!!!
Bradley Curse
May 10th, 2012
10:48 pm
“They also are no closer to winning an NBA championship now than anytime in the past”
just need to face facts, in all sports you have teams that might one 1 championship game in 100 years (some worse than that). I think the Hawks fall into this group
Jackson B
May 10th, 2012
11:20 pm
Was an admirable effort near the end, but they fell back into their old habits…standing around and dribbling, running the shot clock down, and then taking poor shots, especially at critical times. Our half court game continues to be lame. And our guys simply show no passion. Except for Horford. It is unfortunate that he was the one to miss the free throw at the end. Bet he’ll feel much worse about that than either Iso-J or Smith.
Celtic Pride
May 11th, 2012
12:11 am
The bottom line is this….The Hawks just weren’t a great team. Every Celtic fan out there got a big smile on their face every time Josh Smith would take a 20ft jump shot…..it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he doesn’t shoot well from the outside. Good luck with your summer hobbies Hawk player…..you’re average at best!
PMC
May 11th, 2012
12:31 am
and the Bradley curse holds true. Why not write an article about the future success of Michael Gearon or something and get some use out of this ability.
Please get the ASG bums completely totally out of town never too return. They have been worse than Sherman.
James
May 11th, 2012
6:20 am
Yeah…Another Atlanta team not advancing in the playoffs….and the Atlanta media telling all of us…I think they can win game 6..Haha!
Topher
May 11th, 2012
7:35 am
While the owner is certainly entitled to his opinion, he poked the Bear with his comments on Garnett, and the Big Ticket sent the Hawks packing. His comment about all of the Hawks injuries was also misguided- every team has them- heck, the Celtics lost their starting center and had two key players need heart surgery during the season- top that. Also two things we don’t need to do in Boston- have the PA tell us when to cheer (the “lets go Hawks” in the silent highlight factory is embarrassing) and we don’t send the confetti down until we win it all (as opposed to wining a first round game)
PMC
May 11th, 2012
9:25 am
You don’t have to do anything in Boston because the Celtics have won half of the NBA titles in the league Topher.
The Hawks during thier history in this town have never advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Hard to have fans when there are scarcely any marketable players on the team.
ArthurSinclair
May 11th, 2012
12:44 pm
When the Hawks had the lead 79-76, not only did they play not to lose, but they didnt box out the Celtics and let the celtics get offensive rebounds, which killed our chances of winning. Had we grabbed the rebound and scored, the score would have gone up to 81-86 and the hawks would have hung on and forced game 7. Then in game 7 on their home floor, the hawks would have won the series and moved on to the next series against the 76ers.