Februar 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks general manager Rick Sund said he expects the team's core group to remain intact after the Feb. 18 trade deadline. "People are talking about us as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and that's what we strive for," Sund said Monday. "If there is something out there that will make us better, we'll look at it. Do I anticipate [a trade]? No, I don't." Sund wouldn't discuss specifics about trade chatter, but keeping the core together would rule out any trade involving Joe Johnson, who can become a free agent after the season. The other core players (in descending order of 2009-10 salary) include Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Al Horford. The Hawks ..."
Februar 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The postponement of the Hawks' game at Washington on Saturday might eventually force them to play on three straight nights but they might have caught a break in the short term. As it turns out, Joe Johnson likely wouldn't have made the trip to D.C. Saturday due to flu-like symptoms. Also, Zaza Pachulia's nagging left hip injury is flaring up. "It could be a blessing in disguise," Woody said of the postponement due to snowstorms in the D.C. region. Pachulia sat out practice today and Johnson stayed home. Both players are questionable to play Tuesday at Memphis. Woody said J.J. would be reevaluated on Monday. He said if Johnson doesn't travel with the team to Memphis on Monday he could ..."
Februar 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Increasingly it looks as if the Magic, not the Celtics, will be the Hawks' main competition for the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. And that's not just because the Hawks already swept the Celtics and are 0-3 against the Magic. The Celtics are starting to show their age as injuries pile up. Their bullying tactics fell flat in losses to the Magic and the Hawks. Then point guard Rajon Rondo hinted at chemistry issues, which seemed unfathomable when Boston won the 2008 title and nearly made the East finals last season without Kevin Garnett. Clearly the Celtics have slipped. "You don't feel like it's the same continuity and camaraderie in the locker room as it was the first ..."
Februar 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Just got word from Hawks PR man Arthur Triche that the league has postponed the team's scheduled game tonight at Washington due to the snow storm affecting the D.C. region. The Wizards are stranded in Orlando after playing the Magic last night, and the Hawks' flight did not leave as scheduled following last night's 91-81 victory over Chicago."
Februar 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Among those disappointed to see Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk get traded was perhaps the Thrashers' tallest fan, Hawks center Zaza Pachulia . The two athletes and their families are friends, attending the others' games at Philips Arena. "He wanted me to stay here [when Pachulia was a free agent last summer], and I wanted the same for him," Pachulia said. "We both understand it's a business, and I hope that he's going to find his home and he'll be happy wherever he goes to.""
Februar 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Josh Smith won't be an All-Star this season, but he gave more evidence Friday night that his time is coming. As has become increasingly common this season, Smith did a little bit of everything for the Hawks, racking up his second career triple-double in the Hawks' 91-81 win over Chicago at Philips Arena. "Phenomenal," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Josh Smith has probably been our MVP. I just wish he would've made that All-Star team because he has played like an All-Star this year for us." Smith tallied 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, getting his 10th assist with 2:10 left in the fourth quarter on guard Mike Bibby's 3-pointer. "It was big," Smith said. "It feels better getting a ..."
Februar 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks obviously have ambitions beyond the second round of the playoffs, but they have a Dwight Howard Problem. They can't guard him. The Orlando center scored 31 points and had 19 rebounds in a 104-86 victory against Atlanta last week and Rashard Lewis, the Magic's swingman, pushed a needle in the Hawks. "They don't have anybody who can guard Dwight inside," Lewis told the Orlando Sentinel. It was a taunt that could resonate throughout the rest of the season. The Hawks, no matter how good they may become, face a wall they cannot climb. So do the Hawks have a short future in April? Mike Woodson, whose team entertains Chicago Friday night, has more than 20 years of NBA experience as a ..."
Februar 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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- Blog commenter TheZaZaGuy said it pretty well: "I was at the game. Kind of worried, but we pulled it out. Basically, we're just better." - Better offensively, at least, on this night. The Hawks talked about how defense got them back in it, and that's true when you look at the 11 points off seven turnovers in the second half. - Still, after halftime the Clippers scored 51 points, shot 46 percent and had 16 rebounds (six offensive). The Hawks were just better with 62 points, 55 percent shooting and 17 rebounds (two offensive). - The game was low energy from the start all around: Hawks, Clippers, Philips and press row. Both teams played the night before and maybe the fans did, too? - No ..."
Februar 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The typical energy-and-effort excuse wasn't going to fly for the Hawks on Wednesday night, even if they did lose at Oklahoma City the night before. The Clippers were playing a back-to-back, too, and theirs came at the end of an eight-game, 15-day road trip. They also are one of the worst road teams in the NBA, and the Hawks needed a victory after losing two consecutive games on the road. That explains why boos rained down in Philips Arena as the Clippers outworked the sluggish Hawks for most of three quarters. It took the Hawks until late in the third quarter, but they finally got the message and came to life late for a 103-97 victory. The Hawks avoided a potentially dispiriting loss and ..."
Februar 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Things are different now for Hawks guard Mike Bibby. His minutes are down to a career-low average and so it follows that his other numbers are, too. He's not a primary scorer. He's not even the finishing point guard some nights. This is after Bibby, 31, signed a three-year contract before the season. "I didn't expect it," Bibby said, "but whatever Coach wants me to do, I'm going to go out there and do it. I'm not out there trying to score 20 points. I'm just trying to get the team into the flow of the game." Bibby's assists are up a bit on a per-minute basis. And he said of a recent shooting slump: "Mostly it was just confidence. Once you miss a couple like that, you start to aim and you ..."
Februar 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It's not exactly pleasing to the eye when Hawks guard Joe Johnson dominates the ball, makes a move to the basket and misses as his teammates watch. When "Iso-Joe" doesn't work late in games, it looks bad. But what about when it work? Johnson showed the potential beauty in the strategy when he scored 16 fourth-quarter points last Friday to help the Hawks beat the Celtics for a season sweep. Johnson made seven shots in the period against the Celtics and none were assisted. "They isolated us all game," Celtics forward Paul Pierce said. "They've done that all four games and they've beaten us all four games." That's no coincidence to Celtics coach Doc Rivers. He said Johnson's and Jamal ..."
Februar 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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I heard an amazing thing Friday night at Philips Arena: The Hawks' best player got the ball with the game on the line, and some in the crowd groaned and started yelling, "Pass the ball, Joe!" I've never considered Joe Johnson a selfish player. I've noted many times how well he and Mike Bibby play off one another. But things are changing, and Bibby isn't on the floor as much. (He worked nine minutes and made one basket in Friday's victory over the Celtics.) More and more it's Johnson and Jamal Crawford paired at game's end, and there are times — against Oklahoma City on MLK Day, against the Celtics over the weekend — when Johnson ducks his head and goes one-on-five. It didn't work against ..."
Februar 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Mike Woodson narrowly missed a chance to lead the Eastern Conference team in the NBA All-Star Game. Orlando's victory over Detroit Sunday means Magic coach Stan Van Gundy will direct the East in the Feb. 14 game in Arlington, Texas. Orlando (32-16) clinched the second-best record in the East through January, behind Cleveland (38-11)."
Januar 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After Jamal Crawford burned Boston on Friday despite Kendrick Perkins' warning that Boston "put a hit out on him," the Celtics center approached Crawford and offered praise, not trash talk. "He said I should have been an All-Star," Crawford said. "I was like, 'Thanks, man.' " Hawks coach Mike Woodson had lobbied for coaches to vote Crawford to the All-Star team along with Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith. Johnson and Horford made it; Smith and Crawford didn't. Crawford was a long shot to make the team because he doesn't start. But the comments from Perkins and Boston forward Paul Pierce, who also said Crawford should have made it, made Crawford think. "There was so much hype about ..."
Januar 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There was so much out there for the Hawks to take. With a win against the Magic on Saturday night, they would increase their Southeast Division lead over Orlando and their lead over Boston for No. 2 in the Eastern Conference. Coach Mike Woodson would coach the East All-Stars, and a 3-1 record in a tough week would further establish the Hawks among the East elite. Instead, Dwight Howard took it all away. The Hawks couldn't stop the Magic's All-Star center in the decisive third quarter and lost 104-86 at Amway Arena. It was the Hawks' third loss in three games against the Magic this season and sixth consecutive overall. Orlando (31-16) regained the Southeast lead by one-half game over the ..."
Januar 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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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 ..."
Januar 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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All-Stars Joe Johnson and Al Horford weren't the main topic for Celtics coach Doc Rivers when he talked to his team before they played the Hawks on Friday night. Instead, he was concerned about Hawks reserve guard Jamal Crawford, who had "toasted" the Celtics in the three previous Boston losses to the Hawks. "He owns us," Rivers told his team. Kendrick Perkins, Boston's tough-guy center, took that as a call to action against Crawford. "We put a hit out on him today," Perkins said before the game. "Doc said somebody's got to step up and stop him." Maybe someone will do it in the playoffs. The Celtics never found an answer for Crawford while losing all four regular-season games to the Hawks ..."
Januar 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks forward Josh Smith was included on many lists of so-called "snubs" after he wasn't one of the seven All-Star reserves selected by a vote of Eastern Conference coaches. But Smith said he's not upset. "The people around me, my family and friends, are more mad about it than me," Smith said Friday. Among the East forwards selected, Boston's Paul Pierce and Toronto's Chris Bosh are established stars, and that tends to win them the benefit of any doubts. But the other reserve forward, Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, will play in his first All-Star game. Smith said Wallace deserved the honor."
Januar 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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NBA Eastern Conference coaches voted Hawks guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford to the All-Star team, the league announced tonight. The Hawks last had two All-Stars in the same year in 1998, when Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith both made the team. It's the fourth straight All-Star selection for Johnson but the first for Horford. The Hawks selected Horford with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Florida and he's already an All-Star at age 23. "It's like a dream come true for me," he said. "When you're playing basketball as a kid, you envision yourself making it to the NBA. And once you make it to this level, you work so hard to get to an All- Star level. "It's just a ..."
Januar 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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NBA Eastern Conference coaches voted Hawks guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford to the All-Star team, an NBA source confirmed today. It's the fourth straight All-Star selection for Johnson and the first for Horford. The Hawks last had two All-Stars in the same year in 1998, when Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith both made the team."
Januar 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When it came time to promote their players for the All-Star team, the Hawks didn't go with clever campaign materials or media blitzes. Hawks coach Mike Woodson simply sent letters to his fellow Eastern Conference coaches making the case for guard Joe Johnson, forward Josh Smith, center Al Horford and even reserve Jamal Crawford, who is a long shot to be selected. The coaches' votes are in, and seven reserves each for the East and West teams are to be announced at 7 p.m. Thursday on TNT. In the letters, Woodson highlighted how the players have helped lift the Hawks to the top of the Southeast Division. Woodson said he has no idea if it will make a difference in getting his players to ..."
Januar 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In about the same time it takes Tony Parker to drive to the basket, those stories about the slumping Spurs and streaking Hawks were outdated. After the Spurs ran the Hawks out of the AT"
Januar 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The main focus for the Hawks is to finish the week with the Southeast Division lead, but there's also another carrot out there. If the Hawks are in second place in the Eastern Conference after Sunday, Hawks coach Mike Woodson would coach the East team at the Feb. 14 All-Star game. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is ineligible since he coached in the game last season. The Hawks started the week tied with Orlando for third in the East and one-half game behind Boston for second. Miami is far behind those three teams so either Woodson, Boston's Doc Rivers or Orlando's Stan Van Gundy will coach the East All-Stars."
Januar 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Rockets coach Rick Adelman feared it might happen just like this. Before his team faced the Hawks Monday night, Adelman said the visitors are not only athletic but boasted skilled one-on-one scorers. He also worried about the Hawks getting out in the open floor to spark big runs. The Hawks proceeded to show what he meant. The Rockets try to win with scrappiness but their overachieving formula was no match for the Hawks when they are scoring like this. The Hawks overwhelmed the Rockets with Adelman's premonition in a 102-95 victory at the Toyota Center. Josh Smith scored 22 points with 10 rebounds, Joe Johnson added 20 and Jamal Crawford added another 17 off the bench. They led by ..."
Januar 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Joe Johnson was talking the other night about how the Hawks twice allowed Charlotte to get back in the game. He was looking down searching for the words to describe their inconsistent effort, their stagnant offense, their fickle focus . . . and then he seemed to catch himself and suddenly looked up to make his point. "This is the NBA, man" Johnson said. "That happens." In other words, it's hard to always be dominant. It's difficult to get good opponents down and keep them there. It's not easy to always be up. It's impossible to go all out all the time. Even Woody softened his assessment of the Hawks over the course of the 4-1 homestand, from "we are still trying to learn how to win at a ..."
Januar 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mike Woodson insisted he didn't take a peek. "No," the Hawks coach said, smiling, "but I know it's there." Marvin Williams didn't, either. "I haven't," Williams said, "but I've heard about it from one of the assistants." It's here now: Monday night at Houston starts a demanding four-game stretch for the Hawks as they try to stay at the top of the Southeast Division and keep pace with the Eastern Conference elite. After facing the Rockets, the Hawks play at San Antonio on Wednesday, return home to face the Celtics on Friday and then play at Orlando on Saturday. Houston is the kind of tough, high-effort team that can give the Hawks problems. The Spurs are 12-4 against East opponents despite ..."
Januar 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Soon after the Hawks dispatched the Bobcats, the Boston Celtics defeated Portland in overtime to stay at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference by a half game over the Hawks. More efforts like this from the Hawks, and it might not be long before the Hawks move past the Celtics for good. The Hawks staggered the Bobcats by shooting over them and running past them for a 103-89 victory at Philips Arena. The Hawks finished their homestand 4-1 and ended Charlotte's win streak at six. The Hawks now prepare to face a brutal schedule next week. They play at San Antonio on Monday, at Houston on Wednesday, return home to face Boston on Friday and play at Orlando on Saturday and go into that stretch with ..."
Januar 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mario West says he didn't keep track of the days left until his first Hawks contract expired. "I was just trying to live in the moment," he said. That approach worked, with the Hawks signing him to a second 10-day contract Friday, so West doesn't plan to worry about his next deal, either. Under NBA rules, after the second 10-day contract expires the Hawks can retain West only by signing him for the remainder of the season. "If you think about the time and all that, you start to stress," he said. "I am grateful for whatever time I have here.""
Januar 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks are set to sign Mario West to a second 10-day contract. West, a Douglas County and Georgia Tech product, has appeared in four games since signing on Jan. 12 and is averaging 7.8 minutes per game. He played in 117 games for the Hawks from 2007-09. When West signed, Woody said "I'm not scared to throw him in the game and he has to defend the best player on the opposing team," and West drew an extended assignment against Thunder forward Kevin Durant in the Hawks' 94-91 loss on Monday."
Januar 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Let's start with a couple doses of perspective. First, the Hawks have won 27 games halfway through the season. They are within a half game of Boston for No. 2 in the East. It doesn't mean they shouldn't be better. It does mean any discussion of Woody's rotation has to be viewed through that prism. You can argue about who should be playing more and when but remember the Hawks are doing pretty dang good. Second, all bench players want to play more, and starters usually tend not to want the bench players to take their minutes. Notice how J.J. responded after the reserves sparked the Hawks to that victory over the Kings Wednesday night. Wasn't it nice to be able to rest while the second unit ..."
Januar 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There was a time when there was no question that Joe Johnson would take the important shots late in games for the Hawks. "I was going to take it regardless," Johnson said. But Jamal Crawford took (and made) the last shot against Phoenix on Friday, after a play called for Johnson didn't materialize. Then Crawford attempted (and missed) a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer against Oklahoma City on Monday after a play called for Mike Bibby wasn't there. That's two games where the Hawks' All-Star guard watched someone else try to win the game, but Johnson said he's OK with it. "The plays are not getting fully executed," he said. "Not that that's a bad thing. It's nothing against Jamal. He ..."
Januar 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Mike Woodson paced the sidelines, frustrated that his starters seemed a step behind the Kings and befuddled when they didn't go to the right spots on the floor. Meanwhile, Woodson's bench players watched and eagerly awaited their chance. "The way we started, on the bench it's something we discussed is to try to get in there and bring some energy on the defensive end, first of all, and let the offense handle itself," said reserve forward Joe Smith. Eventually Woodson leaned heavily on his bench players, and they helped the Hawks turn back the Kings 108-97 on Wednesday night at Philips Arena. Reserves Jamal Crawford, Mo Evans, and Zaza Pachulia were key to holding off ..."
Januar 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Al Horford's practice regimen is a little bit like his game: methodical but effective. Before or after Hawks practices, Horford puts up dozens of shots from different spots on the floor. Assistant coach Tyrone Hill and usually another assistant or staffer shag rebounds and pass to him. The sessions typically last about 45 minutes. Sometimes, Horford takes several shots in a row from one spot on the floor, like the baseline or the elbows. Other times he shoots from two spots, shuttling back and forth between shots. The jump shot is always the same - feet squared to the basket, the slight lift, the high release and the held follow-through. He also rehearses his repertoire of moves at the ..."
Januar 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Put this one in the NBA conspiracy-theory files under "Hawks vs. James, LeBron." The NBA on Tuesday denied the Hawks' protest of their Dec. 30 loss at Cleveland, ruling that a shot-clock error did not have a "clear impact" on the outcome of Cleveland's 106-101 victory. The Hawks protested the result after the shot clock failed to reset on a Hawks' defensive rebound with 1:57 to play, leaving about 12 seconds on the shot clock. The Hawks, leading by a point, rushed the ensuing possession once they realized the shot clock did not reset. They turned the ball over, and Cleveland subsequently took the lead. NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement that the clock error "did not have a ..."