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Atlanta Hawks 2010-2011 Schedule Announced

2010-08-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

By:Lakisha "KB" Brooks

The National Basketball Association has announced the new 2010-2011 schedule. The Hawks, who finished third in the Eastern Conference last season, and were bounced in the second round against the Orlando Magic, are looking for another winning season.

The Hawks will face its first conference test on November 8th against the Orlando Magic. The Magic rolled over the Hawks last season in the second round of the playoffs, winning the series 4-0. Other key games include three match ups against the Boston Celtics, which the Hawks beat four times last year. The Hawks will face, the "superteam",the Miami Heat in the preseason on October 21, and again in the regular season on December 4th, January 18th, March 18th and April 11th. On November 25th,Thanksgiving day, the Hawks will showdown against the Washington Wizards.

The Hawks are looking to improve its win total for the seventh straight year.

In the off-season, the Hawks resigned free agent Joe Johnson, and hired assistant coach, Larry Drew, as its new head coach, after the team opted not to re-sign Mike Woodson's contract, which ended on May 17, 2010.

For a complete list of the Atlanta Hawks schedule please visit:

http://www.nba.com/hawks/schedule/

What's Next For Joe Johnson?

2010-05-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of turner.com

By: Lakisha "KB" Brooks
With the embarrassing performance in the second round of the NBA playoffs, many questions surround the Atlanta Hawks. As Mike Woodson’s tenure with the team came to an end this week, some ask, who else will go, and who will stay? Many wonder the fate of all-star guard, Joe Johnson. Johnson arrived in Atlanta from Phoenix in 2005, and became a perennial all-star. In five seasons with the Hawks, Johnson has averaged 21.9 points per game, made the Eastern Conference All-Star team the last four years, and was even a starter for this year’s game. He has helped the Hawks improve its total wins each of the last five years. This season found the Hawks with its best record since the 1996-97 season. In addition, Johnson was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Though Johnson has received a number of awards and accolades while in Atlanta, he has also had his fair share of criticism. He is constantly accused of not being "tough"enough, and some believe he is not clutch and is incapable of being a leader and true superstar. Johnson came up fire for his comments regarding the Atlanta fans booing the team in Game 3. "They don’t bother me," Johnson said. "It’s about us in the locker room. We could care less if they showed up or not." He did later go on to apologize for his comments, but perhaps, the damage has already been done. Johnson heard a number of boos in Game 4 from the home crowd. So with a damaged relationship with the city of Atlanta, what is next for Joe Johnson? He is a free agent this summer, along with superstars such as, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. Johnson did not make a good case for himself against the Magic, as he averaged 12.75 in the series. Only time will tell where he ends up. Sources says Chicago is looking to sign Johnson.

MAGIC PERFORM FINAL DISAPPEARING ACT

2010-05-11T19:13:00.001-07:00

Atlanta, GA- by Michael "DTA" Leder

The post season has come to a sudden and dissapointing halt. Monday was the final game of the 09-10 season for the Atlanta Hawks. The Orlando Magic proved to be too much for our boys, completing the four game sweep of the series in Phillips, a place the Hawks have dominated for the past 3 seasons. As much as I would like to say it was a good series, it wasn't. It wasn't even close. It wasn't close any of the four games. Atlanta lost every game by an average deficit of more than 25 points; making the series deficit over 100 points in favor of the Magic.

How could you expect much more with a depressing 37 percent field goal average for Atlanta? Perhaps the Hawks should have given up their third seed position before the post season started, maybe then they would have put up a better fight in their usual underdog postion. Coming off of their best regular season in years the Hawks still found themselves struggling on the road, and in the second round. Atlanta fans face a crucial off-season this year with star players Joe Johson and Josh Smith turning free-agents. Mike Woodson will have some tough decisons to make in order to get our boys back in the playoff picture for the fourth year running.

Hawks Get Crushed at Home

2010-05-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

By:Lakisha "KB"Brooks
Atlanta, GA

After falling 0-2 on the road, the Hawks came back home to Atlanta looking to get a boost of confidence from the home crowd. The Hawks finished the 2010 season with a 34-7 home record. Home court advantage has also helped the Hawks in the playoffs in the last couple of seasons.
However, in Game 3 against the Magic, not even the home crowd could help the Hawks, as the fell in Game 3 75-105.

Dwight Howard returned to his hometown to have a monstrous game. He finished with 21 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. The Hawks had no answer for Howard and the Magic, even early in the game.

The Hawks did not show up and found themselves down in the first quarter, with the Magic leading 28-18 at the end of the quarter. The Magic had seven different players score in the second quarter, including J.J. Reddick, who has been unproductive thus far, and rookie Ryan Anderson. The Hawks only managed to score 15 points in the second quarter. The Magic's surge in the second quarter led to a 52-33 halftime lead. The Hawks fans were so unimpressed with the hometown team they booed as the Hawks left for the locker room. When asked about the crowd's booing, Hawks Joe Johnson responded, "They don't bother me," Johnson said. "It's about us in this locker room. We could care less if they showed up or not." Johnson finished the game 3 for 15 from the field with 8 points. The Hawks did have a better scoring half in the third and fourth quarters;however, they continued the rely heavily on jump shots, which were not falling. This led to the Magic extending their lead, winning by 30.

The Hawks' awful play led to teammates calling each other out. Al Horford questioned his teammates' effort. Many question All-Star Joe Johnson, who is averaging 12 points per game in this series. Johnson is a free agent this summer. Sixth man of the Year Jamal Crawford managed to finish the game with 22 points. The Hawks are facing elimination in Game 4.

Hawks Get Blown Out in Game 1

2010-05-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

By:Lakisha "KB" Brooks
Atlanta, GA

After winning convincingly in game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks, most believed the Hawks would come out in the second round in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic ready to play and on the top of their game. They did just that, but for only the first quarter. The Hawks displayed one of worst performances in Hawks playoff history losing to the Magic 114-71. In the first quarter, the Hawks come out the gate ready to play and looking like the team from Game 7 against the Bucks. The teams were virtually shot for shot in the first quarter, the Hawks even had a three point lead early in the quarter. The first quarter ended with the Magic leading the Hawks 25-23. Early in the second quarter, The Hawks and Magic were tied at 27-27. This was the last time it was close. The Magic then went on a 17-0 run and finished the half with a 53-33 lead on the visiting Hawks. The second half fared no better for Hawks, as they scored only 11 points in the third quarter and settled for a number of jump shots. This led to commanding 85-44 Magic lead after three quarters. The Hawks did manage to scored 27 points in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as they lost 71-114. The 43 point loss is the worst in playoff history for the Hawks. The Hawks showed no heart and no will and want to win, according to many. They shot a lousy 34 percent from the field and were outrebounded 53-35. The Hawks' regular season leading scorer, Joe Johnson only scored 10 points, and Sixth Man of the Year, Jamal Crawford shot an awful 1 for 11 from the field and scored only five points. This was an embarrassing game for all associated with the Atlanta Hawks. While they were 1-3 against the Magic in the regular season, and the average margin of defeat for the Hawks versus the Magic was 22.3, we really did not expect this type of performance in Game 1. I thought with the addition of Jamal Crawford, the Hawks really had a chance to make a run for the Eastern Conference Finals; however, with the play from Game 1, I will have to reconsider. This may be a short series for the Magic. If the Hawks do not regroup, they may be looking at another second round sweep. The Cavaliers swept the Hawks last season in the second round of the playoffs.

ROAD WIN PUSHES GAME 7

2010-05-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA, GA- by Michael Leder

The first round of the playoffs haven't gone quite as expected for our boys. We all assumed that Atlanta would win the first two games in Phillips, but what we didn't expect was that we would be seeing a game 6, or 7 for that matter. Game five was a serious wake up call in a 87-91 loss at home, a game that Joe Johnson called "embarrassing." The Hawks-Bucks series is the only first round playoff match in the NBA finals this year left to be decided.

Playoff road games have been a lingering pain for the Hawks over their past 3 trips to the post season and until Friday night, that hadn't changed. Facing elimination and trailing at halftime, the Hawks dominated the 2nd half allowing just 11 points in the third quarter. Jamal Crawford, who was recently named the NBA's 6th Man of the year, earned the top scoring spot with 24 points. The game finished with the Bucks scoring just 69 points, a series low.

This leaves the Hawks with a decisive game 7, thankfully in Atlanta. While claimed as an underdog, the Bucks have proven themselves a serious contender in the series, winning 3 games in a row. The Hawks have anything but a easy game and need to play as such if they wish to continue their post season dreams past Sunday.

Crawford Wins Sixth Man of the Year

2010-04-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

After getting to the playoffs after 11 seasons, Atlanta Hawks’ Jamal Crawford, received another treat this year-The Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Crawford received 580 of 610 points and collected 100 out of 122 first place votes. Mavericks’ guard Jason Terry and Cavaliers’ forward Anderson Varejao also received votes, finishing second and third in the voting.

Crawford was acquired in a trade last summer from the Golden State Warriors for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton. The Seattle native had the season of his career averaging 18.0 points per game, second on the Hawks behind only All-Star Joe Johnson, who averaged 21.3 points per game. His 18.0 points per game led the league for all non-starters. Crawford also set a NBA record this year with 24 four-point plays. All Crawford’s accomplishments and accolades helped lead the Hawks to their best record since the 1996-1997 season and earn a three seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Hawks get stunned on the road in game 3.

2010-04-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

By: Lakisha "KB" Brooks-Atlanta

Leading 2-0, the Hawks came into game 3 feeling confident and ready to take a commanding 3-0 lead, but John Salmons and the Bucks said not so fast.

Playing at home for the first time in the playoffs since 2006, the Milwaukee Bucks rolled over the Hawks in game 3 with a 107-89 win.

Out the gate, the Bucks took a 17-5 lead with 7:13 left in the first quarter and never looked back. After pounding the ball inside to Al Horford and Josh Smith in games 1 and 2, the Hawks took a different approach and settled for jump shots. This proved to be for unsuccessful for Hawks as they shot 39.1% from the floor in game 3, this after shooting 53.9% and 47.5% in games 1 and 2. Probable Six Man of Year, Jamal Crawford had an off night. Crawford who is typically clutch and reliable, finished the contest with 11 points with 5 for 13 shooting and 1 for 5 behind the arch. Joe Johnson was able to produce a solid game with 25 points, 3 steals and 4 assists, but of course it was not enough to match up with the John Salmons and the Bucks. Salmons finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds and 7 assists.

With the lopsided play from the Hawks in game 3, we may be watching déjà vu. Last year’s first round playoffs found the Hawks in a toe-to-toe battle with the Heat. In three losses against the Heat last year in the playoffs, the Hawks loss by an average margin of 23.3 points per game. It’s important the Hawks turn this around as they are seeking to gain respect and be considered as a contender for the Eastern Conference title. A quick five game series is just what the Hawks need to try to step into the elite status of the NBA. With a possible second round match up against the Magic, who are one game away from a sweep, the Hawks need all the rest they can get. Before I go and predict the Hawks will advance to the second round, they must take care of the Bucks. Coach Mike Woodson must regroup his team and set sight on game 4. The Bucks are looking to even to series at 2 wins.

BATTLE FOR THIRD SEED OVER, HAWKS ON TOP

2010-04-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA, GA- by Michael Leder

In a spectacle Tuesday night, the Atlanta Hawks officially beat out the Celtics for the third seed position in the Eastern Division for this year's NBA finals, and they did it on their night off. Thanks to the yanks up in Boston, the Celtics loss to the Chicago Bulls Tuesday night ended the close, long running race for the third seed between the two teams. Let's not give all the credit to Boston though; we can't forget the Hawks have been doing work all season long, oh yeah and swept the Celtics too.

The regular season is about to wind down and it really couldn't have turned out much better for our boys. The Hawks won their fiftieth game of the season on April 9 against the Toronto Raptors, their first season with at least fifty wins in 12 years. Fifty wins was a feat that head coach Mike Woodson called "long overdue" in a press conference after their win last Friday. Quite an achievement it was, adding to Woodson's fifth straight year he has improved the Hawks record.

The Hawks play their last game of the regular season against the number one seed in the Eastern Division the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team the Hawks have yet to beat this year. The Cavs are also guilty of tossing the Hawks out of the playoffs last year in the second round, winning the first four games. No worries though, Atlanta couldn't be in a better position to advance themselves further into the playoffs yet again with a healthy and hungry bench of players. In all likely hood the first round contenders appear to be the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that should fear Joe Johnson, who scored a whopping 31 points against Monday night. Nevertheless, all speculations aside, the stage is set for yet another dramatic page in the NBA finals.

Third times a charm, Hawks in Playoffs AGAIN

2010-04-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA, GA. -by Michael Leder

The Atlanta Hawks have been going through many changes during the past few years. It seemed as it had been years since the words "Hawks" and "playoffs" were spoken in the same sentence, probably because they hadn't. The blame could be placed in a number of places but it is finally time to put those pointed fingers down. Whether it's their new logo, new general manager, or new franchise players, the Hawks are back in the playoffs... Regularly.

Its not a fluke people; this year is a statement to all the people of Atlanta and the NBA that the Hawks are playoff caliber again. This is the Hawks third straight year they have made it to the playoffs. The 07'-08' season officially put the Hawks into the big picture again with their 7 game stretch against the to-be National champs Boston Celtics. Two years later the Hawks are still in the playoffs, solidifying their names amongst the NBAs elite. The March 24th buzzer beater against their division leaders Orlando Magic guaranteed a slot for the Hawks in this years' playoff scene.

You all know the cast, Bibby, Johnson, Smith, along with others, have all been putting the work in to get our team here for the third straight year. Last Sunday night's 94-84 win over the Pacers is just another brick in the road to the playoffs. But the regular season is far from over with a win against the Lakers, and two games against one of nation's heavy weights the Clevland Cavaliers. It has been an exciting season up till now, but as they say; the best it yet to come.