AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 17
Monday, March 17, 2008
Don’t look now, but …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WASHINGTON - Here come the Hawks.
No, really. They are surging folks. Don’t adjust your flat screen. They’re on a mini-roll right now.
Three straight wins and the chance for more is reason for cautious optimism in Hawksville. Even I will allow that.
So don’t strain yourself trying to figure out how they are doing it. I think one of the things that cost them during their five-game run back in December is that they had that little break before and after Christmas to think about it and they got mental on us after the new year began.
The Hawks weren’t just good against the Wizards Monday, they were, according to Wizards coach Eddie Jordan: “On any given night they are a really, really good team and they were good tonight.”
With their bench acting like it was a playoff game (and a cheering section of part owners Bruce Levenson, Ed Peskowitz and Todd Foreman right behind them doing the same), the Hawks led for all but 52 seconds, dominating the Wizards inside and out with a balanced attack and razor sharp execution on both ends of the floor down the stretch.
Joe Johnson played flawlessly (10 assists and not a single turnover), despite missing more shots than he’s been accustomed to lately.
Mike Bibby picked up the slack, draining big shot after big shot to keep the Hawks ahead.
Al Horford was a man among boys in the second half, putting the clamps on Brendan Haywood after the Wizards center got off to a rousing start in the first half.
Josh Smith was clutch and made his usual spectacular plays while also doing plenty of dirty work (while in foul trouble for most of the night).
And Josh Childress continues to play big off the bench, a must if the Hawks have any chance of continuing this run (they need at least eight to 10 more wins to secure their spot) all the way to the end.
Sure, you could complain that wins over the Clippers, Knicks and Wizards are somewhat tainted when you consider their combined winning total is just 73 games.
But there is no RPI or strength of schedule component for a playoff bid in the NBA.
Just win baby.
That’s all.
