AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2005 > November
November 2005
A halftime suggestion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hawks lost to the Heat tonight. The score probably would have been worse, but Shaq didn’t play. One fan remarked “The Hawks act like they are allergic to the rim.” Other fans hid their faces when they were shown on the video board. Tough crowd.
Let’s change topics and address the halftime entertainment at Hawks games. Tonight they had the High Impact Squad. These were group of four people dressed like the crows from “The Wiz.” They basically did slam dunks with trampolines. Anyone who has been to a Hawks game and seen this act when SkyHawk does it in the second half. Funny, Skyhawk didn’t do that act tonight, I wonder why. In fact, SkyHawk was on the sidelines probably thinking “Geez, I can do that. In fact, I do. Every night.”
Here’s my suggestion for halftime fun: Bring back the Hawks Drumline. We only see them when the introductions are being made. Let’s see more of them. People would actually watch them. Think about it: A good routine and BAM, you’ve got a act.
Hawks take on the Raptors on Friday at Philips. They might be favored in this game.
Two in a row
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hawks 87, Pacers 85
This is the first time the Hawks have won in Indy since 1999.
The Hawks started out this game with a 6-0 lead and lead all the way up to midway in the 3rd qtr. They played a little sloppy in the 3rd, but did much better in this period than they have in other games.
JChill started this game on the bench with Josh Smith in the lineup. However, Childress got a lot of playing time in the second half. This is a rotation that coach Woodson should stick to. Childress has been a cold shooter lately and the Hawks seem to do better when he comes off the bench.
ZaZa got in foul trouble early, but the good news is Batista came off the bench and did a great job.
Sure, the Pacers didn’t have Ron Artest playing and yes, they turned the ball over at least 14 times, but a win is a win. We’ll take it any way we can get it.
Hawks vs. Blazers on Sunday at 2 p.m. down at Philips. No TV, so come on out and support the team.
Hawks win, Hawks win!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hawks 120, Celtics 117
Whatever you did Hawks, do it again and again.
Now we need like 50 more.
Jekyll and Hyde
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, The Atlanta Hawks’ “Jekyll and Hyde” season continued Friday night, but they did it backwards against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
Usually the Hawks stay with the opponent in the first half, then fade in the second half (the San Antonio game is a perfect example of that). Not so on Friday.
The Hawks only scored 32 points in the first half. 32 points! It was awful. An average NBA scoring quarter is 25 points, so the Hawks were well below that.
But then something happened toward the end of the game (a time when the Hawks are usually fading): They went on a 26-6 run. Salim Stoudamire scored 24 points and revived the team. If you didn’t see it Friday, you missed a beautiful thing.
Now, we just need to find a way to put two good halves together.
Any suggestions?
Williams starts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Woodson put Marvin Williams in the starting lineup against Dallas moving JChill to the guard slot.
I want your thoughts on this. Is this a good move? How long does Woodson keep Williams as a starter? One game? Five games? Half a season?
Let me know.
Making adjustments
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Against the Spurs, the Hawks shot close to 60% in the first half.In the second half, they couldn’t even shoot 30%.
Why?
In sports, most teams make adjustments at halftime (that is what halftime is for). The Hawks don’t ever seem to make adjustments. Other teams do, that is why the 3rd quarter always kills the Hawks. Always.
This is the NBA, there are no “softies” on the schedule. If you don’t make adjustments (on offense as well as defense), you’re gonna lose…big.
On another note, why did FSN South show a clip of the Spurs celebrating their NBA championship when it cut to a commercial late in the second half? I thought one of their slogans is “Where Hawk fans come first.” Does this mean that when they show Braves games FSN South will show the Astros celebrating their NL championship?
Thursday at Dallas on FSN South.
So close
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ONE POINT!!!
The Hawks lost to the Grizzlies by one point!
AHHHH!
Johnson and Harrington need help
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In case you didn’t realize it, the Hawks had a home game against the Clippers 2nite. I only mention it because the crowd was small. Current Falcon DeAngelo Hall and former Philadelphia Eagle T.O. were in the house, though.
I noticed in my Hawk program that Clippers’ star Elton Brand averages 20 points a game with Sam Cassell averaging 17.5 and Cuttino Mobley 17.3.
That same program also list the Hawks’ top scorers: Joe Johnson (19.0), Al Harrington (18.0) and Zaza Pachulia (12.8)
Whoa! Did you see that? There is a noticeable dropoff between our number two average scoring and our number three guy: 5.2 points.
Come on! Isn’t there anyone on this team that can fill that void? We need at least a 16.0 average. Is that possible?
I also noticed that the DJ, SkyHawk’s Skyteam and the Hawks house band (which are still better than the Falcons house band) were absent tonight. Hmmm. I wonder why? Maybe they’ve got an attendance clause in their contract.
Hawks take on the Grizzlies on Saturday. No TV.
Opening night at Philips
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I believe Al Harrington.
Harrington told the crowd before the game that this Hawks squad was committed to winning. Unfortunately, the Hawks are still looking for their first win this season.
The crowd (divided into Hawks fans, Lakers fans and Kobe fans) was really getting into it. They were loud and vocal. But, with 4:03 left in the second qtr, the shot clock and scoreboard went out. So did the Hawks.
The shot clock came back for the second half, but by then, the Lakers had found a rhythm.
Away from the game, the crowd was large and consisted of Shirley Franklin, Andrew Young, Alge Crumpler, T.J. Duckett and Patrick Kerney.
Alas, even the Falcons winning ways could not rub off on the Hawks tonight.
Oh well, maybe Al’s declaration will come true Thursday against the Clippers.
Oh no, not again!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Hawks lost by 25 last night.
Just like last year, the 3rd quarter did them in. I watched in 2004-2005 as Hawks leads would just go up in smoke during the 3rd period. Then, they would play the rest of the game in “catch-up” mode and would fall further behind.
I sure hope things change soon.
The season is upon us
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some final thoughts before the Hawks season tips off.
The autopsy report is in and it seems that Jason Collier died from a “sudden heart rhythm disturbance caused by an abnormally enlarged heart,” according to AP.
Wow.
I’m surprised that this wasn’t detected before he became a pro athlete. You would think an abnormally enlarged anything would make an athlete take notice and quickly seek medical advice.
On another note, ESPN’s Greg Anthony thinks highly of Marvin Williams. So highly, in fact that he is predicting him to be the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. Williams is good, but Rookie of the Year? We’ll have to wait and see.
Don’t forget, Wednesday night @ Golden State. A late one at 10:30 ET on FSN South.
