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Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2008 > April > 30
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Hawks forum: Back in Boston
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Boston — When last I set foot in this arena, the belief — in my mind, and in the mind of every Bostonian — was that the Celtics wouldn’t need TD Banknorth Garden again until Round 2. Tonight there’s a chance this could be the last time the NBA’s best team over the 82-game regular season plays on its parquet floor.
That’s how much things have changed over seven days. The first word in a Boston Globe column after Game 2 was “Yawn.” Today that same publication — my second-favorite sports section, after the Philly Daily News — features a column that begins, “So how did this happen?”
The tabloid Boston Herald goes much further. The back page offers a huge headline: “C’s In Choke Hold.” One column inside runs under this headline: “Celtics Face Gag Order: On Brink Of Biggest Collapse In Hub History.” (Let the record reflect that Bill Buckner once made a fairly egregious error playing for the locally based Red Sox, and the Bruins once lost a Stanley Cup semifinal Game 7 after being penalized for having too many men on the ice.)
At least one interested party seemed less hysterical. Jeremiah Rivers, the 19-year-old son of the Celtics coach, was on my connecting flight from Washington, D.C. (I introduced myself by saying, “I knew your father before you were born,” which means I’m really old.) The younger Rivers reported that his dad “feels good about his guys,” and then he headed off in a cab for Doc’s downtown apartment.
Some of the Celtics are out shooting as I type — Rajon Rondo is wearing his iPod — and none of the Hawks have arrived. But I saw Sam Crenshaw of WXIA in the corridor, and that, too, represents a change: None of the local stations dispatched personnel here for Games 1 and 2.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t report the first words Sam said to me: “Did you hear about Mike Hampton?”
“Let me guess,” I said. And then I guessed.
(Editor’s note: Paul Pierce scored a playoff-high 22 points Wednesday night as Boston beat Atlanta 110-85 and took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Friday in Atlanta.)
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Why Durant and not Horford?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sonics forward Kevin Durant will be named NBA Rookie of the Year Thursday, edging Hawks forward/center Al Horford among others (see story).
Durant averaged more than 20 points per game and led the Sonics in scoring. Horford, on the other hand, didn’t average as many points on a team that includes All-Star Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, but led the team in rebounding, had more double-doubles than any rookie (double figures in scoring and rebounding) and has been the emotional force on a playoff squad.
So, what do you think? Do you think Durant should have won the award, primarily based on his scoring, or should Horford’s all-around play earned the honor?
Let us know what you think.
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Can the Hawks win tonight?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Can the Hawks win Game 5 of their NBA playoff series with the Celtics tonight in Boston?
Both teams will be at full strength after the NBA decided not to suspend any players following the continued pushing and shoving during Game 4 in Atlanta (see story).
And the Hawks, who lost the first two games of the series in Boston, are expecting to play in front of a hostile crowd anxious to see their Celtics continue toward a championship.
So, do you think the Hawks can win tonight? If so, let us know why.
Also, check out AJC columnist Jeff Schultz’s take on the series and find out what’s being said in Boston.
Permalink | Comments (117) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks, NBA
