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Mike Check

Hawks center Clint Capela gets tangled up with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”
Mike Check Blog
Big, physical Sixers punish Hawks to take control of series
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. plays during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mike Check Blog
Braves treading water, but I still believe they’ll ‘get going’ soon
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a baseball into a net as head coach Arthur Smith looks on during the team's mini camp football practice Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mike Check Blog
Falcons still can field a good offense without Julio Jones
More from Michael Cunningham
Hawks take 1-0 series lead: Trae Young gives the thumbs up at the end of Sunday's 128-124 victory over the Sixers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Mike Check Blog
Better foe, same story: Hawks beat Sixers for another playoff road win
Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter looks to shoot while Sixers center Joel Embiid defends. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mike Check Blog
Here’s how Hawks and 76ers match up, with my series prediction
New York Knicks center Taj Gibson, left, and Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) fight for a loose ball during the third quarter of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in New York. (Wendell Cruz/Pool Photo via AP)
Mike Check Blog
Hawks dominated Knicks, but still have another level for 76ers
Hawks interim head coach Nate McMillan addresses his team during Game 4 of first-round NBA playoff series Sunday, May 30, 2021, against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Hawks won 113-96, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)
Mike Check Blog
The flash is fun, but Nate McMillan’s Hawks winning with tough defense
Handout shirts #BELIEVEATLANTA cover the seats for fans in State Farm Arena for fourth playoff game between the Hawks and New York Knicks Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)
Mike Check Blog
You can believe in the Hawks again
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young (11) shoots against New York Knicks' Julius Randle (30) and Taj Gibson (67) during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, May 28, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Mike Check Blog
Hawks star Trae Young is just too good for Knicks
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young (11) reacts after he was knocked down in the first quarter against the New York Knicks in Game 2 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in New York. (Elsa/Pool Photo via AP)
Mike Check Blog
Hawks’ McMillan should max Trae Young’s minutes before it’s too late
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Mike Check Blog
‘Contingency plans’ without Julio Jones are terrible for Falcons
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones wears a shirt in honor of John Lewis while preparing to play the Seattle Seahawks in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020 in Atlanta. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”
Mike Check Blog
Trading Julio Jones makes little sense for Falcons
Hawks GM Travis Schlenk (left) and principal owner Tony Ressler at the news conference to introduce Schlenk on June 2, 2017. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
Mike Check Blog
Schlenk rebuilt Hawks, now playoffs will help determine what’s next
Hawks forward John Collins (left) goes up to shoot as New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) defendson Feb. 9, 2020, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/AP)
Mike Check Blog
Hawks’ John Collins can cash in with big series vs. Julius Randle
Aquinas College (Mich.) volleyball player Chloe V. Mitchell parlayed her social media following into sponsorship deals and is helping other college athletes do the same.
Mike Check Blog
How NCAA athletes with little fame will benefit from NIL rights
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. grabs his left foot after falling in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Mike Check Blog
Acuna’s injury makes bad Braves series worse
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mike Check Blog
Hawks shouldn’t fear the deer if they draw Bucks in NBA playoffs
Former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence warming up under the watchful eye of Jacksonville coach Urban Meyer in the background. (Photo courtesy of David Platt/Clemson Athletics)
Mike Check Blog
Most of the teams looking for franchise QB in NFL draft won’t find him
Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman reacts to a called third strike during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a baseball doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, at Nationals Park, Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Mike Check Blog
Braves soon will be offensive force again
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) works against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mike Check Blog
Hawks avoid the worst with Trae Young, need him at best for playoffs
041521 Atlanta: Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson hits a walk off single to beat the Miami Marlins 7-6 during the ninth inning of a MLB baseball game on Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Atlanta. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”
Mike Check Blog
Swanson’s walk-off gives Braves breathing room to work out issues
Atlanta boxer DaCarree "Mactruck" Scott (R) works out with the owner of Champs Boxing and Fitness Pete Crumpley in Smyrna Friday 12, 2021. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
Mike Check Blog
Decatur boxer ‘Mactruck’ Scott aims to prove he’s more than a puncher
With his win in the 85th Masters Tournament, Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese player to win a major golf championship. The onetime No. 2 in the world now has a handful of worldwide wins, eight career major top-10s and four Presidents Cup appearances.
Mike Check Blog
Hideki Matsuyama becomes Japanese golf legend with Masters win
Justin Rose reacts to a missed eagle putt on the eighth hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Augusta. Also pictured is Will Zalatoris. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
Rose gives back another Masters lead, still has chance to finish on top
April 9, 2021, Augusta: Jordan Spieth walks past the azaleas on the sixth fairway during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 9, 2021, in Augusta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
‘Lovable’ Spieth can complete comeback story at Masters on weekend
Hideki Matsuyama watches his 17th tee shot during round one of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Thursday, April 8, 2021. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Mike Check Blog
Could this be Matsuyama’s year to break through and win Masters?
Justin Thomas, left, and Jordan Spieth wait to hit on the fourth tee during their practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in Augusta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
My (probably wrong) pick to win the Masters
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) bats against the Tampa Bay Rays during a spring training game Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Port Charlotte, Fla. (John Bazemore/AP)
Mike Check Blog
Contemplating the unthinkable: Will Freddie Freeman, Braves part ways?
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks on the field of U.S. Bank Stadium before game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP)
Mike Check Blog
Falcons’ Blank says voting should be ‘easier, not harder.’ Hawks are silent.
Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner and senior guard Jose Alvarado celebrate after Saturday's 80-75 victory over Florida State in the championship game of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, NC.
Mike Check Blog
Unsatisfying end, uncertain summer for Georgia Tech men’s basketball
Hawks guard Lou Williams calls a defense against the Miami Heat during the first half of the exhibition opener at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Sunday , Oct. 7, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Mike Check Blog
Lou Williams makes Hawks better as East gets tougher at trade deadline
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) is congratulated by Michael Conforto after scoring on a solo home run during the fifth inning Tuesday, March 23, 2021, against the Miami Marlins in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
Mike Check Blog
Meet the Mets, top challengers to Braves in NL East (really)
Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 22, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 119-110. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mike Check Blog
John Collins is a keeper for Hawks at NBA trade deadline
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot gestures as he talks during the jet ride to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday January 21, 2021.
Mike Check Blog
Quiet Falcons free agency is no big deal. Draft is best way to build.
Rutgers' Geo Baker (0) drives as Minnesota's Marcus Carr (5) chases in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. Rutgers won 77-70. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Mike Check Blog
Players protest for rights, declare they are not NCAA’s property
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Mike Check Blog
Here’s my NCAA men’s tournament bracket and five tips for yours
Georgia's Sahvir Wheeler (2) tries to get past Missouri's Mitchell Smith (5) and Xavier Pinson (1) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Mike Check Blog
Georgia is tough out in SEC tourney but ‘a loss is a loss’
Baseball fans are spaced apart in left field as they watch of a spring training game between Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves, Friday, March 5, 2021, in North Port, Fla. (John Bazemore/AP)
Mike Check Blog
One year later sports still aren’t as much fun
Georgia sophomore guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) became the first player in UGA history to record a 'triple double' when he had 14 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in the Bulldogs' 91-78 upset of LSU on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens. (Photo by Tony Walsh/UGA)
Mike Check Blog
Can strange SEC basketball season include Georgia run in Nashville?
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) is fouled by Orlando Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams (7) while going for a shot near the end of the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mike Check Blog
Trae Young might have made All-Star team with better play in clutch
030421 Bradenton: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryse Wilson delivers against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a MLB spring training baseball game at LECOM Park on Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Bradenton. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”
Mike Check Blog
Will Bryse Wilson’s big moment for Braves carry over to this season?
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk introduces Lloyd Pierce as the 13th full-time coach in the Atlanta history of the NBA basketball franchise on Monday, May 14, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
Lloyd Pierce is gone, now scrutiny shifts to Hawks GM Travis Schlenk
Nov 3, 2018 Lexington: Georgia quarterback Justin Fields takes pregame warmups before playing Kentucky in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Lexington. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
The risks and potential rewards for Falcons drafting a quarterback
ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
‘Prime’ pick in QB-rich draft gives Falcons leverage to build roster
Eagles quarterbacks Jalen Hurts (left) and Carson Wentz warm up before a game against the Dallas Cowboys in December.
Mike Check Blog
Eagles and Rams do what Falcons shouldn’t: Decimate cap to trade QB
ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
The Braves are the good kind of boring
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young celebrates his buzzer-beating half-court shot at the end of the first half of the NBA All-Star Game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Chicago.
Mike Check Blog
NBA All-Star game is coming to Atlanta. Will Trae Young be in it?
ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
Georgia will be the top challenger to Alabama in 2021
ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
Georgia Tech can shoot for a change but dim NCAA hopes look the same
ajc.com
Mike Check Blog
World Series odds underestimate Braves
The Bucs signed linebacker Shaquil Barrett on the cheap in 2019.
Mike Check Blog
Falcons can quickly build like Bucs with small, smart moves
Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) and Hawks guard Trae Young.
Mike Check Blog
Tests for Hawks: First Lakers, now Luka
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