After being crowned numero uno in the power rankings, the Hawks pass test 1 against Rip City. The Hawks played very inspired ball last night. Josh Smith scored 20 on only 14 shots and grabbed 16 boards. Hortford posted another double-double at 15-10 and Joe Johnson paced the squad with 35 and 9 assists.
At first glance, Joe Johnson's numbers look a little erratic as he shot 13-31 from the floor. But if you look closer, he really stepped up when he was needed. In the 4th quarter he scored 10 points on 2-2 from 3 and charity along with 3 assists. In OT, he was 3-4 from the floor and 2-2 from the line for another 8. So when they needed him, he made great decisions, which is why I really like this Atlanta team.
Johnson is a great floor leader and Josh Smith's sudden maturity makes them a dynamic big game combo. Both guys will guard anyone. Bibby is a proven floor general and Jamal Crawford can bring that "microwave" factor. Marvin Williams has one a National Championship at UNC playing a role so why not in the NBA. Hortford is a proven winner many times over and provides the paint stability needed to hold up in 7 game series. Still, the Hawks are one big man away from truly being ready to compete. Another body to eat minutes and fouls will go a long way for this team.
Going back to Joe Johnson, for your end of game production (18 points, 4 assists in the final period and OT) you, my friend have earned it. Live it up. Let it reign. Pride over your domain....
Did you catch this over the weekend? Kobe and Artest is just a poor man's Jordan and Rodman.
Good stuff, Ron.... but you still have a long way to go.
Dallas and Milwaukee was such an entertaining game. Jennings, in defeat, was still incredible. What stands out is his ability to make decisions at such a high pace. Can we give the credit to Euro ball? I will touch on this at some other time. Despite the loss, I give Milwaukee a lot of credit because Dallas had many opportunities to bury them but the Bucks just hung in there. They did not have a lead for ALL of regulation but tied it up at the end. That's crazy. Then in OT they had a chance to put Dallas away themselves until Dirk went all Brüllaffe on them.
Still, Jennings is the most impressive thing in the NBA right now. He just missed (2 rebounds and 3 assists shy) a triple double last night and had to opportunities with the ball in his hand to end the game... then Dirk said Danke and did it himself.
Least impressive thing- the Nets
2nd Lest impressive- the Knicks.
Speaking of the Knicks, is Iverson coming to town? More on this another time. I don't have the energy to speak about Iverson right now.
Lastly, Stephen Jackson was quick to suit up for Charlotte last night. Sure, they are no title contender but I must say, I am not as down on Charlotte as everyone else.
Think about it, they hung in last night with Orlando for most of the game and really balanced the floor. This with Jackson being a member of the team for all of 8 hours before game time. I am not saying they are going places but they will be good for a lot of spoiler moments this year and it will be fun to watch. Think of them like a band of marauding pirates feasting on NBA teams. They will have some ups, some downs, and probably end up marooned on an island, low on rum supplies and Stephen Jackson will go traitor on everyone.
Happy ball.
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