Why The Hawks Are Undefeated
Can the Hawks keep winning without J-Smoove?If you were to wake up today like Rip Van Winkle to see Atlanta undefeated and San Antonio sitting at 1-4, you might think we were talking about the Dream and the Silver Stars of the WNBA.
Sure the Hawks finished up their playoff series in Boston last spring on a mission, but since then they lost valuable bench contributors Josh Childress and Salim Stoudamire and hurt Speedy Claxton hasn’t logged a minute yet this season.
This season it’s been a balanced attack lead by superstar Joe Johnson. With wins at Orlando, New Orleans and Oklahoma City, and at home against Philadelphia and Toronto, it’s not like the competition has been weak.
The scouting report should read something like this:
“Tough team. Defensive minded. Resilient. Shares the ball. Plays at whatever pace necessary. Athletic. Active on both ends of the floor. And confident as ever, particularly down the stretch and surprisingly, on the road.”
Now comes the challenge with Josh Smith out 2-4 weeks. Who’s going to step up? With a three game road swing against Chicago, Boston and New Jersey, we’ll see who fills the void of a guy who averages 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.25 steals a game.
Marvin Williams is coming in to his own and Flip Murray has provided the spark off the bench that the Hawks so desperately need.
Can the Hawks stay undefeated and win three straight on the road?
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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November 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am
BxBaller says:
They’re losing in Boston, but everybody does. A possible 7-1 start for the Hawks? Wow!
November 10th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Big T says:
Josh Smith should be an all-star.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:57 am
iLL Mago says:
They’re losing to Boston 100% and either Chicago or NJ, They’ll lay an egg in one of those cities 4 sure
November 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Kermit the Washington says:
nope.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
YOUNGFED says:
Question of The Day: How can someone be a “SUPERSTAR” before they’ve been an “ALLSTAR”.
FEDRODOMOUS PREDICTS: Josh Smith will make the allstar game before Joe.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:10 am
jryu says:
joe johnson?
all star 2007 and 2008.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:11 am
y2J says:
Are you talking about TWO TIMES AllStar Joe Johson?
November 10th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Diego says:
If Josh Smith were not injured, they would win at least 2 of the 3.
It will be tough vs. Celtics w/o Smith. And they also likely will lose 1 of the other games (w/o Smith).
The Hawks are for real–with an extremely tough road-heavy opening schedule–and should win their weak division. (Catch some of their games if you don’t believe it.)
The bench is solid. Suck it hard Bill Simmons!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Kudabeen says:
Fed Joe has been an All-Star twice. That’s how much he’s been under the radar…
November 10th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Sam I Am says:
YEAH YOUNGFED
Gosh get with it !!!!!!!!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Gerard says:
Why are y’all sleeping on the Stars? They went to the Finals this year, which is further than my Spurs are going.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Post# 10
STFU I know he’s been but both time it was by the coaches and probably because others were hurt. BTW he didn’t do sh@t both times either. SuperStar my a$$.
Read up son.
http://uwmpost.com/article/52/19/3072-Where-All-Star-snubbing-happens
http://dberri.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/joe-johnson-is-an-all-star/
“So Back da fuq up, Just Back da Fuq up” – Onyx
November 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Also did he really just say Gosh, whats next “Golly Gee Willikers Batman” lmao
November 10th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
heavy d says:
About your analysis, Salim Stoudamire wasn’t much of a loss and Speedy Claxton (the PG not the turtle) hasn’t played in so long that everyone in Atlanta knows not to even factor him in. Josh Childress was a loss, but Maurice Evans has really stepped in and replaced him welll. Then you have the addition of Flip Murray which has added a bench scoring punch that has been sorely lacking for years.
The taste of the playoffs has really benefited the Hawks. While that first loss will surely come soon, the Hawks defensive focus is keeping them competitive every night which is a pleasant change.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Haqq says:
Being a Raps fan… I must say they DEEEESTROOYED the Raptors, it was disgusting what they did man, even after Josh left that game they were getting baskets like a joke.
I cant wait till JO & BOSH start syncing.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Brown says:
I watched them play a couple times this year and they’re for real. Without J-Smoove though, they’re chances diminish significantly. Dude’s been putting up strong numbers for them all year. I’d like to see him boost his scoring a few points a game though.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
mavid says:
If you watched Joe Jeezy on an every-game basis, you wouldnt be doubtin his skills. Dude is for real. The Hawks are for real.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
dagwaller says:
Haha, I knew this article was going to end up with a funny question like, “Will the Hawks stay undefeated for the next 3 games?” when I read that they lost “valuable bench contributor Salim Stoudamire”. Slapping my knees.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Kevin says:
Another Raps fan here, and gotta say that the Hawks are for real. I watched how well Philly played last year when they started on their run, I thought that I should bet on them every night, and didn’t. This time around, I may actually do it, the Hawks were that impressive.