Before the season started I talked about how fun this young team was going to be. They have such a great nucleus of young and dynamic guys and when you add in a ‘winner’ like Al Horford who brings energy and passion you have the mix for something special.
Last night at Philips was SPECIAL!
To be even with the MIGHTY Celtics is a HUGE accomplishment. They were down 2-0 and written off for dead, but they bounced back and ‘stole’ game 3 at home. That made this a ‘nice story’ to the National Media, but last night was different. First, they came out playing with attitude and said, “This is STILL our house and we’re not going anywhere”. Second, they showed HEART. The Celtics came out on fire to start the 2nd half and you could hear the announcers saying, “well, that was a nice story but these guys couldn’t stand up to the big boys on the block…”. The fourth quarter brought a resounding answer. This is not your father’s Atlanta Hawks. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson carried the team scoring, Al Horford was a beast on the boards with huge plays on the offensive and defensive glass and this morning the series is TIED 2-2.
Do the Hawks pull off a miracle and get past the Celts? I still don’t think so but we are seeing what’s to come. There are still many needs on a team that didn’t win 50% of its games, but the nucleus is there and better yet, last night there was crowd support and a college game atmosphere. The boys were playing with and to the crowd.
With the Falcons in turmoil, the Thrashers in an utter mess and the Braves searching for identity this could be the time for the Hawks to become ATLANTA’s TEAM!
Game 6, regardless of the outcome should be a celebration of what’s to come for the next 8-10 years if ownership can stop bickering and capitalize on the momentum.
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