Links: Playoffs Diary Day 10
And it don’t stop…
And we have a series! I’m so excited I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m sitting here at my desk today wearing a Josh Smith throwback jersey and a Hawks jacket on top of that. I’ve been driving this Atlanta bandwagon for so long that it became a job, and I forgot how much fun it can be. For the last nine years, it’s been more pain than fun. Now, we’re having fun again. And I feel like I’ve had about 200 cups of coffee.
I have so many snapshots from this series seared into my memory, from Powe laying on the ground as JJ nailed that three to Josh Smith jumping from outside the lane and tomahawking that dunk over Ray Allen. But the image I’ll never forget is this one, this photo I took last night as the clock ran out and the Hawks tied it up. I snapped this with my Sidekick and now it’s my desktop…
(You can save the full image here.)
Look, I’m as surprised as you guys. I’m probably the only person in the sports media who watched at least 70 Hawks games this season, and I knew better than to pick them to win the series. They were so unreliable this season that I didn’t think they’d be able to even win a game against Boston, much less two straight. And then this weekend they turned some sort of corner.
Meanwhile, the Boston ship be sinking. I’m telling you, the Celts’ swag has disappeared, almost completely. Three weeks ago they thrashed Atlanta in Atlanta, and Sam Cassell was doing his big balls dance and everything. Last night they looked scared. More damning, I thought they looked awfully tired last night, too. For a team that rested guys extensively down the stretch, you can’t get outplayed by a team that uses basically a 7-man rotation.
Defensively, the Celts don’t match up very well against the Hawks, mostly because of Ray Allen. JJ ate Ray Allen alive last night. Ray’s too big to guard Bibby, and Boston can’t put Ray Allen on Childress because all Chillz does on offense is work the baseline and try to get offensive rebounds, and Ray Allen doesn’t have the size or the legs to box Chillz out. And we already know Leon Powe can’t stick with JJ. KG has the length to bother Smoove and force him to shoot outside jumpers (which have been going in, amazingly), but that requires KG to step out away from the basket and opens things up for Joe to drive. When Boston is physical with the Hawks, they end up forcing Atlanta to shoot a lot of long jumpers, but they’ve gotten in foul trouble the last two games and have had to play hands-off defense.
The other problem for Boston is that Atlanta can take advantage of whichever little guy they have on the floor when they use that Bibby/Joe Johnson pick on the wing. Because if Boston tries to go under a pick, JJ can pull up for the three, and if Boston switches the pick, JJ can back Rondo/House down and wait for the double team. Why Boston isn’t zoning Atlanta, I have no idea, because the Hawks struggled against zones all season long. I’m glad they aren’t, though.
On the other end, if I was Boston I’d be riding Paul Pierce in the post, because he’s too big for anyone on Atlanta to stick with. Josh Smith has done a great job of making KG change so many of those little floaters in the paint, and the Hawks are begging Rondo to shoot, but his confidence is in the toilet now (and especially after Doc yanked him for almost the entire fourth quarter last night). And there were at least four or five times in the second half last night that KG caught the ball, wide open, and was begging for someone to swing the ball to.
One last thing: Everyone mentions David Stern being at the game last night, but nobody’s been talking about Stu Jackson being there. And he was there because he cut me off in the food line in the press room. Sekou wonders if Stu’s going to suspend KG for Game Five for shoving Eddie Rush? Hmm…
To me, the most gratifying thing about watching this team win is that the Hawks were literally built from the ground up. These guys have grown together, and they’ve added a piece every year. They each have a role, they all know their roles, and they’ve managed to get better and better without mortgaging the future. Now they’re getting their turn on the big stage and they’re loving it. And so am I.
Still, I’m not going to Boston tomorrow night…I’m too worn out. But I’ll be watching, dipped in Hawks gear. And if I have to hit the road for Game 6 or Game 7, I’ll be there.
89 Responses to “Links: Playoffs Diary Day 10”
Apr.29 at 3:36 pm
Dallas J says:
Thanks Lang.. that was a feel-good read. Made me forget about the Mavs and smile for a few seconds.
Apr.29 at 3:36 pm
TADOne says:
Lang, do you honestly think Stern or Stu will suspend KG?
Apr.29 at 3:39 pm
Eboy says:
Lang, I think your writing for the Hawks this season was the push they needed. Also, the pic is awesome. Didn’t realize the sidekick could take a pic like that. Damn.
Apr.29 at 3:41 pm
Captain America says:
It’s all Hawks transition offense. They have outrun the Celtics. Celtics defense will force ball out of JJ’s hands in half court offense.
Apr.29 at 3:48 pm
Captain America says:
As for KG, he pushed the ref so he should be suspended a game. But I don’t want to see him suspected, the Hawks can beat them anyway. Also, the alleged head butt is a joke. Both KG and the guy whose name escapes me (and most everyone else) were head-to-head but there was no force behind it. KG flopped like a fish outta water on that one. Musta watched Manu.
Apr.29 at 4:11 pm
Co Co says:
I hope KG isn’t suspended. I want to beat them at full strength. They can suspend Marvin if they want though. ……
Apr.29 at 4:22 pm
Myung says:
You must have an LX or Slide… because my SK3 could never get sort of picture quality. =)
Apr.29 at 4:30 pm
TADOne says:
So Myung and Co Co: Is this your desktop pic yet?
Apr.29 at 4:31 pm
Allenp says:
KG flopped? I missed that. Anyway, Ray Ray was getting torched. And if Joe Johnson can destroy you on the wing, the monster that is Lebron should make you piss your pants.
Apr.29 at 4:31 pm
Darksaber says:
Oh please NBA, stop the Ninny suspensions and let the boys jaw and posture all they want. The days of the bad boys are over (otherwise Zaza would have knocked Garnett out his shoes during that stare off - Klitschko indeed)
Apr.29 at 4:33 pm
Darksaber says:
Wonder what Bibby’s got to say NOW. Should be a good soundbite
Apr.29 at 4:33 pm
Maurice Garland says:
nah, ill take a KG suspension… but damn though…guess i shoulda bought my tix as soon as i left the game, they damn near sold out now…ill still be in the building though.
Apr.29 at 4:34 pm
Myung says:
Both games sort of ended the same way: Al making Pierce fall; JJ making Powe fall.
Apr.29 at 4:34 pm
Darksaber says:
And Garnett did NOT flop, you try standing still while a fired up 7 footer is spraying insults at your face, up close and all, i’d step back too for a bit (just to wind up that first hit anyway)
Apr.29 at 4:36 pm
Myung says:
Tad, I got married 4 months ago…so you know, the pic of my wife is still my desktop photo. Honeymoon phase, you know? But I’ll consider making it my Facebook profile pic, as a consolation? =)
Apr.29 at 4:40 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
That picture is beautiful. Gives me chills, thinking of the emotions all Hawks fans have got to be feeling right now. Dammit, I love this game!
Apr.29 at 4:41 pm
Myung says:
I think some of the SLAM staffers have said KG’s a cool guy, but one of my best friends used to work for the Hawks (he is a physical therapist and worked with the visiting teams for home Hawks games), and he said KG was one of the biggest jerks he met (along with Sam Cassell). I’m not sure why, but I’ve never been a fan of KG.
Apr.29 at 4:48 pm
Spaceship Jay says:
Last night I caught a flashback of Anthony Peeler UFC forearming KG in the jaw and neck area while standing toe to toe. Just thought I’d throw that out there
Apr.29 at 4:51 pm
Captain America says:
Myung, trust me, KG is a jerk in person. But he is a great player. And, yes KG did flop! I don’t think it was him tripping over his feet.
Apr.29 at 4:52 pm
TADOne says:
Understandable Myung. And i’m quite sure, depending on the situation in which you met said athlete, all athletes can be jerks from time to time. I know I am.
Apr.29 at 5:01 pm
Captain America says:
TAD, I witnessed KG blow off a 10 year old wheelchair bound admirer of his and jumped on the team bus instead. A cop who also witnessed this happening took the boy’s pen and poster and went on the bus after KG (who was the only one on it) and got the autograph for him.
Apr.29 at 5:03 pm
Myles Brown says:
I went to a Jackson 5 concert one time and waved at Michael. He totally ignored me. Maybe I was too old for him, but still, what a jackass.
Apr.29 at 5:04 pm
Myles Brown says:
And then there was that time I saw Redman and Keith Murray in front of the NBA store. I nodded at them and they nodded back. So they must be nice.
Apr.29 at 5:05 pm
Myles Brown says:
And that time Michael Jordan told me a bad joke when I went to his basketball camp. That guy has no personality at all.
Apr.29 at 5:08 pm
Myung says:
No need to get cynical, bro…
Apr.29 at 5:11 pm
Captain America says:
Myles, you make light of a seriously distressing circumstance. I’m sure you would have felt the same had you experienced it. Jackson 5? How old are you?
Apr.29 at 5:15 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
I’ve only met KG a few times, both for SLAM interviews and at events and stuff before he had any idea who I was, and he’s always been nothing but cool to me.
Apr.29 at 5:20 pm
FLUXLAND says:
KG didn’t flop.. no, he did a slower Melo backpedalling walk instead.
Apr.29 at 5:25 pm
Captain America says:
Lang, glad your experiences with KG were cool. I too had been a fan of KG’s from the time he was “Da Kid” but the incident previously described changed things for me. The kid was out in the open, without a crowd, when KG blew him off. It’s a different slice of the elephant so to speak.
Apr.29 at 5:25 pm
Jackie Moon says:
Maybe Horford should talk more trash, it seems to help the Hawks
Apr.29 at 5:26 pm
Myung says:
I’ve met a good handful of NBA players over the years, and almost all of them have been very friendly and cordial (the nicest were Tyson Chandler, Larry Hughes, Rip Hamilton, Mark Jackson, Jarvis Hayes, Jason Terry, to name a few)… I’m definitely not saying KG was a jerk; I’ve never even met the guy. I’m simply going on the testimony of a trusted friend who works closely with visiting players. I guess it’s the yin to the yang of guys like you, Lang, who portray certain players (i.e. Garnett) to be nothing but cool. For the average fan, we’re never going to go to Quizno’s with a player or be at a personal photo shoot with a guy… so really, we take a journalist’s word on who is or isn’t nice or friendly. You guys are our link to the pro athletes. But when it comes to KG, I wonder whose testimony is more accurate… I’d probably say you both are right.
Apr.29 at 5:27 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Brown, Russ, Khalid and Jones are the most condescending bunch of a holes on here. The kind of ppl that give people that “you arrogant p*i**s” feeling about Americans. If it weren’t for the Mutonis, Hollys and Langs and select few others this place would be total garbage.
Apr.29 at 5:28 pm
Myung says:
I’ve never heard of the phrase “different slice of the elephant” before today… but I sort of like it… =)
Apr.29 at 5:31 pm
albie1kenobi says:
if KG became a laker, i wonder the lakers love/hate will be even more polarizing than it already is.
Apr.29 at 5:32 pm
Myles Brown says:
I was being cynical (perhaps a bit too much), but only to make a point. Im not going to discount either of your experiences with KG, but I do feel that a guys character cant be encapsulated by a random occurrence. Ive met a few people myself and even if they were nice to me, I dont know if theyre that way most of the time. And Im 29.
Apr.29 at 5:40 pm
RV says:
I agree with Myles, you never know what KG was thinking at the moment, maybe the team had been told to get on the bus immediately, maybe there wasn’t a crowd at the moment, but all it takes is one stop for one to form. For the cop to go get it though, sounds like KG missed the kid and the cop helped the kid out, i dont think he’d continue to push for an autograph if he had seend KG decline it.
Apr.29 at 5:40 pm
Tariq says:
I once got Stephanie from Full House’s autograph. She was lonely.
Apr.29 at 5:43 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Tariq! Check your email.
Apr.29 at 5:44 pm
Eboy says:
FLUX, are you really the “rapper” Snow from back in the day. Only a thuggish Canadian be so gangsta with his harsh criticisms of Americans.
Apr.29 at 5:47 pm
Myles Brown says:
And was that list of condescending a holes in an ascending or descending order? Or is it just random?
Apr.29 at 5:49 pm
RV says:
so can the players of the 2 blockbuster trades just go back to their original teams since the trades accomplished NOTHING?
Apr.29 at 5:50 pm
albie1kenobi says:
hahaha, Airington. i thought that a hole list usually provide the most entertaining reads (both posts and comments).
Apr.29 at 5:52 pm
Eboy says:
Myles can’t be before Jones. No damn way!!!!!!!!
Apr.29 at 5:52 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Don’t con-den-scend me, maaan.
Apr.29 at 5:56 pm
Tariq says:
The only a-hole around these parts in Ryan Jones. That dude is a d*ck.
Apr.29 at 6:00 pm
Tariq says:
I mean, he lives in PENNSYLVANIA. Who does that, honestly?
Apr.29 at 6:03 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Totally random.. but a list would have went something like this: Russ, Khalid, Brown, Jones. through my experiences, anyway. Russ is the MJ (you’re welcome) of the whole crew, like a natural, I’d say.
Apr.29 at 6:07 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And it has nothing to do with you’re coming in and blasting everything I write. Nothing at all. I’m just a complete jerk to people for no reason. You could ask my friends if I had any.
Apr.29 at 6:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Make that “your.” I’m a lot tired.
Apr.29 at 6:09 pm
Myles Brown says:
Russ is a bigger a hole cause he had to deal with hand checks.
Apr.29 at 6:16 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Blasting everything you write? You must be kidding!! Do you even read the comments? Sure, I may not like what you write every time.. but you must be reading only the critical sounding ones. In fact go back and check…recently during one post I was accused of riding your “keyboard”!
Apr.29 at 6:47 pm
Tariq says:
I don’t really care about the Hawks (or the Celtics), but I’m very happy for you, Lang. You seem thrilled.
Apr.29 at 6:57 pm
TADOne says:
Ooh, ooh! *RAISES HAND*
Can I be a part of the a-hole crew?? Pretty please!
Apr.29 at 7:09 pm
BETCATS says:
anyone watching the game? I think i am about to blow a fuse, so i turned off the TV
Apr.29 at 7:13 pm
albie1kenobi says:
blow a fuse literally, BET? the bugs will take the series tonight right?
Apr.29 at 7:35 pm
Maurice Garland says:
I’ve met KG a few times, doing some press stuff….he’s always been cool…dapped me down like he knew me, after wins and losses…but so what, GO HAWKS!!! Oh yeah, thanks to all the new fans who bought up all the good seat to Fridays game. Thanks alot. Ill be looking down at you, literally.
Apr.29 at 7:36 pm
Maurice Garland says:
I’ve met KG a few times, doing some press stuff….he’s always been cool…dapped me down like he knew me, after wins and losses…but so what, GO HAWKS!!! Oh yeah, thanks to all the new fans who bought up all the good seat to Fridays game. Thanks alot. Ill be looking down at you, literally.
Apr.29 at 7:37 pm
Captain America says:
The bigger point is that KG (or any other star player) fans are going to automatically assume their admiration as an exalted player translates into how the player is as a person. When someone comes along and shares an encounter that runs contrary to the view, it is going to be discounted or “explained” away. As for KG, you’re welcome to your perceptions just as I with my encounters (I have had about a dozen with KG over his 12 years).
Apr.29 at 7:48 pm
RV says:
out of about a dozen encounters though, you’re focusing on one, even though it was a really bad one, it seems like the rest were pleasant, so why hate the guy ?
Apr.29 at 7:50 pm
RV says:
and KG flopped after the head butt, but there definitely was a head butt, not a hard one, but there had to be a force behind it for Zaza to move his head forward into KG’s, which he definitely did
Apr.29 at 8:26 pm
BETCATS says:
albie- i thought my house was gonna explode. I think my neighbor may or may not have a lab in his house so i dont want to take any chances
Apr.29 at 8:39 pm
BETCATS says:
60!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111 i got to watch the game
Apr.29 at 8:42 pm
albie1kenobi says:
two teams from the vaulted texas triangle will fall tonight and go home. the last one standing will move on to next round.
Apr.29 at 9:41 pm
Tariq says:
Captain America: You’ve been talking about this KG incident. From what you’ve related, Garnett sounds like a horrible person. BUT, I think it’s unfair to conclude that the guy is a bad person just from this story. Why? First off, who actually witnessed this incident? Is it a reliable source? What if someone who’s jealous of KG or hates just wants to badmouth him? And secondly, what if the story actually IS true, but there’s some variable you don’t know about? What if KG whispered to the kid: “Hey kid, I promise to score 30 points for you tonight, I have to get on the bus now, but I’ll sign you something and have the security guard get it to you. Peace out. Keep ya head up, young’n!” and then waved to the kid while his heart beat with love and compassion, nay, his very eyes teared up,and even his nostrils filled with mucus, thus was the extent to which he was moved. But from afar, alas, it appeared as if he was arrogantly waving him away. Of course, I don’t know Garnett from Adam, so he could be a dick, but that’s not the point. The point is that these people, these players, are ultimately INSCRUTABLE, and any attempt to reduce them to some label or anecdotal archetype is problematic at best and plain dumb at worst.
Apr.29 at 10:54 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I have a confession to make–I’ve never stopped to sign an autograph for a kid in a wheelchair. I’m totally going to hell.
Apr.29 at 11:11 pm
henry says:
ive met kg jason kidd, elton brand, rip hamilton, gary payton and a those that were on the 1999 u.s. men’s tournament of ameriacs. saw them in orlando play canada, won by 30 or something, and while watching the game i saw shaq sitting in the 4th row. me and my family watch a nice vender talk to shaq, then the vender ran up the stairs only to return a bit later with a pepsi. only shaq turned him down paying him no intention, not even looking at him. i then decided that all pros are full of themselves. until later that night. after the game, i saw the team bus drive by the parking lot and pull right into the hotel next to the arena. i ran over there and got autographs from all the player except jkidd who was i think hurt and gary payton who was on the phone. elton brand was nice enough to take a pic with me. and i snuck up the hotel with kg and rip. but kg didnt sign because whoever was with him didnt let him, but rip said he would.
Apr.30 at 12:25 am
DP says:
One thing I can say about you Lang is that you are TRUE MOTHAF*CKING FAN.you are down for your team and I know you bleed their colors. I can’t even say I’m a TRUE fan. but I’m learning.
Apr.30 at 12:28 am
David says:
I thought Myles’ comments were pretty funny. And - sorry Lang - even if the Hawks beat the Celts, and I still doubt that very much, how far could they really go? Like the Warriors last year or the Sonic-slaying-Nuggets, does anyone actually think they could make the Finals or even the conference finals? These Hawks, at best, are like one of those NFL teams that’s maybe designed to beat particular divisional opponents but can’t seem to beat many others.
Apr.30 at 12:53 am
Dacre says:
It’s over…..SUNS LOST
Apr.30 at 12:57 am
TC says:
This means that this Celtics won’t win a ring this season. Whoever came out of the west will win it all, period.
Apr.30 at 2:00 am
RV says:
no new links for tonights games?
Apr.30 at 2:22 am
Hursty says:
whats up! RV, think we can get the game in Utah? they played some good basketball today.
Apr.30 at 2:30 am
RV says:
i do, but its gonna be close, if we win game 6, its over for Utah, i guaransheed it.
Apr.30 at 2:33 am
Hursty says:
ooooh! ok!
Apr.30 at 2:39 am
Hursty says:
I was so amped after the game today. Got my internet connection from the library, listening to the game on headphones off the local broadcast and jumped up. I got abused by the old token librarian for being too loud. whoo!
Apr.30 at 2:39 am
Tuomas says:
Yes. That’s how it’s done Pistons. Now keep it the f%&k up. Seems KG & co. won’t be suspended. Wouldn’t bother me that much if they were, but I guess it’s better to actually decide things by, um, playing. Interesting though, considering what they did last year with Spurs and Suns. But that’s Stu Jackson for ya, consistency never been his thing.
Apr.30 at 2:39 am
Hursty says:
* I actually saw footage
Apr.30 at 2:42 am
Hursty says:
fu(k it. the suns had their supernova with Q and JJ, Amare, nash and Matrix in 04-05. The C’s are gonna get away with it and be the golden children of the NBA for the next 2-3 years just like the Suns. The spurs have Pop
Apr.30 at 2:45 am
RV says:
you should have seen it, it was 22 game win streak all over, offense clicking, tight D as always, just having fun, refs had some questionable calls once again, and non calls, but oh well, at least they let the flops go and actually called them for offensive fouls
Apr.30 at 2:55 am
Hubert says:
i thought you got courtside seat, lang?
Apr.30 at 3:05 am
Shtro says:
Is it just me or does Zaza look like the evil twin of Vinnie Chase from Entourage, ala like Bart Simpsons evil (in the end good) twin brother. Please reflect & consider.
Apr.30 at 5:40 am
Hursty says:
RV, I saw the game, you could see how amped Landry was the whole game and (as you said) the ball moved far better especially between guys on the perimeter ‘I got moves’ Landry haha!
Apr.30 at 5:41 am
Hursty says:
moderation su(ks.
Apr.30 at 5:41 am
Hursty says:
I love moderators.
Apr.30 at 7:34 am
FLUXLAND says:
Yes, it’s really mind blowing that members of the press have had nothing but positive experiences with the players. And the point re: the condescending tone, from some of the writers was that I have seen commentators blast Lang, Mutoni, Holly, Cub (and others) and they never, once, got on here and roasted anyone. They always seem to go out of their way to further explain their point or where they were coming from. The other “verbally assaulting member of the crew” don’t even stop to think of that. Sad, really. And for people that criticize the players through their posts, its amazing how they react when the same is done to them.
Apr.30 at 12:12 pm
RV says:
i guess i shouldn’t be surprised that its quiet around here after a big rockets’ win
Apr.30 at 1:26 pm
j says:
Can we fine Cassell every game he plays for “menacing gestures” based on his face alone?
Apr.30 at 1:32 pm
ciolkstar says:
The Spurs got the game on LOCK.
Apr.30 at 4:42 pm
bryant says:
please look at SI.com’s profile pic of joe johnson. something wrong? here’s a hint, IT’S DONTA SMITH!!!