Powell’s signing with Hawks a homecoming

By Bud L. Ellis

For the newest member of the Atlanta Hawks, signing with the team is a chance to earn more playing time. It’s an opportunity to take the lessons that come with two NBA championship rings and apply them in a new place.

And yes, for Josh Powell, it’s a homecoming.

A prep star with suburban Riverdale High School a decade ago, the 6-foot-9 Powell signed with the Hawks on Monday, a deal that first came to the surface of the rumor mill last week. ( Read More…)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 8:35 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks news, Atlanta Hawks schedule, Atlanta Hawks tickets, Josh Powell, Los Angeles Lakers, National Basketball Association, Shaquille O’Neal

Hawks should cruise past Shaq

By Bud L. Ellis

He turns 39 years old in March. He’s not exactly the swiftest player in the world. He’s been known to slow teams down in the clubhouse with injuries and drama.

So if you are the Atlanta Hawks, why exactly are you interested in Shaquille O’Neal? ( Read More…)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:02 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks news, Atlanta Hawks schedule, Atlanta Hawks tickets, Joe Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Shaquille O’Neal

Hawks eye showdown with Magic … and probably recall last meeting

By Bud L. Ellis

So, remember the last time the Atlanta Hawks ran across the Orlando Magic?

Even though the game didn’t count in the standings, that big ol’ bruise the Magic left all over the Hawks’ pride definitely hasn’t been forgotten.

Back on Oct. 23, Atlanta traveled down to Orlando for the final game of what – to that point – had been a nearly perfect preseason. But the Magic cast a spell over the Hawks that night, racing out to a lead that pushed north of 40 points at times before winning 123-86.

Now granted, there is nothing you really can take from a preseason game … or is there?

Flash forward to now. The Hawks and the Magic are tied atop the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference at 11-3 (heck, that’s tops in the NBA with the Lakers and Suns).

The two teams meet Thursday night at Philips Arena in a Thanksgiving night showcase that will be broadcast nationwide on TNT. It’s a big-time stage for a Hawks’ team that’s looking every bit like a big-time player this season.

And while the Hawks may not obsess over it, you better believe they remember that beatdown they took the fourth Friday in October in central Florida. That game, as you recall, didn’t count for anything … or maybe it did.

Maybe it’ll end up doing the Hawks some good. Maybe it gave Atlanta a good look at a team that played for the NBA title in June, and maybe that’s what has helped the Hawks race out to 11 wins in their first 14 games.

If so, the Hawks should give Orlando a thank you. They’ll get the chance to do so Thursday night.

—30—

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 4:56 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, National Basketball Association, Orlando Magic, Philips Arena, Phoenix Suns

Hawks return home, chew up Nuggets

By Bud L. Ellis

The easiest path to the playoffs is simple math:

Play .500 on the road, and dominate at home.

So far, the Atlanta Hawks are earning straight A’s in math class. Keep this up, and Atlanta will have a shot when it comes to exam time.

One night after a four-game in six-day road trip caught up to them in a road loss at Charlotte, Atlanta returned home and ripped through Denver, 125-100 Saturday night at Philips Arena.

Through seven games, consider the Hawks are 2-2 on the road, having downed Portland and Sacramento in between losses at the defending champion Lakers and at Charlotte. At home, the Hawks are perfect, moving to 3-0 at Philips with the win over Denver.

Good teams play even ball on the road, then do what they’re supposed to do at home. The Hawks had that missing zip, that missing step, when they stepped onto their home court against a Denver team that played deep into the playoffs last season.

Jamal Crawford again did his thing off the bench, Mr. Offense leading the way with 25 points. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith each popped in 22 points, as seven Hawks scored in double figures.

The Hawks put their even-steven road record on the line Wednesday with a trip to New York.

–30–

Monday, November 9, 2009 at 8:19 am by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Philips Arena, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings

Hawks buried in third-quarter blitz, suffer first loss of season

By Bud L. Ellis

This wasn’t the way the Atlanta Hawks wanted to open their four-game road trip.

Playing at the defending NBA champions, the Hawks came unglued in the third quarter Sunday night, a four-point third-quarter deficit deficit turning into a 22-point hole thanks to an 18-0 L.A. run as Atlanta eventually fell 118-110.

It marked the first loss of the season for the Hawks after two home victories last week. And while Joe Johnson led the way with 27 points, he didn’t get much support as Atlanta shot 43 percent from the floor.

Jamal Crawford came off the bench with 17 points. Mike Bibby scored 15, and first-round draft choice Jeff Teague added 12, most coming in the fourth quarter to spark a rally that made the final score somewhat respectable.

The Hawks finished with 20 turnovers, and the Lakers made Atlanta pay for its sloppiness.

Atlanta takes on Portland Tuesday night in the second game on this four-game trip.

–30–

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 9:23 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Bibby, National Basketball Association, Portland Trail Blazers

Smith reaches milestone, Hawks get defensive in win over Washington

By Bud L. Ellis

A monumental moment on the defensive end for Josh Smith sparked the Atlanta Hawks in a return to defensive night at Philips Arena.

Smith became the youngest player in NBA history to block 900 shots, and Atlanta rebounded from a shaky defensive effort in the season opener to beat Washington 100-89 on Friday, improving to 2-0 on the season.

Sure, the Hawks are unbeaten, but there was some worry after the Pacers ran through the Atlanta D for 65 first-half points in Wednesday’s season opener. Consider the message delivered, though: Atlanta held Indy to 15 points in the fourth quarter, then bounced back from an early 10-point deficit to take care of the Wizards.

J’Smooth led the Hawks with 20 points in 29 minutes, along with eight rebounds. Joe Johnson scored 17, Jamal Crawford infused the Atlanta offense with 16 points off the bench, and Al Horford and Marvin Williams chipped in 10 points each. Crawford’s effort led the Hawks’ bolstered bench, which gave Atlanta 27 points.

The Hawks needed these two wins at home, and they got them. Now, it’s time to hit the road. Atlanta plays at the defending champion Lakers on Sunday, opening a four-game road swing that includes meetings at Portland on Tuesday, at Sacramento on Wednesday, and at Charlotte on Friday.

–30–

Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 6:54 pm by bud

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Los Angeles Lakers, Marvin Williams, National Basketball Association, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards