| 28 December 2011
GATA = Hawks opening night mode.
No, I do not intend to tell you what that acronym means. Look it up if you don't know. I borrowed it from one of my favorite NFL players and it certainly fits the Hawks mode in last night's opener versus the Nets. They were definitely on a mission and it could not have been a better start to this shortened season.
The Nets were coming off a big victory over the Wizards. Their media poster boy Kris Humphries (aka the ex Mr. Kim Kardashian) put up 21 points. The Nets were all full of themselves and all over the sports media coverage like it was a big accomplishment to down the Wizards. Child please. The Nets then had to face an actual team in the Hawks and everyone quickly saw that the Nets are the team everyone thought they were and that the Hawks can beat a team down on any given night if they play focused basketball.
But let's not get carried away. Last season, we Hawks fans saw far too many times our team taking down an elite team to only lose the next night to a bottom dweller. So, let's not get too cocky. I mean look what happened to the Nets. That was just plain embarrassing.
The Nets coach Avery Johnson said things like "Hopefully we get in a little better game shape. Some of our guys are not in great shape." Really?! Well I guess it's an excuse and in such a beat down I guess any excuse will do in a pinch. He also said that the only way to get in better shape is to play more games. How about the gym or some weights or a diet or a better attitude? Guess that stuff is not important.
Nets guard Deron Williams said that the team had a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it in. He also said the team was learning on the fly. Learning what exactly? How to play the game? I think it's a bit late for that.
On to the Hawks, because really who cares about the Nets. Just 22 seconds into the 1st quarter, Marvin Williams hit a 3 point shot to give the Hawks the lead and they never once relinquished it the rest of the game. That's how dominant they were. The Hawks bench was absolutely stellar including Radmanovic with 17 points, Pachulia with 13 and McGrady with 12. The bench also made it possible for the Hawks starters to ALL play under 27 minutes.
Pachulia also had 11 rebounds on the night. McGrady in his 21 minutes of playtime was 5 for 12 from the floor but contributed 12 points. Radmanovic also had 5 assists and 4 steals on the night. It definitely made this Hawks fan feel better about not having Jamal Crawford to come off the bench this season. Maybe the Hawks weren't so crazy after all, but that remains to be seen when they take on a contending team next week.
The Hawks were almost 45% from the floor, 52% on the threes and an outstanding almost 86% from the charity stripe. They had 17 offensive boards, 23 total assists, 11 steals, 4 blocked shots and 42 points off the bench. It couldn't have been a better start for the opening game of the season.
Of course, it was the Nets. The Hawks now have Wednesday vs. Washington, Friday vs. New Jersey, Saturday @ Houston. Not exactly the hardest first opening week anyone has ever seen. Next week however, things take a decidedly more competitive turn when the Hawks get the Heat, the Bulls and the Heat again. That will tell the real tale of this early season. Let's hope they keep playing like they did last night. Let's Go Hawks - GATA!!!
