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Can the C's lose to the Hawks?
It's a notion that was laughable two games ago but now has to be taken seriously after the Hawks shocked the Celtics by winning Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta.
Forget about making the series interesting, do the Hawks have a realistic chance of taking down the best team in the NBA in the first round? Hawks fans certainly think they do. Down in Atlanta, fans are calling this the most exciting Hawks team since the days of Dominique Wilkins (check out what they have to say on this Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog).
What do you think? Are you starting to get worried? Share your thoughts by clicking the "Comments" link above.
I have concerns. Celtics can very well lose to the Hawks. It is obvious what it takes to beat the celtics: Speed. The wizards did it to the and the Hawks are doing it to them as well. Celtics are getting beat in every aspect of the games.
Regardless the if the Celtics win the series they are in no way contenders. What are the Cavs going to do to this team of the are having issues with the Hawks?
A 66 win should not lose any games to a 37 win team in the play-offs. Hawks have their number and I believe the hawks will win the series in 6.
not as much worried about this series... i think they will eventually take it. but what are they going to do about lebron? i mean, joe johnson is no lebron, and just look what he did last night?!
I know all u Boston haters gave up on those country boys from da ATL but its a brand new series now. I look at it like this, there is no pressure on the Hawks all on da Celtics and we all know pressure bust a pipe. With our young team we actually cause problems for da Celtics and we will c yall in Boston SHAWTY. FREE MIKE VICK
I think they do, but if the celtics just play the way they've done all season, they should win the series. Keep in mind the Hawks got the benefit of a lot of calls down in Atlanta, and Boston still has home court. If the Celts do pull out this series, I think it will help them as they go along, having been in a tough series in the first round.
Better be nervous Boston fans...Bosox and Celts are crumbling...
ZAZA and the rest of the A are bringing to all you "fair weather" fans!
Hawks in 7!
Maybe the referees can call it down the middle and we'll see what happens ... the C's hit more field goals and 3-pointers than the Hawks but lost because they attempted 15 more foul shots! Ridiculous. We got Donaghy'd!!!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, you have got to be kidding me. The Celtics missed every open easy shot in the world last night and couldn't make a free throw. Do you really think that is going to continue.... Paaaa Leases.
Why are all these Atlanta fans on the band-wagon all of a sudden? Where were all you guys on Saturday morning when game 3 wasn't even sold out yet? You've had your fun, now the Celtics are going to bring it back to Boston and with the loudest building in the league showing the Hawks some real fans, they'll get their groove back. ATL just can't beat Boston at home.
We thought the Pats loss to the Giants was crushing. This would be the biggest upset in NBA--and possibly, professional sports--history. I hate to say it, but the Hawks carry themselves with the spirit of an underrated March Madness team, while we look like smug veterans who feel entitled to win. Josh Smith's block on KG near the end was shocking and kind of scary. Buckner's legs will look pale in comparison if this thing goes the wrong way....
I think any comment that ends with FREE MIKE VICK, that person should re-assess their lives.
Anyways, even if the C's win, they've been exposed. Look at the Lakers and how they rolled through the Nuggets (a 50 win team). The C's are clearly not in that category.
I think Boston needs their sports teams NOT to be the juggernaut because it's obvious being the underdog is more favorable.
I love how fans ALWAYS blame the refs! Boston lost because Atlanta played better for 2 straight games. And I get the feeling they are going to take this thing in Boston.
I think our guys should take the Hawks a lot more seriously. After the first 2 games I think that they thought that this was just going to be a warm up for the championship series. Well surprise, these guys from Atlanta know how to play some basketball. We just finished study of WW2 and this kind of reminds me of what the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto said after they bombed Pearl Harbor, "I think we have awakened a sleeping giant." All I have to say is if we lose one at home it's all over but the shouting for the Celtics.
While I am a bit concerned today, i'm very confident that the captain will right the ship come wednesday.
Also, hopefully Doc wakes up and doubles Johnson and/or calls KG to slam him to the garden floor...and make him EARN it!
We have the Defensive player of the year in KG and a swarming D that has absolutely shut down the best offesive teams in the leauge (i.e. San Antonio, Dallas, Lakers). In other words, the better team will advance as the hawks run out of gas...sorry!
Home court will play a HUGE role here if this thing goes to seven b/c believe it or not, boston fans are WAYYYY better than dirty ATL fans...plain and simple!
Celts in 6---> Bring on Lebron!
I HAVE THE FEAR! wtf is going on. enough with the jumpers. take it to the hoop straight, draw a foul. Red is rolling in his grave! Celtics bball is smart, fundamental, and tough. KG, Allen, and Pierce need to step back and realize who they are and who they are facing then step up!
yes.. yes I do think this will continue.
Da ATL is bigger and better!!! Da Hawks are bigger, faster, and younger! Aiight yall yankees!! Oh, should I say Soxxxx! Let's Go Hawks!!! Southerner here folks!!!
The Celtics are a much better team and have a lot more experience. They should certainly win the series. That being said, the Hawks have obviously shown they are not intimidated by the Celtics' players or history. If I had to put money on it, I would still have to go with the Celtics, but I would love to see the Hawks take it.
And for all the ATL fans posting things like "Free Mike Vick" and "Vick was framed", please just get over it. He's guilty, he is scum, and he let not only his fans, but his teammates and employers down because of his own self-centered actions and disregard for laws. He is done in ATL and will never be back.
Please quit posting things like this, you just make us all look stupid.
Boston Fans,
I am sorry about the Bonehead Shawty, that is what is wrong with some of the Atlanta fans. It embarasses me to even know this guy supports MV, while he is still in prison. I totally believe he deserves everything coming his way. Shawty, my god, what a name... Should be disallowed from being able to blog in my opinion.
If the Celtics don't start playing the way that they are capable of, they will lose this series, there is no doubt about it. They need to get back to the basics of how they played all year, and to start taking the Hawks seriously. Making 50 percent of your foul shots will not win playoff basketball games. Throwing the ball away and not rebounding is also not the way to win playoff basketball games. They need to FOCUS on the task at hand and finish this series out, or they will be getting an extra long summer vacation very soon.
Celtics in six, its the playoffs and anything can happen. The hawks have had thier two games now say goodby!
whoa whoa whoa, Hawks fans are talking like they just took a 3-0 lead in the series....relax, its a 2-2 tie right now, long way to go...
The Hawks had 15 more free throw attempts because they drove the ball while the Celtics were settling for outside jumpers. Then once the Hawks had the game in control at the end of the fourth the C's fouled, accounting for 6 or 8 additional free throws for the Hawks
Why do the Hawks fans on here speak with the eloquence of a 3rd grade thug? I'm from Atlanta... I'm a Hawks fan... but that's just embarrassing. Guys, c'mon -- don't feed into every stereotype of the south, please; and get over Mike Vick... the man is in the slammer and he's not coming back to the Falcons. Okay?
I think the Hawks, God bless 'em, can take it to a 7th game... but I'm not sure they're quite capable of dethroning Boston... yet. Next season -- if they can keep this chemistry going -- could be exciting.
Celtics fans, where did you put your brooms? You should be ashamed, our young Hawks are not even close to their prime years: Joe Johnson is 26, Josh Smith is 22, Al Horford is 22, Marvin Williams is 21 and Josh Childress is 24.
Maybe the Celtics finish winning the series but nobody expected this.
Where are the so call experts? Steven A. Smith, Charles Barkley.
On paper is beautiful, but you have to play the game.
Go Hawks !!!
Please disregard our Vick poster. He is jealous of Vick's new jailhouse lover.
Now that Ryan is here he will never have him back.
Fouls are the difference, Please/ we remember the Bird years. Maybe the NBA
is trying to even things up.
I like the fair weather fan comments. Considering nobody in Atlanta knows or even cared about the Hawks until a few days ago. Solid attendance all year.
With that said the Celtics can easily be beat. It is obvious that the ship has a leak in it and might sink.
I will say this...the C's have shown to be vulnerable to athletic teams that pound the glass. Also, the C's rely on opponents TOs to win the game (attributed to their defense) much like the Patriots "we don't beat ourselves" motto. If the Hawks limit their TOs, then this series could go down to the wire and anything can happen in a game 7. The C's defense has also been very sloppy and unassertive- time to step it up a few notches.
I'm also a bit upset with River's rotation. I wish he would have kept TA and House in the mix more. They had a real nice rhythm going during the regular season with that rotation. I think the Sam has been a bit disruptive to the flow of the game.
Anyone who wants to free Michael Vick is just an idiot anyways. Hey Atlanta fans, how bout selling out a Braves playfoff game? The WORST fans of all time are in the ATL..
Don't complain about the officiating. The Hawks got more calls because they were taking the ball to the rim while the Celts were settling for jumpers, which ordinarily is their strength. In the 4th quarter they got outscored by Joe Johnson. That's why they lost. If the officials had it in for Boston they'd have tossed KG for throwing an unprovoked 'bow at Pachulia.
There is no way the Hawks can win, unless the Celtics have a total meltdown in the next game - unlikely. I live in Atlanta, but am from Boston. The Hawks perfomances have been stunning but they are never consistant. Trust me, they will be the one's to have the meltdown. It has made for a great series but I am not worried. Doc can outcoach Woodson blindfolded and the Celtics just have more talent. Celtics just had too much sweet tea! They will be fine.
Can someone tell Doc that Tony Allen is on the bench? I think he forgets...
I'm concerned that Doc Rivers did not step up in the fourth quarter. He sat and watched and let his team turn into a bunch of jumpshooters rather than taking the ball to the hoop like the Hawks were doing. And where was Paul Pierce? The Hawks are a serious threat to beat the Celtics. If that's the case I believe heads will roll (Doc?)
Stick a fork in the Celts... Yall are done. You can't run and gun with the high flyin hawks. Tell Johnson and smith are not a poor mans MJ and pippen. DOC is a double agent. After we win , Doc is gonna rip off his suit, exposing a throwback Rivers jersey! Go hawks, put these beaners back in their place as insufferable fans.
Probably not but that depends on how the Celtics respond to the pressure. I think the starters can handle it, but how about the bench? If the Hawks can win Wednesday, then the pressure will really be on. That said I expect Boston to win all games in Boston.
Oh and #3 "Free Mike Vick"? You can't be serious. He needs to pay for his crimes just like any other criminal.
Face the facts, Celtic fans, the Hawks now have something called momentum to go along with their young legs and growing confidence. Josh Smith is like that young kid barreling down the ski slopes without fear of falling or breaking bones. The look on Kevin Garnett's face at the end of the last game said it all....He is concerned.
The Celtics have already moved past their "let's-kick-it-up-a-notch" phase and it didn't work.
Atlanta in 6!
You Celtic fans kill me with this Hawks are getting all the calls nonsense! Did you Celtic fans not see Posey closeline A. C. Law on that loose ball and nothing was called. You whining Celtic fans sound like Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers crying about the shot clock. Those two whining babies had the nerve to say that they were gonna pull their team off the court in Game 3 because of the shot clock problem. If you all are the SUPERIOR team should it matter what the situation is? Should have come to this? I mean you all won how many games?
What this boils down to is the Hawks have pulled the Celtics card and right now they can't do anything about it. The Celtics will win this series in 6, but they have some problems and now they are getting exposed.
You Celtic fans actually want to complain about fouls when all your team was doing was shooting jumpshots. You all took 23 three pointers alone. I think you all got intimidated by all those shots that were getting blocked. Even your sports station (WEEI) said that you all have settled for too many jumpers. Unlike you all, we actually took the ball to the hole. You all saw that display that Joe gave in the fourth quarter.
As stated earlier, the Celtics will win the series in 6 but they may not win the championship.
The Celtics have been exposed. They are old, can't run, can't jump and rely all too much on perimeter jump shots. The Hawks on the other hand are a group of massively talented young kids who are growing up and learning that they DO have the talent to play with anyone in this league. .
You can see the defeat allready in the eyes of your supposed Big 3. You have no answer for Joe Johnson (the most under-rated player in the entire league), no answer for Josh Smith, no answer for the energy that Al Horford, Josh Childress and even Zaza bring to the floor.
Hawks win in 6. Take it to the bank.
Here's what's going to happen.
Celts will lose at home in game 5, a shocker. Then they will truly have their backs to the wall. Atlanta will be mouthing off and pride comes before a fall, says the good book.
Down 3-2, losers of three straight, suddenly Celts look old and finished. They head back to Atlanta. The crowd is a frenzy. The Green dig deep and keep it close. They hit two free throws to tie it up with 3.9 seconds. And pull out an OT win in a game 6 for the ages. You find it hard to sleep with all that adrenaline still pumping through your body.
Celts return to Boston quietly confident again, and win comfortably in an anticlimactic Game 7.
I'm exhausted just foreseeing this.
I can recall when the 2006 Miami Heat (2nd seed) facing the Chicago Bulls (7th seed) which went to a 6-game series. Miami won the first two at home, then Chicago pulled two games at their house. Series tied 2-2! Kinda the same thing. Then Miami played with their defensive capacity and won one at home. 3-2 series. Miami goes back to Chicago and wins the series in 6 games+championship too. I know this is a different series, but it's just a reminder that the series is still far from over. I'm a hardcore Celtics fan and I actually said that Boston will lose the series to the Hawks last night after the disappointing game.
Also, some of the refs calls were horrendous. Rondo takes an elbow to the chest (no foul), Garnett traveling (bs), 2 defensive 3 seconds (come on!). I know that many are thinking of a Warriors-Mavericks upset type of game and so am I, but you have to remind yourself that the series is still not over.
celtics r going 2 beat da hawks period.....and dats when all yall fake azz hawks fans vanish in from r eyes. like yall did i all season...
Does anybody else think Doc Rivers is getting exposed in this series. Tentative decisions and playing not to lose.
Reminds me a lot of the superbowl. Where are the adjustments that should have put the game away in the 4th quarter?
The C's are exposed. Their middle is weak and they're intimidated when they get into the paint. Perkins has been a no-show.
It's all over if they lose Wednesday.
I love how Celtics fans are complaining how the hawks fan didnt support there team. Not to mention there wasnt a reason to support this team until this year. Also for the past 5 years the third highest ratings in a city for the nba finals was atlanta, I would calm down over there, bc until this year you guys werent excatly selling out the fleet center for the last couple of years either(or whatever its called now). I think 790the zone made a good point. The big three havent had to play a full 40 minutes all year. They were blowing people out all year and gettin breathers in the 4th queater. The last 2 games showed a little bit of tiredness. Im not saying the Hawks are winning this series but i have a feeling this might be going 7.
Tough not to complain about the refs...
Seriously, I understand the Hawks were more aggressive to the basket, but it was definitely a lopsided game in terms of officiating. Am I the only one who feels like EVERY SINGLE TIME Bibby has the ball a foul is called? There were so many phantom fouls called on the Celtics last night it was ridiculous.
Did that lose them the game? Nope. 50% at the free throw line didn't help. Frustration at both ends of the court didn't help. Terrible coaching moves didn't help. And going away from what got them here, TEAM DEFENSE, certainly didn't help..
Your Celtics are definatily going down you cant fly with the hawks. You will lose especially if garnetta and that no good thug perkins are suspended. You are goin down fair weather fans.
Sure there are concerns, but I'm feeling a Game 5 win in the Jungle, then we handle our business down in ATL on Friday. Although I may change my tune if Ray Allen continues to guard Joe Johnson.
Thankfully I got away from all your Boston losers and went to Atlanta.... Hawks in 6! Falcons win the Superbowl! And Georgia Tech buries my alma mater - BC! Holler!
To all those Boston fans talking about bandwagon jumping...here are some interesting numbers for you from last season when both teams were in the lottery:
2006-07 attendence:\
Atlanta 17,066
Boston 17,034.
Where irony happens.
Celtics, Doc and Refs please...
1) Doc - If someone on the Hawks goes 1 on 1 for 18 points in the fourth quater (five times in a row at one point) with no thought of passing, please double team him.
2) Celtics - Hit some free throws
3) Celtics - Hit open shots
4) Refs - Be consistent
all the comments about how the hawks have nothing to lose in this series is bogus. of course they have something to lose; no true competitor goes into a game thinking, "If we lose it's fine with me because we weren't meant to win anyway." If you have that mentality then you have no business competing to begin with. you're either in it to win it or you're not; can't have it both ways.
Boston beware! We beat you UP AND DOWN the court Saturday night. Turned around 2 nights later and BEAT YOU AT YOUR OWN GAME! I am aware that going back to Boston will be tough but considering where we are in this series, is it not possible?? Of course it's possble and probable!
By the way...the Boston fans that were sitting behind me at the game and took my towel at the end...keep it. You'll need it to wipe the tears in about 6 days!
FREE MIKE VICK comments negate ANY level of reasoning that may have been previously applied to your post. No wonder the rest of the world shakes it's head at the Atlanta sports scene. Mike's in JAIL becasue of MIKE, realize that & deal with it, please! Now, back to the BASKETBALL series...The C's do have their work cut out for them. Atlanta has not backed down & the longer it goes, the more pressure builds for Boston. Great games, close battles, full of intensity..THAT'S what the playoffs are all about. Haven't seen an Atlanta crowd like that since the 80's. Good for basketball!!
It's been an exciting past two games, and I'm just happy this young Hawks team has shown such heart and promise and the national stage, refusing to back down from the best team in the league.
I think it will be extremely tough for the Hawks to win in Boston. I don't think it will be as bad as the first two games, but it's gonna be tough...
No matter the outcome, this series has been terrific for the NBA and for the city of Atlanta (and should Boston indeed win the series, it will be a useful reality check for them heading into the second round). Still, there's a lot of basketball left...
In any event, please don't spoil intelligent conversation by childlike ref-blaming. That's a tired old loser's excuse and it reflects poorly on your character.
I've always been a Hawks Fan along with many others, but lets face it nobody wants to go to a game a to a team that isn't trying to win a game, I can suport you and cheer you ow but I want a good game with heart in return, THE HAWKS GAVE ME THAT, so even if the Celtics win this thing, the Hawks still proved everyone wrong by getting this far, this was suppose to go 4-0 .. didn't happen .. that's the Nuggets!
Its coaching why we lost both games! Veterans can't play the whole game and keep up with young legs. It doesn't work that way, the substitutions were horrible blame Doc Rivers, Tony Allen is the C's best one on one defender he should have been on J.J by the fourth quarter Ray Allen looked to tired to play defense. You have a great bench use it, once the game got physical you call in the big dogs hint P.J Brown. Eddie House, Powe and Davis who are all physical players blame coaching and Atlanta played a damn good game you can't take that away from them. The C's will win on Wednesday but this series should be over! I'm very disappointed in them no bandwagon fan this way!
"Them Kids Can Play!"... Welcome to the ATL Boston. We are a welcoming city and the coolest city in the US. But you have to understand that when you come into "Sea of Red" you just might get bloodied.
It was new against old. Youth against the end of careers and for 2 games the kids could do it. Now it's a series. The only real problem you have is Pierce is a great player in the words of Boston press only. He has choked all of his career. How many games did he win last year?
There is no quit in Atlanta and the fans here have made the Hawks the 4th best home team in the NBA. We are the future.
You know what gets old is the bandwagon fans from both cities, who obviously just started watching the NBA, or should I say their team, with any regularity. This is the NBA, where 99 percent of the time the best team wins, especially at home. Nothing in this series has changed, except for perhaps the fact that the Hawks phony cockiness is at an all-time high. The Celts will still win by 15-20 at home on Wednesday. If you want to see a real-home court advantage, tune in on Wednesday: Between the shady refereeing and clock management down in Atlanta, coupled with all the trash unproven players like Horoford and Zaza have been talking, this crowd is going to be at an all-time fevered pitch. When the Celts go up big, which they will, Atlanta will start pissing down their leg again and fold like a cheap tent in front of a very testy and frenzied TD Bank North Garden, just like in games 1 and 2. Again this is the NBA, novices, where predictibality happens. If you think the NBA is going to allow the Celtics - their most marketable team in the playoffs - get banged out in the first round, you've got another thing coming. If you want to see a foul discrepancy, wait til you see how many free throws the Celts should tomorrow night. Like I said, Celts by 15-20, going away.
how many bags do i need to bring to boston for the next game so all the bandwagon jumpers can hide their tortured face.
I would say the Celtics played Celtics-basketball for no more than 15 minutes last night. It literally looked like they "turned it on" during that third quarter - the defense was tighter, the passing was crisp, and they shot with confidence. All of a sudden in the fourth quarter, they got scared of Smith blocking shots again (even though he was there thru the third quarter). Oh and I think Sam Cassell was the worst thing to happen to the Celts this year. Not only is he fugly, but I'm sick of him shooting. That one pass he made was nice.
So much money involved in each game, what a difference if the series is 4 games compared to 7 games. The owners need the cash (except for the rich Sox owners) that comes from a lengthy series. The Celts will wear the crown when the exhibition finally ends.
This series has been too interesting. The Hawks are a young team, they wont bring the same energy to Boston. Even the team members of the Hawks stressed the lift of their crowd. The Celtics need to get their sh** together no doubt. But I cant see them losing again in this series. They'll win in B-town and bring it to Atlanta to shut up their young cocky players.
A dog-fight ( sorry, Mike V.) coming in Boston Garden Friday. Get down to the arena for some real entertainment. Loser is out. Fixtures being added to the north end of Faneil Hall in anticipation of a mass garroting in event of the greenies demise.
As a life-long resident as the ATL I am thrilled to see this series get competitive. There must be something in the water down here (what little we have). Remember the UGA Dawgs had their run and now the Hawks are going on one too. I can still remember vividly the Bird-'Nique showdown and how stunned the whole town was for years after that game. Your Celtics will get their act together and Game 5 will definitely be the swing game in this series. Let's all just hope the NBA and Colonel Klink (Stern) don't start handing out stupid suspensions.
AND BTW - MAKE MIKE VICK DO EVERY DAY OF HIS TIME IN PRISON -- AND THEN GIVE HIM A SECOND CHANCE SOMEWHERE.
Not everyone down here is obsessed with him, just the idiots. Guilty is guilty, do you time like everybody else
Now lets get back to basketball and get it on at the GARDEN !!!
First the Pats blow the Super Bowl, the sox lose 5 in a row, and now the Celt's will get bounced. HAHAHAHAHAHA not a great time to be a Boston Fan is it? Go Hawks, Go G-Men, Go D-Rays!!!! All proven to be better than your Boston area trash!
People who think we will lose this serious are out of their minds! ATL had a majority of the calls go their way along with the bounces. Celts still have home court. Celts will make the adjustments needed and will win going away in Game 5 and seal the deal in a close ball game in ATL in Game 6. This will be a huge wake up call and swing them into the Conference Finals based off of more focus and attention to detail.
If that doesn't happen, Rivers should be fired. It's come down to adjustments, he already lost game 4, time to see what this guy is has in store the rest of the way. Can I see some Tony Allen please? Some Big Baby? I thought Tony Allen was our best defender?
If we play tough hard noes defence. we will win. If we don't, we will lose. It's that simple.
Forget about the regular season. Forget about Boston's 66 wins and Hawk's 37 wins. Boston is no match to those athletic young Hawks. Hawks finally found their game and I dont see s stopping them.
I expect the Hawks to win Wednesday night. And if they do, it will all be over in Atlanta.
Atlanta Fans,
Settle it.. Your all acting like you are going to run the table.. Your won two games Whooptiefreakingdo! Yea you guys got a young fresh team, but you ahve no leader experience, and if you think Mike Bibby is going to lead this team to the finals.. LOL Atlanta needs to come back into Boston, trust me when I say that you will not be welcome, and it will not be easy. I just hope that when the Celtics finish off the Hawks in 6 games, that we celebrate with streamers and taunt the hell out of your team.
RDP59. You're everything wrong with the South. Free Mike Vick? I'm sorry to see a good Boston College boy stuck playing for your backward a** country folk team, the Falcons. It's a waste of intelligence. I can't even understand a thing your saying. Go back to school and learn some English. Celts in 6. The spirit of Red is alive and KG craps bigger than Joe Johnson.
Is there a new curse in town? This would indeed be as bad if not worse than the pats stinkbomb at the SB. How on earth? Why can't the C's adjust? I have a hard time believing it's just a "young legs" issue. C'mon guys. Don't do this to us. It's one thing if the Celts lose in the East finals or NBA finals. But losing to the Hawks?
The Celtics have gotten schooled in the last few games but this series is over by Friday. They'll roll at home on Wednesday and finally show why they went 31-10 on the road when they win a gritty Game 6 on Friday. Come Saturday morning Hawks players can turn their attention back to who's dancing at the Gold Club.
Hey Y"all:
Get ready for some real basketball when the Hawks com e to Boston. You mut remember that the Hawks did not start playing well until they got Mike Bibby. This franchise has been clamouring for a good and/or above average point guard to go allong with the sped and athelitism have on the wings. Joe Johnson can hold his own with anybody. That is why he is an All-Star. With the combination of all these things, and Bibby's speeding the game up for these young Hawks, the sky is the limit. Remember, Bibby has only been with Atlanta for less than 2 months. WOW!
And the Hawks are steadily improving right before the nation's eyes. This team is real scary for anybody right now. To start peaking during the playoff is a blessing for the Hawks but an unfortunate happening for other teams. Believe me this team is ready to "SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!!! AND why not take a trip through Boston so part of the world can see it.
SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ringold
Doc should be fired. Well, that's not true. He should have been fired last year, or the year before that...so I guess it's Danny and his "oops, this was my 'plan' all along" that should be fired.
And no, I'm not over-reacting to 2 losses. I've said it all year long. Doc Rivers is a TERRIBLE NBA coach. Always has been, always will be. Without Tom Thibideau, who Doc defers to and lets run the defense in key points in the game, the Celtics would've been a 50 win team and that's only because of the talent.
The Celtics won 66 games this year IN SPITE of Doc Rivers being the coach. The chickens are coming home to roost. We need KG to step up, stop trying to be unselfish, and take control of this team. Enough about it being "Paul's team". Take over already. Enough is enough.
This just goes to show that in sports no one really knows anything. You have these analysts who completely dismiss the Hawks and make it seem as though they are middle school JV team going up an NBA dynasty. And now the series is tied. I don't know what the next few games will present us. I hope that Atlanta can keep up the intensity when they go to Boston just the same as they had at Phillips. But speaking as one of the few die-hard, lifelong Hawks fans, I'm thrilled that this team's talent is getting to be shown on a national stage. The Hawks don't hardly ever play on national TV so people have no idea what this team is about. But regardless of whether or not Atlanta pulls off the upset, NBA fans everywhere should now recognize the Hawks as a team on the rise.
I am a long time Celtic fan, ever since Cowens, Havlichek, Nelson.... Love Pierce and Allen, but I have watched KG here in Mpls for a number of years and although I admire his overall game, he is sadly both soft and dumb. If you are relying on him to lead this team through the finals, I think you will end up disappointed.
Good luck.
-misplaced Irishman
ANY CHANCE KG SITS ONE OUT FOR HITTING THE REF
Can we tell all these hicks from the sticks to please save their delusional ramblings to their own ATL message boards? It's kind of like a house fly that you know will never make it out of the house and eventually in 2 days, yet it insists on dive-bombing on everything and ruining a perfectly good meal!
Oh I forgot, they don't have a real sports page site down there. I wonder if they even have an internet connection down there or maybe they are all just at the library today?
From Atlanta-
The Hawks were the yearly losers until the playoffs ( 37 WINS?), and their owners are laughable. No chance
As for the great draft pick, Matt Ryan turned the page on Vick, and the guy won't see the city limits when he's finally unlocked.
Hawk fans need to settle down....the only reason you beat us in Game#3 was because you shot lights out in the 2nd half, compared to the C's abysmal shooting. The only reason you win Game#4 is because Doc Rivers doesn't know how to make an adjustment! Where the heck is Tony Allen!?!? He is long, versatile, and physical, and can shadow Joe Johnson who was driving the lane at will last night. Oh, and does anyone else think that Sam Cassell is the second coming of Eric Gagne!?!? Get him out of there! Hawks will fold on the road, as their road record this year indicates (12 wins!)
Peace up, A-Town Down, hahaha, You people in Boston sure are proper. Wareagle13 do not try to speak for another person. If that person is passionate about freeing MV7 then thats him, you and Arthur Blanke suck. One thing I give you Bostonians, you want to win Championships unlike people like Waregle13 who just wants to be proud of those good natured boys representing the city, while they lose game after game, example the Falcons. I like Matt Ryan but he came to the wrong team. I apologize Bostonians for what will happen to him dealing with Low Down Dirty, Arthur Blanke. Further more most true Atlanta sports fan are not fair weather, we refuse to support a franchise that seem to have no interest or no clue how to win. The Hawks have given us a reason to believe, I did attend 5 games this year and thats after returning in Janurary from a military deployment, I will also have a chance to see the sorry Falcons because there will be plenty of empty seats WAREAGLE13 will your PETA loving behind be there. The winner of game 5 will win the series. You all are in for a fight Boston. A-Town is coming.
Being a Hawks fan, I told everyone that I thought they could get one win at home. But after the game last night I think that anything can happen. With as cocky as the Celtics started this series, they deserve getting it back a little bit and getting their inflated egos bruised. I though Pierce was going to light it up after Horford taunted him after game 3, but he ended up being a non-factor. Then ZaZa going right back at KG, and Josh Smith blocking his shot late in the game. It will take more than screamin and beating your chest to win the rest of these games. It will be interesting to see how they respond to a team that is obviously not intimidated by them anymore, which will make it even harder for the Celtics if they move on because everyone was watching last night and will be watching the rest of the series.
With that said: I am just glad that the Hawks have given this series something to talk about. If they move on great, if not, what a show they put on for the rest of the league. I am already excited for next season.
I was hoping that the Hawks would at least make it difficult for the Celtics and they have done that. With that said, the Hawks aren't quite there just yet and I predict the Celtics to take the series in six. Of course, I am still rooting for Atlanta!
C's will win with the home court advantage but they need to be more aggressive offensively and defensively. They took a 10 point lead into the 4th quarter after several minutes of great defense and then just bombed away from 3 point land, which may work during "meaningless" regular season games but not the playoffs.
Atlanta may have better athletes and younger legs in Smith and Horford, but the Celts are better players and will win if they play D like they can.
Why do Atlanta fans suddenly feel entitled to talk smack? You don't even know how fans are in Boston, you just listen to Mike Bibby and watch biased Sportscenter stories; Cut the petty name calling bullcrap and realize a few things: The Hawks have had a fun 2 game stretch, but the Celtics are a team that has won 66 games this season...let's be realistic. You do have a chance, and the two wins are impressive, but you're coming back to Boston and things will definitely be different with the atmosphere, tradition, and utter anger that KG had after losing two games in a row. Plus KG, Pierce, Allen, and the rest will be looking to bury a mediocre team. I know the theme this year has been "Let's hate on Boston Sports" and it's really sad because no one has a legitimate reason for it, most people who say bad things about Boston sports usually have never even been there and have no idea what the people are like and it's caused by the media overreaction to the whole "spygate" thing and it looks to me like Hawks fans are jumping on that bandwagon like the rest of the country, but who can blame them? the Braves can't win and the Falcons can't either. So Hawks fans please either think about what you're saying (or writing) or just don't say it because it's obnoxious and frankly, makes you look like idiots. Oh and stop believeing everything you see on TV, most of it comes from one of the biggest media centers, NYC, and it's slanted to make Boston Sports look bad; make your own decisions and don't hate on a fanbase because someone tells you to.
Frankly, I'm proud of my Hawks. Been a fan a long time with very little to cheer about. Boston has the 16 banners, history, mystique, veterans, and record to be the favorite. Some of those banners are insignificant because the league was different then. Anyway, what I don't understand is how you white boys CANNOT accept that we can still have love for MV. Why do ALL of you, not just the ones in Boston, think turning your back on someone who messed up is the way to go? I have never understood this. One would think that caucasians don't have family members or friends who make, or have made, terrible mistakes. I wonder if any of you are calling those cops in NY scum for shooting an unarmed man 50 times. Probably not because they were white and the victim was black. MV did alot for the Falcons and for the city of Atlanta. We hate he messed up but he is still a human and we WILL NOT judge his entire life over this incident. The funny part about is that during game 1 and 2, KG, PP, and Perkins were playing to the cheers of the 99% white crowd while cursing and acting like uncivilized animals on the court. They were going out of their way to hurt and mame other African Americans, and after the game there are still sections of Boston, in 2008, that they can't take their black butts to without getting harrassed or worse like shot 50 times by the police.
Hey I hope the Celts take it. I love the Celtics and always have(for all u hating Atlanta fans talking trash about band wagon jumpers). Oh yeah, the Falcons are a solid club, Braves? what have they done recently, and oh yeah the Hawks, I'll give it to them their playing damn good, Joe Johnson and josh Smith are nasty but seriously you better hope that KG gets suspended for game 5 otherwise it will be another beaten at the Garden! And damn it Doc, you better figure something out man, or if we lose this series I highly doubt we'll see you on our bench next year. Give Eddie House some run, Cassel threw the ball at the side of the backboard like 3 times yesterday, he wasnt even close, come on!!! Lets go Celts, your better than this, Tommy Heinsohn's gonna be pissed nd so am I. Yankees Suck!!!!!!!
Celtics just need to take a page from the Pistons' book. They put the Sixers back in their place. Cs played the same game, with a bg 3rd quarter, though they kind of fell apart in the 4th quarter. Nothing they can't fix. They're still a better team but both players and coach are still feeling their way through their first playoff series.
Have KG ever made it out of the 1st round of the NBA playoffs?
The Celtics lost Game 4 because they became extremely lazy on offense. This has to be laid at Doc Rivers' feet. The Hawks are not a particularly strong opponent - they have no outside shooting to speak of and shot poorly throughout the game whenever the Cs played D.
You Boston fans can't even be serious when you speak about our attendance. Like you all were decked out in Celtic jerseys before you got PP, RA, and KG. Of course there's going to be more interest - that's natural. The ultimate fact is we have Boston running scared. Rondo is in the paper this morning saying how they don't want to be this year's Dallas and you know why he said it? Because he knows, just like all you Beantowners know, it can happen.
Hawks in 6
Even if the Hawks don't win this series, maybe it will turn the "fair weather fans" to season ticket holders. I haven't seen a more hype crowd since the Falcons had Mike Vick. Since Vick left the Dome, it hasn't been the same. I use to stay the whole game but me and many others ended up leaving by the half. Many season ticket holders were Vick fans first then Falcons fans second. Anyway, I myself am a die hard Knicks fan and I have been living in ATL for 18 years. I haven't been to a Hawks game since Nique left but I was there for game 3 and 4. Lets just say that I'm releasing my Falcon's season tickets and buying some for the Hawks. Atlanta has ALWAYS been "fair weather fans" by the way. Welcome to the band-wagon baby!
Yes, I'm very concerned about the Celtics losing this series. Look at what happened to the Mavericks last year. I see the same kind of attitude on the Celtics as I saw on the Mavericks. Just as important, I see the same kind of attitude on the Hawks that I saw on the Warriors.
Celts can still right the ship, but they are going to have to realize they have to play hard for 48 minutes. They're also going to need the Rondo that showed up for games 1 and 2. I don't know where he's been the last 2 games.
Celtics better not take game 5 lightly or they'll be going back to Atlanta down 3-2. It almost seems like 1988 all over again.
When it is all said and done. The better team will win. There is a reason Boston won 66 and Atlanta one 30 games less. The C's will get straightened out and win the series. I have no clue whether it will be 6 or 7, but in the end Boston is superior and even Atlanta posters know it.
Good effort - Atlanta but not quite enough to move on.
I agree with Wrong Allen! Tony Allen sometimes lacks offense but is a very athletic defender. "DOC PUT HIM IN".The officials in the NBA are overall the worst in all major sports. Rondo was almost killed (no foul), Rook of the year (what a joke) almost decapitated Pierce again no foul. But the Celts lost it by themselves. Winning 66 games they must have done some things right. I believe about a month ago our second team beat your first team on a Saturday night when the Hawks were trying to sneek in the back door. The only thing you all did right this week end is draft a real QB not a dog killing @#$%@#!
KG don't have what it takes to lead this team to the promised land....he's as soft as a baby's behind!!!!
Losing Garnett, Perkins and Sam Cassell - suspended for one game each for instigating a melee and stepping on the court - the Celtics will hurt far more than the Hawks if they lose ZaZa and Marvin Williams.
BIGEASY, As usual the brotha' is in denial about Vick or maybe he is the jealous
one. Matt Ryan is just what we needed. You probably are one of the Aaron Brooks
followers. You are an idiot. It's spelled Blank you dumbass
How about playing your best defender in Tony Allen? I am sure he can do a better job on Joe Johnson.
The only reason why the Celtics will win this series is because they have a possible 2 more games at home. I am extremely concerned as a celtic fan.
Atlanta will not win in Boston .The Celtics threw the game away by taking 3 point shots instead of bringing it in .Remember it is financially better for both teams to play all 6 games .Did the C's throw the game away? for a longer series? Come on now ATL you know the C's will dominate the Hawks any day ......but we have to make money so lets let the hawks win at home make money and the fans happy .Now we will win sunday in Boston my predictions.So all you ATL South bandwagon jumpers including jermaine dupree who hasnt gone to a game all season and now shows up ,YOU WILL LOOSE!
The bottom line is the way the Celts are playting now they'd get smoked by Detriot, San Antonio, LA, and Phoenix. Charles Barkley was correct......the NBA regular season does not mean a thing come playoff time. Also was Sam Cassell and PJ Brown really the players we should have gotten to "blolster" our playoff run?
Atlanta will not win in Boston .The Celtics threw the game away by taking 3 point shots instead of bringing it in .Remember it is financially better for both teams to play all 6 games .Did the C's throw the game away? for a longer series? Come on now ATL you know the C's will dominate the Hawks any day ......but we have to make money so lets let the hawks win at home make money and the fans happy .Now we will win sunday in Boston my predictions.So all you ATL South bandwagon jumpers including jermaine dupree who hasnt gone to a game all season and now shows up ,YOU WILL LOOSE!
I hate Atlanta they suck we will beat them tommorrow i am hoping real bad joe
johnson my ass he sucks so does josh smith and mike biddy up yours atlanta fans your goona get kick out by the celtics in the playoffs
With a coach who has never taken his team out of the 1st round, there is good reason for Celtics fans to be concerned. X's and O's and strategizing have never been Doc's strong points. Right now, the 66 win team is the one trying to figure out how stop the 37 win team. That's not the way it should be.
But this collapse-in-the-making isn't just about coaching. The effort just hasn't been there the past two games. Even in games 1 and 2 it looked like the C's were just going through the motions. I think the first two games were a result of Atlanta not showing up, rather than the C's being that effective.
Every loose ball is going to Atlanta. The rebounding edge is going to Atlanta. The C's are missing open shots and botching layups. They're missing free throws. The talent on this team should be able to overcome the coaching deficiencies we have. But right now, all the momentum is with the Hawks. And when I saw how rattled and tentative Kevin Garnett and the rest of the C's looked last night, I am very worried about this series.
Harvard Blue said:
"I wonder if any of you are calling those cops in NY scum for shooting an unarmed man 50 times. Probably not because they were white and the victim was black."
No. No they weren't. Two of the cops involved in that incident were African American, which made the whole situation very different than most blanket-comment racist shootings.
I also find no place in this particular message board for brining up the tragic and controversial killing of an unarmed man by three NYC police officers.
Let's stick to basketball people.
To the person who brought up Attendance figures...Cite your sources. Last year (06-07) the C's averaged 16,843 vs Atlanta's 15,594. In the words of Stephen A Smith...Howver, if you look at the percentage: Boston's arena was 85.9 % full to the Hawks' 78%. (ESPN.com)
Celtics will turn this around and win in 6.
look this is not goin to happen the celtics will win at home on Wed. and will have momentum to go down to atlanta and we will win this series for crying out loud.
To Al: Why bring the Red Sox into this? this is a basketball discussion or can't you read? Idiot. Since the topic is basket ball, I tip my cap to the hawks as they have played great basketball the last 2 games and I certainly did not believe a team with 60+ wins in the regulat season could let this happen but thats why you play the games and let history be written. Now back to the Red Sox, since Al is a bandwagon Rays fan, so what, it's only April! The Red Sox are a great organization Al, as are the Braves I'll say, but recent history says the Red Sox have gotten it done with organizational depth, and a commitment to winning unlike the Braves who have trouble seeling out a playofff game!
As an Atlanta fan I will say it was amazing watching them play the last two games. We have not had much to chear about in Atlanta for a long time. I think Boston takes the series but Atlanta sure has shown some heart and gave us something to look forward too.
There will be nothing better I'll enjoy more than seeing the Celtics lose to Atlanta. As a lifelong Boston sports fan, I am getting tired of the smug, arrogant fans who think they are the best, especially the WEEI gang and the pathetic dingalings who call the shows. Will McDonough was right, it is nitwit radio at it's very best. I finally got tired of listening to it.
First the Patriots, now the Celtics and the Sox are looking like anything but a World Series champion.
Did Boston fans not learn anything from recent history about 1 vs 8 seeds. Obviously not, they're arrogant, smug jerks.
Remember what it was like. Do we need some humbling do bring us back to earth?
I have watched Every Celtic game this season, the Problem - Doc has changed the rotation. I wish he would quit giving Sam (brokeback) playing time. He is not the Stealth fighter coming in guns blazing to the rescue. He slows us down to a crawl, does not pass the ball - then takes a 'I know this is going in' shot. We need to get back to our regular season rotation. It worked all year - 'what the problem is'!?! How could he possibly know more about our team tendecies than Eddie House and Tony Allen. Come on Doc put the real C's back on the court. At least give them a chance - They Have Earned that much, and Sam has earned nothing.
After the Pats losing the SB this could be even worse. The Celtics look lost, frustrated, & confused. There is no intensity from any of there players at all. The Hawks want this more they know they can beat the Celtics. The Celtics have to win Game 5 or there in serious trouble. I wont be surprised at all if the Hawks win Game 5. Don't get me wrong i'm a die hard fan but I think this is too good to soon. The Celts are still a young team with alot of learning to do. Don;t forget they only won 24 games last year.
I agree with alot of people here This team might be a 66 win team but there not ready to take there game to the next level. They will get smoked buy LA Detriot SA Cleveland or NO.
While Atlanta doesn't have the most supporting fans in the world, they at least appreciate winning. The worst fans in the nation are in Miami, hands down.
Born in Boston, raised in Atlanta. Go Hawks!
I'm from New Orleans, but go to school in Boston. I consider myself to be rather objective on this series. I may love the Red Sox but share no such affection for the celtics. Certainly, i have a disdain for any team from Atlanta. I think the series will be comepetitive but that the celtics will win in 6. But unless they take this as a wakeup call they will not win the championship. Either, showtime Lakers or Cinderella New Orleans would upset them. And for the record, if one wants to see poor officiating, did anyone see game 3 of the Hornets/Mavs. The Mavs out shot the Hornets by 20-something free throws. How did the Hornets respond, by going on the road to a hostile building of 20,644 on Sunday Night and winning in a building they have never won in and in a city they haven't won in in a decade. Geaux Hornets!
Anything is possible, but those who THINK the Hawks can win two out of three when 2 out of three are in Boston in the playoffs are a bit crazy. Game three best possible game Hawks can play, game 4 best game joe johnson will ever play. Celts played ok, yesterday but had HORRENDOUS calls, and horrible free throw shooting, and some real bad just wouldnt drop layups and 2 footers throughout the 4th quarter, that would have all but ended the hawks, but nothing went right. That will not and can not happen at home. Celts win the next two in no contest victories. The games might look close for a bit especially in game 6 but it will be 8 point plus victories if not well higher. It wasn't speed that won that game, it wasnt like hawks were up and down the court, it was bad no calls, make ups, and bad layups and bad free throws. If anyone is trying to make the celts seem like some slow team and the hawks are all running past them, its unfounded. Ray Paul and KG the big three are not slow old players they get out and get at it, and obvioulsy rondo and just about everyone on the bench can move their feet and pass too. It is what it is, and it will be what it will be. A little fun thrown in their to keep it interesting. Hawks are good, but they are like now a 5 game over 500 type good with Bibby and some experience later in the year. Records mean nothing, but thats what I would project this team throught the year. They can also beat a cavs team. But wont beat celts, and therefore wont face cavs.
2 Legit 2 quit!
Hey! Hey!
For all you Celtic fans. Your team looked like a bunch of punk sissy's last night, especially Kevin Garnett. He backed down to sorry ZAZA Pachulia. That really makes him look like a little girl. Not only that but he will be suspended, sucks for him. Momemtum is definantly in the Hawks corner. Hawks win tommorow night with an upset in Beantown, then take the series Friday night at rockin Phillips arena. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson are for real.
GEZZ... Reading the crap (Da,Da,Da,bull) trash mouth, really shows how ignorant the people are here in Atlanta.. All of a sudden your a fan? Please the only time Philips Arena would even fill half way, would be to see a BIG name in town. OMG!!!
I'm getting so tired of you bandwagon jumping Atlanta morons talking smack that I'm going to suit up for games 5 and 6 and personally knock your sorry team out of the playoffs myself just like I did 20 years ago. Atlanta is a pathetic sports town and you should all be in jail with Mikey Vick.
'BeanTown' will become 'ChokeTown' if this act keeps up. Go Hawks!
One thing I noticed in the past few regular season BOS/ATL games is that the Hawks played well in the first half and then panicked and shot poorly. They did that again in the third in game four. They're not going to panic anymore.
Boston really needs to start running more, and then they could seal the deal.
This is going to be a great series, and I think the Celtics take it in seven, but it's anybody's series now.
Go Hawks!
Who cares about the name calling. Who care about the non-basketball references. Who cares about the attendance figures. Who cares about the Mike Vick comments. Who cares about the poor officiating.......We all do, and that's why these last two games have been great for the series and for the NBA. Every one of you geeks is a fan of your team and town, and most of these postings would never have been submitted, if the Hawks hadn't won the last 2 games. Revel in it, regardless of the team you support. We all get to watch exciting, drama-filled basketball for the next 2-3 nights. Can any other city say the same about their teams? No, instead, they ALL will be watching the Celtics-Hawks battle it out in one for the ages. Take a step back and enjoy. This is truly why we all follow sports, right?