ATL Hawks Win In Home Opener vs. WAS Wizards: All You Need To Know
By Editorial Staff
For the second straight game, The Hawks started out hot and never let the other team take the lead, as they jumped out to an 11-0 first quarter lead against the Wizards and never looked back. The Wizards did claw back to within 2 points early in the second quarter, but the Hawks eventually took control of the game and had a 55-42 lead by halftime. In the second half, the Hawks made a statement to put the Wizards away early, and extended the lead by as much as 23 points. The lead could have probably extended more if the Hawks didn’t lose focus, but the Hawks did eventually win their home opener by a respectable 18 points.
The Hawks start out 2-0 to start the season as they beat the Wizards, 101 to 83.
I know it wasn’t the prettiest win, as the Hawks showed at times that they lost interest in executing their offense, but let’s not look at it that way. Let’s look at it in a different perspective and say “The Hawks have won their first two games by an average margin of 27 points”. I know it was against two of the least talented teams in the East (no offense Nets & Wizards), but give the Hawks credit for showing that they are in a different level than those two teams. Too many times last season, the Hawks played down to their level of competition.
At the jump, more observations and notes from the game.
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Starving Marvin!
One of the biggest reasons for the Hawks’ good start this season is Marvin Williams. Is this guy a different player this season or what? He’s playing in a different speed and in a higher intensity. He’s being assertive and making a conscience effort to be aggressive. If these two games are an indication of what he’ll be like this season, you can consider him a candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year. He finished the game last night with 17 points and 8 rebounds. It’s not a flashy stat line, but for a player that everyone perceives as an underachiever, that’s actually impressive.
Balanced Scoring?!
This team has shown good offensive balance so far in these first two games. There hasn’t been one player that has scored over 20 points so far. In the first game, the Hawks had six players in double digits in points. Last night, the Hawks had another six players in double digits in points. That’s something that the Hawks will need to do more this season since a lot of games are so compressed. This team may not have the best talent or the superstars, but teams with balanced scoring will excel more this season than teams that rely on only one or two or three players for scoring. Balanced scoring = less tired players. Less tired players = more wins. I’m not sure if the Hawks can keep this up, but if they can, this team will turn some heads this season.
Jordan Who?
The player that a good number of fans are upset for because the Hawks traded him for an older Kirk Hinrich, went 0-6 from the field and turned the ball over 3 times in 21 minutes of play. I think Jordan Crawford will eventually be a solid contributor in this league, but can Hawks fans agree now and say that the Hawks didn’t trade a franchise type of player?
The real reason Hawks fans should be upset…
Some fans are mad that the Hawks traded Jordan Crawford for Kirk Hinrich, and they shouldn’t be. Hinrich played a bigger role in that Orlando Magic series upset than people give him credit for….but if they really want be mad about something, it shouldn’t be because the Hawks traded Jordan Crawford, it should be because the Hawks traded their 18th pick. Who was the 18th pick? None other than the Georgia native and Canton raised player, Chris Singleton. From what I saw yesterday, he has a high motor on defense, has good athleticism, and shows that he can extend his range. That kind/type of player usually last long in the NBA.
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Hawks Players Twitter Reactions:
"Another good win tonight. We have good balanced scoring. Looking good."
"Another solid win tonight. Great to play at home in front of our fans! Go Hawks"
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Extra Short Notes:
- Bob Rathbun (@BobRathbunTV) called his 1,000th Hawks game yesterday. Congratulations to him!
- Josh Smith and Al Horford both posed a double double yesterday. Josh Smith with 15 points and 10 boards, and Horford had 11 points and 10 boards.
- Joe Johnson led the Hawks in points yesterday with 18 points.
- The Hawks have yet to trail this season. Zero lead changes. Hawks have had control from start to finish in their first two games.
- The Hawks have won six straight home openers.
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Other Recaps:
- Soaring Down South: Game Ball & Extra Laps
- Atlanta Journal Constitution: (First and Second)
- Peachtree Hoops: (Instant and Full Recap)
- Hoopinion: Instant Feedback
- Bullets Forever: Wizards Fall to Hawks as “Hero Ball” Rears Its Ugly Head
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Next Game:
The Atlanta Hawks will be staying home and will be back in action on Friday at Philips Arena, facing the New Jersey Nets, who will be looking for some revenge. The game is at 7:30 PM. Can be watched in SportSouth HD and listened to in 680 The Fan.
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