Hawks make a statement & cool off streaking ‘Cats
Jan 26th, 2010 by Aaron Hotchner
Atlanta, 1/22/10 - For Atlanta, who’s putting the League on notice that they’re for real this year, it was just another night at the office. For Charlotte, it was running face first into a brick-wall Hawks squad & leaving Phillips Arena feeling a chill unknown since January 9. With the memory of a 20 point case of ‘Cat scratch fever from Nov. 6 in mind, the Hawks posted a 103-89 victory, snapping the six game run that had made Charlotte the NBA’s hottest team.
Suiting up for Friday night’s game, both teams knew this match-up was getting more attention than in previous seasons. Atlanta, blessed with so much young talent, has seemed to finally have their multiple personalities – team & player – singing from the same song book. Charlotte, despite trading marquee center Emeka Okafor, being up for sale (by BET mogul Robert Johnson) & enduring the tutelage of a brilliant but mercurial coach, (hardwood legend/League gypsy Larry Brown) has somehow transformed themselves into a formidable outfit.
This game found the Hawks taking good care of the ball, besting Charlotte in total turnovers 17-12. Caring means sharing too, with the Hawks having 9 more assists (32-23) than the Bobcats, translating into five players in double figures. Leading the attack was guard Jamal Crawford, whose 24 points came in only 29 minutes of action, a feat he managed by shooting a sweet 66% from the field & hitting all three of his free-throws. Hawk’s center Al Horford also put forth a banner effort, closing out with 23 points, (on very respectable 58% shooting) 9 rebounds, & 5 assists.
Charlotte has been much improved since Nov. 15, after acquiring the services of sometime NBA problem-child Stephen Jackson. Exiled from the Golden State Warriors, Jackson has been averaging almost 21 per game for Carolina. This game was no exception, with ”Captain Jack” – who played for the Hawks in the ‘03-’04 season - putting up 24 points & 6 boards. Only ‘Cats swingman (denoting the talented type who can play both the shooting guard & small forward positions) Gerald Wallace did better, posting 25 points. Known for his highly energetic slashing style of play, Wallace also attempted 13 free throws – one less than Atlanta’s team total. However, he bricked 5 of those 13, with Atlanta a perfect 14-14. In general, Charlotte’s night on the line was not very memorable – 22 of 30, in a game that could have been a lot closer.
”We take bad shots and turn it over,” Charlotte coach Larry Brown said. ”That’s incriminating.” From watching the Larry Brown/Allen Iverson era 76er’s, I know Brown as a demanding guy to play for. LB has made a Hall-of-Fame career out of shoehorning NBA egos into his ”play the right way” mold, & for Charlotte to be performing at their recent level, his lessons have surely taken root. Figure on the ‘Cats being possible play-off spoilers in the LEastern conference. The Hawks though, are looking to do more than just spoil someone else’s play-off hopes. Tied with Boston for second place (29 wins each) in the East & the season past it’s half point, Atlanta dreams of play-off victories – and possibly a championship if their stars align.