Now that the Season is over, here are some of my thoughts on the State of the Hawks Nation:

We’ve improved.

We have allot more experience in the post season.

Mike Woodson should be fired, he probably won’t be. 

We need a Center.

There’s allot of work to do in the off season. Most of which should be done by Josh Smith, shoot 300 three-pointers a day… You like em so much? Get good at them.

We need a real PG… Sorry Bibbs, you were good in the playoffs, but not good enough…

Joe, please get hype. 

Mike Woodson, since you probably aren’t gonna get fired… Stop drinking and motivate the team. Get someone to give you the “Mic’d Up” tape of Mike Brown on the bench. Learn something. 

Hawks, you did good… I’m not disappointed.

In less than 7 games, I officially don't like Dwayne Wade... Just needed to get that out.

Now on to the real post...

It's simple, the Atlanta Hawks took their game to the next level... Or round, if you will. For Joe Johnson... Josh Smith.. and even the Steve Harvey lookin' Mike Woodson, this is a dream realized. It might not be the greatest accomplishment, but coming from the not so distant past season of 13 total wins and the scorn of not drafting stars like CP3, Deron Williams and plenty of other big name guys in the league today, winning the first round series versus the Miami Heat was plenty to yell, scream and be extremely happy about. 

And even with all the excitement of their greatest accomplishment in 10 years, the Hawks can only celebrate just so much... The next series is vs the high-intensity, uber good basketball team known as the Cleavland Cavaliers... or as I like to call themKing James and his Royal Army... We no longer have home court advantage and to win every game at home isn't enough (even though we didn't this past series). So with all the hype and everyone counting on LeBron James and the Cavs sweeping us in 4, like they did lame-game Detroit (hehehe @GladILeft), I've decided to note some thing in our favor and some things that may be our demise.

The Hawks have at least 2 major things going for them:

1.Every game played vs the Cavs at home this season has been a win or a very close loss. This means that with the playoff atmosphere, sellout crowds plus the intensity and revolve to win and prove the world wrong, Atlanta has a huge chance of beating these guys at the Highlight Factory. It's a must.

2. The Hawks have finally won one of the road. In Game 4 of the Miami Heat series, Atlanta stood up played like a group of grown men, leading to a win on enemy grounds, the first in 12 years for the Hawks... This was a peak into what makes this Hawks team special... When they play, they PLAY! Even in hostile arenas... We have to take the hustle, the aggression, the will, desire and overall determination to play for a win in game 2 of the Cavs series... "Why Game 2?", you ask - In Game 1 they'll be ready.. they'll come out and probably spank us like foster kids... but in Game 2... we might be able to catch em flat-footed... They might get a little too comfortable and the Hawks steal one in Quickens. I know, I know... sounds like crazy talk... but it's happened plenty of times, trust me.

We have allot of things going against us, but I'll even this post out by naming only 2 of them:

1. I'll start by negating "Number 2" of the last section (lol), The Cavs don't lose at home... They lost 2 games at the house.... 2.... and for all intents and purposes... they only lost 1.... I'd love to think the Hawks can be the "Streak Killers" they were at the beginning of the season, but it's going to be hard... The Cavaliers have become so effecient at home that they're basically unbeatable. With that fact being stated, allow me to remind you that they have home court advantage... Winning at home + More games at home = Series win. 

2. Not sure if you noticed... But LeBron is a man on a mission. He's made statements saying this season would be a waste if they didn't come away with rings (I don't think those are just wors... lol) ... He's lead his team in all major stat categories... He's assisted his team in essentially only losing 1 game at home all season... He is the league MVP.... and he wants it bad... real bad... LeBron plays like a superstar athlete and has the focus of one as well. He will go through anyone and everyone to attain that goal and thats why...

I pick Cleavland to win the series in... well... I don't know how many games they'll win it in. I'm definitely not looking for a sweep in any fashion. They'll probably win in 6... maybe 5... Hopefully 7...

Go Hawks... 

I wrote this on my blog last week and am just getting around to posting it here. Enjoy.

Now that the match-ups are set, everyone is preparing to face the toughest games all year. For me, it’s a time of excitement that my team, the Atlanta Hawks are back in the playoffs with very nice placement… 4th Seed. Which means homecourt advantage in the first round for sure - and for all of us who watched last year, we’re really good at home.

Then there is caution, the 5th seed Miami Heat are our competition… and if anyone thinks this will be a walk in the park, they’ll be needing to follow these instructions:

Step 1. Get in your vehicle.

Step 2. Drive to your nearest Sports Authrority

Step 3. Buy a punching bag

Step 4. Bring said punching bag home and install it near your couch.

Step 5. Watch the Hawks vs. Heat playoff games and get ready to let your aggression and frustration out in a healthy way. Because at times…. you will be frustrated.

I really want to be able to say that the Hawks will 4-game sweep the Heat, but wow… Dwayne Wade is a force to be reckoned with. He could win a game all by himself, and he has a ring….  To an NBA player in their prime getting a ring is like a dog tasting blood… After they have it the first time, they want it  even more the next time. 

 One thing that I don’t see people focusing on is the fact that D-Wade had an amazing Olympic performance right after everyone said he was done forever… Right after they said he’d never be the same again, after they’d put him down and cast him out to the dogs he came back and slammed on every single critics head. You can’t tell me thats not going through Wade’s mind right now. I can’t be sold the lie that this is just another game for him… That he just hopes they beat the Hawks and maybe he’s just really, really praying that they’ll beat the Cavaliers… Dwayne Wade is determined to prove every single critic out there wrong again.He’s looking for revenge. He’s looking to say, “I told you so” to everyone who doubted him. He’s a dog that’s tasted blood and wants more. It’s up to the Hawks to euthanize him.

Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and a few others have been through some of the worst on the Hawks in the last decade… Smoove was present in the infamous 13 win season (yikes!), Joe has helped bring the team to where they are now and Marv….. well I just like Marvin. These guys have a HUGE vested interest in this team and winning. These guys (specifically J-Smoove) help Philips to live up to it’s nickname, The Highlight Factory, every home game and rarely get the spotlight they deserve. This team get a whopping… amazing…. stupendous… ridiculous… crazy… spectacular… 3 games nationally televised.

Are you joking me!?

But thats why Smith will dunk as hard as he can… Thats why ZaZa will get those O-Boards and stare you down in the process… Thats why Al always checks to see if they’re still there.. Yes… his muscles…. Thats why Joe looks at that video of himself shaking Leon Powe into oblivion before every game. They long for the national spotlight, and maybe… just maybe… If we win a Playoff series they’ll give it to us. 

That’s in the back of every one of their minds… Thats why they’ll play hard… That’s why they’ll win. For the fans.

Oh, and that Ring..

Needless to say… Hawks in 7 - We won’t lose at the Factory.

Go Hawks!!!!!!!! (hawksdawg said it best, please don’t make me hate you Dwayne…)

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http://notthatyoucare.wordpress.com