Hawks/Timberwolves Game Story.

I was blessed to attend the Atlanta Hawks - Minnesota Timberwolves contest as a credentialed writer. This is my game recap and article that was posted on TheStartingFive.net, my employer. It's the first of many.


In sports, talent equals hope. So long as you have plenty of the former you will always have the latter. A team that fills its roster with brilliant athletes gives life to its fan base. These teams allow for the possibility of success; they give credence to the ethos “maybe next year.” Monday night at Phillips Arena, the Atlanta Hawks showed exactly how the equation talent equals hope is formulated.

The Minnesota Timberwolves did not offer much by way of resistance during the course of this romp and the outcome was decided after the Hawks closed the first half mightily to take a 58-36 lead. The backcourt depth of this Hawks team, and an indicator of just how much talent this squad has, was on full display as 6th man Flip Murray (who led all scorers with 30 points) converted basket after basket over the shorter and lighter Timberwolves guards. Murray provided a spark with his scoring and the Hawks followed suit. The game marked the 43rd win of 2009 and guaranteed the Hawks a winning season this year, their first since the strike shortened ’98-’99 season.

There are some who will look at this game and mark it as no more than another win towards this team’s goal of 50 for the season. The Timberwolves are a young team and as Coach Woodson lamented in his post game remarks, “Young teams don’t win consistently in this league.” Not very much is expected of Minnesota and they certainly performed up to (or down to?) those low expectations with an assortment of careless turnovers, poor execution, and spotty defense. Couple youth with the absence of starting power forward, Al Jefferson, and you have a team teetering on the edge of irrelevance.

This was a game that the Hawks were supposed to win. Not only did they win but they did so convincingly. That is the difference between last year’s Hawks and this year’s edition. Last year’s team may have played down to their competition. They may have allowed the Timberwolves to hang around, creating a little more drama than necessary. This year potential and discipline have intermingled to create a team that is both style and substance. They beat bad teams, defend the home court and play with a sense of entitlement. The Atlanta Hawks do not lack for confidence and it shows on the court.

I asked Coach Mike Woodson to comment on what he would like to take from this game into the next three home games against San Antonio, Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers. He said that “the team needs to focus on protecting home court, establishing an identity in games, and continuing to build on the wins they already have.” Such tasks seem simple enough but there are still times when the Hawks allow good teams to dictate to them how they will play instead of imposing their will and staying in their comfort zone. This game was played at the Hawks pace and every set seemed to render an open shot. In essence, the Hawks played to their strengths and won the game handily. Consider Coach Woodson pleased with the effort.

Perhaps the most ironic thing about this game is that not too long ago these Atlanta Hawks were the very team that they defeated. They were not closely following every win, eyeing the differences between a fourth or fifth seed in the playoffs and home court advantage. They were not looking forward to playing three of the league’s elite teams. They were not searching for ways to prove their mettle to those who doubt there validity as an elite team in the Eastern Conference. Not too long ago they were searching for positives while sleepwalking through the torturous ’04 – ’05 13 win season. They were young and inexperienced. They were searching for answers.

It is of special significance to both Coach Woodson and Josh Smith since both are holdovers from that disastrous year. When queried about the significance of clinching a winning season this year, both men pointed back to that 13 win campaign in reflection. Coach Woodson said that “the process of going from that season to this one really mirrors the growth of our team. These young men have endured the growth process and really bought in to what I’m trying to teach them.” Josh Smith responded with “The wins and losses mean a lot. To go from 13 wins to a playoff team trying to get home court in the playoffs shows just how much we’ve improved.”
Perhaps the most satisfactory thing about this win is that it allows the Atlanta Hawks to see themselves at their best. The offense scored points in bunches, the defense produced turnovers in abundance, and the coaches called all the right plays and the players executed with precision. Newcomer Flip Murray proved his worth and showed a small wrinkle that the Hawks have added since last year.

What then for the future? I asked Joe Johnson what he thought the team could take from this game going forward. He said that “We have to concentrate on being intense and focused from the opening tip. We can’t afford slow starts against the better teams in the league.” This type of performance will surely serve them well against the league’s elite.

The chasm between hope and results is bridged with talent. That is, at base, what wins and championships come from. Maturation, focus, and good coaching take that talent and turn it into victories. We witnessed that concoction first hand in this contest. A solid backcourt can carry you in this league. Mike Bibby (20 points), Flip Murray and Joe Johnson (20 points) are exceptional players and they proved it. Combine that with a solid frontcourt and you have the makings of a playoff contender. ZaZa Pachulia (10 rebounds) and Al Horford, (12 points, 13 rebounds) give enough by way of hustle and grit to make this team legitimate.

These Hawks are supremely talented. The players and coaches are gifted enough to make a post season run.

That is more than enough reason for hope.

What do we know?

I'm a sportswriter. I know more about sports than most and probably more than many people who get paid to do what I do pro bono. (For now anyways, lol.) The thing is, as the years go by I am reminded that I really don't know much. Prime example: Take a look at my Conference Tournament previews. Genius.

Campus Connection

All the hype this week will be about the conference tournaments and the automatic bids that come along with winning them. Here's a look at each major conference and my favorite to punch their respective tickets to the big dance.

ACC - North Carolina

The senior leadership of Tyler Hansborough and Danny Green coupled with the stellar play of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington make this team very hard to beat. I think this tournament and the National Title is theirs to lose. They really present alot for teams to match up with.

Wake Forest and Florida State could challenge but I'd be shocked if the Tar Heels didn't win easily.

Big Ten - Michigan State

That Spartans are the class of this conference. Coach Tom Izzo has perfected the "dominate in conference then win nationally" mantra and it should show this week. They are finally healthy and eager to prove that they belong among the nation's elite. I see them as too physical and too talented to lose here.

If Purdue is healthy they can challenge on a neutral site but Michigan State should prevail.

Big East - Pittsburgh

I'm going to go with the most confident team and the one with a true point guard here. Pitt has a lot of momentum after handling UConn last week. They are a complete basketball team. This may be a shocker to some seeing as Louisville won the regular season title but their lead guard situation really bothers me.

I'm probably splitting hairs with this pick because the reality is that any of the top four teams in the conference could easily win the tournament.

Big Twelve - Kansas

I want badly to pick Oklahoma here but Kansas won't let me. The Sooners haven't been the same dominant team that we saw in the begining of the year. Bill Self has some answers to the Blake Griffin equation and it starts with the front line depth he has on his roster. Even though they split in the regular season, I think Kansas showed more in thier win.

Watch out for Missouri as well. The pressing style they employ can cause problems for teams in a tournament setting.

Pac 10 - Washington

Lorenzo Romar's work this season is nothing short of incredible. UCLA seems to be the favorite every year, most notably after the last couple of Final Four appearances. The Bruins just don't seem thier usual defensively capable selves. As such, I think that is the year of the Huskie. Washington's combination of experience and youth, size upfront and versatility in the backcourt should translate into win here.

I really like Arizona State as well. James Harden is the best player in the conference and I feel that gives them a chance.

Campus Connection

Hide the co-eds and take a study break. Here's the campus hype for this weekend.


I've listed the teams that are looking the most championship caliber at this very moment. Game tight, swagger right, and ready for March Madness. I've also included why they appear that way as well as some potential weaknesses. Feel free to chime in.


Connecticut Huskies, 27-2 (15-2)



The biggest reason, literally, that this team is a title contender is because of 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet. He is the core of what this team does offensively and defensively. He hasn't shown the meanness to intimidate all comers and consistently dominate but, as is, he takes this team deep into the tourney. The team has proven scorers at guard, wing, forward and coming off the bench. Defensively, I've seen them pressure full court and devastate teams without good ball handlers. They can also drop back into a stifling man to man or give trapping zone looks, both of which channel people right into Thabeet. I like their chances. The Big East is the best conference in college basketball and this appears to be the best team in said conference. I think the upcoming game against Pitt will give us an idea of where UConn is in terms of readiness. Pitt has had success against Connecticut and they certainly don't fear Thabeet. Teams nationwide will be watching this game intently for ideas about neutralizing the strengths, and exploiting the weakness of Jim Calhoun's Huskies.



Next game: March 7th @ Pittsburgh (Get ready for a thriller.)


Michigan State Spartans, 24-5 (14-3)



This team is starting to round into form. Year in and year out Coach Tom Izzo puts together a group of players that are tried in non-conference ( Maryland, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Kansas, and Texas this year) and tested in conference. Izzo's best teams rebounded hard, defended harder, and made teams work on defense. This team has the potential to do those things and do them well. Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan are flat-out players who will give any team fits, especially in transition. One potential weakness could be the bench play. The drop off in experience and readiness is significant after the top 8 players.


Next game: March 8th vs. Purdue


North Carolina Tar Heels, 26-3 (12-3)



This is the best offensive team in college basketball. They bring firepower from every position 1-5 and the bench is also lights out as far as scoring the ball goes. This team gets plenty of second chance opportunities, scores inside, scores outside,scores in transition, scores off turnovers..... they don't lack in ways to put the ball in the basket. That, in and of itself, makes this team a threat to advance deep into the tourney. Where, however, will the defensive intensity come from. For the most part this team has been exposed in conference by aggressive, play making guards. Greivis Vasquez, Jack McClinton, Tyrese Rice, and Jeff Teague all pretty much had their way with the North Carolina back court. This is important because there will be a wealth of talented guards in the tourney. However, none of them will have the luxury of familiarity with Carolina that the aforementioned in-conference rivals enjoyed and exploited. Film study will only get you so far.


Next game: March 8th vs. Duke (The Dean Dome is gonna be rockin for this one.)


Oklahoma Sooners, 26-4 (12-3)



Oklahoma boasts the best power forward in the country in Blake Griffin. Some are even prepared to name him the best player in the country. I'm not sure of that but I will say top 3. That makes him, and this team, a serious threat in March. Griffin's ability to score in the half court, rebound the ball, run the floor, make free throws and finish around the basket make him a serious match up problem for most teams in the country. Add to that the fact that his teammates, especially guards Willie Warren and Tony Crocker, continue to improve and this possibilities for this team seem endless. Griffin's health was a concern but he looks to have completely recovered from the concussion suffered vs. Texas. I think the bigger concern should be whether or not this team can win games against tournament caliber squads should Griffin be neutralized by a quality defensive scheme.


Next game: March 7th vs. Oklahoma State (Don't sleep on this one, OK State only lost by 8 the first time around.)


Pittsburgh Panthers, 27-3 (14-3)



Of the truly elite teams in college basketball, this is the best defensive team out there. They harass ball handlers, disrupt offensive flow and execution, block shots and rebound to end possessions. They physically and mentally shut teams down. This team has an intimidation factor that can't be understated. Pittsburgh scores in much the same way that they play defense. Forward Sam Young leads an attack that starts inside and builds on really dominating the paint area. That being said, Pitt is not without weakness. When either point guard Levance Fields or power forward DeJuan Blair are on the bench this isn't the same team. I think that really speaks to their depth at those key positions, or maybe the lack thereof. That could be problematic.


Next game: March 7th vs. Connecticut