Atlanta @ Orlando Oct 29th Game 1

[parson]

We won this game because ORL got tired of seeing Dwight Howard (have I ever mentioned that I'd love to get him?) score down low on us ANY TIME HE WANTED TO. In the 4th, it was amazing how the record kept playing "see them give the ball to Howard, see him push us out of the way, see him get the FTs."

He scored at will on us, and then, inexplicably, he never got the ball again. Thank goodness for bad ORL team play down the stretch.

And GREAT Joe Johnson play.

I didn't see the 1st half (church). How'd we do?

[JoshB914]

One more comment, I miss Steve Smith already. Nique is absolutely awful and a complete homer. I don't want a cheerleader as the color guy, a guy that could actually provide analysis would be nice.

[Harry10]

^ Nique was great. i loved his comments on the mental part of the game. he didn't talk to the audience like they are idiots.

[tontoz]

Wow i didn't realize Smith did so much. It seemed like he was relatively quiet but he had 17/10 with 5 blocks and 4 steals. I know his fantasy owners are happy.

Smith only took 4 outside shots all game (making 3). Here's hoping he keeps it at about that level. He shouldn't be taking more than that. The last two seasons he has gotten off to horrible starts by shooting too many jumpers.

Geez the Hawks shot 58% from the line. At least they picked a good game for that.

[betta1]

Great win...on the road...without our starting SF no less.

Our offense still needs to work out some kinks but I like the overall flow and ball movement.

Game ball...to Mr. Joe Johnson.

[High 5]

Smitty wasn't much better in the homer area, but overall I enjoyed listening to him a lot more. Nique wasn't bad, though.

Great win either way. Especially nice considering a couple of guys shot horribly and we were without Marvin. Smith with a great start. Efficient shooting, great rebounding, awesome defense, and NO TURNOVERS! Not to mention a couple of Sportscenter plays on Howard. Joe with his usual game against the Magic.

And I see Gutz is already in midseason douche form.

[Gutz]

Smitty wasn't much better in the homer area, but overall I enjoyed listening to him a lot more. Nique wasn't bad, though.

Great win either way. Especially nice considering a couple of guys shot horribly and we were without Marvin. Smith with a great start. Efficient shooting, great rebounding, awesome defense, and NO TURNOVERS! Not to mention a couple of Sportscenter plays on Howard. Joe with his usual game against the Magic.

And I see Gutz is already in midseason douche form.

Oh come one man! I'm sorry but i can't stand these idiot Orlando fans. Just look at their game thread plus what did i honestly say that was so bad? your the douche dude! please!

[Hawks]

A very good win for the Hawks considering the tough schedule to start the season.

[Jamaaliver]

And I see Gutz is already in midseason douche form.

what did i honestly say that was so bad? your the douche dude! please!

You guys are HILARIOUS!!!!

[ATLfan]

Great win tonight. If we can play like this on the road every game we're going to be a force to be reckoned with.

[Brazilian_Hawk]

A new season... Winning on the road against Orlando in the season opener makes me fell so good.
JJ killed them, as he usually does, but Smoove was the man of the game.
It looks like we have a semi-decent second unit at last. Zaza has made a nice game. And I'm starting to believe Flip is for real. He made a great preseason, and had good numbers against the Magic.

So GO HAWKS! Gotta love this team.

[evildallas]

I'm hoping that Josh's rejection of Dwight Howard makes the Sportscenter highlights. Very strong 1st game.

I'm not expecting playoff level atmosphere, but hopefully the home opener will have a strong, active crowd.

[Skyhawk1]

I'm very pleased with what I saw. It's so nice to see we can rest JJ in the first quarter and still score. J. Smith had a great game. I love when he understands that rebounding, boxing out, 1-1 defense are as important as him taking the 3s. Mo Evans is a great guy to have on our team. He can do a lot of things for this team. Bibby didn't play great, but when he's on the court it's hard to outscore us because he speeds up the game. He makes us run a bit more and that got the Magic in trouble many times. Overall I thought we had a great game. I hope we keep in going against the Sixers in the HOME opener. LET'S GO HAWKS.

[Harry10]

Josh Smith is playing the way I expected: A few dumb plays but I'll live with that as long as he's being agressive.

i don't know what you are talking about. Josh was great, he looked like Jason Kidd out their. 6-11 shooting, only taking two 3pt shots, he played extremely agressive D and only commited 3 fouls, and here is the big shocker ZERO Turn Overs! the only player on both teams to have over 15min with zero turn overs

his rebounding was great, showed solid fundamentals, boxing out and getting great position

Josh had one dump play where he grabbed Dwight by the waist which gave orlando two shots and the ball. but Dwight ended up missing both free throws and orlando ended up turning the ball over, i thought that was hiliarious.

throughout the whole game, to me, it looked like Josh had the highest basketball IQ for all 24 guys.

[JoshB914]

^^^ I love Josh, too. All I'm saying is he's going to make a few dumb plays when he's being agressive. There were a couple of drives to the basket where he looked out of control. I'm not complaining at all, I thought Smith was fantastic overall.