Game Thread: Hawks at Suns -- 1/2/18

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 1:04 pm

Preview: Hawks open 2018 with trip to Phoenix

Kicking off a five-game trip on the west coast.

The Atlanta Hawks are playing their best basketball of the season and that was on full display at the end of 2017. The team finished the calendar year with three wins in their last four games and, after a brief hiatus, the Hawks are back in action on Tuesday evening against the Phoenix Suns.

The annual trip to Phoenix also doubles as the first game of a five-contest swing to the west coast. While the schedule itself is not overly daunting given the competition, it is always interesting to see how Atlanta fares during this kind of lengthy trip and the Suns are also playing improved basketball at the moment.

Largely because of the venue, the Hawks enter this game as underdogs in Las Vegas and, even with Phoenix’s roster issues, this is a talented group. Shooting guard Devin Booker is the centerpiece for the Suns and he will likely draw the focus of Kent Bazemore. Beyond that, Atlanta will look to take advantage of the league’s 29th-ranked defense (allowing 108.7 points per 100 possessions this season) and evolving offense could help in doing just that.

Stay tuned throughout the day for all the latest and, hopefully, the Hawks can begin this journey in style.

Peach Tree Hoops

graymule · Post #2 » by **graymule** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 2:38 pm

Careful on this trip, Hawks. While you sit solidly on the bottom with the most lottery balls, should you eventually
end up here, it would be so easy to slip up and not fall, but rise up.

Didn't realize how hard it would be to be so bad when we're not. On a bright note, Hawks are super training some
young first and second year players. Let them stay in the games, learn to play NBA ball, while losing. Problem.
They are learning so well, it gets harder and harder to lose with them on the floor.

:nod:

jayu70 · Post #3 » by **jayu70** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 3:44 pm

Read on Twitter

graymule · Post #4 » by **graymule** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 4:00 pm

Your favorite - not - Probable.

Post #5 » by **ATL Boy** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 6:38 pm

This one needs to be an L

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ducler · Post #6 » by **ducler** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 6:47 pm

kg01 · Post #7 » by **kg01** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 6:52 pm

ATL Boy wrote:This one needs to be an L

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I wouldn't be mad about it. Even if we win though, I'm sure we can make up for it down the line.

I kinda want to see us win for 2 reasons: (a) to see the Suns board meltdown over losing to the awful Hawks and (b) I've grown to dislike Booker for some odd, irrational reason.

Hearing their inept GM come out recently saying he'll seek Booker's input w.r.t. their coaching hire just enhances that irrational dislike. What's that dude done, at this point, to warrant needing any of his input in any hire? As some dude on NBARadio said this morning, other than telling them to hire Calipari, wtf is he gonna know about NBA coaching or winning in general?

Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 6:54 pm

ducler wrote:https://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/29035720180102ATLPHX.jpg

1. Thanks as always.

2. How did you get that glorious title for RealGM?!? :wizard:

Post #9 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 2, 2018 7:07 pm

Read on Twitter

Spud2nique · Post #10 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 12:10 am

ATL Boy wrote:This one needs to be an L

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Agreed! Head to heads with the Suns, Bulls, Grizz and Mavs need to be dropped as they count for 2 games for lottery purposes.

Having said that, we are disciplined Suns are not.

Hawks 107
Suns 101

Spud2nique · Post #11 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 12:10 am

Hope Dennis has a big game.. Suns management could be watching...

Spud2nique · Post #12 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 2:37 am

Belli is on fire..wow

Post #13 » by **ATL Boy** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 3:40 am

Ilyasova surely has to be playing himself into netting us a first from a desperate contender.

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Spud2nique · Post #14 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:00 am

ATL Boy wrote:Ilyasova surely has to be playing himself into netting us a first from a desperate contender.

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Lol...We should build around Belinelli...he's the best shooter in the NBA ...ok top 5...that has to net a first.

Ps I don't know how the Suns have as many wins as they do ...they stink.

Post #15 » by **ATL Boy** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:07 am

Spud2nique wrote:
ATL Boy wrote:Ilyasova surely has to be playing himself into netting us a first from a desperate contender.

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Lol...We should build around Belinelli...he's the best shooter in the NBA ...ok top 5...that has to net a first.

Ps I don't know how the Suns have as many wins as they do ...they stink.

Tbh I look at these expiring vets as house money. If we can get a fourth first for any combination of them I'll be satisfied. If we get an extra future protected first as well, that'll be scintillating.

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kg01 · Post #16 » by **kg01** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:07 am

Spud2nique wrote:
ATL Boy wrote:Ilyasova surely has to be playing himself into netting us a first from a desperate contender.

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Lol...We should build around Belinelli...he's the best shooter in the NBA ...ok top 5...that has to net a first.

Ps I don't know how the Suns have as many wins as they do ...they stink.

Not sure what in the heyul yall see in that Criss guy. He plays like he has the bbiq of a gnat.

kg01 · Post #17 » by **kg01** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:12 am

How long til suns realize Booker aint a pg?

kg01 · Post #18 » by **kg01** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:24 am

Haha. For the record, Bawb pulled a Nique and called this one with like 2min left.

Eta: Has Baze been properly knighted as the Tank Commander in Chief?

Slo · Post #19 » by **Slo** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:28 am

Wtf Schroeder?!

DirtybirdGA · Post #20 » by **DirtybirdGA** » Wed Jan 3, 2018 4:28 am

Good choke job!