Face it folks, Hawks aren't going away

[HMFFL]

While most of the NBA wise guys are ogling the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, wondering about the effect of Allen Iverson on the Detroit Pistons, and to a lesser degree if Chauncey Billups' homecoming can even help the Denver Nuggets reach the playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks continue to toil in anonymity.

They don't have the sexiness of LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

They don't have the power of the Houston Rockets or carry the wonderment of what Greg Oden will do when he gets healthy in Portland.

What the Hawks do have is a 3-0 record, with the poor man's version of James — Joe Johnson — ripping up the league the same way he did the Celtics in their riveting seven-game series to open the playoffs last spring. And they have the stunningly multi-dimensional Josh Smith filling up the boxscore in dream-like fashion for every NBA fantasy league.

For some reason, people just don't want to value the Hawks, almost as if history precludes the Hawks from being interesting, or the marvelously talented Johnson and Smith from deserving recognition because oh, it's merely the Hawks.

If that is the case, then people just aren't paying attention because the Hawks have changed, with Johnson and Smith one of the most talented and interesting duos in the NBA.

Just consider this start for the Hawks.

They opened the season at Orlando against the defending Southeast Division champion Magic, a team that snuck into the hearts and minds of enough prognosticators that some considered them potential conference champs. Never mind their woeful lack of depth up front and their revolving door backcourt that has yet to establish itself at all.

Well, Johnson and the Hawks exposed all of that, trouncing the Magic at home by 14. Johnson had his basic 25 points and 7 rebounds, with Smith putting up 17 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals. They pounded the Magic on the boards and led by as many as 19 before cruising to the win.

Next came the Philadelphia 76ers for the home opener. The Sixers had become the cool pick to challenge in the East with the signing of free agent Elton Brand. Never mind that their offense is atrocious at the moment with Brand and Samuel Dalembert tripping over each other in the post; and the latest ridiculously overpaid young talent Andre Iguodala looking more like a kid throwing rocks at a window than shooting a basketball.

The Hawks handled them too. After falling behind early to the Sixers' huge first quarter, Johnson ripped Iguodala apart with 35 points and five assists on the way to a 95-88 victory. Smith contributed his classic 14 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

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[LHughes/JSmooth]

They don't have the sexiness of LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

Um in my opinion, Josh Smith's dunks are more exciting than Brons', and Joe Johnson is playing way better than Dwyane Wade right now. I think this team has more "sexiness" than any other team in the league, have so for a couple years. Doesn't mean that translate to wins, but we have been the most exciting team.

But nice read after that little line.

[boshjonesford]

Man Hawks are crazy this year.