Its Official: Hawks vs Heat 1st Round

ATL DirtyBird · Post #1 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:29 am

For the majority of us, this is what we wanted, and for me this is exciting. The publicity will be there with a legitimate MVP candidate in Dwade. All I hear is that the Heat are the team that no one wants to play in the playoffs. There dangerous no doubt but we seem to play them well all the time, and somewhat contain Dwade. Should be a great series, and I cant wait.

I think we win in 5, but I know we could easily lose in 7.

Thoughts are predictions everyone, lets get it started!!

GO HAWKS!!

evildallas · Post #2 » by **evildallas** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:46 am

Hawks fan need to show up with the enthusiasm that they demonstrated last year against Boston. Dwayne Wade provides visiting star power, so there are no excuses not to fill the building. I'll be there for every game in hopes of going further.

Two points to bring up for the players:
1) Don't let the refs get into your head. Wade will get some calls. He's a star and that is how it works. Focus on your business and don't worry about not getting as many calls. Let Coach Woodson do the complaining. Get back on D and remaining focus on offense.

2) Get ready for a lot of pundits to pick Miami to win the series. Wade's got final experience and I'm sure the NBA would love to have a LeBron vs Wade series to market. Don't let it get you down. In fact, it should motivate you. A lot of people still think of the Hawks as a team rebuilding from scratch. It's time to show everyone that we belong. You do that by getting farther than you went the year before. You do that by winning.

Post #3 » by **BFRESH44** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:58 am

From a Heat fan, should be a great series. Hopefully Marvin is back in the groove for ya'll, as JO hopefully for us (just strained his calf), so we can so see both teams at full strength.

HoopsGuru25 · Post #4 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:59 am

Exactly what I wanted. We avoided the tougher matchup and having the most irrelevant series which meant NBA TV or ESPN/TNT's worst announcing crew. I also think that people picking Miami(which they will because they want Wade/Lebron)is going to fire the Hawks up.

Lakeshow2417 · Post #5 » by **Lakeshow2417** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:23 am

I think Atlanta in 6 I cannot say 5.

I hope its going to be a competitive series and I would love to see atlanta moving to teh 2nd round but Heat with O'neal and wade arent going to be an easy out. glad to see williams getting ready for the playoffs.

Heat3 · Post #6 » by **Heat3** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:38 am

This is gonna be a good series I hope. I think it's a toss up, all depends on how well Wade can play. Any of you guys remember the Heat/Hawks playoff series of the early 90's? I remember one turned into a brawl :lol:

BlaZeN27 · Post #7 » by **BlaZeN27** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:42 am

Whats the chances that Marvin Williams is in the starting lineup for you guys by the time this series starts? I think his re-addition goes extremely overlooked by Heat fans. If he isn't back in the starting lineup then Wade only has to guard Mo Evans, where as if he is Wade has to guard JJ. He seems to have a terrible time against him due to his size, which leads to early foul trouble for D-Wade.

Hawkeyes · Post #8 » by **Hawkeyes** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:43 am

Can't wait. It'll be weird to watch the our game vs Miami on Wednesday. Hopefully we can get Marvin into a bit of a groove in these next two games, because he'll be a key to our success.

evildallas · Post #9 » by **evildallas** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:16 am

Not sure on Marvin. He saw his first action in over a month on Friday and will get increasing minutes in the last 2. Not sure how many minutes he'll be able to play per game in the series, but he will be playing.

I'm not willing yet to make a bold prediction. With the way the Hawks normally play on the road it would likely go 7, but we'll see. New territory for our Hawks (hosting a series).

tontoz · Post #10 » by **tontoz** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:30 am

A seven game series is all about matchups and the Heat don't pose matchup problems for the Hawks. They can't really take advantage of the Hawks weak D at the point, lack of size and weak rebounding.

BlaZeN27 · Post #11 » by **BlaZeN27** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:41 am

tontoz wrote:A seven game series is all about matchups and the Heat don't pose matchup problems for the Hawks. They can't really take advantage of the Hawks weak D at the point, lack of size and weak rebounding.

Good point. If JJ can come close to Wade's production then we might be in for a long series. With that being said, I see the potential of the Heat being able to have moments in this series were we push you guys around. Horford is great, but hes undersized for the center position. Jamaal Magloire has been changing games with his toughness and rebounding inside lately, and I could see him being able to do that to your front court, not to mention Beasley's improvement on the boards.

Hawkamanic81 · Post #12 » by **Hawkamanic81** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:49 am

Miami is going to win the sries in 6 games.

Retrovision · Post #13 » by **Retrovision** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:56 am

Hawks in 5.

Unless stern says **** the hawks.

Post #14 » by **HMFFL** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:00 am

BlaZeN27 wrote:Whats the chances that Marvin Williams is in the starting lineup for you guys by the time this series starts? I think his re-addition goes extremely overlooked by Heat fans. If he isn't back in the starting lineup then Wade only has to guard Mo Evans, where as if he is Wade has to guard JJ. He seems to have a terrible time against him due to his size, which leads to early foul trouble for D-Wade.

Marvin Williams will most likely be starting.

What's the latest on Udonis Haslem?

BlaZeN27 · Post #15 » by **BlaZeN27** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:05 am

God dammit, haha.

He should be ready to go by the time next Saturday rolls around. The question is whether Spoelstra has the balls to start him over Beasley after Michael has been on an absolute tear since Haslem went out.

Post #16 » by **HMFFL** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:07 am

You can just bench him. We wont mind!

BlaZeN27 · Post #17 » by **BlaZeN27** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:11 am

I looked up how he has done against you guys, and its a mixed bag. He missed the first matchup against you guys due to injury, and in the second game he only got 18 minutes. But in the most recent game he had a really easy time scoring on you guys, getting over 20 points on 10 for 16 shooting. He will be huge in the series if the Heat want to win.

Adobozz · Post #18 » by **Adobozz** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:29 am

I think the first game is gonna be the most important game, we have to set the tone for the rest of the games... Take care of business at home and try to steal one on the road..

BlaZeN27 · Post #19 » by **BlaZeN27** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:37 am

I think the first two games of this series will be huge for both teams. If the Hawks take care of home court, I think they win the series. But if the Heat are able to steal one of the first two games, I think the Heat will win it in 6 or 7.

JoshB914 · Post #20 » by **JoshB914** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:32 am

This is a much better matchup for us. I was not looking forward to playing the Sixers and being on NBA TV every game.

If we just handle our business at home I think we will be fine for this one. Then we'll probably get waxed by Cleveland in round two, but I don't think that's anything to get too upset about with the way they're playing.