Hello Hawks Squawk,
First, it is a pleasure to finally sign up and post on these boards. I have been a reader on here since the 08' Boston series, but have really never took the initiative here to post.
But, in times like these, I suppose there is a first time for everything.
I grew up in Atlanta like many of you and have been a die-hard Hawks fan for all of those years. Like yall, the pleasures of watching Dikembe wag the finger and the agony of running into MJ's bulls in round 2 are still very vivid in my memory bank. Having been in Tuscaloosa for school the past four years, I have still been able to keep up with the team with FSS and SS showing games here, but a lot of what I do to keep up with the team has revolved around reading these boards.
I remember the excitment of the fans here when we stood toe-to-toe with Boston, and what it felt like to be in Philips for game 4 that year when Joe crossed up Poe and hit that three--it was simply electric.
But are we too far removed from that to take pleasure in this year's Hawks?
I admit, after the game 5 loss, I went ballistic. My poor girlfriend had to put up with my ranting and raging for a solid hour before I settled down. But when I look at this team, I know they are capable of pulling this out.
I know we have lost the last three, but most was because of hustle and heart. I know we have it, we all saw it three years ago in round 1. Can you imagine how you will feel tonight when Smoove blocks out? When Horford dominates the paint? When Joe crosses up Salmons? When bibby throws the dagger alley-oop to Josh and those drunk deer-loving fools realize that they woke up the beast? I want it so bad, and this team realizes this is gut check time.
Whenever the Hawks are backed into a corner, most of the time, I see a fight and determination to win. Even last year's game 3 against Cleveland, our hobbled team gave a valiant effort against a driven Lebron James. We have beaten the best, and when called upon, can do it anywhere. Is our road record in the playoffs crappy? Sure. But if we go on to win this series, we will look back and see this as the moment our Hawks woke up, stepped up, and became a championship caliber team.
I remember what happened when we pulled even a 3 a piece with the C's, and going over the Boston boards--it was mayhem on a level I've never seen before. They wanted (like many of us on the board) to trade KG, fire Doc, and run Rondo out of town. Well, a month an a half later, confetti rained down upon them.
Every team goes through adversity like this, and as much as I understand Woody couldn't coach himself out a paper bag, Mr. Potato head seems to pull one out when his feet are to the fire.
I want everyone from here on out to remember, we are Hawks fans. Settling for this is not acceptable, however, rant and rave IF we are eliminated. Now is the time to show that we are a strong fanbase, and a strong team.
If we win tonight, I'm heading 3 hours east to Philips to support our Hawks. It's going to get rowdy. I want all of yall to do the same.
SHOOT THE DEER!
BamaHawk