Relaxed Law runs Hawks to a victory

[DrReality]

Relaxed Law runs Hawks to a victory

By Sekou Smith

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Orlando —- Any fears about Acie Law IV’s readiness to run this Hawks team were eliminated here Monday night.

Any other questions about his game, competitive nature or poker face were sufficiently answered as well.

Law, expressionless for most of the first week of training camp, exploded onto the scene in the Hawks’ 118-101 comeback win over the Orlando Magic in the preseason opener for both teams at Amway Arena.

“I think this ought to be a serious confidence builder for Acie,” Hawks captain Joe Johnson said. “Now he can relax and do the things that a point guard is supposed to do.”

Law played his role to perfection against the Magic. He came off the bench to help rescue the Hawks from a dismal first-half performance, scoring a team-high 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting as he and the rest of the Hawks reserves gave an impressive performance. Mo Evans scored 17 points, including 4-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line against his most recent former team, and Zaza Pachulia added 11.

Solomon Jones had eight points and three rebounds, Flip Murray six points and two assists, and Randolph Morris hit a couple of late jumpers.

But it was the mercurial effort of Law, who helped the Hawks pile up 45 third-quarter points, that ultimately helped turn the game around. He added five rebounds and four assists in just over 25 minutes, including the bulk of the crucial minutes after halftime, when he scored 16 points.

“I’m just trying to show my coaches, my teammates and management that I’m ready,” Law said with his head down in the locker room after the game. “My goal was to get stronger this summer and have a good summer league in Utah, and I think I did that. But tonight was about me running things out there, getting my guys in position and making sure they had the ball when they needed it.

“The shots won’t be there every night, so you can’t focus on that. It was just about taking what was available, and there were openings to take advantage of, and that’s what I did.”

Just before tipoff, Hawks coach Mike Woodson leaned over to assistant Larry Drew and told him that if they were going to excel this season, they would need a huge contribution from Law, who is backing up veteran point guard Mike Bibby.

“It’s the truth,” Woodson said. “He has to play a major role in what we do this year. And tonight I noticed the difference in him. He’s intense. It showed in practice all week, and he’s trying to be conscious of what he’s doing, and it was a nice carryover into the game.”

Law’s heroics couldn’t have come at a better time. The Magic led by as many as 10 points early behind the play of All-Star center and Atlanta native Dwight Howard (17 points, eight blocks).

With the starters sputtering and the Magic cruising, Law and the reserves blew the game open in the third quarter with crazy energy. Evans made six of his nine shots and dished out three assists. The reserves outscored the starters 67-51.

“That’s definitely what we didn’t have last year,” Marvin Williams said. “We’ve got so many guys off that bench that can score. If they can play like that all year, we’re going to be just fine.”

And if Law can continue to perform at the level he did Monday night, he’ll go a long way toward putting to rest his uneven rookie season, which was marred by frequent injuries and repeated stints in Woodson’s doghouse.

“That’s why I’ve kept my head down this year and just kept plugging,” Law said. “I’m just focused. It’s not about playtime for me. It’s not about joking. I’ve got something to prove.

“I feel like I was the 11th pick in the draft for a reason, and this is the year I have to show that.”

This post has been edited by DrReality: Today, 12:09 PM

[Atlsportfanz]

I couldn't agree more about Law. We may say that Evans is our 6th man but if we are going to be a playoff team, I think it is Acie who has to become that true 6th man. If he could average 10 and 4 a night while locking down the other teams point guard, I would be estatic.

[OGRat]

“That’s why I’ve kept my head down this year and just kept plugging,” Law said. “I’m just focused. It’s not about playtime for me. It’s not about joking. I’ve got something to prove.

“I feel like I was the 11th pick in the draft for a reason, and this is the year I have to show that.”

This post has been edited by DrReality: Today, 12:09 PM

One game is a small sample, but I love the attitude. I wish our number 2 pick had that same attitude.

OG

[Cwell]

having a guy like Evans on the 2nd unit with him helps alot,having a guy that can score when he passes to them.

Edited October 7, 2008 by Cwell

[DrReality]

From another board:

Hey, Magic fan that was at the game, figured I'd give you guys a shoutout.

Acie Law looked real impressive shooting-wise. The man couldn't miss a shot. I think everyone in the building knew his half-court heave was going in.

Horford's going to be a beast.

Zaza played big.

Even Solomon Jones looked good. He actually was a little impressive.

Congrats on the win. Good luck this year.

[Brando]

i wish i saw this game, looks like acie played great but i remember last year same game, he had 16 and the game clincher, so i wont overhype him yet but i cant wait to see him play this year, he seems to have the right attitude and you can tell theres a difference about him, he should do well

[DrReality]

having a guy like Evans on the 2nd unit with him helps alot,having a guy that can score when he passes to them.

You make a good point. having that leadership beside him will give him some confidence.

And Woody needs to give him some propper coaching and let him know what to expect every night.