More national exposure for Hawks next season

[DrReality]

By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Seven nationally televised regular-season games highlight the Hawks 2009-10 schedule, which was released this afternoon.

In the 11 years prior the Hawks played a total of seven times in nationally televised games. They went without any national appearances for five straight seasons, from 2002-03 through 2007-08 before rebounding last season with two.

This season they’ll play on ESPN six times and once on TNT.

“The first four years we were here we couldn’t have bought our way onto the air,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “But since we’ve made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons you could sense things were turning around for us. And this is huge. This is a huge turnaround and one that I think goes right along with all the strides we’ve made as a team and franchise.”

The Hawks open the season Oct. 28 at Philips Arena against Indiana. The first nationally televised game is Nov. 13 in Boston. Four of the nationally teleivsed games will be played at Philips, starting with the Thanksgiving night contest against the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic (8 p.m.).

In addition to that Thanksgiving night game, the Hawks will also ring in the New Year by hosting the New York Knicks Jan. 1 at 7:30.

“This is a testament to our players and the work they’ve put in,” Woodson said. “When you turn things around and stick to your plan, good things happen. Right now, I think we’re seeing the rewards of all our hard work.”

The Hawks' first road game will be Nov. 1 against the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who will make their only Philips Arena appearance of the season March 31.

Other notable home games include two against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (Dec. 29, April 14), Orlando Magic (Nov. 26, March 24), Boston Celtics (Jan. 8, Jan. 29) and Miami Heat (Nov. 18, Feb. 10).

[ATLSmith]

Its about bloody time.

[WraithSentinel]

At least they are smart enough to broadcast the Hawks games at home for the most part.

[frankthetank966]

WOO!

[Mrs. Joe Johnson]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :line dance: