AJC: Have fun with this, Atlanta Hawks fans. Please?

[Hawksquawk]

Smoove is having fun. So is that guy back there in the sweater. You should, too. (Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com)

I admit it: I’ve been in micro-mode too much lately. All this talk about isos, switching D and Woody’s pleas and I’ve neglected the big picture story sitting right there in the standings. So let’s forget examining the Hawks’ warts with a microscope for a minute and acknowledge that it’s March and they are in a good, old-fashioned race for the division title.

The Hawks are two games back of Orlando in the Southeast with 23 games to play. Boston is still hanging around at No. 3 in the East. Toronto has lost four straight and is no longer a concern to rise up. Cleveland is out of reach even with Shaq’s thumb surgery. The Hawks have a real chance to earn homecourt in the playoffs for two rounds. You might get an argument if you say they have a shot at the East finals but at least you wouldn’t be immediately shouted down with ridicule.

This is all supposed to be fun …

View the full article