Damn, They don't believe in the Hawks. lol #ESPN

[Brotha2ThaNite]

Only one "Expert" pick the Hawks to win. I LOVE IT! lolLets Go Hawks!!!http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/matchup/_/teams/celtics-hawks

[JTB]

do they ever? (espn)

[CWebb]

I kinda like us being the underdogs.

[Dnice]

That's fine, they didn't last 1st round either.

[Supporter]

I learned how not to trust ESPN after years of experience. They continuelly want to make the "safe" pick to enhance their credibility. No one except guys like Skip Bayless go out on a limb when it comes to picking between two sides. ESPN is no site for fans of underdog teams.

[yungsta]

i think its a good thing cause the hawks dont respond well when they have big expectations

[Buzzard]

I learned how not to trust ESPN after years of experience. They continuelly want to make the "safe" pick to enhance their credibility. No one except guys like Skip Bayless go out on a limb when it comes to picking between two sides. ESPN is no site for fans of underdog teams.

My hope is we become the safe pick one day. Being the underdog is fun only when you go all the way. 2nd round defeats is really not that exciting...which is why we are a safe pick to not go very far.

[Diesel]

You can add Shaq, Barkley, and Kenny to the list of non-believers.Kenny is dripping with Hawkshate.

[MoBetta]

i think its a good thing cause the hawks dont respond well when they have big expectations

Co-sign Edited April 27, 2012 by MoBetta

[NineOhTheRino]

It's ridiculous how much ESPN (esp. Wilbon) hate the Hawks yet slup Doc rivers and the Celtics. Last week they called the Hawks dumb for falling for Avery Bradley's untied shoelace bs. All the hawks have to do is beat those clowns in 5, and ESPN and Wilbon will finally STHU.

Edited April 27, 2012 by NineOhTheRino

[01d0rd3r]

Last year every one of them selected the Magic win in 5 at the most. Dont listen to espn, their "Experts" dont want to pick a team like the Hawks. Especially while they are playing ESPN's beloved Boston team.

[AHawks89]

Anyone have the last year "expert" picks against Orlando? I remember someone posted a picture of the picks and had the word "Failed" on each pick. Loved it.

[NineOhTheRino]

Just hope Hawks don't get stuck with that hater Mike Tirico. Dude doesn't even attempt to hide his dislike for Atlanta and the Hawks. Damn...you'd think Nique banged his ole lady back in the day.

[HawkItus]

SI doesn't believe in us either.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/nba/04/27/2012.playoff.experts.picks/index.html#ixzz1tGgkSzJJ

[AtLaS]

Last year every one of them selected the Magic win in 5 at the most. Dont listen to espn, their "Experts" dont want to pick a team like the Hawks. Especially while they are playing ESPN's beloved Boston team.

To be fair, the Magic did sweep us in a historical fashion the year before. It's understandable that most didn't think we'd win that series.

[Dnice]

Doesn't the commentators have sit downs with some of the players? I hope the Hawks are stoned faced and give short answers.

[01d0rd3r]

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-series-preview-east4/index.htmlNBA.com picks the Hawks in 7.

[HawkItus]

Adreian Wojnarowski

Logo For Boston in 5 Picked

Marc J. Spears

Logo For Boston in 6 Picked

Johnny Ludden

Logo For Boston in 6 Picked

Ball Don't Lie

Logo For Boston in 7 Picked

Greg Anthony

Logo For Boston in 6

[lethalweapon3]

http://www.nba.com/n...ast4/index.html

NBA.com picks the Hawks in 7.

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-series-preview-east4/index.html

The pick

Atlanta appears a little deeper than Boston, especially since Allen, Stiemsma, Pietrus are not pictures of health off the Celtics' bench. But depth frequently is a little less impactful in the postseason, Boston is tougher, more seasoned, and built better to play a playoff brand of basketball. The Hawks, though, played for the home-court edge and they seem to have more edge to them than in recent seasons. Hawks in 7

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Kind of a mixed-bag over at The Sporting News (Sean Deveney):

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-04-26/nba-playoffs-2012-eastern-conference-preview-knicks-heat-celtics-bulls-magic

The fourth-seeded Boston Celtics loom as a darkhorse, but they figure to have a tough first-round fight against the Atlanta Hawks.

Upset alert: Hawks over Celtics

The Celtics are the No. 4 seed, but that’s in name only. In reality, the Hawks finished ahead of Boston this season (Boston could be seeded no lower the fourth because it won its division), so an Atlanta win in this series is not exactly an earth-shattering upset. Still the Celtics finished strong, 24-10 after the All-Star break, and are expecting to get by the Hawks. But they could be without guard Ray Allen in this series, and Atlanta will present matchup problems with the very athletic combo of guard Joe Johnson and forward Josh Smith.

Players you may not know but will

Avery Bradley, Celtics. Bradley got himself on the floor because of his defense, but he has thrived on the offensive end because teams lay off him and he moves well without the ball. Boston has deft passers in Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett, and Bradley has been the beneficiary.

Jeff Teague, Hawks. Hawks coach Larry Drew has, over the last two years, resisted the temptation to give Teague consistent playing time. An injury to Kirk Hinrich forced Teague to be the starter to open the year, though, and Teague did not relinquish the job, averaging 12.5 points on 47.4 percent shooting.

Can’t miss matchup: Kevin Garnett vs. Zaza Pachulia

The Hawks are not sure they’ll have Pachulia to start the series with the Celtics, but if they do, expect some fun. That’s because Garnet is one of the most irritable players in the league, and Pachulia is one of its best irritants. The two have clashed before, and most likely will again.

Outlook

No. 4 Celtics over No. 5 Hawks, 4-2

?

~lw3