Tonight - A MUST WIN?

[phoostal]

I pose this question for everyone, Do you feel tonight's game is a must win?

I say Yes.

Here is my reasoning:

We need to take advantage of a underman Golden State team

We need to beat a team we should beat

We need to start this trip on a positive note

We need to get a road win

Those are the main points for the must win scenario.

This team needs to win tonight to prove to itself it can win on the road, beat a team they are better than and build confidence for the rest of the trip.

Now I know this is only game 5 of the year. But, this is a stepping stone this team needs. It's a small success. And as you get one small success after another you start to build something bigger. But, before you get bigger you have to take these small steps.

I feel if we lose we may get into another rut. Our psyche will take a huge hit. Let alone I think we will have a below .500 road trip. Something like 1-4 or 0-5.

Also, a loss would test their will to win with the next game at Portland. That would prove to be another big game if they lose tonight. A bounce back game testing this team.

I feel the team's mental state is fragil and the more close losses or games they should win (tonights game) is the closer I feel they will get to their breaking point. Which is where they basically giveaway the season with their rally cry being "Same Old Hawks."

No one here wants to see that, I'm sure we all feel this team is good enough to compete for a playoff spot in the East. And winning a game they should win will take a step in the right direction.

With a win I could see 3-2 or 4-1. Winning breeds confidence. This team can only take so many close losses. A win would go a long way for their mentality of winning on the road.

Your thoughts?

P

[chillzatl]

We're 4 games into the season. It's way to early for a must win. But we should win this game. It would do wonders for our confidence.

[Weez]

It's about as close to a must win as this team can get right now...and the biggest thing we have giong for us against them is a) their injuries, and b) the matchups.

they're relying heavily on Dunleavy (to be guarded by Jackson) and Dampier (to be guarded by Theo/Nazr).

Another win, almost a streak, a road win...a lot of reasons it would help this team.

[phoostal]

My point Chillz, we should win. If we don't win games we should win. It is going to shake this team mentally.

It's funny I just read two San Fran newspapers and the Golden State team is telling the papers this is a must win for them as a team.

They will have J. Richardson back as well as Nick Van Exel.

[Gray Mule]

What? There's a chance that the Hawks might win this one?

We're on the road, where wins come hard, for some reason.

We're in the high falutin' west, so much superior to any

team from the east. If you don't believe it, ask any sports

writer from out there.

Yes, if the Hawks can avoid two things, they should win

this one. They have the horses to win with.

#1 -- Avoid "Silly" turnovers, which Hawks are famous for.

#2 -- Avoid the "Sleepwalking" quarter that they seem to

observe, usually to begin the 2rd quarter. Last game,

they moved it to the 4th. so maybe they can move it

all the way out of this game.

Do these two things and Hawks win. Let's do it !!!!!!

Go Hawks.

[Gambit99]

Almost every game this year is a must win, for a fan base and money for the future sake.

The Atlanta Spirit will not continue to invest money to a team that can't draw a crowd.

Atlanta fans won't support a losing team (bandwagon town).

Free agents won't come to a fan unfriendly town.

Although there are more reasons, these are primary for a successful franchise.

[Gray Mule]

The Atlanta Spirit have not {Officially} become the owners

of the Hawks & Thrashers, as of yet.

I believe that it is only a formality, still, they must wait.

They can't do anything because neither team belongs

to them -- The new owners and the teams are in limbo.

When the dust settles over the opening of the new season,

when things begin to settle into place, when the new

owners-in-waiting become, officially, the new owners, then

we may see some action. There may be trades made.

There may be other things happening. Maybe not. Right

now, we are simply in a "Wait and see" mode.

[Diesel]

From a Psyche standpoint, this team needs to prove to itself that it can win on the road.

That's why this is a must win. Otherwise this whole western trip might end up like times past.