Hawks News: January 1, 2005

[HawkTodd]

Hawks News: January 1, 2005

Hawks want fresh start in New Year (1-1-05)

WASHINGTON — Josh Childress' New Year's resolution is simple:

"To come back a new team, a new attitude," the rookie guard said of the struggling Hawks, who are 5-23 this season. "[We need] new ways of going about how we handle our business, just a new outlook. [The year] 2004 obviously wasn't very friendly to us in the wins and losses column."

Coach Mike Woodson is even more direct about what he hopes to accomplish in 2005.

"Start winning some games," he said. "That's the only thing that makes me happy. And to see my young guys continue to improve — that's important."

The Hawks will have a slightly different look when they kick off the new year at noon today against the Washington Wizards (15-13). Point guard Tyronn Lue, who was acquired Dec. 23 from Houston in the trade for Jon Barry, will make his first start in a Hawks uniform. He replaces Royal Ivey, who started three games.

A month ago in Philips Arena, the Wizards jumped out to a 62-35 halftime lead en route to a 114-90 win.

"Washington drilled us here, so we should have a little pride [going into the game]," Hawks forward Antoine Walker said.

Washington had seven players score in double figures. However, the Wizards' leading scorer Gilbert Arenas (23.1 points per game), did not play in Friday's loss to Boston, nor did he practice Saturday due to flu and dehydration. He is listed as probable for the game against the Hawks.

Steve Blake started in place of Arenas in the 108-103 loss to Celtics while the other two parts of Washington's three-pronged attack accounted for 60 percent of the Wizards' scoring. Guard Larry Hughes made all six of his 3-point attempts for 33 points and forward Antawn Jamison added 29 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter.

Washington is off to its best start since the 1984-85 season. Although the Wizards won their 15th game in the 26th game of the season, compared to the 48th game last season, they have lost three games in a row, just like the Hawks.

"The two losses to Boston and Detroit still hurt and they are lying in our stomach like a bad oyster," Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. "We really want to get that out of our system."

The Hawks would like to get November and December out of their systems.

"We've got 50-something games left and we've got to build some type of team continuity," Walker said. "We've got to start getting some chemistry together."

Woodson said the Hawks' defense is much better than it was the first time his team played the Wizards, but in the 94-79 loss to Seattle on Thursday, "We had slippage," he said. "We've just got to remember some of the good games that we've played defensively and use that as springboard going into tomorrow's game."

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Bad pain, bigger gain vs. Shaq? (1-1-05)

Should Shaquille O'Neal offer an "in your face" in this month's two games against Atlanta, figure on Hawks center Jason Collier keeping a safe distance.

In last week's meeting, a collision with the Heat center left Collier with several chipped teeth and a bruised jaw. Earlier this season, an O'Neal elbow left Collier with a five-stitch gash beneath his left eye.

Perhaps the price of pain is worth it: Collier's two highest-scoring games have come against the Heat this season, with 20 and 15 points.

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Who's worth Bobcats' entire payroll? (1-1-05)

AROUND THE LEAGUE: It's apparently registered on Atlanta Hawks rookie Josh Smith how hard he must work. Despite huge athletic ability, Smith slipped to 17th in the draft, due primarily to poor work habits in his auditions. Since entering the starting lineup recently, Smith is averaging 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.

[Gray Mule]

Thanks for posting this. I don't always say thanks

but I appreciate what you do as I make it a point

to read this each time it's posted.

Again, Thanks.