October 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After two weeks of training camp, including three exhibition games, Hawks coach Mike Woodson is sure of one thing. His team isn't close to being ready to play regular-season basketball. While there has been much to savor from early victories over Orlando and Phoenix to start the week, Friday night's 102-80 blowout loss at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Sprint Center exposed some of those holes Woodson is still working to fill. "We're still not in the kind of shape we need to be in to play real games," Woodson said. "Sure, we've looked pretty good in spurts. But we're going to have to put an entire game together in a few weeks. That's why I push as hard as I do in the ..."
October 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With five returning starters from a playoff team, someone has to be the target of opposing teams. Someone has to be identified as the weakest link, the one player on the Hawks' roster who can be attacked - physically and perhaps even schematically - in the hope that he will break down and the entire team will falter. Wednesday night in Phoenix the Suns targeted Hawks small forward Marvin Williams. And Williams made them pay, outlasting the rest of the starters on both teams in the final minutes with plays that helped the Hawks secure the 100-96 victory. Williams finished with a team-high 19 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and a body full of sore muscles courtesy of the ..."
October 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Marvin Williams scored 19 points, Josh Smith had 18 and the Atlanta Hawks spoiled Terry Porter's debut as Phoenix coach, rallying to beat the Suns 100-96 Wednesday night. It was the second victory in two exhibition games for the Hawks, who also defeated Orlando on Monday. Williams and Smith got lots of offensive support. Ex-Sun Joe Johnson scored 14 points, Flip Murray had 13 and Al Horford and Acie Law 10 each. Shaquille O'Neal topped the Suns with 21 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. Alando Tucker scored 14, Matt Barnes and Louis Amundson 12 apiece, and Grant Hill 10. The Suns, playing without Amare Stoudemire (torn iris in right eye) and Leandro Barbosa (personal reasons), showed ..."
October 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Couldn't Al Horford have picked an easier way to make a living this week? The Hawks' second-year center faced Orlando All-Star center Dwight Howard Monday, trades elbows with Phoenix superstar Shaquille O'Neal here Wednesday and will wrestle with Portland rookie behemoth Greg Oden Friday in Kansas City. That's three of the NBA's most jaw-dropping physical specimens in the first week of the preseason for Horford, who could literally hide in the shadow of each man. Horford, however, doesn't mind the hard work one bit. In fact, he's looking forward to the rigors of his job. "He certainly can't run from it," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "It is what it is. And that's the amazing thing with ..."
October 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mo Evans was smaller and older than what the Orlando Magic felt like they needed at the shooting guard position than what Mo Evans gave them a year ago and replaced him with free agent Mickael Pietrus over the summer. That theory looked legitimate for all of about 35 seconds Monday night in the Hawks' 118-101 win in their preseason opener over the Magic. Pietrus is taller and younger than Evans. But Evans got the last laugh, outscoring Pietrus 17-9, including an impressive 4-for-4 showing from beyond the 3-point line. Evans outplayed Pietrus and every other shooting guard the Magic deployed (JJ Redick did come off the bench and score 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, but this is JJ Redick ..."
October 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mario West says it's really simple math. The Hawks can carry a maximum of 15 players on the roster this season. There are 17 in camp. Only 14 have guarantees, and West (along with rookies Frank Robinson and Marcus Hubbard) isn't one of them. That means West has to do this season what he did a year ago. He must make the Hawks' opening-day roster the hard way. So will the former Douglas County High School and Georgia Tech star make the cut? A decision won't come for a few weeks, but here are five factors on West's road to realizing his dream for the second consecutive year: Addition of Evans The Hawks might not need a young defensive stopper like West with the addition of veteran Mo Evans. ..."
October 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Any fears about Acie Law IV's readiness to run this Hawks team were eliminated here Monday night. Any other questions about his game, competitive nature or poker face were sufficiently answered as well. Law, expressionless for most of the first week of training camp, exploded onto the scene in the Hawks' 118-101 comeback win over the Orlando Magic in the preseason opener for both teams at Amway Arena. "I think this ought to be a serious confidence builder for Acie," Hawks captain Joe Johnson said. "Now he can relax and do the things that a point guard is supposed to do." Law played his role to perfection against the Magic. He came off the bench to help rescue the Hawks from a dismal ..."
October 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Mike Woodson won't apologize for his Al Davis approach to preseason basketball. When asked what his approach to the Hawks' eight-game preseason slate would be, Woodson borrowed one of the longtime Oakland Raiders boss's most famous slogans. "Just win baby," Woodson said with a smile Sunday after the Hawks wrapped up their final practice in preparation for tonight's preseason opener in Orlando. "It's time to play, man. Some people view preseason game as something to get players in shape and get ready for the season. "To me, it's huge in terms of using that time to bond and get used to doing things in a winning way. I don't think you can do it any other way. You have to play to ..."