SportsNation Blog Archives
Atlanta Hawks
The NBA playoffs so far have been characterized by significant injuries to big-time players. Dwight Howard was out before the postseason began, Derrick Rose went down in the waning minutes of Game 1, and several other players (Baron Davis, Amare Stoudemire, etc.) have fallen victim to on- and off-court maladies. Consequently, we're seeing a lot of series that definitely will not go the distance -- there are six 3-1 series in play right now, along with two that have already been decided. The Nuggets in particular have had fits dealing with the new-look Kobe Bryant -- he's been more of a distributor late in games than he has in the past, where the game plan was simply "give it to Kobe."
Kobe's role?
Kobe Bryant's role in the fourth quarter is usually that of a force of nature, but these playoffs have seen him rely more on his teammates.
Thunder or Spurs?
The Spurs and Thunder have already taken care of their two opponents, but it's still a long way to go before either team makes it to the finals.
Comeback chance?
The Bulls and Magic find themselves in the same 3-1 hole as the Nuggets and Hawks, although Denver and Atlanta didn't lose their franchise players early on.
Josh Smith has a strained tendon in his left knee, and may miss Game 3 against the Celtics. Can the Hawks win without him?
- Thats_How_I_Troll: "If Boston can do it without Ray and Rajon, then Atlanta can be competitive without Smith. "
- Reague5122: "Celtics were going to win that game even if Smith finished the game, they have outplayed the Hawks in 6 out of 8 qaurters, won without Rondo and Ray Ray, C's get to rest until Friday."
- PP Owns Rondo: "Not good for Atlanta. They're already in bad shape without Al and Zaza. No way do they win this series without Josh. I think Boston wins in 5 anyway with Josh or not."
- Delta_Hedge: "no big deal---he's not that good anyway. He just jacks up 3s."
- b00chtron: "the hawks were not winning this series anyways"
- fee.forbin: "With Josh Smith out the C's might get some rest before the next round."
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We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
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2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
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2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
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2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
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2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
- Vote: Which rookie guard is most fun to watch? | Will the Bucks finish the Hawks?
- Chat wrap: NBA Insider John Hollinger talks playoffs
- More from ESPN.com: TrueHoop collects reaction to the Bucks' win in Game 5
It appears Tyreke Evans will be the NBA's Rookie of the Year. After Brandon Jennings scored 25 points to lead the Bucks to a 3-2 series lead against the Hawks, it also appears he might be the most significant rookie playing in May. Possibly deep into May.
Which is to say, the debate about this year's rookie class isn't nearly over. Well, other than Hasheem Thabeet. We can all agree that isn't working out so well.
Evans isn't a controversial pick as rookie of the year. ESPN's TrueHoop Network went that way in overwhelming fashion when it handed out awards. After siding with Jennings early and Stephen Curry in March, SportsNation concurred at the close of the regular season. But when it comes to looking beyond rookie season? That is another story ...
Ben (NYC)
Who makes their teammates better the best? Jennings, Evans, Curry, Rose, Rondo, Westbrook??? I say Curry.
David Thorpe
Today Rondo, tomorrow probably Curry or Jennings. Full transcript
- Rank 'Em: Which go-to player do you want to have the ball in crunch time?
- Rank 'Em: Playoff Power Rankings | Vote: Which teams win each series?
- More from ESPN.com: Land O' Lakers blog from ESPN Los Angeles
- Watch Sat. on ESPN3 (ET): Hawks-Bucks, 5:30 | Heat-Celtics, 8 | Jazz-Nuggets, 10:30
Sometimes you're the dog, and sometimes you're the hydrant. Or in the language of the NBA playoffs, sometimes you're Michael Jordan against anyone. And sometimes you're Charles Smith against the Bulls.
The postseason has arrived, and for the first time in his career, Kevin Durant gets a shot (or more likely, 20-plus shots per game) to forge his own primetime reputation on the big stage. You know it's the big stage because Phil Jackson is already taking subtle swipes at Durant and either getting in his head or poking the bear, depending on your perspective.
In all honesty, the No. 1 seed's first-round series is usually only slightly more interesting than Duke playing Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but thanks to Durant's expected duel with Kobe Bryant, it appears all eyes this year will be on the Lakers and Thunder.
Not that every SportsNation blogger expects the series to be all that close.
- "Okay, lets be realistic here. Everybody thank the Thunder for showing up, but Kobe will not allow the Lakers to get booted out of the first round. The only way Oklahoma City will sneak by and pull 1 game off is if Kevin Durant puts up 50. Even though the Lakers have been slumping as of late, they are a whole different beast when it comes to the playoffs." -- Read wwechamp69's full post.
Mikeyho (Taiwan)
Hey Chris. Just heard several analyst label the Cavs as "much better" than the Magic. This year's additions put them over the top. I feel like I'm watching last years comments. I'm not saying the Magic should even win. Just want to know if you think it'll be really competitive (around 50/50), or slightly competitve (Cavs's clear favorites)?
Chris Sheridan
Right now I would pick the Cavs in 7 in that series, but I would not label them heavy favorites. Both teams are so much different than they were a year ago (Jamison, Shaq, Vince, Barnes) that it makes comparisons between last year's series and this year's somewhat irrelevant. What's relevant is whether Shaq will be able to contain Dwight and whether the Magic will still find the individual matchup they can exploit. And Stan Van Gundy is good at that. Full transcript
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
- Power Rankings: Are the Hawks one of your top 10 teams?
- Chat: NBA Insider Chad Ford, 1 ET | ESPN Dallas' Tim MacMahon, 1 ET
Coming off four losses in a row to close 2009 and begin 2010, including back-to-back losses against the Cavaliers, the Hawks were reeling. John Hollinger had a simple message as the Hawks prepared for three in a row against the Celtics, Magic and Celtics again.
Jon ((ATL))
ATL didn't come out of that back-to-back with CLE too well. How will they survive BOS/@ORL/@BOS in the span of 72 hours?
John Hollinger
They better win at least two if they want to maintain contact with the East's upper crust. Hawks were playing as well as anyone in basketball up until two weeks ago but have lost their mojo a bit of late; last night's scrimmage against New Jersey should help boost morale and they've done well historically against both Boston and Orlando (not so much against Cleveland), so they have a chance to emerge in decent shape. Full transcript
Mission accomplished, with wins in both games against the Celtics (we won't mention the blowout loss at Orlando). But the best sign the Atlanta Hawks may just be for real this season? Even Cavaliers fans now consider them a threat.
Almost two months ago, we asked if the Hawks were legit. A healthy majority of voters, 57 percent, gave them the nod of approval. Ohio was one of the few states leaning the other way. But now? Even the Buckeye State sees a four-team race in the East.
Erik (Atlanta, Ga)
Are the Hawks standing pat or is there a move out there they can make?
Chris Sheridan
If they could do a move along the lines of Marvin Williams-Antawn Jamison which would give them a better shot of getting out of the 2nd round, I think they'd [do] something like that. They need an upgrade somewhere more than they need an extra piece. Crawford is the extra piece they were missing. Full transcript
- Your Power Rankings: Where do you rank the Hawks among the elite?
- Vote: Are the Hawks for real, and is Joe Johnson a franchise player?
Fresh off the team's 105-90 win against the Heat Wednesday, it's a good time to be an Atlanta Hawks fan. Joe Johnson is in heady territory at No. 7 on Maurice Brooks' MVP Watch, holding down the fort just behind LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki. And at 10-2 overall, the Hawks continue holding down the No. 1 spot in John Hollinger's Power Rankings.
So why are so many good seats still available on the bandwagon?
Only 54 percent of SportsNation thinks the Hawks are legitimate contenders, and a majority still like the Magic to win the Southeast. And looking at SportsNation's Power Rankings, it's taken a long time for the Hawks to gain traction.
HB (NYC)
Should we offically say Hawks are contenders?
Chad Ford
I think that's fair. They have a ton of talent and every year they keep taking another step. Joe Johnson has been an early MVP candidate. Josh Smith has been on fire. They really look great. I still favor Orlando, Boston and Cleveland. But Atlanta's closer than I thought they'd be. Full transcript
Lakers fans are understandably excited about the new season, and the defending champs are a popular choice to repeat among bloggers in the ESPN.com community.
"I've never been more excited for the opening of any season, any sport," blogs kurtnaphansen. "The combination of being on the heels of the Lakers winning the NBA championship, of all the trash talk from Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs and even Blazers fans, and of a very new interesting development with the addition of Sheed to Boston, Shaq to Cleveland and Artest to LA."
Below are fan blogs and predictions about the season, which tipped off this week. Click through to respond. If you don't already have an ESPN profile, create one now and start blogging.
More fan blogs
Bulls preview | Cavaliers preview | Celtics-Cavaliers | Cuban best owner in sports | Eastern Conference predictions | Jordan among untouchables | Jordan memories | Letter to LeBron | Magic preview | NBA questions | No worries in Lakerland | Remember the Bulls? | Teams to watch | Traveling rule | Western Conference predictions | Wizards' issuesFan pictures
Let's get one thing straight: Linas Kleiza isn't exactly a household name. He's a good complementary piece, perhaps even a starter for a non-contender; one of those guys who are nice to have but aren't going to take over a game on a regular basis.
What he is, however, is one in an increasingly long line of trailblazers. Having established himself in the NBA, Kleiza is leaving for Greek team Olympiakos. He's not the first, of course. Europe is fast becoming a destination for midlevel NBA and college talents. Josh Childress is perhaps the most notable example, signing with the Greek powerhouse for big bucks. Brandon Jennings spent time in an Italian league in lieu of college, and Nick Calathes has chosen Greek team Panathinaikos instead of submitting to the vagaries of the draft. (Though Calathes was drafted in the second round and traded anyway. Go figure.) It seems like a matter of time before a European team springs for an A-level NBA talent, if for no other reason than the money can be surprisingly lucrative. Kleiza is getting paid more than triple his previous yearly salary, while Childress is pulling down a cool $10 million per year in Greece. Chris Webber briefly flirted with the idea of playing for Olympiakos, and rumors had Greek teams looking at Allen Iverson, but so far, no dice.- Back in 2006, SN wasn't surprised when a Greek team defeated Team USA.
- Most of SN would play in Greece for twice the money, were they a diminutive guard.
- A slight majority of SN thought Brandon Jennings was right to play in Europe.
“Good move for Kleiza! he will get more recognition over in Europe and will also get a better chance at proving himself! The NBA here is so bad now a days thats its almost unwatchable!
” -- eric.cartman22
“I never thought that we were in danger of losing our stars to the European leagues, but I see instances like this one becoming more and more common. It's going to be hard to keep European players here if they get an offer to go back home for more money. American born players will always prefer to play here, even if it is for slightly less than they could make in Europe, because they're slightly intimidated by the though of living abroad (with an exception for players like Kobe who spent significant time overseas when they were growing up). The same is true in reverse for the European players. If they can make the same amount of money back home as they can make here, they'll go home. The end result will be that NBA teams will have to overpay for international talent in order to keep them here.
” -- jb1089
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