It's been a while since I've been on here, but it's back to business. The Hawks improved their record to 4-1 with their win over the Heat tonight on January 2nd, 2012. Atlanta is the first team to beat Miami this season, giving Miami their first loss at home. We've seen the rise of young PG Jeff Teague and we saw it from him tonight. Newly aquired free agent Tracy McGrady was also a key factor in the Hawks' win.
Atlanta's top performer in the night was Al Horford with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Jeff Teague had 15 points and 5 assists. Star shooting guard Joe Johnson had 21 points. Sixth man Tracy McGrady had 16 points off the bench and went 3/3 on three point shooting. Jannero Pargo's 2/3 on 3 point shooting also helped seal the game in the fourth quarter for the Hawks. Jeff Teague got in to the paint at will and finished when he drove to the basket.
LeBron James had 28 points and 7 rebounds for Miami. Dwyane Wade had an off night with 12 points and 4/17 shooting. Chris Bosh added 19 points and 6 rebounds. Shane Battier came off the bench and added 11 points with 3/4 from 3 point shooting but it wasn't enough to hold off the Hawks' rally in the second half.
The Hawks were hungry to bounce back after a 95-84 loss to the Rockets on New Years' Eve. Atlanta started the New Year out right and continue a brutal schedule as they play at Chicago on January 3rd, play the Heat at home on January 5th, go on the road to Charlotte on January 6th, and finish it at home on January 7th against the Bulls again.
Even though the Hawks are faced with this brutal schedule, they showed they can compete with anybody with their huge win against the Heat. The development of young point guard Jeff Teague is crucial to the Hawks' success and will take them far. The bench giving the starters help and closing out games will also be a X-Factor. 6th man Tracy McGrady is proving his doubters wrong and is showing that he has a lot of gas left in the tank. Star shooting guard Joe Johnson is playing with a chip on his shoulder also quieting his doubters when they say he is overpaid and didn't deserve the contract he got in the summer of 2010. His play on the court speaks for itself.
Head coach Larry Drew is winning over an improving Hawks team year by year and will be determined to make another run in the playoffs this year. The chemistry with the team is where it needs to be and that will win ball games. PG Jeff Teague is the player I thought he would be when we drafted him in 2009. It took him a couple seasons to develop but that's what every great PG does in this league. I'm looking forward to watching him and the rest of our Hawks play this season and what they can get accomplished. Keep on looking out for my Hawks blogs and upcoming blogs about the Atlanta Falcons trip to the playoffs. So until then, GO HAWKS!!!-Yuriy
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