Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Sports Atlanta Hawks: My first game review
Posted by Eric Celeste on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 10:22 AM
- JOEFF DAVIS
- Hawks-Bulls! (From last year, but whatever.)
The good folks at the Atlanta Hawks invited me to see the team play the Chicago Bulls this past weekend. I obliged, because I'm a solid basketball fan and kind of a freebie whore. But I told them I must write a blog post about my experience in which I turn my trained investigative journalist's eye at the proceedings. In the jump, to prepare those of you going to tonight's game versus the Pacers at Philips Arena, you can read my notes from game night.
Because I don't have a car, I took MARTA from the Midtown Station to the arena. My first lesson: during high-traffic events, MARTA trains don't run on time. Good to know. But you exit right at the arena's front door. Two words: suh and weet.
The ticket I was given by the Hawks did not, in fact, suck. It was in the Georgia's Own section, which you access by going through a glass door that leads to a cool lobby of your own food and beverage options. Beautiful people were there. It basically was like this.
I have no idea if the crowd was late-arriving, because I was late to arrive. It was about a quarter Bulls fans, though, which I'd expected. I immediately dug the 85 or so folks in red seats in the upper deck who stand the whole game and smack their thundersticks. (Euphemism alert.) I'm told they get in free thought a sponsorship with Kia, and thus it's called the Kia Sixth Man section. I'm working on a better name.
On to important game notes:
Chicago Bull Kyle Korver looks like he should be high-fiving guys at Escorpion. So it gave me great giggles when the KSM section chanted "Ash-ton Kutch-er" as he shot free throws.
What is up with the Hawks dancers' unis, btw? They're all hot and such, but they were wearing what appeared to be the athletic version of pajama jeans.
IJS: Mark Cuban would never allow this sort of tasteful dancer coverage.
The fans are pretty Mavs-like, for what it's worth. Fairly tame, respectfully engaged when appropriate, nothing too intense. They were in to it, sure, but I've seen a few Top Chef-watching parties get more intense.
This just in, though: Hawks fans freaking love Zaza, don't they?
Basketball note 1: the next hard pick I see a Hawks player set besides Zaza will be the first.
Basketball note 2: Chicago's Omer Asik is the white Zaza Pachulia.
Basketball note 3: Dick Bavetta is the crypt keeper.
Basketball note 4: I think my double Makers rocks (I ordered a single, but what was I gonna do, say no?) was making me see things, because I could swear I saw the ghost of Jerry Stackhouse on Atlanta's bench.
Basketball note 5: Atlanta cruised, and Josh Smith had a decent game, but I still think this team will have to make a ballsy trade-deadline move to really compete this year. Further updates as events warrant.
Comments (12)
Showing 1-12 of 12
So...you got to sit on the Rich Guy Side of that awful arena. Only beautiful people allowed. The unwashed were on the other side with their Buds and bad pizza while you enjoyed fine dining options that they can't even buy because they don't have the right ticket.
I never thought I would miss the Omni until they tore it down and built that monstrosity with the Rich Guy Side and the Poor Guy Side.
And...basketball? They still play that?
Shutup Dave. Glad you had a good time. I would have done it, too, given the invitation.
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Yea they are in dire need of a trade. They walked the dog on the Bulls. They have played the hardest schedule in the NBA and are 7-3. They have an NBA starting point guard / 2 guard that will be coming back next month and will be a back up. Hawks already have one of the most productive benches in the NBA and its about to get better. Yea, trade the farm.
@oydave: Purdy sweet. The fact I spent my last $20 on that drink makes me seem a lot less cool, though.
@Edgewood Adam: I *do* really like the team's bench. Toughness, energy. I think they'll have a good regular season, maybe finish top 3 or 4. But I would worry, if I were a Hawks fan, that such a finish will keep the team from being as aggressive as I feel it needs to be. NBA windows close fast.
MARTA trains don't run on schedule? as a daily commuter who sees the masses going to Falcons, Braves and a lesser extent Hawks games I've not noticed it throwing off the pre game schedule. they do add trains for post game. You are aware that after the 7:00 p trains leave the end of the line (after 7:24p at arts center) the North South Line goes down to 1 train every 20 minutes from 2 trains every 15 minutes (Red Line stops running to the airport and only goes to to Lindberg from NorthSprings and back; and the Gold Line goes from 15 minute intervals to 20 minute intervals).
When I go to Phillips on the north South line I often don't bother switching to the east/west line, especially after the game. Instead I just walk to 5 points or even Peachtree Center Station a slightly longer but far more interesting walk. Though you are correct the front door service is nice especially if its raining.
Oy you sound like a democrat! ;-). I do think the set up throws off the crowd reactions since the low class side tends to have the avid fans and they are often staring across at empty corporate seats or seats with disinterested folks which then throws cold water on the low class side.
The other thing that sucks about the arena set up is that you can no longer do a full circle stroll, inside the arena or in the food area because you can't even walk through the hoy poloy area. Kind of screws with the flow outside at the food spots and takes away from the experience inside where the court is.
Empty corporate seats. Exactly. Can't circumnavigate the concourse. WTF?
Whoever designed this building has a special room in Hell, with crappy beer and cardboard pizza.
Here's to Jerry Garcia and Pete Maravich at the Omni...all three gone to that big arena in the sky.
@Eric Celeste
Now that you are here, watch this team and make your own decisions. No team gets dumped on quite like the Hawks. They can be very frustrating but they are way better than the national media gives them credit for. The Hawks really could have beat Chicago last year and we are a much better team this year. They have added toughness with Ivan Johnson. They have added veteran leadership and swagger with T-Mac. They have gotten rid of all defensive liabilities (J. Crawford and Bibby) and they have added a frontline point guard without having to get him in free agency (teague). This team made some of the better additions in the league they just were not flashy.
The hawks will once again be one of the top 4 or 5 teams in the NBA. And for some reason in this 'Meh...' town, that equates to suckitude.
@Edgewood Adam and @Scott in Va Hi: As a Mavs fan who had to endure national meh-tude for years, I hear you. We got Chandler to give us the toughness to get over the hump from a toughness standpoint, and a coach in Carlisle who is a tactical wiz. I see those needs here, but I'll pay attention.
@mike404 DANGIT. Sorry. Here Thursday (Bobcats) and Saturday (Timberwolves). Think I may go Sat.
My very first basketball game was the Hawks-Bulls game as well. The cheerleaders did this odd silent pantomime with zero energy. We should be able to toss dollars at them. I think my favorite part of the night were the Beale Street Flippers. The kid that flipped his shirt off was sensational! Is that sad? Anyway I paid almost $90(section 211) for a decent seat and the game was over before I knew it. I just had to see D Rose in person though. Man, if Dwight Howard would just come than they could sell some tix. I don't buy the notion of Atlanta as a bad sports city. Give us stars and the masses will attend! lol @ the ghost of Stackhouse... Everyone around me gasped when he came on the court. Is that, is that JERRY STACKHOUSE? ball to you're 90 baby!
i'm liking the hawks chances to make it to the eastern conference finals, given a few breaks.
the other supposed top teams (heat and bulls) in the east don't have near the bench strength that the hawks do, and this season's schedule will place a real premium on a deep rotation playing meaningful minutes.
that said, i'd trade joe johnson for jamal crawford straight up if i could.
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