[外電] Hawks take attitude on the road
Hawks take attitude on the road
By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/07/06
Before leaving Philips Arena on Monday afternoon for Cleveland,
the Hawks made sure to pack their swagger and hard hats for
Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers.
To hear the Hawks tell it, taking the right attitude on the road
is as important as taking their road dark uniforms and black shoes.
"We already know what happens when you show up to somebody else's
place and don't have your guard up, emotionally," Hawks captain
Joe Johnson said. "You can get smashed by anybody in this league
if you're not ready to go. We know all about it."
The Hawks know this from past experience. They're a combined
12-71 on the road since the start of the 2004-05 season.
In their season-opening road game, the Hawks couldn't handle
Allen Iverson and his 76ers teammates during a dismal 88-75 loss
in Philadelphia.
"We didn't show up," Hawks forward Josh Childress said. "We've
won our last two games [both at home] playing the way we intended
to [in Philly]. Granted, playing in front of your own fans makes
a big difference. But we're different, we're not the same team
we were two years ago or last year."
How so?
"The biggest difference between this team and the past two teams
is we have a no-nonsense attitude," Childress said. "We hold each
other and ourselves accountable. Mentally, we know that we have
to stay focused and keep our eyes on our goals. And in addition
to that, it's just that we're playing hard. Not to say that we
didn't play hard the past two years. But it's just a different
intensity."
There are still those who will wonder if the workmanlike
efficiency will travel well.
"That part is up to us." Johnson said. "We can't just talk about
it. We have to do it."
Woodson proud
of defense's start
The backhanded jokes about the Hawks sitting atop the Southeast
Division standings after three games are fine with Hawks coach
Mike Woodson. Defense, however, is no joking matter for him.
That's why he won't allow anyone, especially his players, to
dismiss the Hawks' sitting atop the NBA's defensive standings
after three game, allowing just 87.3 points per game.
"I said it [after Sunday's win over Orlando] and I'll say it
again, it's about these guys making the commitment to play on
both ends of the floor," Woodson said. "In our league you have
to make that commitment to playing defense. And I mean really
breaking down and trying to get stops. You do that and you've
got a chance."
Claxton's knees iced as precaution
Hawks point guard Speedy Claxton spent the first 45 minutes of
practice on the floor and then retired to the locker room to
have his knees iced as a precaution, Woodson said.
Claxton, who missed all but the final week of training camp and
the exhibition season recovering from a broken finger on his left
hand, is still working his way into game shape.
He's still struggling with his shot (4-for-22 from the floor) but
is slowly getting back to normal. He had six steals in the win
over the Magic.
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