Sports-Hawks Win First Playoff Series In 10 Years

It has been a long time in the making for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. Sunday afternoon, the team won its first playoff series since 1999.

In the best-of-7 first round series, this was Game-7 on the Hawks’ home court in Atlanta. After a tight opening quarter of play, the Hawks took control to lead by 13 at halftime, and enjoy as big as a 19-point lead in the game. In the end, the Hawks walked-off the court with a 91-78 victory, and ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals for a meeting with the tough Cleveland Cavaliers.

This type of excitement--and success--was nowhere to be found for years. And as recently as four years ago, the Hawks under head coach Mike Woodson won only 13 games out of 82 played. Now this:

"You venture out with a young team...it takes time. And this team has grown. Do we still have ways to go?...sure we do as a basketball team. But I sure like the direction of where we're headed. I really do."

One of the keys of the team is guard Joe Johnson, who took the leap of faith to sign as a free agent with the Hawks after that 13-win season. Now fast forward to the present, Johnson and the Hawks get the reward of facing top-seeded Cleveland and league MVP Lebron James in Round-2. The Hawks and Cavaliers open their series in Cleveland tomorrow night.

Hawks Player Carjacked at Gunpoint

Williams in action. (Gregory Smith: AP)

Atlanta forward Shelden Williams was carjacked at gunpoint Saturday before the Hawks' game against Charlotte, and two suspects were arrested with his car hours later.

Douglasville City Police said two suspects were arrested late Saturday afternoon at Arbor Place Mall in Douglas County, near Atlanta. The suspects were in Williams' car and were attempting a robbery, according to an officer who answered the phone at the Douglasville Police Department.

Fulton County Police spokesman Gary Syblis said Williams was approached by two men outside a barber shop. One man pulled out a gun and demanded Williams' keys to his 2008 Chrysler, according to Syblis.

Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche says Williams provided police with the license plate number of the vehicle used by the carjackers, leading to a search that led to two suspects being arrested at a mall in Douglas County. Williams' car was found at the scene.

"I'm just glad that he's safe," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Cars and things like that, jewelry, money, all that can be replaced."

Triche said the car was damaged when found.

Williams reported to Philips Arena before the game but missed the team's shootaround. He made his first appearance in the game against the Bobcats late in the third quarter.

Williams told Woodson and other team officials about the incident when he reported for the game. He said the car was stolen outside a barber shop.

Syblis said Williams, a second-year player from Duke, did not identify himself as a player for the Hawks.

Syblis says the incident occured outside a barber shop on Cascade Road in Atlanta.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the Atlanta Hawks.

(The Associated Press)

Georgia sports for Monday, May 5th

Atlanta Hawks/NBA playoffs--

The improbable playoff run for the Atlanta Hawks is over. After squeaking into the postseason for the first time in 9 years, the Hawks ended their stay with a Game-7 loss at Boston Sunday afternoon. It came in destructive fashion, as the Celtics won decisively, 99-65. The 34-point loss was the fourth biggest Game-7 defeat in NBA playoff history. The Hawks were out of it early, scoring only 26 points by halftime.

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves completed a series sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 14-7 win in Atlanta. It was yet another big day at the plate for Chipper Jones--3 hits included a 3-run homer and 5 RBI's for the contest. The Braves as a team banged-out 19 hits. The first 3 batters in the lineup accounted for 10 hits and 10 RBI's. Veteran pitcher Tom Glavine was not able to take advantage of the offensive outburtst by his teammates to record his first win of the season. He allowed 6 runs in 4-and-two-thirds innings, falling just an out shy of recording his first win in 5 outings. The Braves evened their record at 15-15 for the season, 2 games out of first in the NL-East.

Georgia sports for Thursday, May 1st

Atlanta Braves-

The Braves wrapped a subpar road trip with a 4th straight loss Wednesday afternoon in Washington D.C., a 3-2 loss in 12 innings. The Braves had taken a 2-1 lead in the top of the 12th on Mark Kotsay’s RBI-single. But in the Nationals’ at-bat, they scored twice...the winner a Felipe Lopez RBI-single with the bases loaded. The Braves’ record fell to 12-15 overall in completing a 1-4 road trip. They fell to 0-9 in one-run games this season.

Braves notes--There has been yet another setback for pitcher Mike Hampton in his attempted comeback to the rotation. He had to leave a rehab start for Triple-A Richmond at Durham yesterday after 3-and-a-third innings. Hampton felt more discomfort with his left pectoral injury. It was that injury that prevented his season debut April 3rd. Hampton hasn’t thrown a major league game in 32 months due to an assortment of injuries.

Veteran pitcher John Smoltz says his return to the team from the disabled list will likely be as a reliever in the bullpen. Smoltz has been sidelined a second time with an ailing right shoulder. Smoltz served as the team’s closer in the bullpen in 3-and-a-half years through 2004, before returning to the starter’s role.

Atlanta Hawks-NBA playoffs—-

After 2 straight wins, the Atlanta Hawks lost Game-5 of their 1st round playoff series in Boston last night, 110-85. The Hawks trail the best-of-7 series 3 games to 2. Game-6 is tomorrow night back in Atlanta.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, May 7th

Atlanta Braves win 5th straight--

The Braves won their 4th straight game last night, taking the 1st of a 3-game series against the San Diego Padres in Atlanta. Jair Jurrjens pitched another strong game in earning the victory. Jurrjens went 6 innings, with 7 hits, a run and 8 strikeouts on his line. Offensively, Chipper Jones knocked his 10th homer of the season, while Mark Kotsay homered as well. Tim Hudson takes the mound tonight as the Braves aim for a 5th straight victory.

Atlanta Hawks' GM Knight resigns--

Billy Knight this morning announced his resignation as general manager of the Atlanta Hawks. It comes after the team just completed its first NBA playoff appearance in nine seasons--a 1st-round, 7-game loss to the Boston Celtics. Knight's resignation is effective July 1st. The 55-year-old Knight spent six years with the organization.
His best season came this year, as the Hawks had a 37-45 regular season record and broke a nine-year playoff drought. Knight says in a statement he's "leaving the organization in much better shape than it was in when I took over."

Former Tech football star arrested--

Former Georgia Tech star quarterback Joe Hamilton is facing multiple charges following a traffic stop early Tuesday. The 31-year-old Hamilton was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence of alcohol, hit-and-run, and possessing an open container. Georgia Tech police pulled over Hamilton’s black Ford Expedition, as it matched the description of a vehicle that had been involved in a hit-and-run accident nearby. Hamilton led Georgia Tech to an ACC football championship in 1998, and had just been hired by the school’s football program last week as assistant director of player personnel.

Oxendine: Over $150 million in Atlanta storm damage

Click here for the latest National Weather Service update.

People get out and survey the damage in Atlanta's Cabbage Town neighborhood. At least 27 people were hurt Friday night, though no injuries were believed to be life-threatening. (AP Photo/John Amis)

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine estimated damage from Friday night's storm at $150 million to $200 million.

Tens of thousands of basketball fans at two Atlanta arenas were perfectly safe, officials insisted Saturday, even though the crowds apparently weren't warned about an approaching tornado — one that would ravage skyscrapers and injure dozens.

About 18,000 people were watching the Southeastern Conference men's tournament Friday night at the Georgia Dome when its fabric roof began rippling, the catwalks above the court started swaying and chunks of insulation rained onto the players.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning about eight minutes before the twister hit, but it wasn't clear when or if that alert was passed on to fans, said Katy Pando, a dome spokeswoman. Fans claimed they never heard or saw one.

Another 16,000 fans watching an NBA game at Philips Arena, in the same complex as the dome, weren't told of the weather, either. The arena apparently sustained little damage, Atlanta Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said.

Governor Sonny Perdue and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin declared a state of emergency in several areas in Atlanta.

A sign rests atop four cars in a downtown Atlanta parking lot after a tornado touched down Friday evening, pictured Saturday March 15, 2008. (AP / Ron Williams)

The tornado, with wind up to 130 mph, cut a 6-mile path through downtown Atlanta, smashing hundreds of windows in and around the CNN Center, blowing furniture and luggage out of hotel rooms and crumbling part of an apartment building.

A cab sits in the debris in front of CNN Center in downtown Atlanta Friday, March 14, 2008.
(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

At least two people died in Polk and Floyd counties from the storms. A third is reported in critical condition.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storm damage in downtown Atlanta Friday evening.

Click here for tornado and severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for the Atlanta area and statewide.

(The Associated Press)

Georgia sports for Friday, May 2nd

Atlanta Braves--

Out of Thursday's off-day, the Braves are back home in Atlanta set to open a 6-game stretch of action at Turner Field--they'll commence a 3-game weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight. The Braves had a dismal 1-4 road trip, and will look to shake a 4-game losing skid tonight.

Atlanta Hawks-NBA playoffs--

The Hawks will look to hold-off elimination tonight in their 1st round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. The Hawks and Celtics run with Game-6 in Atlanta. Boston leads the matchup 3 games to 2.

Georgia sports for Monday, January 14th

The Atlanta Falcons have hired a new general manager. Tom Dimitroff takes the reigns of the club's football operations. The 40-year-old Dimitroff replaces Rich McKay in the role--McKay however stays with the team in the role of president. Dimitroff comes to Atlanta from the New England Patroits, where he served as director of scouting for the past 5 years.

From baseball, news from the Atlanta Braves in their offseason. They've agreed in principle to a deal to bring outfielder Mark Kotsay to town from Oakland. In return, the Braves send the Athletics reliever Joey Devine. Kotsay would take the spot in centerfield, left open by the departure of Andruw Jones. Be sure to tune into tonight's Georgia Gazette at 6pm on GPB Radio--Edgar Treiguts has a conversation with Braves' pitcher Tom Glavine on his return to Atlanta after 5 years in New York.

Women's college basketball from Sunday included a loss for ranked Georgia, and win for Georgia Tech. The 10th-ranked Lady Bulldogs were losers at Auburn, 82-52. Tech's Yellow Jackets beat Miami 68-65.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks at home topped the Chicago Bulls, 105-84. It was the first win in 4 years for the Hawks over the Bulls.

Georgia sports roundup--Monday Nov. 10th

Atlanta Falcons / NFL --

The Falcons continued a surprising season with a 34-20 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Atlanta. Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan proved steady again at the helm, tossing a pair of touchdown passes. The Falcons also benefitted from intercepting the Saints three times. The Falcons improved their record to 6-3. They're also undefeated in 4 games this season inside the Georgia Dome.

College football weekend --

The Georgia Bulldogs escaped Lexington Saturday with a 42-38 win over the Kentucky Wildcats. Georgia scored their 8th win in 10 games on the season. Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets were not so fortunate--losing their road game at North Carolina 28-7. Tech fell to 7-3 on the season. Georgia Southern's Eagles were also losers on Saturday, beaten on their home field in Statesboro by Samford, 27-17.

High school football --

Georgia's high school football season has reached the playoff stage following the final weekend of regular season action. Please check out gpb.org/football for all the latest on coverage.

Atlanta Hawks / NBA --

The Hawks are 5-0 to start their season, following an 89-85 win at Oklahoma City last night.

Atlanta Thrashers / NHL --

The Thrashers skated to a 5-2 win over division rival Carolina in Raleigh. It was the 4th straight win for Atlanta.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, December 4th

Men's college basketball last night included wins for Georgia and Mercer. Georgia's Bulldogs were home in Athens, scoring the 81-74 decision over Augusta State. Sundiata Gaines led scorers with 24 points. Georgia improves its record to 5-1. Mercer tripped-up Charleston-Southern in the final second. James Florence hit the winner with :01 showing on the clock. He finished with 28 points.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks were winners on the road at Philidelphia 88-79. Josh Smith paced the Hawks with 22 points--Atlanta improves its season record to 7-9.

Off-season news from the Atlanta Braves. The team has announced a deal with the Chicago Cubs. The Braves send reliever Jose Ascanio to Chicago--in return, Atlanta gets reliever Will Ohman and utility infielder Omar Infante. The trade satisfies a pair of needs for the Braves--filling the gap for a left-handed reliever, and getting a backup infielder. Braves' officials are with those from other teams this week at baseball's winter meetings in Nashville.

Georgia sports for Thursday, November 22nd

The Atlanta Falcons are in action for one of the 3 games being played in the NFL this Thanksgiving Day. They’ll host the champion Indianapolis Colts tonight in Atlanta—-kickoff at 8:15.

Pro hockey last night, the Atlanta Thrashers won their 4th-straight game, turning back the Washington Capitols 5-1. Ilya Kovalchuk scored 2 goals to go along with 2 assists. He leads the NHL with 19 goals. The Thrashers have won 7 of their last 8 games, and are 11-4 since the firing of head coach Bob Hartley following an 0-6 start to the season.

From pro basketball, a win for the Atlanta Hawks at Miami last night, 82-79. Joe Johnson tallied 22 points. The Hawks won for the first time in their last 18 road games played.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, April 29th

The Atlanta Hawks have evened their 1st-round NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics at 2 games apiece. Last night the Hawks scored the 97-92 win in Atlanta. Joe Johnson tallied 20 of his career playoff-high 35 points in the 4th quarter, while Josh Smith poured in 28 points for the game. The series picks up with Game-5 in Boston Wednesday.

From baseball, the Atlanta Braves open a 2-game series in Washington D-C tonight against the Nationals. Tom Glavine will come off the disabled list to get the pitching start--he's been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Glavine's fellow rotation teammate John Smoltz will have his ailing shoulder examined today in Atlanta. Smoltz could be facing a 2nd trip to the disabled list this season.

Tuesday sports headlines

The Braves are off to a good start on their spring training schedule, with now a 4-1 record. Yesterday they beat-up on the Nationals 14-5. Atlanta scored 6 runs in the 2nd inning. Chipper Jones and Craig Wilson each had 2-RBI doubles. On the mound, Lance Cormier allowed 1 hit with 3 strikeouts in 3 scoreless innings. The Braves face the Nationals again today, with Kyle Davies getting the pitching start.

In pro basketball, another loss for the Atlanta Hawks, as they fell at Miami, 88-81. Its now 6-straight losses for the Hawks. The NFL's offseason is getting active with the 'free agency' period. The Atlanta Falcons have officially lost 'defensive end' Patrick Kerney. He has signed a 6-year contract worth 39 million dollars to join the Seattle Seahawks. Kerney leaves as third on Atlanta's all-time sacks list, with 58 for his career.

The Falcons also released 'offensive lineman' Matt Lehr.

The Georgia Bulldogs have opened up spring football practice in Athens. Matthew Stafford is locked-in as starting quarterback for the 2007 season in the fall.

Georgia sports for Thursday, July 24th

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves jumped back on the winning track last night with their 9-4 decision over the Marlins in Florida. Gregor Blanco was the star offensively, posting 4 hits with 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. On the mound, Tim Hudson picked up the pitching win with 6 innings of work. However, there was bad news in victory. Hudson had to end his night after the 6 innings with a sore right elbow. 3rd baseman Chipper Jones left the game in the 4th inning with a strained left hamstring. The Braves have today off before opening a weekend series at Philidelphia, co-leaders of the NL-East division. The Braves are 6 games out of first.

NBA/Atlanta Hawks--

The Hawks have lost forward Josh Childress to an international team. Childress agreed to a 3-year, 32.5 million dollar contract to join the Greek powerhouse team Olympiakos. Childress spent the first 4 years of his professional career with the Hawks.

Hawks Edge Out Timberwolves, 94-87

Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams, right, drives on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Ryan Gomes in the first quarter during NBA basketball in Minneapolis, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Andy King)

Josh Smith scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to help Atlanta erase a 21-point deficit in a 94-87 win over hapless Minnesota. The Timberwolves are 1-10.

Joe Johnson scored 25 points, and Tyronn Lue had 7 of his 13 in the fourth for the Hawks. They were winless in their previous 17 road games before winning at Miami on Wednesday night.
Al Jefferson had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News sports coverage.

Georgia sports for Thursday, April 3rd

The Braves scored their first win of the season, crushing the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-2 at Turner Field in Atlanta. Leading 3-2 in the last of the 8th inning, the Braves broke things open with 7 runs—Mark Teixeira and Yunel Escobar belted home runs in the inning. Atlanta rookie pitcher Jair Jurrjens got the win with a good 5-plus innings of work. Jurrjens allowed 7 hits and 2 runs in his time on the hill. The Braves and Pirates wrap the series tonight. It will mark the first pitching start for oft-injured Mike Hampton since August of 2005.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks continue their push to the playoffs with their 5th straight win, a 127-120 decision over the Toronto Raptors. The Hawks increased their lead to 4 games for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Georgia Tech’s football program is losing receiver James Johnson for the 2008 season. Johnson announced he will skip his final year of eligibility on the football field, but remain enrolled in school. The senior missed last weekend’s scrimmage with tendonitis in his knee. The news comes as two fellow receivers announced plans to transfer. Tech under new head coach Paul Johnson is expected to focus more on its running game within a revamped offense. Johnson in 2007 had 25 catches for 447 yards.

Georgia sports for Thursday, April 17th

It has been a rough road trip for the Atlanta Braves as they lost their 3rd straight game last night. They've dropped the first 2 games in their series at Florida--the Marlins winning 6-5. Even more of a sting for the Braves--of the Braves’ 9 losses, 7 have been by one run. Last night, starting pitcher Tim Hudson lasted only 3 innings, allowing 4 runs. The Braves wrap their series and road trip tonight with John Smoltz on the hill.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks wrapped their regular season schedule with a 113-99 loss at Miami. But for the first time since 1999, the Hawks will be playing more basketball. They will face the Boston Celtics in round-1 of the playoffs--the opening contest is Sunday in Boston.

Later this afternoon from Georgia State University, the school is expected to announce it will launch a football program with its first season in the fall of 2010. The Panthers would play in the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as I-AA. The school would play home games at the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome, not far from its downtown Atlanta campus. Georgia State would also build new practice and training facilities.

Georgia sports for Thursday, May 29th

Atlanta Braves--

Another game on the road, another loss away from home for the Atlanta Braves. Last night, it was a 1-0 defeat to the Brewers in Milwaukee. It was a scoreless game until the 8th inning, when the Brewers broke-through with an RBI-triple for the game’s only run. The Braves fell to a 6-18 record on the road, worst in the National League. Their record in 1-run games this season is more alarming, only 2-14 in such games this year. The series in Milwaukee concludes this afternoon.

Pro basketball/Atlanta Hawks--

The Hawks have hired Rick Sund as their new general manager. He is an NBA front office veteran of around 30 years, last with Seattle where he served as G-M for a few years.

Georgia sports for Thursday, November 8th

The Braves are interested in bringing pitcher Tom Glavine back to Atlanta. General manager Frank Wren has spoken with Glavine's agent, and plans to do so again next week when teams can start making offers to free agents. Glavine spent the first 16 years of his career with the Braves, but then left as a free agent and played for 5 years with the New York Mets. The 42-year-old Glavine this past season became a member of baseball's 300-win club.

Out of pro basketball, it was another big early-season win for the Atlanta Hawks. They beat the Phoneix Suns last night in Atlanta, 105-96. Josh Smith scored 22 points, while Marvin Williams added 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Hawks are 2-2 to start the NBA season.

Georgia sports for Monday, November 5th

The Falcons returned to action and recorded a win in the 20-16 decision over the San Francisco 49ers inside the Georgia Dome Sunday afternoon. Warrick Dunn ran for 100 yards, including a 9-yard TD run. Fullback Ovie Mughelli also had a 1-yard run for score, while Morten Anderson provided a pair of 4th quarter field goals. The win pushes Atlanta’s record to 2-6 for the season.

Recapping the college football action from Saturday-—the Georgia Bulldogs outlasted Troy in Athens, 44-34. Georgia is ranked 10th in the nation, and will host number-18 Auburn on Saturday.

Georgia Southern is in a three-way tie atop the Southern Conference standings, after their 38-35 win at Wofford Saturday. The Eagles are 7-2 overall, and 4-2 in the conference. They are tied with Wofford and Elon atop the conference.

NBA action last night had the Atlanta Hawks suffer a tough loss at Detroit 92-91. The Hawks are now 1-1 – they won their opener Friday night against Dallas.

From pro hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers complete a good trip with 4 wins in 7 games, including a 6-4 win at Tampa Saturday. The Thrashers are now 5-9 overall.