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Josh Smith says there is nothing to do in Milwaukee

Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (via blog):

“There’s pretty much nothing to do,” Josh Smith said (about the city of Milwaukee). “Miami has some really good restaurants. I never really did anything in Milwaukee. I would be happy to just find a restaurant. I’m not bashing the city but I’ve never actually did anything in Milwaukee so I really don’t know what is around there.”

By now Hawks PR Man Arthur Triche, seeing where this was headed, had creeped in to try and break up the party. But, Smoove being Smoove (”I don’t care!”) he wasn’t stopping.

Someone picked up on the Noah thread and asked Smith if he’d be taking any vacations in Milwaukee.

“Would you go there?” Smith asked. “Everybody knows there ain’t nothing to do in Milwaukee, man. Everybody knows that, (even) the people that live there.”

Game 2: Johnson, Smith lead Hawks past Bucks

The AP reports:

Joe Johnson took control in the fourth quarter to finish off a 27-point effort, Josh Smith finished one assist shy of a triple-double and the Hawks ran away from the pesky but outmanned Milwaukee Bucks for a 96-86 victory in the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday night…

Smith is certainly a player capable of taking control of a series in many ways, as he demonstrated with his 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, not to mention two blocks and two steals…

“He’s one of those players that can control the game without calling plays for him,” said John Salmons, who led the Bucks with 21 points…

Johnson also led the defensive effort against Bucks rookie star Brandon Jennings, who followed up a 34-point performance in Game 1 with just nine points on 3-of-15 shooting.

Game 1: Johnson scores 22, Hawks beat Bucks

The AP reports: Led by Joe Johnson and getting production from all their key players, the Hawks blitzed the Bucks before halftime, survived a lackluster showing over the final two quarters and held off Milwaukee 102-92 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series… Milwaukee made a game of it led by Brandon Jennings, who scored 34 points in his playoff debut… Joe Johnson scored 22 points, Mike Bibby added 19 and the other Atlanta starters also were in double figures. Crawford put up 17 points in the first postseason appearance of his 10-year career.

Fans at Hawks games root for visiting stars

Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

The Los Angeles Lakers are in town on Wednesday.

That doesn’t mean they have to feel welcomed.

Feel free to boo Kobe Bryant. Go ahead and goad Pau Gasol. Let Lamar Odom know there will be no Southern hospitality for the Lakers at Philips Arena.

It seems Hawks fans may need to be reminded, so Hawks coach Mike Woodson will do so. The marquee teams and stars who’ve visited Philips Arena this season have been too warmly received for Woodson’s tastes.

“It shouldn’t be that way,” Woodson said. “There [are] enough people in this city to support the Hawks. I think we are a fun team to watch. We’ve grown definitely over the years, from the time we started to where we are today.

“Sure, I’d like to see more people in their seats and rooting for our guys.”

Instead, the Hawks have seen fans root for opponents in their house.

Great Josh Smith season continues

Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

Through Wednesday’s games, forward Josh Smith was the only player in the NBA averaging at least 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Since being left out of the All-Star game, a season-long goal of Smith’s, he has been playing arguably the best basketball of his career.

Said Woodson, “He’s playing so much better right now, it’s a joke.”

Woodson said he will write letters to fellow coaches urging them to vote for Smith for the All-Defensive team, just as he wrote to Eastern Conference coaches to make the case for Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Jamal Crawford and Smith for the All-Star team. Woodson said he had never promoted his players in this way until this year.

Said Woodson, “Because we’ve never been good enough.”

Wife of Allen Iverson files for divorce

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

A week after the Philadelphia 76ers’ Allen Iverson announced he was leaving basketball for the rest of the season to be with his sick 4-year-old daughter, the star’s wife filed for divorce in Fulton County Superior Court.

In the divorce petition filed on Tuesday, Tawanna Iverson said her 8 ½-year-long marriage to the guard was “irretrievably broken.” In the petition, Tawanna Iverson asked for temporary and permanent custody of their five children as well as child support and alimony.

She did not ask for a specific dollar amount.

The children range in ages from 17 months to 15 years.

QUICK REACTION FROM INSIDEHOOPS.COM

This is just not Allen Iverson’s year.

In basketball, he hurt his own reputation by making it clear to the world that he’s more focused on his own individual basketball game than he is on being a part of a team, resulting in barely any squads wanting to sign him even though he was clearly more talented than the majority of free agents who were available at the time.

Of course, Iverson was always an individual force on a court. A scorer, who didn’t typically set teammates up do to any sort of special play-making ability, but certainly made their lives easier simply by drawing so much defensive attention. He was also a one-man wrecking crew who could drop 30 on anybody. He also dragged a 76ers squad into the finals that had no business making it that far. He did amazing things on a basketball court.

But, at this point in his career, his refusal to even consider coming off any team’s bench was a bad look.

The Grizzlies-Iverson experiment didn’t go well, and the team has looked very good since it ended.

He was OK on the 76ers but didn’t really help them. They’re not hot without him, though, so that’s not really on him.

But now, actual sad personal stuff: His daughter reportedly has health issues. And now his wife is calling it quits, seemingly at a rough time.

Regardless of his refusal to accept that he’s best used as a supporting scorer and no longer a foundation to build a team around, I have to root for Iverson in his off-court issues clearing up.

And as for Iverson the basketball player, it would be cool to see him latch onto a team next season, actually help them, and go out on a positive note.

— Jeff

Kidd, Hawks coach have sideline run-in

ESPN reports:

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson drew an unusual technical foul with 1:37 remaining in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks.

Down 97-95, Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd noticed Woodson standing on the court and drove into him, causing the contact and foul.

Woodson and Kidd argued after the play, and both had to be restrained from one another.

Dirk Nowitzki made the ensuing technical free throw, and the Mavericks went on to win in overtime, 111-103.

February 6 Hawks at Wizards game postponed

The National Basketball Association game scheduled for this evening between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center has been postponed due to severe weather conditions in the Washington, D.C. area.

As a result of those conditions, neither the Hawks nor Wizards were able to fly to Washington after their respective games last night. The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time.

FEB. 8 UPDATE: THE GAME IS RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 11

The National Basketball Association announced today the rescheduling of the Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards game that was postponed on Saturday, Feb. 6. The Hawks and Wizards will make up that game on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Verizon Center in Washington D.C.

WIZARDS TICKET EXCHANGE PROCEDURE:

Patrons holding tickets for tonight’s postponed game vs. the Hawks can hold onto those tickets and use them for the rescheduled game, which has yet to be scheduled by the NBA. Details of that game will be announced at a later date.

Patrons can also take their tickets for the Wizards vs. Atlanta game (2/6/10) to the Verizon Center Box Office and redeem their ticket for a ticket to the Wizards vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game on Wednesday, February 17th at 7:00 pm. There will be no service charges added.

Wizards planholders can also exchange their tickets at the Verizon Center Box Office for the Minnesota game on February 17th, or redeem their tickets for one of the pre-selected planholder exchange games listed in their planholder on-line guide. No service charges will be added.

Patrons still holding unused tickets for the game vs. the New York Knicks that was played on January 30th, who were unable to attend that game due to the inclement weather, can also turn in their unused tickets for the game vs. Minnesota on February 17th. No service charges will be added.

Hawks sign Mario West for rest of season

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Mario West for the remainder of the season, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

In eight games with Atlanta this season, West has averaged 0.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 0.3 spg (.500 FG%, .600 FT%). The Georgia Tech product is in his third year with the Hawks.

The 30-16 Hawks are currently the 3rd seed in the Eastern conference. Two players, guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford, made the 2009-10 NBA All-Star team.

Hawks sign Mario West to second 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Mario West to a second 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

In four games with Atlanta this season, West has averaged 1.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 7.8 mpg (.667 FG%, 1-1 FTs). The Georgia Tech product is in his third year with the Hawks.