Well, that wasn't so bad was it? The Hawks got off to a terrific start with a 99-85 road win (that's right - road warriors baby) against last year's Beast of the Southeast, the Orlando Magic, in the season opener last night. In no particular order, I would like to comment on why this was so great:

- It's the first season-opening road win since 1997-98 (also against the Magic - hey NBA schedule makers, keep hooking this up!).

- It's the first time since 1987-88 and 88-89 that the Hawks won consecutive season-openers. Somehow that stat amazes me.

- The victory was against a division rival, and came on a night (yes, I know it's early, you don't have to tell me) that saw every other Southeast Division team that played take a loss - Miami lost at New York, the Wizards fell at home to the Nets, and the Bobcats were idle, though I expect them to lose tonight at Cleveland.

- This was a total team effort. As one of my co-workers said this morning, it wasn't like we won because Joe scored 45 or the Magic turned the ball over 30 times. This was just a well-played game by everyone in a Hawks uniform, especially on the defensive end.

- The knock against the Hawks last season (especially on the road) was that they came out flat, in the first and third quarters especially. Last night Atlanta outscored Orlando 26-13 in the first and 27-15 in the third. Man I hope that trend continues.

- Josh Smith, showing no signs of letting up after signing his long-term deal over the summer, had a ho-hum stat-stuffing night for himself, finishing the game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 steals. Oh, and no turnovers. I will take that stat-line from Smoove every single game, and I guarantee you this - if he is close to that, he will be making plans for Phoenix come February. Smith and Mike Bibby finished the night with identical +23 plus/minus ratios for the game to lead the team.

- Want to see how to defend against Dwight Howard? Check out the stat lines of the Hawks two main options at center last night. Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia combined to play nearly 41 minutes in the game, finishing the night with a collective 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 fouls drawn (Howard was 6-13 from the foul stripe). Zaza played only 11:32, but finished the night at +14. That's what happens I guess when you get 6 offensive rebounds in that short a span of time.

- How about Flip Murray destroying JJ Redick in the second quarter?

- The Hawks won last night by outhustling the Magic, pure and simple. They won the battle of the boards, 53-45, and nearly everyone chipped in. 5 players finished the night with 7 rebounds or more, and this against an Orlando frontcourt that goes 6-10 (Hedo Turkoglu), 6-10 (Rashard Lewis), and 6-11 (Howard).

I've heard it said many times, and it's entirely true - you are never as good as you look when you win or as bad when you lose, so I'm not about to predict 65 wins and a trip to the NBA Finals just yet. But as a Hawks fan, this was definitely one to savor and a terrific start to the season.

What say we all come down to Philips Saturday, light the place up like we did during the playoffs, and get the Hawks out the gate 2-0?