A sad day around the office today, as the Hawks players cleaned out their
lockers for the season and completed their exit interviews with the Hawks
coaching staff before taking off for the summer. It's always disappointing when
the season ends, but of course this year it's a little less so. Yes, Game 7 on
Sunday was bad. But as rough a game as it was (and it was rooooough), it's
important not to lose the overall good vibes of the series. Maybe we didn't win
the series, but we did shock the world.
The mood today was pretty jovial. I think the guys were pretty unhappy
yesterday, but with a night to think about it they realize that overall, this
postseason was a success. Now it's time to get back in the lab and work on the
things that need fixing.
One thing I got to finally take care of today was a ping-poing match against
Marvin Williams. I played Al Horford earlier in the year, and though he beat me
21-17, I still think I could take him (I'd say based on one game I think I could
take him 4 of 10 or so). Marvin beat Al earlier this season for the team title
(and has the trophy to prove it), and he and I have been talking smack to each
other about a game ever since.
Sufficed to say, I don't plan on quitting my day job around here any time
soon. Marv beat me 2-of-3 (you happy Marvin? I told you I'd post about this),
winning the first game before I returned the favor in the second, then beating
me in a 3rd game tie-break. He puts a ton of spin on the ball, and it took a
while to adjust to it, but now that I know his game, I'll have to try him again
when he gets back for training camp in October.
I had a chance to talk to
Al Horford
and Acie Law
today about their rookie seasons, and it was very interesting. They each took
very different paths this year, with Al capturing a ton of attention and
becoming a major factor in the Rookie of the Year race while Law battled
injuries and a lack of playing time. Still, with the season over, both sound
like they know they are still unfinished products and are anxious to begin
putting in the work that will make them and the team successful in 2008-09.
So what next for the team, overall? Obviously, there are a lot of decisions
that need to be made around here, and we'll keep you posted as things happen.
For now though, it's time for all of us to take a deep breath and try to
decompress after a long, trying, but ultimately satisfying run in 2007-08.
Marvin Williams shows off his special ping-pong paddle, the one he used to beat
me 2-of-3 (but I'll have my revenge!)
Al Horford talks to the media one last time in 2007-08
Acie Law signs a few items for some of his fellow teammates
