Let the cliches be our comfort.

Okay, so the new year has not been great for our Atlanta Hawks, but I will not fret.

It's a long season.

It's a marathon, not a sprint.

You have to crawl before you walk.

Don't put the cart in front of the horse.

They just have to take it one game at a time.

Okay enough with the cliches. You get my point. It's only January and the regular season doesn't end until April. They have been playing poorly of late, but luckily for them they started off so wonderfully that they can afford to have a few bad nights.

Their biggest obstacle going forward is going to be health. Al has missed several games due to a bone bruise and there is no telling how long Marvin is going to be out after that nasty fall he suffered during the Warriors game. It's not like Marvin was completely healthy before that concussion anyway.

Acie got hurt during the second quarter of today's game against the Raptors. He hasn't historically been a regular part of the Hawks rotation, but in the last few games he has gotten some positive minutes. Let's hope he bounces back quickly.

They have 7 games left in the month of January and all things considered they shouldn't finish any worse than 4-3 (IMO).

Oh, Coach Woodson has been going with a 4 guard lineup waaay to much. I'd like to see some size on the floor especially towards the end of the game when they need rebounds. Josh Smith cannot be the tallest person on the floor. He just can't.

Congratulations to the team for being selected as the game of the night (chosen by the fans) on NBA TV this Tuesday.

They've come a long way.

Happy Thoughts.

Yes, you're mired in a four game losing streak, but continue to think happy thoughts.

Look at the puppies.......

Note To Atlanta Hawks Players: How to shoot a free throw.

Repeat.

Bibby, you know I heart you and I know you mean a lot to the team. Get in a few extra layups in practice.

New Year's Resolutions For The Atlanta Hawks

There's no excuse for my lack of blogging. I've just been lazy. Don't blame me, blame Peachtree Hoops. Brett's just so darn thorough I end up venting on his articles. Then I just troll through other Hawks blogs i.e. Za Za's Playground, Human Highlight and etc. and before I know it there's nothing left to be said. One of my New Year's resolutions was to write more. We aren't even a week into 2009 and I'm failing miserably. I did take time to write a few resolutions for the Atlanta Hawks. In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote this before the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, the 2008 portion of the 2008-2009 season is over for the Atlanta Hawks and I don't think we could have asked for a better start than 21-10. I mean, we could have, but that would have just been greedy.

These are happy times for Hawks fans so I'm not even going to nitpick today. I hope everyone has a splendid New Year and hopefully we'll pick up in 2009 right where we left off in 2008.

Although I hope sometime between now and the New Year Coach Woodson finds some minutes for Acie Law (without Flip alongside him). WE just want to know if he's capable.

JOE THE BASKETBALL PLAYER

Joe The Basketball Player (as Steve Holman calls him and as I shall now refer to him) was fantastic tonight. He had 41 points against the Baby Bulls. J-Smoove had a very very good night adding 24 points. My boy came to play tonight.

Next up is Denver.

Let's Kiss And Make Up.

Alright Josh (Childress) this has gone on long enough. Come on back for this playoff push we're about to make. I know you probably hoped the team would play horribly and have to come crawling back to you, but obviously that's not the case. It's okay, swallow your pride, say you were wrong and we'll all pretend you were just out with an injury. You know, like Craig Claxton.

If it will make you feel better you can just say you're returning because of all of the recent rioting in Greece. Yeah, just tell everyone you feared for your own safety and you thought it would be in your best interests to just come back. (wink)

Where will your minutes come from? Who knows? But let's be honest, the bench has been up and down since early in the season anyway. I'm sure Woody can go from a 7 man rotation to an 8 man rotation seamlessly.

There, we've addressed all of the things that may give you pause about returning. I'll see you next year.