Oct 31, 2001 12:46 PM EST
Clutchcity:
Stop the presses. Kelvin Cato had a good game.
And it wasn't preaseason.
The enigmatic big man, knocked hard for his lazy play and poor attitude, grabbed 12 rebounds to go with 9 points, took a pivotal charge on Shareef Abdur-Rahim late in overtime and nailed a huge jumper with 1:31 left in the extra period to help the Rockets beat the Hawks 89-84 in the Compaq Center.
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Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks
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Entering the new season, the Hawks figured they would be able to score with the new pieces in place in the lineup. During their first night, however, the struggled offensively like the Hawks of old.
The Hawks shot less than 37 percent from the field and missed several scoring opportunities down the stretch in an 89-84 overtime loss to the Rockets. In his first regular-season game as a Hawk, Marietta native Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 28 points and 18 rebounds but also committed three of his six turnovers during key moments at the end of regulation and the early moments of overtime.
"I have to be stronger with the ball," Abdur-Rahim said. "I can do better. No excuses."
The Hawks didn't receive much scoring help from Jason Terry, who scored six points on 2-of-9 shooting in 42 minutes. Theo Ratliff, playing in his first regular-season game since being acquired from Philadelphia in February, scored 12 points.
Watching the Hawks struggle to generate offense was downright scary as the Rockets tried to combat Abdur-Rahim's scoring with a zone defense that forced the guards to shoot from the perimeter. They looked for a second scorer to step up, and coach Lon Kruger went 11 deep searching for an answer.
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Atlanta Hawks
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OK, folks. It is now safe to enter Philips Arena during the NBA season and not worry about yawning yourself to death. Here is a Hawks team to like or maybe to love, but let's hold your hugs and kisses for a moment.
Defense? Forget about it. The Hawks will have Theo Ratliff as a shot-blocking machine in the middle of their likely eternal zone under the league's new rules. Otherwise, this will be an offensively minded bunch with just hopes of keeping the scoreboard from exploding for the other guys.
You also have this problem for the Hawks involving beef and bulk. They don't have any. All you need to know is that Nazr Mohammed is among the few Hawks who won't fly across the court after a chest bump from Shaq or Karl.
And, as is the case for most teams, health is a concern for the Hawks. They'll always have the various aches of Toni Kukoc, owner of a creaky back and foot problems. Ratliff joined the Hawks last February after a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he missed the rest of the season with a damaged wrist. Although Ratliff's wrist is fine, he currently is recovering from hip problems.
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Hawks Oct 2001 Archive
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| Oct 29, 2001
Want to know what Atlanta Hawks' coach Lon Kruger thinks of his current squad and their changes this year? Read his interview with writer Jeffrey Denberg from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.
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| Oct 29, 2001
Four of them are Southerners, two of them hometown legends in their time.
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| Oct 28, 2001
Strained Back.
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| Oct 28, 2001
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Atlanta Hawks have picked up the fourth year options on guards Jason Terry and Dion Glover, while Center Cal Bowdler was not so lucky.
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| Oct 27, 2001
Jeffery Denburg of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: The Hawks renewed the contracts of Jason Terry and Dion Glover Friday, keeping the young guards in the fold through the 2002-03 season.
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| Oct 26, 2001
The Hawks rallied repeatedly behind 26 points from Shareef Abdur-Rahim and 25 from Jason Terry on Thursday night but could not climb the hill, losing 111-107 in an entertaining exhibition final.
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| Oct 25, 2001
Last season Toni Kukoc was superb.
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| Oct 23, 2001
Jason Terry had 25 points and seven steals, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim added 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 97-71 exhibition victory over the Bulls on Monday night.
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| Oct 22, 2001
Theo Ratliff is back, and the Hawks are loving it.
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| Oct 21, 2001
First, the good news.
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| Oct 20, 2001
Hornets present a test of progress
Exhibition games are rarely important, and tonight's game against Charlotte at Philips Arena is no different.
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| Oct 18, 2001
The Hawks gave Shareef Abdur-Rahim an opportunity to go back home Wednesday.
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| Oct 17, 2001
It has been a long time in the making, but All-Star center Theo Ratliff may be ready to play in Saturday's exhibition game with Charlotte.
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| Oct 15, 2001
Magic coach Doc Rivers already knows that the East is wide open this year, with a number of teams improving.
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| Oct 13, 2001
Already missing Theo Ratliff (hip) and Ivano Newbill (knee), the Atlanta Hawks lost their third big man before yesterday's game against the Bulls when Alan Henderson was unable to go with new swelling and soreness in his knee.
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| Oct 13, 2001
Six months ago, Henderson wouldn't have figured he'd be back with the Hawks.
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| Oct 12, 2001
As fans applauded the strong play off the bench by forward Austin Croshere and guard Travis Best, who led all scorers with 20 points apiece, many did so while clutching American flags.
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| Oct 12, 2001
Hawks center Theo Ratliff hasn't played in an organized game in eight months and won't play on this road trip, but the team was relieved to learn the prognosis for his injured hip is good.
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| Oct 10, 2001
Any doubts about the Hawks' acquisition of Shareef Abdur-Rahim were put to rest in a big way Tuesday.
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| Oct 9, 2001
Allan Henderson, the Atlanta Hawk's starting Power Forward last season, knows he will no longer be a starter this season with the acquisition of Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
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| Oct 4, 2001
Troubled by the horrific impact of the Sept.
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| Oct 3, 2001
Glover finally finishes practice
Stripping the tape from his ankles, Dion Glover looked up and grinned.
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| Oct 2, 2001
If the Hawks want to go anywhere this season they must have a fit Toni Kukoc and Theo Ratliff, Access Atlanta is reporting today.
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| Oct 1, 2001
Oh what a difference two years make, reports Hawk's forward Cal Bowdler as he looks around at a voluntary workout at Philip's Arena.
