Relative success against Pistons By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSubhead goes right here Published on: 02/21/06 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Two wins in two seasons over arguably the best team in basketball during that span doesn't qualify as mastery of an opponent. But the Hawks have had more success than most in dealing with the Pistons, Tuesday night's opponent at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Perhaps it's Hawks coach Mike Woodson's familiarity with the Pistons. Both he and assistant coach Herb Brown served as assistants on a Pistons team that won the NBA title two years ago. In Woodson's first season, the Hawks stunned the Pistons here early in the season. After being taken to pieces by the Pistons in a 117-89 loss on Jan. 18 at Philips Arena, the Hawks rebounded with a stunning, 99-98 win over the Pistons on Feb. 7. "I don't know about that," he said. "I think it's really just been about our guys stepping up and answering the challenge of playing against what I think is the best team in basketball." ‧DELK RUMORS: Hawks co-captain Al Harrington isn't the only player on the roster whose name is being bantered about as the trade deadline approaches. Veteran point guard Tony Delk could be in play before Thursday afternoon if a deal can be struck. The teams most often mentioned include Miami and Cleveland, which are in need of veteran help in the backcourt and an expiring contract, both of which Delk would provide. The Hawks could also decide to buy out Delk's contract, allowing him to sign with elsewhere for the remainder of the season. Delk, who declined comment before Tuesday's game, has played in just one game this season. He logged a little over seven minutes in a loss to Sacramento. ‧SEEING YELLOW: Since they started wearing their yellow uniforms last season, the Hawks have yet to win a game in them. "We haven't?" Woodson said before the game. "Maybe this can be the night." Harrington went a step further. "This is the night," he shouted. "This is the night." ‧SMITH RIBBED: The picture on Tuesday night's game ticket featured Hawks forward Josh Smith having his shot blocked by Pistons All-Star center Ben Wallace. The picture created quite a storm of laughter in the Hawks locker room before the game, as Smith's teammates gave him an earful about being captured on film in such a way. "Yeah man, what's up with that?" Smith said incredulously. "I remember that play. He fouled me on that one. That was a foul." ‧FAMILIAR FIVE: Whatever the Hawks have lacked in production and performance at times this season, they've more than made up for with consistency. They've used the same starting lineup — Royal Ivey, Joe Johnson, Smith, Harrington and Zaza Pachulia — in 30 straight games. ‧TAKING THE DAY OFF: Hawks athletic trainer Wally Blase will miss his first game since joining the team in August of 2000 to attend the birth of his first child. His wife, Kristine, is scheduled to have a procedure to deliver their baby on the same day the Hawks play at Indiana. "This is the only thing I would miss a game for," said Blase, who admitted that he and his wife wanted to wait until Friday to find out whether they were having a boy or a girl because there are "so few surprises left in life." 资料来源 http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/0222hawknot.html --

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