Hawks sharp in exhibition opener By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 10/12/06 Memphis — For weeks, Hawks coach Mike Woodson has wondered if spirited offseason workouts and stellar training-camp practices were an indication of what type of demeanor his team would have this season. Woodson got his answer minutes into the exhibition opener against Memphis on Wednesday night at FedEx Forum. His starters, playing with the unbridled fury Woodson has been barking about for two years, turned the building upside down in a matter of seconds. Josh Smith won the opening tip. The ball went to Joe Johnson, who lofted the ball back to Smith for an alley-oop, and the Hawks were off and running. They didn't stop until their lead had swelled to 22 points with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter. Now all the Hawks have to do is find a way to bottle that opening-game intensity and they'll really have something to build on. "I feel really good about these guys and the way they've worked up until now," Woodson said after the Hawks put the finishing touches on their 108-91 rout of the Grizzlies. "They've practiced better than any group since we've been here. They're playing together in a way that we just didn't the past two years. But you're never sure until they get out there and do it with the lights on. You're always wondering if what's been taught and what's been worked on tirelessly will translate." This was, of course, the exhibition opener, a game that doesn't count in the standings. But after winning just 39 combined games the past two seasons, the Hawks can't ignore any signs of tangible progress. "We're going to be a much better team when we run and play at a faster tempo," said Smith, who finished with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. "We can't let up on the gas this year. We have to stay after people from start to finish. We know that's where our advantage will come from." The Hawks led 60-40 at halftime, when Johnson already had his game-high 22 points, on a variety of deep and midrange jumpers. Feeding off his leadership, which is distinctly more vocal compared to last season, the Hawks blitzed the Grizzlies as often as possible. They forced 15 turnovers in the first half, piling up 21 points off those miscues. More important than any statistical signs of improvement is the obvious change in attitude. When the Grizzlies tried to push the Hawks around inside and elsewhere, they bowed up rather than getting run over as they did so many times last season. Marvin Williams left midway through the third quarter with bruised ribs, courtesy of a body block from Eddie Jones. But when Jones got feisty with reserve point guard Royal Ivey earlier in the game and tried to push him around, Lorenzen Wright and Shelden Williams made sure to return the gesture with two nice licks when Jones drove to the basket on the next possession. Wright took it a step further after halftime when he got tangled up with Grizzlies reserve Kimani Ffriend while fighting for position. Ffriend gave Wright a hard body shot and Wright was about to retaliate before Josh Childress grabbed him. Wright and Ffriend were assessed technical fouls and ejected. 資料來源 http://0rz.tw/d01XG --

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