Atlanta Sports Fan Blog

With Joe Johnson likely to leave, the Hawks will be put in a tough position. They rebuilt to get to where they are now, and it may collapse with Johnson leaving. With that in mind, Marvin Williams needs to step up. Atlanta committed to him long-term after picking him second overall in the draft a few years ago. The playing time will be there, and shots will be available. It’s Williams’s job to take the ball and run with it.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

In a big sports city like Chicago, good performances are expected. For a team that has been exiting first round lately, it is time for the Bulls to step up. Derrick Rose is an excellent player, but he clearly needs help. With the 2010 free agency coming, the Bulls need to target one man: Joe Johnson. Sure, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Amare Stoudemire are all better plays. But the odds of any of them coming to Chicago are very slim. Joe Johnson is in his prime, and is 28 years of age. By the time a long-term contract would end, yes, he will probably be a little out of his prime. But someone with his shooting ability will be a valuable asset until his career ends.

Joe Johnson is likely frustrated with the under whelming playoff performances that Atlanta put on. And just like everyone else, Johnson will be eager to see what is out there for him. If the Bulls reach out to Johnson immediately, he will likely be very receptive. A backcourt of Rose and Johnson would likely be the best in the entire league. It is up to Chicago to make it happen.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Come to Team-Superstore.Com for all of your Father’s Day needs! By entering in “DADSDAY15″, you can get 15% off all orders until 6/25/10!

Atlanta Braves Mens Apparel
and other Braves Apparel

Chipper Jones Braves MLB Prostyle Player T-Shirt

Majestic Athletic Atlanta Braves MLB Reebok RA Polo Shirt

Atlanta Braves Heater III Crew

With Jason Heyward having a great year so far, the Atlanta Braves will always have a hitter to look out for. But another hitter to look at this year is surprisingly, Troy Glaus. Due to severe injury, Glaus was only able to play 14 games last year. However, he seems to be picking right where he left off. Glaus has always been a player who plays the game the right way. And in doing so, he has had success. Not unbelievable success, but he has always been a good addition wherever he goes.

If the Braves want to contend this year, Glaus will have to maintain the successful start that he has had. He continues to do everything the right way, and those around him are benefiting from it. Even as a Phillies fan, it is great to see a good guy rebound from such a terrible time.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

The Atlanta Hawks have let coach Mike Woodson go after advancing to their third straight playoffs.

Woodson’s contract had expired Monday, and the Hawks decided to go in a new direction for their coach.

Woodson’s Hawks had advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season, winning 53 games in the regular season, beating the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games before being swept by the Magic, as Orlando recorded the largest margin of victory in any four-game sweep in NBA postseason history.

The Hawks won 47 games last season, and had improved on their record every season since Woodson’s first with the team in 2004-05, when they won just 13.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

Tom Glavine thought of his rocky first full season with the Atlanta Braves when the team announced Tuesday it will retire his number.

Glavine’s highlights with the Braves included two NL Cy Young awards and the decisive win over the Cleveland Indians in the 1995 World Series.

Before he enjoyed five seasons with 20 or more wins with Atlanta, Glavine went 7-17 in 1988. He says at that point there was no way he could know his No. 47 would one day be retired by the team.

“It’s not something you ever envisioned and not something I ever envisioned, certainly with the way my career started in Atlanta,” Glavine told The Associated Press.

The Braves will induct Glavine into the team’s Hall of Fame and retire his number on Aug. 6 before a home game against the San Francisco Giants.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Dale Murphy 1982, 1983 MVP Upcoming Signing – 5/15/2010 Here are the details: Where: Westchester County Center When: 5/15/2010 Phone: (908) 258-7228 All Orders and Mail-Order need to be received by: 5/7/2010 Prices: All Items: $30.00; Free Inscriptions
Place a presale order for the Dale Murphy Signing or check out   a full list of Upcoming Memorabilia Signings.

Atlanta Braves Sports Memorabilia
and other Atlanta Braves Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Dale Murphy.

Jamal Crawford already got what he wanted most — a trip to the playoffs. On Tuesday, he picked up an extra reward for his unselfishness.

After willingly accepting a backup role for the first time in his career, the Atlanta Hawks guard was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in a landslide.

“You have to check your ego at the door,” the 30-year-old Crawford said. “It’s all about winning. You do what you’ve got to do.”

He had never been on a winning team until he was traded to Atlanta by the Golden State Warriors last summer. Of course, the deal came with a caveat: The Hawks wanted Crawford to come off the bench, which was quite a change for someone who had been starting his whole life, from youth leagues to the NBA.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Even after signing Dunta Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons were still focused on defense in the NFL draft.

The Falcons selected Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon with the 19th overall pick Thursday night and believe he’ll make an immediate impact on a unit that was ravaged by injuries, didn’t get much pressure on the quarterback, and gave up a huge amount of passing yards.

“We were very excited to have the opportunity to take an outside linebacker who’s going to ramp up our speed, our enthusiasm, our athleticism,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “In our minds, this guy is going to be a four-down player for us.”

Weatherspoon was thrilled, too.

“I’m a falcon!!!” he tweeted before his selection was even announced.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of http://www.gainesvilletimes.com

High-flying Josh Smith dominated on the inside. Joe Johnson stepped up from the outside when the Hawks needed him.

The result: Atlanta has a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series for the first time in 40 years.
Johnson took control in the fourth quarter to finish off a 27-point effort, Smith finished one assist shy of a triple-double and the Hawks ran away from the pesky but outmanned Milwaukee Bucks for a 96-86 victory in the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday night.

Smith played as though he’s still upset about being snubbed for the All-Star game, when teammates Johnson and Al Horford were selected but he stayed home. He’s certainly a player capable of taking control of a series in many ways, as he demonstrated with his 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, not to mention two blocks and two steals.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com