Atlanta Hawks Show That "They Are 4 Real".

   Even though we're only four games into the 2008-09 NBA regular season, the Atlanta Hawks are continuing to prove that they are for real. Friday night's win over a revamped and fully loaded Toronto Raptor team should continue to silence any doubt that they are here to stay.

   Led by Mike Bibby's 19 point, 12 assist performance, and another tenacious defensive performance, the Hawks came away with another victory against an elite NBA team. The Hawks are 4-0 and off to their best start in over a decade. Orlando, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Toronto were supposed to be the elite among the NBA teams this season while the Hawks were just trying to prove that last year's playoff series, where they took the eventual World Champion Boston Celtics to seven games, was no fluke.

   In each contest so far, these Hawks, led by coach Mike Woodson, have shown that they don't back down from anyone. Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Elton Brand and Chris Bosh have all brought their "A" game only leave in dissapointment after another Hawks win.

   Hawks captain Joe Johnson is continuing to show that he belongs among the NBA elite players with a 25 point scoring average on 55% shooting from the field and 42% from behind the arc. Johnson also regularly defends the opposing team's best scorer. His defensive efforts against Chris Paul and Jose Calderon have been keys to Hawks victories this year.

   Last nights victory was bitter sweet ;however, as Josh Smith left the game with a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined for up to 4 weeks. The Hawks were able to show case one of the deepest benches in the league with reserve F/C Solomon Jones contributing 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in 25 minutes. "Flip" Murray and Mo Evans continued their stellar performances by combining for 31 points and continue to make GM Rick Sund look like a genius by passing on the resigning of former hawks forward Josh Childress.

  The Hawks now hit the road for a four game road trip, including a November 12th meeting in the Boston Garden. But unlike the past few years, no one is expecting this years team to "melt down".