HAWKS 101

Lou Williams' foundation put on the "New ATL vs. Old ATL" game at Atlanta Metro College Saturday and the event was as good as advertised. With everything from star studded line ups to a dance off between kids, fans walked away happy after the event was done. The game was put on in front of a crowd easily topping one thousand people who all appeared ready to be amazed. Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith was unable to attend and Orlando's Dwight Howard chose to coach the New ATL team alongside Atlanta Dream's Lindsey Harding, rather than play with the Old ATL team. There were a couple guys missing for the New ATL team also including J.J. Hickson (Kings), Jodie Meeks (76ers), Marshon Brooks (Nets) and Iman Shumpert (Knicks). 

The game opened with back to back three pointers as the Clippers' first round draft pick Trey Thompkins drained one for the New ATL and then Hawks forward Damien Wilkins followed seconds later for Old ATL. After that the game kind of sputtered with guys trying to heat up. Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors showcased why he was Mr. Georgia Basketball in 2009 as he grabbed a rebound took it coast to coast and flushed it home with a thunderous slam. If that didn't wake up the crowd, the host and 2005 Mr. Georgia Basketball, Lou Williams took one on a fast break and rammed it home with a windmill. New Jersey Nets guard Anthony Morrow had the hot hand early as he hit shots from all over the gym for New ATL. At the end of the first quarter New ATL led the game 37-35.

At some time during the first quarter it appeared that Clippers draft pick Travis Leslie rolled his ankle, he was substituted by Hornets guard Jarrett Jack who had started the game with Old ATL and Leslie would be done for the day.  Jack came in and immediately made an impact for New ATL catching an alley oop from Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague and another from Trey Thompkins. Atlanta Hawks star Joe Johnson was cold all half and could not seem to get into a rhythm . New ATL still held the led at halftime by a score of 71-65.

Intensity would pick up in the second half as players got more comfortable with the officials as well as their teammates. More defense was being played and players were challenging each other in one on one battles. Damien Wilkins made his way to the basket, flushed a booming slam and afterward tossed the ball into the stands. Still New ATL led after three quarters 98-96. 

Jeff Teague would step his game up in the fourth quarter for New ATL with six straight points to open it up. Joe Johnson, still not flowing offensively, turned up the defense in the fourth guarding anybody on the perimeter and giving them fits as his team tried to make a move to win the game. Lou Williams was raining three pointers and his former teammate Allen Iverson (yes you read it right!) would take the game over in the clutch with a killer crossover and jumper that got the crowd to its feet. Iverson would hit another jumper and then a three pointer before tossing Joe Johnson an alley oop that would put Old ATL up by three for the win. 

For Old ATL Lou Williams finished with 40 points, Damien Wilkins scored 33, Solomon Jones added 11, Joe Johnson finished with 15 and Allen Iverson balled out with 38 points. Jarrett Jack scored two points for Old ATL before having to switch teams after the Leslie injury. For New ATL Anthony Morrow led the team with 38 points, Jarrett Jack had 30 for this team, Travis Leslie scored four points, Trey Thompkins contributed 26, Jeff Teague added 22, and Derrick Favors scored 18. 

Tags: Allen Iverson, Atlanta, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Damien Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Lou Williams, NBA

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