Lang Whitaker is many things - executive editor of Slam Magazine, a columnist for SI.com, and most importantly, a die-hard Hawks fan. For 2007-08 , Lang will be sharing his thoughts on the team in an exclusive column for Hawks.com. Check back every Wednesday throughout the season to read his latest musings, and read him every day at www.SLAMonline.com

"We Gotta Compete"
by Lang Whitaker

By the time you read this, any trace of the Atlanta Hawks having spent the last five days in Boston will hopefully have been erased. Because I'd just as soon forget that games 1 and 2 ever happened. I know we hadn't been to the Playoffs in nine years, and that even qualifying for the Playoffs was supposed to be victory in and of itself. But after two losses by a combined 42 points, I'd just as soon not have to think about playing in Boston again for a while, thank you.

Time is a funny thing. In the week or so between the Hawks clinching a Playoff spot and then actually squaring off against the team with the best record in the NBA, I went from having no expectations and thinking the Hawks were dunzo to honestly and truly believing that the Hawks could not only compete but win both games in Boston. In fact, I was literally sick to my stomach last Saturday and Sunday because I was so nervous about game one. I'd convinced myself that the Hawks could outrun the Celtics and shock the world.

They didn't.

I've been trying to remind myself that we're supposed to be happy to just be in the first round. Nobody expected the Hawks to do much of anything this season, and from day one the goal was just to make the Playoffs. And we did. I don't think, however, that getting crushed in round one was part of the plan.

Wherefore art thou, Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby? At least Al Horford and Josh Smith each had one good game, but they weren't much help as they came on alternating evenings. Defensively we've had exactly one good quarter out of eight, and offensively there's been no consistency at all.

The most disappointing thing to me is knowing that the Hawks are finally on national TV, and they've posted back-to-back stinkers. I've actually found myself making excuses as I watch the games. When Joe Johnson trails the break and pulls up for a three and misses, I yell out, "He usually makes those!" I'm just hopeful that TNT and ESPN don't hate on us again next season.

Now everyone heads to Atlanta for two more games, and I keep reminding myself that there's no way the Hawks can play as poorly as they did in the first two games. Can they? Nah. Boston's good, sure, but I've seen enough NBA games this season to know that the Hawks aren't terrible.

If we're happy with just qualifying for the postseason, that's not good enough. We need to compete.

See ya on Saturday…

MAILING IT IN…

An unnamed reader sent me this Tuesday afternoon, a few hours before Game Two…

I have a feeling that the game tonight will be a Atlanta Hawks victory. A-town 4 life. It is such a tremendous joy to see my Hawks grow up and finally make the playoffs. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith as well as Al Horford and the others like Marvin Williams and company will show up tonight. That game a couple of nights ago was a BIG disappointment however there is tonights game. And Lang my friend the Hawks will prevail victorious. That's what's up.

Or not.

Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.com. He can be reached at lang@harris-pub.com. The best email he receives each week will run in this column.