Hawks 360 Magazine Volume 3, Issue 1 by Atlanta Hawks

CONTENTS Vol. 3, Issue 1 | HAWKS.com

ENTERTAINMENT

WHEELS Audi R8 Spyder

FASHIONISTA with Maurice Evans

GROWING UP ZAZA

INKED with Jeff Teague

HOMETEAM’S HOT 5

by “Hometeam” Brandon Leak

HAWKS IN THE OFF-SEASON

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

Jeff Teague reviews NBA 2K11

HAWKS IN THE COMMUNITY

FITNESS & TRAINING Orthotics

CHEF BRADLEY’S RECIPE

Sweet Potato Cobbler

ON THE BACK PAGE

14 Photo by Greg Miller.

Atlanta Hawks Cheerleader Profile: Kristen L. (right) seen here with her sister, Niki, from the Thrashers Blue Crew.

’ Nique at the Movies Etan Thomas’ MP3 Player

with Jordan Crawford

QU’EST-CE QUE C’EST? A COMPLETE LOOK INSIDE THE TH LIFESTYLE OF THE ATLANTA HA WKS

VOL. 3, ISSUE 1 Creative Director: Peter Sorckoff Assistant Creative Director: Derek Carlin Art & Design: Matty Ryan Senior Editor: Arthur Triche Editor: Jon Steinberg Editorial Assistant: Jason Roose Staff Writer: Jon Newberry Produced by: Atlanta Spirit, LLC 101 Marietta Street NW, Ste. 1900 Atlanta, GA 30303 Printed by: Tucker-Castleberry, Atlanta, GA Contributors: Erin Attaway, Jennifer Boxley, Andrea Carter, Scott Cunningham, Tom Ferda, Kat Goduco, “Hometeam” Brandon Leak, Cliff Lummus, Greg Miller, Jon Newberry, Kyle Payne, Chef Bradley Rouse, Courtney Schweers and Jon Steinberg

PHOTO C R E D I T S : Cover: Z. Pachulia by Greg Miller Pg. 1: Kristen L. by Greg Miller Pg. 3: D. Wilkins & E. Thomas by Greg Miller Pg. 5: Audi R8 Spyder by Greg Miller Pg. 7: M. Evans by Greg Miller Pg. 8: Z. Pachulia by Greg Miller Pg. 10: J. Teague by Greg Miller Pg. 11: C. Paul, A. Stoudamire & B. Griffin courtesy of Getty Images Pg. 13: K. Bryant & D. Rose courtesy of Getty Images Pg. 14: Kristen L. by Greg Miller Pg. 17: J. Teague by Greg Miller Pg. 21: NBA Cares and JJ’s Santa-Lanta by Kat Goduco, Al’s Amigos by Jennifer Boxley Pg. 23: Chef Bradley Rouse by Greg Miller, Pg. 24: J. Crawford by Greg Miller All Atlanta Hawks game photography by Scott Cunningham Email us your idea, feedback, thoughts and suggestions at hawks360@atlantaspirit.com. ©2010 Atlanta Spirit, LLC. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced without written consent of the Atlanta Hawks.

Missed an issue of Hawks 360? Go to HAWKS.com/360 to read all of the previous issues

by Dominique Wilkins

or this issue, I thought I’d review a film from my favorite genre – horror flicks. When done right, a horror film can be both entertaining and downright terrifying. I’d like to lie and say I’ve never had nightmares for weeks after watching some of the classic horror films, but it’s not true! But I still can’t stop watching them. You horror film buffs out there know exactly what I mean. I want to talk about the classic of all classics – the original Psycho from 1960. It’s one of the most famous films of all time, period. To say it has influenced most horror films since then is an understatement. Most suspenseful scenes from any decent horror movie today can be traced back to some of the dreaded moments from Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock was simply a genius, and probably the best horror film director to ever live. The way he shot films could force emotions that you didn’t even know you had. He was truly ahead of his time. The main character, Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh, embezzles some money from her company in Phoenix and then goes on the run. After a storm hits, she checks into the infamous Bates Motel, and meets the motel’s owner, Norman Bates, played masterfully by Anthony Perkins. Through a series of events, including one of the most well-known and repeated scenes in film history (Crane being killed in the shower), Bates is eventually arrested for the murder. Without giving too much away, the twists and turns involving Bates and his “mother” create an unforgettable and downright tense series of scenes as the viewer tries to figure out who murdered Crane, and why. As is his signature in most, if not all of his films, you even get a cameo by Hitchcock. I highly recommend this movie, which received four Academy Award nominations and was one of the highest-grossing films of its time. I give it 5 dunks out of 5.

OH, THE GUILT Made almost 30 years ago, I still enjoy Christine each and every time it comes on one of the movie channels. Based on Stephen King’s novel, it’s about a nerdy high-schooler and his odd relationship with his 1958 Plymouth Fury. The director does a pretty nice job of adapting King’s story into film too. It’s scary, suspenseful and holds plenty of twists and turns.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

PSYCHO THRILLER

Basically, the nerdy kid (Arnie) starts to restore his beat up car, and slowly his life begins to change. As he spends time with Christine (the car), his personality begins to change. It turns out Christine has quite a history. Arnie’s girlfriend and best friend discover the car’s checkered past and decide the only way they can save Arnie is to do away with Christine. The ending will send a chill down your spine. Despite how long ago the movie was made, the effects are surprisingly realistic, and Christine will make you think twice before restoring a classic car of your own!

OVERALL REVIEW 5 out of 5 dunks

WHAT’S ON YOUR MP3 PLAYER? “ While this isn’t what I listen to when I’m getting pumped up for a game, I love to listen while I’m driving around or just chilling out at home. Here are my favorite artists on the MP3 player right now:” ARTIST

SONG

Talib Kweli

“ Get By”

Common

“Be”

The Roots

“The Seed (2.0)”

Nas

“Hip Hop is Dead”

Bob Marley

“Buffalo Soldier”

Sizzla

“Just One of Those Days”

Buju Banton

“Champion”

WHEELS

AUDI R8 SPYDER by Cliff Lummus

ince it was first unveiled last year, the Audi R8 Spyder has turned heads. The stylish droptop update to its wildly successful coupe predecessor has been met with rave reviews — and it earns every one of them. More than just a scalped version of the R8 coupe, the Spyder is a noticeably different car. Without the striking side blades featured on the hardtop models, the Spyder has a cleaner, sleeker, sexier look that is all its own. A welcome familiar feature is the set of 19”, Y design, tenspoke wheels exclusive to the R8 line, equipped with summer performance tires.

When you can finally stop off and peel yourself away for a few minutes, are you worried about scalding leather seats from leaving the top down? Don’t. Exclusively designed for the R8 Spyder, the Nappa leather seats are thermal resistant, ensuring that even in direct sunlight, the seat temperature never goes above 68 degrees. Extra attention has also been paid in the Spyder to handling and weight distribution. Audi’s Magnetic Ride technology allows for customizable driving experiences for different roads and drivers, and the nearly-even front-to-rear

weight distribution makes for an exceptional ride. Even as well as the car sticks to the road, and despite reinforcements in the floor, center tunnel and rear bulkhead, the body weighs in at just 13 pounds more than the coupe. Those of you that caught “Iron Man 2” may remember the car as Tony Stark’s weapon of choice when hitting the road outside the suit. And those precious few that have been fortunate enough to see the R8 Spyder in person on the streets of Atlanta, or stopped at an intersection seem to have the same three-part reaction. Stop. Watch. And drool.

The most visible distinction of the R8 Spyder is of course, the convertible top. With or without the top up, the car retains its sleek, streamlined form. But when the mood strikes to let some sun in, you won’t have to wait long. At just 66 pounds, the fabric top can completely set or retract within 19 seconds. Even at speeds of up to 31 mph, the R8 Spyder goes from stylish roadster to exhilarating open-air cruiser with a simple flick of a switch on the center console. With the top raised, noise levels inside the cab are surprisingly low. In fact, the only real noise is a welcome one coming from right behind the driver’s seat. That’s where the heart of this car really lies—the 525-hp V10 engine familiar to fans of the R8 coupe. Boasting 391 lb-ft of torque, the R8 Spyder hits 60 mph from a dead stop in four seconds flat on its way to a top speed of 194 mph.

Photo by Greg Miller.

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F A S H I O N I S TA

Fashion This issue we checked in with Mo Evans to find out how the Kansas-born guard’s sense of style has evolved and who and where his biggest influences have come from. 1. You grew up in Kansas, was fashion and style something that came to you early on? I grew up in a family that keeps things humble. My dad had eight siblings, so making sure everyone had the basics came first. Fashion was not a big priority, everyone did a lot of sharing. Understanding how my father grew up made it easy for me to accept not having a lot. 2. What exactly do you mean? You can have style without wealth. When I transferred to Texas, they had premium outlets with many designer stores. Though I didn’t have a lot of money, I enjoyed taking advantage of sales and building my wardrobe piece by piece. 3. You’ve played all over the world and with a lot of different players. Which people and places have had the most influence on you today? Yeah, it’s been a journey! Europe was cool because it’s famous for fashion. When I came to the NBA it was Kevin Garnett who really taught me the most. He gave me my first really expensive watch, taught me about accessories, about the details and how best to wear my clothes. 4. How your clothes fit is a big part of style. Do you remember his specific advice? Definitely. Kevin was big on your clothes fitting properly. He was not into baggy, over-sized jeans and shirts that hang off you. He also was the first person to turn me on to tailor-made suits. He took me into a room where his tailor was waiting and told me to pick two suits, which he paid for. 5. Minnesota was a few years ago for you. Has any of that advice stuck with you? Absolutely. I work hard on my body because its my profession. I like to wear things that fit my form. I am not running around in sleeveless shirts off the floor (laughs), its more about my clothes looking like they were made for me. How you present yourself is important. First impressions are lasting. 6. So, how would you describe your style then? My style is a collection of things that I have picked up from the places I’ve been, and from the great people that I’ve befriended. I am not afraid to mix and match, and I don’t use personal shoppers to ‘put me together.’ I am a blue collar guy. I enjoy shopping for myself and creating my own style. 7. Last question. Of all of the people that you’ve played with, who are the best and worst dressed? That’s easy. Antonio McDyess is flat-out the best dressed. He’s never not put together, he sets the bar. The worst is Mike Bibby. It’s not that he doesn’t have style or taste, he just doesn’t care. If he could, he would wear sweats every day to everything. They would be brand Jordan sweats though … oh course! Photo by Greg Miller.

growing up

zaza by Tom Ferda

ounded in the 5th Century, the ancient city of Tbilisi, Georgia sits on the banks of the Kura River and is best known for its diverse cultures, ancient history, and strong will of its people. This beautiful mountainous region that was once part of the USSR is also the birthplace of Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia. So how did Zaza, one of the most popular athletes in Atlanta, make the journey from those cobblestone streets of Tbilisi to the hardwood floors of an NBA court? It all began in 1998 when he was a young teen. While starry-eyed young athletes with visions of the NBA were transferring from high schools to play NCAA ball on full scholarships in America, Z recalls how he was taking a much different path.

Photo by Greg Miller.

After talking the offer over with his parents, Zaza and his family made the decision that it was time for him to make a serious run at developing his skills on the court. Young Z was suddenly discovered so it was time for him to say good-bye to his friends in Georgia and make a new home in another country to pursue his dream. “ It took just one week for us to get our stuff together in February ’98 to make that move to Istanbul,” Zaza said. “My parents were always very pro education; that was important. Of course, I continued to study (in Turkey) but the main reason we moved was for me to play basketball.” Leaving Georgia, a country with a total population of only a few million people, and relocating to Istanbul, one of the most populated cities in the world with over 8 million people at that time, was somewhat of a culture shock to Zaza. But he would make the adjustment over time, navigating his way around new neighborhoods and learning to speak the language. Shortly after the move, Zaza found himself suiting up for the Ulker team in Turkey. While primarily being used as a role player he was bumping elbows in high-tempo games with players much older and a great deal more experienced. Dedicating more time on the court, Zaza expanded his skills, making a stronger impression on the stat sheet for every inch he grew.

Zaza played at the international level over a four-year run appearing in 73 games. During that span he helped his Ulker team win the 2001 and 2002 Turkish President’s Cup. Positive influence and inspiration is vitally important for grooming young athletes in any society. Zaza would draw his from the entourage of people who surrounded him during his earliest days, including his mother, Marina. “ My mom was a basketball player so basketball had been in my family forever,” explained Zaza. “My mom was the biggest inspiration plus I had people around me who were the top basketball players in the country. One of them was actually living in our house. He was a relative who had been living in a different city so he stayed with us for a year. He was such a great player, I had to follow him. He had a big impact on my life.”

Z A Z A PAC H U L I A

“ The Turkish National Team came to play against the Georgia National Team and the team’s coaches and managers came to visit my school. They saw me outside playing basketball. I was 14 years old at the time and they asked our school’s director, ‘Who’s this tall kid?’ Zaza explained. “They interviewed me and showed interest about taking me back to Turkey then they had a conversation with my parents.”

The Republic of Georgia is a country whose number one sport is soccer but when you’re a head taller than all the other kids in the neighborhood and you have basketball in your genes, you go with your gift like Zaza did. The Pachulia family had a passion for roundball years before Zaza dribbled his first basketball and when they passed that down, he embraced it and it naturally became a part of his life. “ Basketball in my family was huge. And basketball was always popular in Georgia; even way back in the 60’s. We had the USSR team at the time that was playing great and they had a couple Georgia players of (on the team) as well. They brought a trophy back home one year.” As a 13-year-old Zaza had sprouted to over 6ft.-6 and is now listed at 6ft-11, tipping the scales at 275 pounds. So we had to ask, ‘When did the growth spurt occur?’ “ I never had a sudden growing period really. I was always taller than the other kids. Both of my parents are tall so it’s a genetic thing, you know. My dad is six-foot-six and my mom is six-feet. I was constantly growing taller; even when I was very young.” Granted that stature at an early age, Zaza learned to utilize it and that paid off when NBA scouting reports came back admiring his strength and willingness to play aggressive and mix it up under the boards. These favorable reports coupled with his best international numbers to date (9.4 PPG, 57.5 % from the floor) helped Zaza become the second-round, 42nd overall pick of the Orlando Magic in the 2003 NBA Draft. Now headed to the NBA, the 19-year-old would become just the fourth Georgia-born player to make it to the league. After brief stints in Orlando and Milwaukee, Z landed in Atlanta as the team’s starting center in 2005 and during his first year in a Hawks’ jersey averaged 11.7 PPG and 7.9 RPG in 78 contests. Over his five-year tenure in the ATL Zaza has earned the respect of the fans and his Hawks’ teammates for his reputation of being a warrior. His desire to do whatever it takes to win battles under the boards holds true as he has raised sold out Philips Arena crowds to their feet during serious nose-to-nose confrontations with opponents; the most notable with rival Boston Celtics center, Kevin Garnett, during the NBA Playoffs a few seasons ago. In another playoff series against the Miami Heat in 2009, Z entered the court showing signs of battle, sporting a black eye and facial wounds. The shiner came compliments of an earlier errant hit but Z seemed to use it as a motivator and led the Hawks to their first road playoff win in 12 years, finishing with a career-high 18 rebounds while adding 12 points. Off the court, Zaza has a softer side and is known for his superb taste for food and fashion. In fact his knowledge on the topics led to him becoming Style Editor for HOOPS Magazine and a restaurant entrepreneur. To fill his appreciation for good cuisine, he purchased a downtown Atlanta eatery called Eno then recently changed the concept and renamed it 5th Street Café.

continued on the page 23.

JEFF TEAGUE Hawks Guard

INKED

“ I have a pretty big tattoo on my right bicep, and it’s probably my most meaningful one. I was a freshman in college at Wake Forest, far away from home for the first time (I was born and raised in Indianapolis), and really missed my family that I’m very close to. So I decided to go to a tattoo artist in Winston-Salem and put the first name of each of my immediate family members – my mom (Carol), dad (Shawn), brothers (Marquis and Terrell) and sisters (Thundra and Star) on my arm. It continues to help me feel a bond with my family while I’m here in Atlanta and when on the road during the NBA season.”

Photos by Greg Miller.

ver the past few seasons, the Hawks have played very well at home, and they have been fueled and energized by great home crowds. In a division that now touts Joe Johnson, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James, the Hawks not only play in a star-studded division, but also one of the most-highly competitive divisions in the NBA. Fortunately, this level of steady competition keeps the Hawks ready to face any team at any time, especially those venturing into The Highlight Factory.

PAUL

by “Hometeam” Brandon Leak

Though the Southeast Division of the NBA houses some of the league’s best and brightest, we cannot and should not underestimate our non-divisional challenges. There are games outside of the division that are great fun, great matchups, measurement games and quality competition for 48 minutes. While every game at The Highlight Factory will be an exciting one, here are five games that Hawks fans certainly do not want to miss.

STOUDEMIRE

GRIFFIN

vs. HORNETS

vs. KNICKS

vs. LA CLIPPERS

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Hawks and Hornets are both teams looking to improve on their accomplishments from last season. The birds are coming off an impressive 53-win campaign and a third seed in the eastern conference playoffs; while the Hornets missed out on post-season play, as the team was stymied by star Chris Paul’s multiple injuries. With teams led by Joe Johnson and Chris Paul, fans are certainly in for a great showdown, as both men lead their teams in assists, and Johnson leads his team in scoring as well. Chris Paul is a special player and raises the play of his teammates whenever he is on the floor. His vision and ability to get into the lane always make him a dual threat and gives his teammates an opportunity to make plays. Paul’s unselfishness is always a pleasure to watch, and the Hawks should be ready for a great game against a great player.

The Knicks made a splash in the offseason, surprising some by not keeping power forward David Lee and selecting the services of Amar’e Stoudemire, who agreed to a big contract. Stoudemire has done well in his inaugural season with the Knicks and looks to return the proud franchise to glory after nearly a decade of rebuilding. Stoudemire has done all he can to step up and be the leader the organization wanted him to be, and he’s done a good job of inspiring MVP chatter early in the season. Additionally, the Knicks bolstered the roster by welcoming former Bobcats guard Raymond Felton via free agency. Felton has been a spark plug to the team and has given the Knicks the shot in the arm and the excitement their fan base has awaited for many years.

Simply stated, Blake Griffin is a stud. While there is a tendency in today’s world to always anoint the new or latest “phenom” or sensation, the best thing one has ever seen, it should be noted that many with that moniker don’t live up to the hype. That being said, Blake Griffin is a stud! Ball handling, court awareness, running the floor, hard-nosed play, you name it and Blake Griffin can do it on a basketball court. Missing all of last season with a stress fracture in his left knee, on February 4, 2011, Griffin will play his first game at The Highlight Factory.

In addition to the Johnson-Paul face-off, fans are sure to enjoy watching Al Horford and David West show off their wares in the post. Horford has emerged as one of the best shooting big men in the league this year, hovering near the top of the league in field-goal percentage through the first quarter of the season. In addition to Paul and West, the Hornets have done a solid job of adding pieces to enhance the team’s production. Emeka Okafor can be a wall in the paint, providing the team with a consistent rebounding option, while former Raptor Marco Belinelli is a sly shooter who can sting from the outside. Former Georgia Tech star Jarrett Jack was acquired to serve as the immediate back up to Chris Paul, providing the organization with a veteran point guard who is strong and not afraid to take big shots. The Hawks look to sting the Hornets once again on the home floor, where the Hawks haven’t lost in three years to the Hornets.

The Knicks showcase a squad that does not have much household name recognition, but this team is filled with talent. The Knicks organization has a group of athletes and shooters that any coach in the league would love and a unit that has fully bought in to head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system. D’Antoni loves to play at a high tempo and loves for his shooters to fire away anytime they see an open (or even not so open) three-point shot. In the spirit of shooting, Danilo Gallinari is an interesting player to watch, as he can knock down three-pointers or attack the rim if he sees an opening he can exploit. Gallinari is accompanied by Landry Fields, a scrappy young player who can score, and Wilson Chandler, the perfect wingman to complement the inside-outside game of Felton and Stoudemire. The Hawks drew first blood as they were able to get a 99-90 win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden earlier this year and look to hold serve at home when the Knicks come to town looking for payback.

HOMETEAM’S HOT 5

The Hawks will also have to face one of the better point guards in the league, as they go head-to-head with Baron Davis. Davis, who has been plagued throughout his career with injuries, looks to lead a new Clippers era and leave an impression on a young rebuilding team. Additionally, Chris Kaman is a skilled center that has been injured early in the season and will immensely improve the scoring and rebounding anytime he is on the court. The Clippers can be successful in a half-court setting or running in transition. Griffin is a monster at finishing on the break, and Kaman can be the spark, by grabbing rebounds and getting his team out in transition by finding Davis, who is always directing traffic on the court and looking to make a play. Los Angeles makes their one and only trip to Atlanta, and the game will be a big one for the Hawks, as it will be one of the last of few home games for the Hawks in February. The month of February will have the Hawks play 12 games, with eight of them being away from the Highlight Factory. Additionally, the Hawks will close out the month playing seven consecutive contests on the road. continued on the next page.

Photo by Greg Miller.

vs. LA LAKERS

BRYANT

vs. BULLS

ROSE

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

They are the defending champions of the NBA twice over, they have a storied history in the league and they are led by one of the greatest players to ever put on an NBA uniform … and they are currently riding a threegame losing streak at Philips Arena. The Hawks will be looking to make it four wins in a row versus the Lakers at The Highlight Factory when the Hawks defend their home court with passion and pride against the purple and gold in March.

The young Bulls are looking to make a run to the postseason and will be a formidable foe against the Hawks at home.

The Hawks and Lakers have played spirited games the past few years in front of record-setting and frenzied crowds here in Atlanta. The Hawks led for most of the way last year, technical fouls were assessed after a little rough play, and the Hawks finished off the Lakers late with great shooting down the stretch. Kobe Bryant always loves to put on a show when he comes to Atlanta, and with another year of experience under his belt and reinforcements like Matt Barnes and Steve Blake to help him, Bryant will attempt to snap a his three-game losing streak in Atlanta. Former Hawk Joe Smith was added to the Lakers’ roster to provide veteran leadership and help the Lakers big men get a few more moments of rest. During his one season with the Hawks, Smith was a great locker room guy and helped to school players, including guard Jeff Teague, on being an NBA professional. Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby were built for this type of competition. The Hawk veterans both have been responsible for putting down attempts at Laker victories by coming up with gritty performances and clutch shooting late in ball games against L.A. in the past three seasons.

WHAT DID YOU DO

Derrick Rose is a sensational scorer and distributor of the basketball, and he’s always a joy to watch. Chicago went out and got veteran leadership this offseason by signing veteran big man Carlos Boozer, who provides the team with a solid scoring option in the post and brings a defensive toughness to an already young scrappy team. And, Luol Deng is a steady young option on both ends of the court. Joakim Noah is the embodiment of hustle. He is 100 percent energy and aggressiveness personified each time he steps on to the court, and he treats every rebound as if it is the last he will ever pull down. It’s the same way his former college teammate Al Horford approaches the boards when he comes to the office every night. The two former Florida Gators have great admiration for one another and love to compete at the highest level, like two brothers going at it on a playground.

H AW K S I N T H E O F F - S E A S O N

HOMETEAM’S HOT 5 continued from the previous page.

The Bulls made a few tweaks to the bench in the offseason, and are now able to put out a second unit that can be very effective. Taj Gibson is a young player who is energetic and crashes the boards at will. Former 76er and Jazz sniper Kyle Korver is now a part of the Chicago reserves and can be a highly dangerous man when behind the three-point arc. Ronnie Brewer helps out with the Chicago scoring as well and helps to round out a young and talented team. The Bulls look to make a statement to the league this year and secure a higher playoff seed. The Hawks look forward to keeping Chicago in the rear-view mirror, making for a great game at the Highlight Factory.

LAST SUMMER?

JASON COLLINS I went with my family to Europe for almost a month. The highlight of the trip was being in Spain when they won the World Cup, and that was really special. I have never seen anything like it, the people there were so happy and it was an awesome thing to see.

JEFF TEAGUE My summer was a grind. I was here most of the time getting bigger and better. I played in the Summer League and took the summer very seriously. I think I improved a lot and hope to show that on the court this season.

ZAZA PACHULIA Every summer for me has basically been the same, I go back home and play for the Georgia National Team. The difference this year was that we won 5 games in the EuroBasket Qualifier and we qualified for the European Championships next year in Lithuania. It is the first time in our history that we have qualified for the tournament, so we were very happy and proud of that accomplishment.

AL HORFORD MARVIN WILLIAMS I traveled a ton! I went to Las Vegas, Seattle, Hawaii, Miami and I was in Senegal for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders initiative. I was also back in Chapel Hill going to class for another summer, and I am getting closer to that degree!

As always, I worked a lot on staying in shape and on my game like I do every summer. But, I traveled a lot for various camps and events. I went to Singapore for Basketball Without Borders for the NBA and that was a great experience. I hosted my first youth camp here in Atlanta, and I also did 2 camps in the Dominican Republic as well as Halifax, Nova Scotia to participate in the NBA Jam Session event. Having the chance to go to so many places and spend time with kids all over the world was very rewarding. 13 13

Years on Team: 2 Hometown: Fayetteville, GA Birthday: July 14 College: Georgia State University Major in school: Biology Profession: Student Dance background: High School dance team, competitive all-star cheerleading, college dance team, AFL cheerleading, Atlanta Hawks dance team Eye color: Hazel Hobbies: Spelunking! Cycling, swimming, watching movies, watching Discovery Channel or sports on TV How would others describe you: Sweet, intelligent, persistent, and busy Favorite season: Summer because I love hot weather and my birthday is in the summer

Photos by Greg Miller.

Favorite holiday: Christmas because of family and fun traditions Favorite movie: “The Notebook” Favorite designer: Chanel Favorite food: Eggs Favorite shopping destination: Bakers Beauty product you can’t live without: Mascara First concert: T.L.C. Dog or cat: Both Ice cream or shake: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Guilty pleasures: I try to stay away from candies and sweets so I love trail mix with the M&M pieces because it usually satisfies my sweet tooth Which actress would play you in a movie about your life: Jessica Alba

AT L A N TA H A W K S C H E E R L E A D E R P R O F I L E : K R I S T E N L .

25 Restaurants and Lounges, 15 Attractions and Retail, Six Hotels and a Helipad.

Eat. Walk. Enjoy.

To learn more about Atlanta's most engaging, walkable downtown neighborhood, visit www.luckiemariettadistrict.com.

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Reviewed by Jeff Teague

hat better game to begin the new year than with NBA 2K11? First of all, let me start out by saying that this was a game I literally couldn’t wait to get my hands on. It’s a substantial improvement from last year’s NBA 2K10, and that’s definitely saying a lot. GETTING STARTED Let’s begin with the graphics: they are simply amazing; it’s easy to actually confuse this with a televised game, it really does look that realistic … and believe me, I’ve watched my share of basketball games! The audio is great as well, from the cheer of the audience, shoes squeaking on the floor, realistic stadium atmosphere audio, and the play-by-play commentary is spot on. Some other game commentators get annoying after a while, but these guys make the right calls at the right time which completely enhances the life-like game play experience.

PRODUCT SPECS NBA 2K11 AVAILABLE: Now

PLATFORM:

Xbox® 360, Playstation® 3, PSP® and Wii™

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

NBA 2K11

When first putting the game in you are introduced to one of the greatest players ever to grace the court, Michael Jordan. After the impressive intro he says, “Are you ready?!” then you are suddenly thrown into Chicago Stadium for Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals versus the Lakers and it’s on! There are 10 other Jordan challenges that let you relive some of his most memorable moments in basketball history, a great addition to the game. However, it’s the attention to detail that makes NBA 2K11 truly stand out for me. From the sweat on the players faces to the audience filling up the stands as the games move past the first and second periods. Players move like their actual NBA counterparts, individual team flow and rhythm makes you feel like you are playing that specific team. Believe me, playing the Hawks feels much different than playing the Celtics or the Magic! It’s the way the teams move, the way they are coached specific to the team strategies. The controls are also improved and you won’t find yourself making moves you didn’t mean to make. You have precise control over your dribbling and passing and the players feel like they have weight to them … you really feel like you can work players back as you push to the paint. The AI defense in this game has been truly amped up from its predecessor and it’s better than any other basketball game out there – ever. Players get into the right offensive positions as well as making proper defensive switches, so watch out — if you get mismatched and try taking someone like Josh Smith to the hole with an average Joe you will get burned.

There are also tons of game-mode options, from creating your own player mode (where you have to work your custom character from the ground up), Numerous season modes, Championship modes and custom league creations. The amount of options you have for custom team play is staggering. This is not some dunk-fest like NBA Jam — this is real NBA action. It’s challenging, it’s rewarding and it truly plays like the real deal. If you want a true-to-life basketball experience — get this game and get it now, you won’t be disappointed.

OVERALL REVIEW

out of 5 and Jeff Teague approved! 17

Total Joint Replacement … Total 360 A True Story

Prior to having knee replacement surgery, 45 year-old Culver Simmons found it hard to put on his socks much less to play his favorite sport- golf. While he could trace the trouble back to an old snow skiing injury in his teens, it had taken him more than 20 years to decide it was time to do something about it. An arthroscopic surgery in his twenties had temporarily made things better, but the eventual wear and tear on his knee soon turned into daily discomfort that put a dent in his recreational and other activities. “I got to where I couldn’t do the things I love to do,” admits Simmons. The first sport “to go” on his favorite’s list was baseball. “I just couldn’t run anymore, “shares Simmons, who eventually developed chronic back pain from shifting his weight and gait to his “good knee.” “My strategy was to just work around the pain and live with it the best I could,” recalls Simmons, “but my doctor had a better solution.” A member of the surgical team at the nationally acclaimed Joint Solutions Center (JSC) at DeKalb Medical, Simmon’s doctor suggested a total knee replacement. He also promised Simmons a short hospital stay (2-3 days) with a specialized orthopedic care team and a setting that would provide many of the soothing comforts of home such as: cooked-to-order meals, wearing your own clothes while in the hospital, oversized recliner chairs and patient rooms with furniture especially designed for joint care. 45 year-old Culver Simmons “Knee replacement is major surgery, but DeKalb Medical makes it seem so simple,” says Simmons. “Twenty-four hours after the procedure, I was up and walking. I thought the healing process might be a little slower for me since I am diabetic, but it wasn’t,” he recalls. “To be feeling as good as I do just 90 days after my surgery still amazes me,” says Simmons who admits he has been more active in the last three months than he has in the past three years thanks to DeKalb Medical. Even better, just four weeks after getting a new knee, Simmons is back on the putting green hitting golf balls. “I couldn’t be happier with my decision to have surgery,” says Simmons who is one of a growing number of younger adults who are opting to undergo knee replacement in order to live life to the fullest. When everyday tasks like tying your shoes, walking up stairs or getting in and out of the car can end in excruciating pain, it’s time to talk to the experts at the DeKalb Medical Joint Solutions Center. Having attained the highest possible national ranking for orthopedic services from HealthGrades® 2011 (among the top 5% of all U.S. hospitals), you don’t have to travel far to feel better at DeKalb Medical. If it hurts to walk, let’s talk. Call 404.501.TALK or e-mail letstalk@dekalbmedical.org to:

• Talk to a Joint Solutions Center specialist

• Talk to a Joint Solutions Center physician at a FREE joint health seminar

• Talk to a Joint Solutions Center hip or knee replacement patient

About HAWKS IN THE COMMUNITY

NBA CARES Atlanta Hawks players and coaches, along with front office staff, including Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena, and EVP, Atlanta Spirit LLC, joined volunteers from United Way of Metro Atlanta in assisting with a remodeling project at Quest 35, Inc. on October 14. The project was part of the NBA Cares initiative. Quest 35, Inc., provides affordable-supportive housing to homeless and low-income populations through case management, educational and vocational training, community resources and financial management services. The Hawks provided supplies, new carpet, bedding, and players and coaches pitched-in to help upgrade several emergency transitional housing units for homeless men and women.

H AW K S I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y

OUT &

NBA Cares and JJ’s Santa-Lanta photos by Kat Goduco. Al’s Amigo photo by Jennifer Boxley.

SEASON OF GIVING Atlanta Hawks players and coaches helped open the Hawks “Season of Giving” with a Thanksgiving event at City of Refuge’s Eden Village on November 17. The Hawk’s served dinner, took pictures and signed autographs for all who attended. Eden Village takes a holistic approach towards helping homeless women and children regain control of their lives and attain permanent housing for themselves. Individual Hawks players also got into the holiday spirit: Josh Smith hosted a special Thanksgiving event on November 18 for approximately 200 women and children from My Sister’s House at Atlantic Union Mission. The Atlanta native was joined by Maurice Evans and assistant coach Tyrone Hill to help serve dinner and sign autographs for all of those in attendance. Atlanta Union Mission provides shelter, employment support and recovery programs for more than 950 homeless men, women and children and was the first of its kind for women in 1969. Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams hosted the fifth annual “Flicks & Kicks” event on Dec. 8 at the AMC Fork & Screen Buckhead 6 movie theatre. Williams treated the children from the HOPE Atlanta program to a private screening of the animated feature film Megamind and dinner, before passing out gifts, including NIKE shoes. HOPE Atlanta is dedicated to the prevention of homelessness in out community

and combating it whenever it arises. The initiative provides: Housing, Outreach, Prevention, and Emergency Services.

Indoor Karting and Games. The event is part of Johnson’s longstanding and continued support of the Boys & Girls Clubs.

On Dec. 21, Hawks guard Joe Johnson hosted his sixth “JJ’s Santa-Lanta for Kids” holiday event for 100 teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Johnson, an alumnus of the William E. Thrasher Boys & Girls Club (in Little Rock, Arkansas) treated the kids to dinner, games and holiday gifts at Andretti

Hawks big man Al Horford hosted his Al’s Amigos Holiday Party for kids from the Sandy Springs Mission on Dec. 21. Al got into the fun, playing a little Guitar Hero and other Dave & Buster’s games before handing out goodies that included a pair of NIKE shoes, among other gifts. 21

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ProstRcision®, RC Cancer Centers has treated over 13,000 men diagnosed with all stages of prostate cancer. Also, they have compiled the demographic and statistical information on each one of these men into one of the largest prostate cancer computerized research databases in the United States. This database has more than nine million data points, making it possible for RC Cancer Centers to proactively help men diagnosed with this disease. Imagine a secure database containing information about each man before his treatment, during his irradiation and at each of his checkups following treatment – from age, to Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Gleason score, prostate size, sexual function, even how many times he gets up at night to urinate. Add to that the number of I-125 seeds, amount of irradiation from seeds, and external irradiation during treatment augmented with additional data during each six-month follow-up. The result? Concise, factual and evidence-based information for prostate cancer patients who are choosing (along with their physicians) their best course of treatment. Learn about prostate cancer. Get screened. If you are diagnosed with this disease,

contact RC Cancer Centers’ concierge service team who will expedite your conversation with one of their boardcertified radiation oncologists. After providing pertinent medical information, your findings are matched with similar criteria of men in their database. In this way, your 10-year individual cure rate (ICR) can be calculated. This ICR calculation allows you to make an objective comparison about which treatment method offers you the best chance of being cured.

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HAWKS FITNESS & TRAINING

ORTHOTICS presented by

Ingredients

CHEF BRADLEY’S RECIPE

Cut-up sweet potatoes Sugar Flour Salt Nutmeg Cinnamon Clove Water Butter

3 1/2 cups

asketball players run approximately five miles over the course of a 48 minute game. That is over 9000 steps, and when you are talking about NBA-size individuals, that is a lot of pounding that must be absorbed by the body. Orthotics are used to lessen or eliminate the abnormal forces applied to a player’s foot in the course of a basketball game or practice, and for all of their orthotic needs the Hawks turn to Charlie Peebles, DPM.

1 1/4 cup 1 1/4 tspn. 1/2 tspn. 1/4 tspn. 1 dash 1 dash 1 1/4 cup 3/4 stick

What Dr. Peebles has to say about the Hawks Orthotics:

PASTRY All-purpose flour 1 cup Salt 1/4 tspn. Unsalted butter diced 1/4 cup and chilled 3 tbsp. Ice water

Directions

FITNESS & TRAINING

SWEET POTATO COBBLER

Chef Bradley Rouse keeps the Hawks well fed while monitoring their nutrition. In this edition of Hawks 360 he shares his recipe for a Sweet Potato Cobbler.

Cut potatoes into fairly small pieces and place in a deep dish. Combine sugar, flour and salt; add nutmeg and cinnamon; add to potatoes, along with water. Cut butter or margarine into pieces; place over potatoes. Cover with pastry. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes-to-one hour. PASTRY FOR COBBLER: Combine flour and salt in a bowl; cut in butter. Sprinkle ice water over surface. Toss with a fork until moistened. Gently press into a 4-inch circle on plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes. Roll out dough, still covered, to a size that is 1-inch larger than the pie plate. Place crust on top of potatoes and dot with butter.

How do Orthotics Help? Orthotics are a custom-made foot support that are used to stabilize the foot in combination with the basketball shoe,” explains Dr. Peebles. “Orthotics are made by a sports medicine professional by taking a non-weight bearing cast of the players foot and fabricating a device to both support and protect a players foot. They are used both after an injury to help with healing as well as if it is determined a player may be at risk for injury based on their foot and lower extremity biomechanics.” Who Needs Orthotics? “ Not all players wear orthotics, but by evaluating each players biomechanics individually it is possible to determine whether a custom orthotic can assist in preventing injuries which may occur from the repeated stress on the lower extremities over the NBA season.” What are Orthotics? “ The orthotics are full length devices and the players shoe liner is removed and the orthotic is put in its place. They are made of varying materials depending on the amount of support and cushioning necessary for the individual player.”

GROWING UP ZAZA continued from page 9. “ The whole summer it was under renovations and we just reopened it. New concept, different design, everything is different. Our chef is one of the best in Atlanta so I teamed up with him. We opened another place called ‘Buckhead Bottle Bar’ in Buckhead too.” Having an appreciation for diverse cultures, Z has learned to speak five languages during his journey to the NBA including Georgian, Russian, Turkish, Italian and English. A huge fan of rap music, Z laid down a 30-second rap for a recording by a Tbilisiborn rap artist named Bedina. When not listening to his favorite rap artists, delving into family, food or fashion, Zaza focuses on some of his charitable ventures. While traveling back to his homeland overseas every summer to play basketball for his native Georgia National Team, he promotes “Basketball Without Borders” by donating basketball supplies to those less fortunate. The only summer he chose not to make the trip is when conflicts between Russia and his native Georgia escalated and evolved into an actual war in 2008.

Z has also given back to the community in Atlanta with an endeavor he calls Z-Spree. Z-Spree is a shopping excursion during the holidays at a local Toys “R” Us. The venture benefits less fortunate children here and in addition, Zaza ships gifts overseas to the children who lost fathers in the 2008 Georgia military conflict. A huge fan of the TV show Punk’d, Zaza was part of a group of players a few years ago who gave an unusual welcome to a few of the rookies on the team. “When Acie Law was here as a rookie, we popcorned his and Mario West’s cars,” Zaza said through a wide grin. “Both were rookies so we filled up their entire cars with popcorn.” With three NBA cities on his resume, Z has certainly adapted to life in the United States. He’s a man who promotes war under the boards yet peace off the court. And a man who possesses a strong work ethic in every endeavor he pursues. With these admirable characteristics, it’s easy to see how the teen from a quaint country nestled several time zones away was able to make the difficult journey to an NBA court. 23

A CHAT WITH

JORDAN CRAWFORD Q: Being a rookie in the NBA can be overwhelming for some players, how have you handled it so far? A: I love it so far, it’s a challenge but I think it’s one that I am up for. I am excited but also nervous. Every time I play basketball I get nervous, and I have always been that way. I think it helps me to focus on the game. It isn’t about being scared but wanting to do my part to help the team win. Q: You mentioned not being scared, how hard is it to keep your confidence level up when you come into the NBA? A: I have to keep my confidence up, I never want to lose that because playing the game with that confidence and that edge is one of the things that helped get me to this level. But, going up against some of these guys every day at practice definitely opens your eyes to the kind of talent that is in this league, and it shows me that I have a long way to go to become the player that I want to be. Q: When you look back at your college career, what are you most proud of? A: My consistency is what I am most proud of. I think by the end of my time at Xavier I was the kind of player that you knew what you were going to get from me every time that I walked onto the floor. I liked taking on the role of being a leader and a player that the other team knew they had to stop. Q: But now that you are in the NBA you know that you have to prove yourself all over again. How are you approaching finding a role with this team right now? A: I am just looking to fit in and help where I can. I know that sounds like the simple answer, but it is the truth. I want to do whatever it takes to help this team win.

O N T H E B AC K PAG E

Q: How have you enjoyed your time in the city so far? A: This is a lively city, and I was really excited when I found out I was coming here. It is a great place to be and a perfect spot for me to start my NBA career. Q: What is the one thing that you are most excited about in your rookie season? A: Just seeing all of the other NBA players every night and playing against them. I look forward to meeting that challenge for each game and I am excited about it.

STATS

Height: 6’ 4” Weight: 195 lbs. College: Xavier (Ohio)