"ATL ReKap: Hawks Upset, Bulldogs' Tough Fight, Braves' Extension, and Falcons' Coaching Buzz"

Good evening, everyone! Welcome back to another blog on ATL ReKap. I hope you're all enjoying a fantastic long weekend as MLK Day approaches tomorrow. MLK Day holds immense significance for the Black community in the US and globally. It's also a crucial day in the sports realm, where players and teams pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in various ways before their games. As the most influential civil rights activist in history, MLK's legacy resonates profoundly today.

Now, as I couldn't post last night's blog, tonight, I'll cover both the Hawks and the Bulldogs games from yesterday as well as some Braves and Falcons news.

Atlanta Hawks:

Last night, the Atlanta Hawks faced the 6-31 Washington Wizards, resulting in an unexpected upset with a final score of 127-99. It was a disappointing game on both ends, lacking offensive and defensive prowess.

Trae Young led the Hawks in scoring with 21 points, shooting 6-19 from the field and a challenging 2-10 from beyond the arch. Despite Trae's performance, it was evident that the team struggled collectively. Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovich reached 1,000 career points Friday night against the Pacers.

Saddiq Bey contributed 16 points, showcasing a 5-13 shooting performance and 2-7 from beyond the arch. Bey, notably, recorded a remarkable 4 steals, demonstrating his defensive impact. Dejounte Murray put up 13 points but faced challenges with a 4-15 field goal record and 1-6 from beyond the arch.

The numbers posted by our players last night were atypical for the Hawks, especially against a team with a 6-31 record. Tomorrow's game against Victor Wembanyana and the San Antonio Spurs at 3:30 PM is an opportunity for the Hawks to showcase their usual form. According to ESPN, the Hawks are favored to win by 78% to 22%. Catch me after the game tomorrow with a recap!

Georgia Bulldogs:

Turning our attention to the Dawgs, unfortunately, they fell short against the Tennessee Volunteers last night with a final score of 85-79. Jabri Abdur-Rahim led the Bulldogs in scoring with 21 points, shooting 5-9 from the field and a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arch.

Abdur-Rahim's impeccable shooting included a flawless 6-6 from the free-throw line. He also contributed 5 rebounds and a steal. Noah Thomasson followed Abdur-Rahim with 14 points, showcasing a 5-15 shooting performance and 3-11 from beyond the arch. Silas Demary Jr. made a significant impact with 13 points, shooting 3-6 from the field and a perfect 1-1 from beyond the arch.

One standout moment was Demary Jr.'s dunk in the second half, described as potentially the dunk of the year. Off the bench, R.J. Melendez led in scoring with 13 points, going 5-14 from the field and 2-4 from beyond the arch.

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs, with a record of 12-4, are set to face the 14-2 South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday at 9 PM. Stick around after the game for a recap on ATL ReKap.

Atlanta Braves:

Shifting gears to the Braves, there's significant news as the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, securing his position with the club through the 2031 season.

Atlanta Falcons:

Moving on to the Falcons, there's a buzz around the potential hiring of Bill Belichick as their new head coach, with reported "mutual interest." The Falcons have actively requested interviews with various candidates for the head coaching position, including Anthony Weaver, Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, Steve Wilks, Brian Callahan, Raheem Morris, Ejiro Evero, Bobby Slowik, Mike Macdonald, and Antonio Pierce.

The 2024 Falcons opponents list has been released, featuring matchups against teams such as the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Denver Broncos. Congratulations to Jessie Bates and Chris Lindstrom for being named second-team All-Pro players. Lastly, the Falcons are positioned to have the 8th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25th.

Stay tuned to ATL ReKap for the latest updates as the Falcons embark on a new coaching era and continue shaping their roster for the upcoming seasons. Exciting times are ahead for Falcons fans, and we'll be here to keep you informed every step of the way!