The Atlanta Hawks’ Joe Johnson and the Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 17 through Sunday, Dec. 23.
Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit’s Antonio McDyess, Golden State’s Stephen Jackson, New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd, New Orleans’ Tyson Chandler, Philadelphia’s Andre Miller, Portland’s Brandon Roy and Sacramento’s Ron Artest.
More info on insidehoops.com.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution (Sekou K Smith) blogs the following, about the Hawks:
Part of me could see the wisdom in adding a nasty veteran defender like Ruben Patterson, a grimy dude that can guard the other team’s best perimeter scorer and also get buckets when he feels like it. A guy with that skill set could be the missing link for a wanna-be playoff team. But that would mean creating a roster spot (somebody would have to be traded or cut to make room). Then again, why tinker with what has the makings of one of the most exciting and versatile young teams in the league. Even the Hawks’ most consistent critics have admitted that the Utah game showcased a team with the ingredients to be something special in time. How much time? That’s the kicker. You just don’t know how long it’s going to take for it all to come together.
Atlanta is doing better than expected this season, especially considering rookie Acie Law hasn’t contributed much yet, and Joe Johnson hasn’t shot well this season.

The AP reports: Atlanta forward Shelden Williams was carjacked at gunpoint Saturday before the Hawks’ game against Charlotte. Douglasville City Police said two suspects were arrested late Saturday afternoon at Arbor Place Mall in Douglas County, near Atlanta. The suspects were in Williams’ car and were attempting a robbery, according to an officer who answered the phone at the Douglasville Police Department. The officer, who declined to give her name, said one suspect was taken to a hospital after suffering dog bites from the police canine unit during the arrest.

Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford has been suspended one game without pay for committing a Flagrant Foul Penalty Two by striking Toronto’s T.J. Ford on the head, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred with 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hawks 100-88 loss to the Raptors on Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Horford will serve his suspension Friday against the Detroit Pistons.
InsideHoops.com: We agree with this. Even if the dangerous foul wasn’t intentional, a simple one-game suspension sends a message that all players need to be careful and simply cannot commit this type of foul.

The Timberwolves lost a heartbreaker last night in Atlanta, falling 90-89 on a Joe Johnson fadeaway at the final buzzer. After falling behind by as many as 19 points in the first half, the Timberwolves rallied after the intermission.
Down 13 to start the third, the Wolves opened the quarter on a 15-4 run and took a 63-61 lead, their first of the game, on Marko Jaric lay-up with 1:45 remaining in the period.
The final quarter featured four ties and five lead changes, including four lead changes in the final 30 seconds. After another Jaric lay-in gave the Wolves a one-point advantage with :20.9 to play, Atlanta reclaimed the lead on a Josh Smith bank shot with :07.9 remaining. Another Jaric basket put the Wolves back on top with :02.8 to play before Johnson hit the game-winner.
Jaric nearly posted a triple-double on the night, tallying 18 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Craig Smith came off the bench to lead the Wolves with 20 points while Corey Brewer pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds in over 44 minutes of action.
The Hawks were led by Smith, who finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks. With the win, Atlanta took the season series 2-0.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports: The Hawks were in feisty mode Wednesday, a heated practice session that came to a head during a half-court drill in which Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams got tangled up and went nose-to-nose briefly, before they slapped hands and moved on. It was an energy boost that Williams relished, though he would turn his ankle later and sit out the rest of the session. He even applauded Johnson’s fire, telling him repeatedly that he loved seeing Johnson’s competitiveness boil over. “If everybody brings that passion to the game, we’ll be fine,” Josh Smith said. “We can’t just go hard like this in practice and not in games.”
InsideHoops.com: Sounds like good, competitive spirit. Hawks fans should be happy to hear the team has some intense practices.

Sonics guard Kevin Durant today was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played from the start of the season (Oct. 30) through November.
Among rookie qualifiers, Durant ranks first in the league in scoring with 20.4 points per game, fifth in rebounding with 4.4, and first in assists with 2.1.  He is also ranked second in the league in free throw percentage with .816 and third in steals. In addition, Durant also posted a pair of career highs in points with 35 and blocks with three on Nov. 30. vs. Indiana.
The Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played from the start of the season (Oct. 30) through November.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were Houston’s Luis Scola, Milwaukee’s Yi Jianlian, New Jersey’s Sean Williams, Toronto’s Jamario Moon, and Washington’s Nick Young.

NBA News - Atlanta’s Josh Smith ranks among the league’s best in blocks and steals. Smith, who leads the NBA in blocks (3.6 bpg) and is tied for sixth in (1.9 spg), is only player in the top 10 of both categories.