FanHouse DominiqueWilkins

The Atlanta Hawks are considered one of the NBA's rising teams, as evidenced by consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in 10 years. The Hawks, however, were easily swept in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who spent four games exposing Atlanta's numerous flaws and weaknesses. The Hawks are approaching a critical time for their franchise, with Mike Bibby a free agent and third-year forward and former lottery pick Marvin Williams seemingly without a role.

Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, the team's vice president of basketball, said the Hawks need two key components to challenge, Boston, Orlando and Cleveland for Eastern Conference supremacy.

When you have won seven -- 7! -- championship rings, more than any other non-Celtic, it may be difficult to keep track of all of them. Robert Horry, however, admitted Thursday that he is uncertain of the location of all seven of his rings -- three won with the Lakers and two each with the Rockets and Spurs. The recently retired Horry said a recent move has left his rings MIA and he believes movers may have placed his jewelry box amongst dozens of unopened boxes, against his orders.

"I never wear them and the thing is, I don't know where they are," he said on a conference call to recall playoff memories. "I just moved and they are in a box somewhere. The movers weren't supposed to touch it, but they touched it, but I am hoping they are in the house somewhere. I usually keep them in the bathroom in a drawer."

As we await the beginning of the NBA Playoffs on April 19, team mascots explain why their team will win. Next up: a real live hawk/minority owner named Spirit, as translated by Atlanta great Dominique Wilkins.

Spirit: <screeeeeeeech, screech screech>

'Nique: Spirit says that the Hawks organization is proud to be eligible for postseason play for the first time in nine years. Controlling ownership of the franchise, a group of which Spirit is a member, would like to congratulate the Hawks players and staff on a truly remarkable achievement. He would also like to thank the fans for sticking in there during the down years, and hopes they feel as excited about the team's bright future as he is.

Spirit: <screeech, screech screech>

'Nique: However, due to extenuating circumstances, the Hawks regret to announce we will be forced to forfeit Games 1 and 2 of our first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Postseason travel expenses were not accounted for in the organization's annual budget planning process. We have looked at the numbers, and unfortunately will not be able to squeeze in the costs of jet fuel for the round trip to Boston. We looked into every option, including but not limited to: renting a party bus, stowing away on an aircraft carrier, and hitchhiking. However, management has determined that none of these options are feasible, necessitating the forfeit off both games slated for Boston.

Speaking of dunk contests ...


That's from the annual Magic Johnson All-Star Game in 1986, a charity game organized by Magic every summer that looked a lot like the actual All-Star game played in February. And to think, not only was that dunk contest epic but most of the players showed their stuff without needing 16 attempts at a single dunk.

On a side note, did they really call Spud Webb "Lil Tater" back in the day?

Update: It really is impossible to "discover" anything on YouTube, these days: Shoals had this months ago, though this version sticks with the hokey announcers instead of a snazzy soundtrack.