Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:25 am EDT

Video: Atlanta Hawks' hawk delays playoff game

By J.E. Skeets

This story is making the rounds on the Interwebs this morning, but in case you haven't seen the video: "Spirit," the Atlanta Hawks' real-life mascot, got a little extra beak time during the first quarter of Wednesday's playoff game against the Heat. Watch your head.

The stubborn bird was supposed to fly from the upper level to a handler on the court, but instead decided to swoop around the arena for a few minutes — freaking out fans and some of the players — before settling on the top of the basket at the Hawks end of the court. The game was halted with 8:28 remaining in the quarter until a man with a leather glove and snacks lured Spirit to his arm.

Thankfully, no one was injured, Chris Quinn had the time of his life and the Memphis Grizzlies aren't in the playoffs.

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22 Comments

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  1. Cd T
    1. Posted by Cd T Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:41 am EDT

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    Why does every team in this stupid league change their logo, uniforms, and court design every other year?
    What happened to tradition and team identity?
  2. Pudge
    2. Posted by Pudge Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:46 am EDT

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    Lol. Weird.
  3. tazzmanian34
    3. Posted by tazzmanian34 Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:56 am EDT

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    Talk about irony. PRICELESS.
  4. Fighting Maroon
    4. Posted by Fighting Maroon Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:03 am EDT

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    I think that bear has been smoking too much..
  5. indeedproceed
    5. Posted by indeedproceed Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:04 am EDT

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    Josh Smith says "Damn nature, you scary!"
  6. Gab L
    6. Posted by Gab L Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:08 am EDT

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    too bad the hawk couldn't stop wade from killing atlanta
  7. Jose L
    7. Posted by Jose L Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:15 am EDT

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    Someone should have Randy Johnson'ed that bird... D-Wade from half court, he could nail it!
  8. Ol' Leather Pumpkin
    8. Posted by Ol' Leather Pumpkin Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:26 am EDT

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    that was one big bear
  9. Ross J
    9. Posted by Ross J Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:29 am EDT

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    It was totally awesome, i'd just got the game on and suddenly you just see a Hawk fly across the camera and then get on the backboard. It topped the Hornets Fire extinguisher shenanigans.
  10. Anton
    10. Posted by Anton Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:58 am EDT

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    That was an omen, really.
  11. jacky d
    11. Posted by jacky d Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:59 am EDT

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    too bad the hawk couldn't stop wade from killing atlanta
    Someone should have Randy Johnson'ed that bird... D-Wade from half court, he could nail it!
  12. Colorado Kobe aka The All-Mighty Ball Hogg MEssiah
    12. Posted by Colorado Kobe aka The All-Mighty Ball Hogg MEssiah Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:40 pm EDT

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    they were better off letting the bird fly around
  13. Colorado Kobe aka The All-Mighty Ball Hogg MEssiah
    13. Posted by Colorado Kobe aka The All-Mighty Ball Hogg MEssiah Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

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    New orleans needs to hire that same guy to keep the Birdman under control
  14. Anton
    14. Posted by Anton Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:53 pm EDT

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    The King- Just have a "free weed" promotion. Birdman won't play at all then.
  15. DICK SMOTHERS
    15. Posted by DICK SMOTHERS Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:02 pm EDT

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    Free weed? where?
  16. DICK SMOTHERS
    16. Posted by DICK SMOTHERS Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:09 pm EDT

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    Maybe, if they make it to the next round...atlanta can make that dream come to life.
  17. Colorado Kobe aka The All-Mighty Ball Hogg MEssiah
    17. Posted by Colorado Kobe aka The All-Mighty Ball Hogg MEssiah Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:52 pm EDT

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    I think the birdman likes nose candy
  18. Sir Slam
    18. Posted by Sir Slam Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:58 pm EDT

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    I can see Woodson shrugging grumpily as he exclaims "someone has got to get that bird out of here!" April madness.
  19. DICK SMOTHERS
    19. Posted by DICK SMOTHERS Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:06 pm EDT

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    They don't call him birdman for nothing.
  20. Mighty Mouse
    20. Posted by Mighty Mouse Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Time for Atlanta to re-think the free slingshot night. That problem wouldn've been taken care of quick.
  21. boston fever
    21. Posted by boston fever Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    hmmm, wonder if new orleans will have their own real-life mascot.. that would be sweet! imagine hornets swirling around the arena.. lol.
  22. bigpill38
    22. Posted by bigpill38 Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:17 pm EDT

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    the bulls will win it all................ go bulls

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