Atlanta Hawks Radio Announcer Steve Holman Hits Milestone in Loss

Atlanta Hawks radio play by play announcer Steve Holman hit an outstanding milestone on opening night of the NBA season. Mr Holman called consecutive game number 2500, as the Hawks fell 106-127 to the New York Knicks.

Have you gone a year without missing a day of work? How about 33 years without missing a day of work? That’s what Atlanta Hawks radio play by play announcer Steve Holman celebrated Wednesday, as the Hawks opened the NBA season in Madison Square Garden.

Steve Holman and his 2500 consecutive games streaks spans back to 1989 where Steve called games involving the franchise’s biggest start Dominique Wilkins. Chris Royster and I spoke with Holman on the Around The Atl radio show, prior to the start of the NBA season.

We found out that Steve Holman’s streak is actually longer that 2500 games. He was asked what caused him to stay in Atlanta, with the Hawks and offered this:

"“I was happy to come here when I did in 1980. I got an opportunity to do morning drive sports every day. I was able to do Falcons games, the first year with Bob Neal and Harmon Wages, after that Brad Nessler.At that point GST ended up with the games in the 85-86 season. John Sterling was doing the games on radio and TV, so when he would do the TV, I would do the radio. Then when he left to go do the Yankees in March of 89, that’s when I really started counting these games.You know I did a lot more, I never missed one from 85-86 all the way through, but when he left to go to spring training on March 1st 89, is when I started counting the games in my consecutive streak.You know I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do it, and opening night is going to be number 2500, as it turns out in New York, at Madison Square Garden, so that’s going to be kind of an exciting time.”"

We here at Atl All Day want to congratulate Hall of Famer Steve Holman on his incredible accomplishment.  Steve has been a joy to listen to over the years.

More importantly Mr. Holman is a class act that interacts with fans, unlike few others in the business. What a play by play announcer! What a guy!

Ed Cohen of MSG Networks, tweeted out his congratulations for Steve Holman:

Unfortunately the only thing missing on the special night was an Atlanta Hawks’ victory. The Knicks, and former Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. made sure that victory didn’t occur. Hardaway Jr. scored 31 of the Knicks 127 points. To send the Hawks to their first defeat of the 2018-19 season.

The Atlanta Hawks were done in by allowing a franchise record 49 points in the second quarter. Something that new head coach Lloyd Pearce, who prides himself on defense, is certainly not happy about.

Tim Hardaway Jr scored 16 of the 49 second quarter points for the Knicks, who outscored the Atlanta Hawks by 24 points in the quarter. Atlanta outscored the Knicks in every other quarter.

Taurean Prince picked up where he left off after the All Star break, pacing the Birds with 21 points. Prince made seven of 15 shots from the field, and nailed three of seven attempts from downtown. Prince played an all around good game, grabbing six rebounds, and six assists in addition to his scoring.

Trae Young had a respectable NBA and Madison Square Garden debut. Young scored 14 points, secured six rebounds, and dished out five assists. Young did a good job of passing the ball to his teammates in transition. The area he struggled at, was from three, making just 1 of 5 attempts.

Overall Trae Young shot 5-14 with his one three-point make being his deepest attempt. Trae’s backcourt mate Kent Bazemore also added 14 points and six rebounds on 6-12 shooting. Veteran Vince Carter starting in place of the injured John Collins, chipped in 12 points.

Rookie Omari Spellman, the last pick of the first round in this year’s NBA Draft made his NBA debut. He logged eight minutes scoring seven points and grabbing three rebounds.

Fellow Rookie Kevin Hurter, a shooting guard from the University of Maryland also made his debut. He played five minutes grabbing three rebounds. He missed his only shot attempt.

The young Hawks squad shot the ball well, matching the Knicks at 46%. Atlanta also held their own on the boards being out rebounded by just one 45-46.

The major statistical differences in the contests came on turnovers and free throws. The Hawks turned the ball over 24 times and allowed 29 points off of those miscues. The Knicks got to the free throw line 31 times making 24. That’s nine more than the Hawks 15 makes on 18 attempts.

The young Atlanta Hawks must learn from this experience moving forward. The team will have some turnovers playing at the lightning pace that they prefer. At the same time the team needs to be under 15 turnovers to give them a better shot to win.

The Hawks also need to shoot 35 plus percent from long distance, to win with the style that they  plan to play.

The fact that six players had four or more rebounds was a positive sign. Rebounding by committee will be key until John Collins, the team’s best glass cleaner, returns from injury.

It remains to be seen how many games the Atlanta Hawks will win this season. Regardless it will be fun to see this young team and their new coaching staff grow together. Win or lose, this team will be exiting to watch.

Stay with ATL All Day all season long for news analysis and breakdowns on your Atlanta Hawks and all of the Atlanta area sports teams that we all root for. If you haven’t already, please download the FanSided app and favorite All Atlanta Sports. We thank you for your support.