<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Before leaving Philips Arena on Monday afternoon for Cleveland, the Hawks made sure to pack their swagger and hard hats for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers. To hear the Hawks tell it, taking the right attitude on the road is as important as taking their road dark uniforms and black shoes. "We already know what happens when you show up to somebody else's place and don't have your guard up, emotionally," Hawks captain Joe Johnson said. "You can get smashed by anybody in this league if you're not ready to go. We know all about it." The Hawks know this from past experience. They're a combined 12-71 on the road since the start of the 2004-05 season. In their season-opening road game, the Hawks couldn't handle Allen Iverson and his 76ers teammates during a dismal 88-75 loss in Philadelphia. "We didn't show up," Hawks forward Josh Childress said. "We've won our last two games [both at home] playing the way we intended to [in Philly]. Granted, playing in front of your own fans makes a big difference. But we're different, we're not the same team we were two years ago or last year." How so? "The biggest difference between this team and the past two teams is we have a no-nonsense attitude," Childress said. "We hold each other and ourselves accountable. Mentally, we know that we have to stay focused and keep our eyes on our goals. And in addition to that, it's just that we're playing hard. Not to say that we didn't play hard the past two years. But it's just a different intensity." There are still those who will wonder if the workmanlike efficiency will travel well. "That part is up to us." Johnson said. "We can't just talk about it. We have to do it." Woodson proud of defense's start The backhanded jokes about the Hawks sitting atop the Southeast Division standings after three games are fine with Hawks coach Mike Woodson. Defense, however, is no joking matter for him. That's why he won't allow anyone, especially his players, to dismiss the Hawks' sitting atop the NBA's defensive standings after three game, allowing just 87.3 points per game. "I said it [after Sunday's win over Orlando] and I'll say it again, it's about these guys making the commitment to play on both ends of the floor," Woodson said. "In our league you have to make that commitment to playing defense. And I mean really breaking down and trying to get stops. You do that and you've got a chance."</div> Source
