(Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
2008 Statistics
Finished 47-35, Second in Southeast Division, Fourth in Eastern Conference
Postseason
First Round: Beat Miami Heat 4-3
Semifinals: Lost to Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0
Key additions
Jamal Crawford via trade, Jeff Teague via draft
Key losses
Acie Law via trade, Flip Murray via free agency
The Atlanta Hawks are coming off their best season in 10 years when it won 50 games in 1997 and with the recent acquisition of Jamal Crawford, the team is only looking up at the possibilities that could be accomplished this upcoming season.
While Crawford has never been the best shooter, he can erupt for scoring outbursts and averaged 20 point per game last year for the Golden State Warriors.
The Hawks did not make many moves this offseason, but you could consider that they had probably the most successful. The team was able to retain two of it's starters in point guard Mike Bibby and forward Marvin Williams.
The city of Atlanta finally had a basketball team to cheer for after years as a cellar dweller.
Coach Mike Woodson might be the one to thank for the success the Hawks have had as of late. After his first season as head coach and posting a 13-69 record, Woodson has turned this team 180 degrees and they now find themselves as a legitimate competitor in the eastern conference.
The starting lineup is not expected to change: Bibby is expected to start at point guard, Joe Johnson at shooting guard, Josh Smith at small forward, a healthy Marvin Williams at power forward, Al Horford at center.
Joe Johnson has been stellar since he joined the Hawks and has been the team leader since his inception back in 2005. He is coming off a season where he averaged 21 points and was the pivotal point in the Hawks postseason first round win against the Heat.
Rookie Jeff Teague from Wake Forest is expected to be Bibby's backup and is not expected to make an immediate impact, but in time could see himself as the future point guard for the team. His three-point shooting has been dubbed as a huge strength and would fit in quite well with a team known for it's shooting.
Despite a disappointing end to the season by getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Hawks made so much progress in a season's time that this upcoming 2009-'10 season is something to look forward to.
The team should expect another high seed, possibly in the four or five range.
Projected starting lineup
PG—Mike Bibby
SG—Joe Johnson
SF—Josh Smith
PF—Marvin Williams
C—Al Horford
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