Josh Smith and Josh Childress Should Not Get Away from the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks and their young core of players have been under negative speculation for as long as they have been together.

Although they have an abundance of young talent, veteran leadership, and potential (especially in the Eastern Conference), they haven't done much with it.

When they forced the Boston Celtics, the eventual NBA champions, to an unlikely Game 7, a small part of that untapped potential surfaced.  All of these young players that have been said to be busts were lighting up the Celtics' defense, which they prided themselves in.

A record of 37-45 may not look like much, but that playoff series really showed something.  Al Horford, a rookie, was averaging a double-double against the defensive player of the year in Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, who is an excellent defender himself.

Not only was Josh Smith playing the great defense he was said to be destined to have, but he was putting up 15.7 points per game.  Let's take a look at the Hawks important players who are guaranteed to be on the roster next season:

1. Al Horford, 22 years old- Center, 6'10" 245 lb.

One of the most promising players of the 2007 NBA draft exceeded expectations in his rookie year.  Averaging 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during the regular season (12.6 and 10.4 during the playoffs), he was considered a legit threat in the post. 

He not only used his great skill, but also his excellent basketball IQ to lead a very impressive rookie campaign. He even pushed for Rookie of the Year over the "guaranteed all-star" Kevin Durant.

Horford gave the Hawks a genuine post option that many believed to be their fatal flaw.  With a couple more years of experience, he can be one of the best centers in the East, if not the entire NBA.

2. Marvin Williams, 22 years old- Power/Small Forward, 6'9" 230 lb.

Williams was a part of the young nucleus that many believed (and still believe) to be a bust. He uses his superior athletic ability as primarily a scorer.

Although he averages 14.8 points per game, many still believe he has not yet reached his full potential in that department. He has the tools to be a good defender, but he has not reached that point yet.

3. Joe Johnson, 27 years old- Shooting Guard, 6'7" 235 lb.

Like Childress, Joe Johnson excels in every aspect of the game.  Johnson is the Hawks' star and leader on the court.  Playmaking, be it scoring or passing, comes easy to Johnson, who averages 21.7 points and 5.8 assists per game.

He is your basic do-it-all offensive guy who can score from anywhere on the court. Despite being glorified for his offense, his defense is also above average.

4. Mike Bibby, 30 years old- Point Guard, 6'2" 190 lb.

Bibby was brought in at the trade deadline last season.  His purpose was to give the Hawks an option at point guard, and some much needed veteran leadership for this young team. 

Although he is often injured, his scoring, distributing, and clutch play have been proven.

He struggled to run the offense after being traded half-way through last season, but many believe he will do better once he has been under this offense longer.

These four players were monumental in the great series with Boston in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. However, without Josh Smith and Josh Childress, this group would not have had the success it did.

Their style of play bring a unique threat to opposing defenses. Here are Atlanta's important players who may or may not be on their roster come next season:

1. Josh Smith, 22 years old- Power/Small Forward, 6'9" 235 lb.

Josh Smith prides himself on his defense and slashing ability.  Many believe the only thing holding him back from superstardom is his attitude.

He is a monster shot-blocker (see Game 4 against the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Playoffs) and defensive presence. He makes do in scoring without a jump shot, putting up 17.2 points per game. Using his exceptional leaping ability, he nets 8.2 boards a game.

2. Josh Childress, 25 years old- Small Forward, 6'8" 210 lb.

Childress is the Hawks' designated sixth man and do-it-all guy. He is easily one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He can really fill up the box score, ala Andrei Kirilenko. 

I hate to use a stale phrase, but he really is the jack of all trades, master of none.  Although that usually isn't a good thing, Childress makes it work by doing all the little things that his teammates overlook.

Being restricted free agents and incredibly talented leads to one thing: big money.  Teams will offer more than they should to ensure that they land these outstanding prospects.  Childress has received much larger offers abroad than the mid-level he would get in the NBA.

Josh Smith, once looking like he was going to accumulate more than his desired $12 million a year, has now run out of options.  His two primary bidders having spent their money elsewhere, he is now at the mercy of Atlanta. The problem is they don't have $12 million to spend. 

Now that Smith is at the mercy of the Atlanta payroll, they have two options.  They can low ball him and give him the five-year, $45 million deal they had offered last year, all while knowing that no one can top it. 

Or, as the sources say, they can offer him a six year, $60 million deal that will come as close to his coveted salary as possible.

Without these two, the Hawks lose a lot more than it seems.  Although to most, the loss of Childress doesn't look that bad, it is.  Josh Childress is as important to the Hawks as any other player on the team.  Smith, on the other hand, has superstar potential and adds an always welcomed defensive presence.

With a couple more years of experience together, and the Eastern powers aging, the Hawks could be a force in the near future.  The only way to not realize that potential is to lose your key players, which is exactly what Atlanta is in danger of doing.