Soaring Birds: Will the Atlanta Hawks Fly High in '08-09?

Antoine Stroud — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:34:44 -0400

KEY PLAYERS: Joe Johnson (21.7 ppg), Josh Smith (17.2 ppg), Marvin Williams (14.8 ppg)

PLAYERS LOST: Josh Childress

PLAYERS ADDED: Mo Evans, Randolph Morris, Flip Murray

PLAYERS DRAFTED: No picks

2007-2008 RECORD: 37-45

2008-2009 PREDICTION: 44-39, Eighth in Conferenct

Coming off their first playoff appearance since the lockout-shortened '98-99 season, the Atlanta Hawks are ready for another crack at the playoffs this year.

Last season, the Hawks took the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics to seven games before eventually losing by 34 points in Boston.

The Hawks won 37 games last season, increasing their win total by seven from the previous season and clinching a playoff spot.

Losing Josh Childress to Europe will hurt the Hawks in certain ways. But with players such as Joe Johnson and Josh Smith doing much of the offensive work, and the acquisition of a nice nucleus of players include high-flying swing-man Mo Evans, Atlanta-native Randolph Morris, and a nice combo guard in Ronald "Flip" Murray, the Hawks still stand to contend in the Southeast Division and make another push toward the postseason.

Second-year player Al Horford, 2005 second-overall pick Marvin Williams, and veteran big man Zaza Pachullia should control the front court for the Hawks this season. Horford is coming off an excellent rookie season in which he was second in Rookie of the Year voting behind then-Supersonic rookie Kevin Durant.

But the Hawks also have some weaknesses, and one is the point guard play of Mike Bibby. Bibby is still an excellent point guard and still has the ability to run a club, but he isn't getting any younger.

He is also coming off a season where he had a foot injury that sidelined him for 34 games. Backup PG Speedy Claxton has been hurt for a few years and missed all of last season. Acie Law, another second-year player, played a vital role in the Hawks' lineup last season, until injuries forced him to miss time.

The experience of taking the Celtics to the brink of elimination should help the Hawks gain confidence this upcoming season, as they add new pieces to an already formidable puzzle in the East.

Last season, no one gave the Hawks a chance to contend in the Eastern Conference, but after the Hawks won seven of nine games in late March and early April, it seemed that the critics knew that they were going to make the playoffs.

Prediction? The Hawks will make the playoffs this upcoming season and contend—as long as they stay healthy and play as a team.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: NBA Stars Who Shine in Media Darkness

Antoine Stroud — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:50:46 -0500

As we sit in front of our big-screen televisions and watch the NBA every night, I realize that the only names I hear are LeBron, Kobe, Melo, and D-Wade.

But we fail to realize as NBA experts that there are so many players who are under the radar but make a huge impact.

Here are 10 players that in my opinion are huge sleepers and deserve credit as being some pretty good NBA basketball players.

10. Sam Cassell (LA Clippers)

It seems like yesterday this young guy was backing up Kenny Smith as he helped the Houston Rockets to consecutive titles in the 93-94 and 94-95 seasons.

Sam-I-Am is still continuing to be a leader and a grizzled vet for a Clipper team that, as of January 28, is 13-27 and last in the Pacific Division.

At 38, most players lose a step, but Sam is averaging 13.2 points per game and still has one of the toughest turnaround jumpers in basketball.

9. Paul Milsap (Utah Jazz)

Milsap and Karl Malone have a lot in common. They both are Louisiana Tech alums. They both are about 6-9 and they both played for Jerry Sloan and the Utah Jazz.

Using his 260-pound body and light feet, Milsap may be one of the most bruising big men in the league. Averaging about eight points and five rebounds per contest, Milsap is a perfect fit for Jerry Sloan's hard-nosed play.

8. Travis Outlaw (Portland Trail Blazers)

Outlaw is long at 6-9, has a nice mid-range jumper, and is extremely athletic. Coming straight out of high school and only weighing about 205 pounds, there were some questions, but he has silenced those.

Averaging 13 points a game, and playing on a Portland team that drafted seven-foot center Greg Oden only to see him sit out the year, Outlaw has stepped his game up and earned a spot on this list.

7. David West (New Orleans Hornets)

Honestly, did you have the New Orleans Hornets first in the Western Conference?

No you did not, and it is all because of your ignorance of David West.

Playing with Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler helps, but this 6-9 versatile forward is lighting up for the first place Hornets averaging 19.2 points and nine rebounds per game.

On January 26, he lit the defending champion Spurs up for 32 points on 15-19 shooting, as the Hornets won 102-78.

6. Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)

Joe Cool is one of the most quiet but effective players in the league. He was an All-Star in 2007 but still is a sleeper.

With his silky smooth jumper and ability to get to the rim, Joe will continue to average 20 points a game in his career.

Averaging 21.6 points per contest on an up-and-down Hawks club earns Joe a spot on the list.

5. Mo Williams (Milwaukee Bucks)

This Alabama product may be one of the most under-the-radar players on this list. Standing 6-1, Mo has the ability to score the ball in many ways.

Averaging about 17.0 points per contest and maintaining his ability to shoot the three are two major reasons we will be seeing Mo for a while.

4. Stephen Jackson (Golden State Warriors)

Jackson is one of my favorite players on this list. The name on the front of his jersey explains it all—he is a warrior.

Jackson is averaging 20.2 points per game on a Warrior team that last year became only the third eighth-seeded team in NBA history to defeat a number-one seed.

Jack is 6-8, long and versitile, and is a good defensive player who gives opposing players a hard time with his length.

3. Hedo Turkoglu (Orlando Magic)

This 6-10 product from Turkey is a real sleeper. Averaging 19.3 points and playing on a young and talented Orlando Magic team helps your stock rise.

Turkoglu has scored over 20 points 23 times this season and has earned his spot as an Eastern All-Star reserve.

2. Monta Ellis (Golden State Warriors)

Ellis is another high schooler who is schooling the vets when he has the ball in transition. I am not in the NBA, but Monta is the fastest player with the ball in the league.

Ellis is averaging 17.7 points a game for a good Warrior team looking to make another trip to the playoffs.

Against New Jersey on January 24, Ellis scored a carrer high 39 points as the Warriors won 121-119.

1. Caron Butler (Washington Wizards)

No Gilbert Arenas? No problem.

Butler can pick up where Arenas left off for him. This 6-8 Connecticut product was the tenth pick in 2002 by Miami, only to be traded to the Lakers after two seasons.

Now Butler is lighting it up in the nation's capital as he averages 22.0 points per game on an over-achieving Wizards ball club.

Butler has scored in double digits in all but one game this season, and even scored 40 against the Bucks, earning him the title of most under-the-radar player in the NBA.

HONORABLE MENTION

Bobby Jackson (Hornets)

James Posey (Celtics)

Gerald Wallace (Bobcats)

Brandon Roy (Blazers)

Jason Maxiell (Pistons)

Bleacher Report - Articles by Antoine Stroud

Soaring Birds: Will the Atlanta Hawks Fly High in '08-09?

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: NBA Stars Who Shine in Media Darkness