Atlanta Hawks Catch Second Wind, Just in Time for Playoffs

A 6-0 start at the beginning of the 2008-09 NBA Season was enough to start folks thinking that the Atlanta hawks were for real.

They came out strong after finishing with a bang in last year’s playoffs.

People were beginning to take notice of a team and a coach notorious for being the laughing stock of the league.

Since that time, the Hawks basically played .500 basketball. They fought through a rash of injuries to key players like Josh Smith and Al Horford and still held on to the all-important fourth position in the Eastern Conference.

That start raised expectations so high that fans and experts were quick to criticize the

team and coach Mike Woodson when they began to slide. Woodson’s methods were questioned again and again, and people were again calling for management to replace him even though the Hawks never slipped below a position not seen in over a decade.

Head Coach Mike Woodson never wavered as he continued his eight man rotation and continued to rely on veterans like Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, and Flip Murray to carry the team until youngsters like Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams regained the confidence they had before their injuries.

An injury to starter Marvin Williams appeared to once again derail their streak. However, the Hawks only got stronger as veteran Mo Williams was placed in the starting lineup. The Hawks are 8-1 since the injury to Marvin.

With only 20 games left and the team playing less than inspired basketball, the Hawks once again began to sore with confidence and energy. They went on a 7-0 run, including wins over playoff teams Detroit, New Orleans, Utah, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

They have now stretched their lead to three and one half games with eleven games left. They have also closed in on their preseason goal of 50 wins and home court in the first round of the playoffs.

The next three ballgames will be pivotal as they host powerhouses San Antonio, Boston, and LA. If they hold their own in the next three ballgames, these Hawks are well on their way to holding off the Miami Heat and MVP candidate Dwayne Wade, as well as the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers.

Fans and experts will once again have to take notice and mention these Hawks with the elite teams in the NBA. Just in time for the playoffs.