Hawks Hoping to Build on Last Year's Success

Today the Atlanta Hawks resigned veterans Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia to long term deals. This, along with the trade of point guards Acie Law and Speedy Claxton for guard Jamal Crawford, should help the Hawks build on last year’s successful trip to the second round in over a decade.

By bringing back Bibby, the Hawks can now start one of the most potent offensive line-ups in the league along with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford, and Al Horford. The final piece of the puzzle could be free agent Marvin Williams, who is reportedly close to resigning with the team that drafted him second overall.

Pachulia remains a solid NBA backup who provides energy off the bench, plays with his heart on his sleeve, and leaves it all on the floor. He goes after loose balls, rebounds with tenacity, and isn’t afraid to mix it up with the opposition. He is also a great team player who will defend his teammates in the heat of the game.

Crawford remains a question mark and should proof to be an interesting addition to a team that is still young and impressionable. He has been known to have an attitude problem, and the Hawks Coach Mike Woodson isn’t one to be able to control his players, as seen by Josh Smith’s continued lack of maturity. However, he is a proven scorer in this league, and is currently the longest active player to not have made the playoffs, so surely he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove his worth.

The Hawks also have a young player in Jeff Teague, who should develop nicely behind Bibby. While he is not a prototypical point guard, he has a great scoring touch and should excel off the bench for the Hawks. He should also thrive off of the double teams Joe Johnson will have thrown at him, being able to step in and knock down open jumpers.

While the Hawks have made little noise in free agency, they have quietly maintained their roster, adding pieces that they hope carry them forward in their pursuit of a championship.