Atlanta Hawks (09-10) Team Preview

The Hawks come into the season one of the few teams that did not make drastic changes to their roster. Coach Mike Woodson will again return as head coach and try to lead the young Hawks to their third straight playoff appearance. The Hawks boast a very solid starting unit all of which return from last season and also have added offensive firepower off of the bench in Jamal Crawford and rookie PG Jeff Teague. The Hawks are very thin upfront with the only additions coming in signing  Joe Smith and Jason Collins as tough anchors to pair with rugged Zaza Pachulia and the very raw Randolph Morris off the bench. That means that Horford and Smith will again be counted on to play big minutes up front and contribute heavily if the hawks are going to repeat last season’s success. The main question marks will be how well Crawford fits into the offense, as he needs the ball plenty to be successful and also how will the limited bench fair during the season against deeper teams in the league? Although the Hawks should make the playoffs again this season, look for them to take a small step backwards in ranking this season as many teams in the east have gotten better and with lack of stars off the bench, you may see another early exit come playoff time.

Starting Lineup:

PG – Mike Bibby – Bibby resigned in the offseason after receiving a offer from the 76ers, and will look to again be a leader for the young team. Bibby is a very good outside shooter (39% last season) and always looks to get his teammates involved. Bibby also is a above average defender (1.2 steals per game) and will look to stay healthy this season with Crawford and Teague looking for major minutes off the bench.

SG – Joe Johnson – Johnson had his third straight all star season last year and will look to take control of the offense once again this season. Johnson is a very gifted all around player who excels in scoring (21.4 points per game last season)but will look to get his teammates involved often as well(led team in assists per game last season with 5.8).

SF – Marvin Williams – Williams was often injured last season (played in 61 games) but used it to improve his scoring from the perimeter (35%) and his rebounding (6.3 per game) as those two areas were where he had to improve the most from the season before. Williams will look to improve those numbers and become better involved in the offense this season as he is finally healthy and looking to take his game to the next level.

PF – Josh Smith – Smith is a freakish athlete who excels on the defensive side of the ball (1.6 blocks per game,1.6 steals per game) and is improving his limited offensive game to more than just dunks as he set a career high in field goal percentage last season (49%) and will look to improve even more this season. Smith is hungry for his first all star team selection but must improve his decision making on offense and improve his jump shot in order to make it.

C – Al Horford –  Al is coming off a fantastic season in which he played out of position for majority of the season at C, but again will be counted on to play major minutes there this season. Al is a forceful rebounder (9.3 last season) and is a very capable scorer down low (11.5 points per game) who will look to build those numbers as he paces the Hawks into the playoffs again this season.

Bench:

G – Jamal Crawford – Crawford gets a fresh chance to prove he is an offensive force as he will become the Hawks 6^th man and he will see plenty of minutes off the bench this season. Crawford is a streaky shooter (34% from three for his career) who often has questionable shot selection, but will look to improve those numbers as this is the first season in which he is coming off the bench and will look to play his self into a starting role in the future.

G – Jeff Teague – Teague is a sharp shooting rookie who is more of  a score first type PG who will get points on the board in a hurry, when coupled with Crawford off the bench will look to supply perimeter firepower as instant offense.  

G – Mario West – Mario will again have to fight for his roster spot in camp after showing above average defensive skills and solid hustle in minutes off the bench last season. Mario should again make the team as he will be used sparingly again as a defensive stopper when needed as he does not supply much offense due to his limited jump shot and ability to create for himself.

G/F – Maurice Evans – Evans turned out to be a great addition for the Hawks last season as he displayed good scoring (7.2 points per game in 23 minutes) and defensive skills as a key guard off the bench. Evans also shoots well from the outside (39 percent from three) and will look to play a similar role this season behind both Williams and Johnson but will have to battle Crawford for key minutes.

F – Randolph Morris –  Morris is still projected as a limited project player after playing with the Hawks last season, he must work on his tendency to foul and learn to create on offense in the post. Morris will earn limited minutes if he shows strong signs in camp otherwise he will again only be used in emergency situations.

F – Joe Smith – The former 1^st overall pick in the draft, will bring veteran leadership and allow both Smith and Horford to grow under his tutorage. Smith will play spot minutes off the bench as a rugged rebounder who can give a solid effort on the offensive end of the ball as well.

F/C – Zaza Pachulia – Zaza Resigned in the offseason after not getting many offers, he will again backup both PF and C and supply toughness and hustle off the bench as a key big man who rebounds the ball well.

C – Jason Collins – Collins was signed as insurance for the thin front line and will mainly be used in defense situations as he has very limited offense and will also be looked in the playoffs to provide 6 fouls for the upper tier of big men in the eastern conference.

Projected Finish: 44-38  6^th place in the Eastern Conference