Hawks Expecting Big Things from Offseason Acquisitions

The Atlanta Hawks had a busy offseason trying to strengthen the depth of their bench.

The hunt began for bench support with a trade for the Golden State Warriors guard Jamal Crawford back in June. The Hawks gave up veteran guard Speedy Claxton and former draft pick Acie Law IV.

The deal got completed once Crawford agreed that he would not opt out of the final two seasons in his remaining contract. The addition of Crawford gives the Hawks a solid point guard that can come off the bench in relief of Mike Bibby. He also brings a lot of the same things that Bibby brings to the offense, passing and 3-point shooting.

Since he is going to be coming off the bench for the Hawks, his overall numbers should be down from his usual play, but do not let that effect how much he really will bring to this team. Usually when a player comes off the bench it can bring a different flow to the offense. According to center Al Horford there is no need to worry.

“Me playing with him, the comfort zone is basically automatic,” Horford said. Several other Hawks players have also praised the play Crawford, specifically his ability to “dish” the basketball.

Joining Crawford in coming off the bench, manning the paint, are 8-year veteran Jason Collins and 14-year veteran Joe Smith. For Smith, the Atlanta Hawks is his 10^th NBA team in his fourteen years in the league.

The additions of Collins and Smith give the Hawks two big men with deep playoff experience, something the Hawks want to see their team reach.

In the past, the Hawks have not always had a strong presence in the paint on the defensive side of the ball. Head Coach Mike Woodson feels that Collins and Smith can help fill this void.

“We haven’t had big bodies,” Woodson said. “We’ve added two veteran bodies in Collins and Joe. They’re proven guys. They’ve been around the block a few times. I thought it was important that we add those pieces because we don’t need young guys anymore.”

Last season the Hawks were tenth in the league for points allowed, but in the bottom ten for rebounds and blocks per game.

Smith even mentioned how he and his team last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, took advantage of the lack of bodies the Hawks showcased in the paint.

“I know coming in last year as an opponent, sometimes they played small because they didn’t have enough big guys to put out there on the floor,” said Smith. “It’s always good to have depth and have guys you can believe in and you can trust when you put them out on the floor that they can do the right thing.”

Besides the need for some bigger bodies on the roster, with Shaquille O’Neal back in the Eastern Conference and “Superman” in Orlando, the Hawks also needed some bigger bodies to help hold these two in check.

“There are a lot of good big guys in the Eastern Conference this year,” Collins said. “That’s another advantage of having depth. It means you can run different bodies at them. You don’t have to worry about foul trouble. Keep going out there and be physical and control the paint.”

The Hawks, who are 4-1 in the preseason, host the Washington Wizards tonight at 7pm EST.

Photo credit to logoshak.com