30 Teams In 30 Days: Atlanta Hawks

2007-2008 In Review

Record: 37-45
Eastern Conference Seed: 8
Playoff Results: Lost to BOS in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (4-3)

Summer Of 2008

Key Additions: Rick Sund (via general manager change), Maurice Evans (via free agency), Randolph Morris (via free agency), Ronald Murray (via free agency).

Key Losses: Billy Knight (via general manager change), Josh Childress (via free agency – left for Europe), Salim Stoudamire (via free agency).

Atlanta entered the summer of 2008 with a big plate to devour, as both Josh Childress and Josh Smith were set to undergo the process of restricted free agency. The organization grew patient—perhaps too patient—in their negotiations.

Childress was not fond of that, and showed his displeasure by signing a lucrative three-year contract with Olympiakos Piraeus, a Greek club that has been described as a powerhouse. The deal is reportedly worth $32.5 million total, and contains an opt-out clause at the end of each season.

This bold move not only left the Hawks shorthanded, but encouraged a cast of both American and international-born NBA ballplayers to either make the jump or return across the waters.

While Josh Childress packed his bags for Greece, Atlanta was fortunately able to retain the other Josh—taking that a step further, the better Josh. After months of displeasure and inability to come to terms, restricted free-agent forward Josh Smith decided to pressure the Hawks by signing an offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies in early August, worth approximately $58 million through five years.

In the blink of an eye, Hawks management elected to exercise their right to match the offer, therefore keeping Smith in Atlanta for the aforementioned contract terms.

However, the Hawks still had work to do, as they remained without a replacement for Childress. On July 29, the club signed energetic swingman Maurice Evans to a three-year, $7.5 million deal to fill the void. Roughly two weeks later, Ronald “Flip” Murray was brought in for insurance in the backcourt.

To add depth up front, Atlanta brought in hometown center Randolph Morris, who inked a two-year deal worth approximately $1.7 million total.

The move that received the least press this offseason, however, was the general manager change, which transpired in late May. Billy Knight, who spent the past five seasons as the team’s GM, resigned and replaced by Rick Sund, who has over 30 years of NBA front-office credentials.

Depth Chart

C: Al Horford / Zaza Pachulia / Randolph Morris
PF: Josh Smith / Solomon Jones / Othello Hunter
SF: Marvin Williams / Thomas Gardner
SG: Joe Johnson / Maurice Evans / Ronald Murray
PG: Mike Bibby / Acie Law / Speedy Claxton

Biggest Strength: Talent

The Hawks are a club that has plenty to prove before being thought of as a legitimate Eastern Conference threat, but they are not to be slept on.

The reason? Sheer talent.

They’ve got one of the NBA’s most complete wings in Joe Johnson, one of the most athletically gifted players in Josh Smith, a savvy and seasoned veteran point guard in Mike Bibby, and two extremely promising youngsters in Al Horford and Marvin Williams.

The talent level within that starting five is undeniable, and because of that—Atlanta is a team that can create problems for the opposition on any given night. Don’t believe me? Just ask Boston.

Biggest Weakness: Depth

As talented as Atlanta’s starting lineup is, they can’t do it all. At some point, you’ve got to turn to your reserves and be able to rely on them for production.

That remains an issue down in “Hotlanta,” as they are truly only about seven deep. The rest of the bench consists of unproven youngsters and veteran point guard Speedy Claxton, who was unable to suit up all of last season and has only appeared in 42 games since signing with Atlanta in the summer of 2006.

The young and industrious Hawks look to have a bright future ahead of them, but they’ll need to strengthen that second unit if they ever want to make noise past the first round of the playoffs. A little size up front wouldn’t hurt, either.

X-Factor: Al Horford

The multitalented 2007-08 Rookie of the Year runner-up (*cough—he was robbed—cough*) has a tough task to fulfill, as Atlanta’s lonesome interior defensive force.

Josh Smith provides a great deal of help as a trenchant roamer, but Horford is the only Hawk with the ability to hold his ground on the inside. With minimal help from the Zaza Pachulias and Randolph Morrises of the world, holding down the middle becomes a difficult load to carry.

Offensively, we know that Horford has the ability to do damage, but he’s yet to develop the aggressiveness to do so on a consistent basis. Horford is a winner—and that can be backed up by the back-to-back national championships he was a part of at the University of Florida—but he’s going to have to make more use of his versatility if he wants to experience success at the NBA level.

Should he take steps toward doing this in 2008-09, and become an even bigger double-double threat, both he and his team will be better off on both ends of the floor.

What to Expect In 2008-2009

With the pending improvements by multiple Eastern Conference clubs—including a few Southeast Division rivals—the Atlanta Hawks may have a tough time topping last season’s record. In fact, it may not be too farfetched to suggest that they could even take a minor hit in the win column.

Expect flashes of brilliance, the downside of a late lottery selection, and the upside of a consecutive first-round exit.

Standings Predictions

37-45
Third in Southeast Division
Eighth in Eastern Conference

Tomorrow: Boston Celtics