New Hawks Preview

[Diesel]

Seattle PI take on the Hawks.

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Atlanta Hawks 2007-08 Season Preview

By Warren Blatt, NBA Editor

(Sports Network) - The last time the Atlanta Hawks qualified for the postseason was in 1998, when they fell in four games, 3-1, in the first round to the then-Charlotte Hornets. The fans in Atlanta have to be getting restless, and the time has arrived for the young Hawks to put it all together and once again contend for a playoff berth.

Besides the draft, the offseason was very quiet for Atlanta. The Hawks added two hot prospects on draft night. Florida's Al Horford and Acie Law of Texas A&M are expected to step in right away and help the Hawks get back into playoff contention.

Atlanta had a pair of first-round picks in this year's draft, and put them to good use. Horford was selected with the third overall pick, while Law was taken at No. 11. Horford, who joins young forwards Josh Smith and Marvin and Shelden Williams in the Atlanta frontcourt, is a power forward. He can score in the low post, plays physical defense and is a monster on the boards. The Florida product can knock down a mid-range jumper should be able to put up big numbers right away for his new team.

Law was the second point guard selected in the draft, as Memphis took Ohio State's Mike Conley Jr. with the fourth overall pick. Law fills a void for the Hawks, and will team with All-Star Joe Johnson to give the Hawks an athletic and talented backcourt.

Last season, Johnson led the Hawks in scoring (25.0 ppg), while Smith grabbed a team-high 8.6 rebounds and Johnson and Speedy Claxton both handed out a club-best 4.4 assists per game.

The 6-7 Johnson, who missed 25 games because of injuries, is the key for Atlanta. The offense runs through him and he is the Hawks' go-to player. Atlanta does have some talented players who need to develop a little quicker. Forward Marvin Williams averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 boards in his second season in the league, while rookie Shelden Williams continued to improve as the season progressed. Swingman Josh Childress posted 13.0 points per contest and shot 50.4 percent from the field, including 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Head coach Mike Woodson is on the hot seat. He is entering his fourth season with the club, and has compiled a dismal 69-177 record as Atlanta's general. The team has improved its win total every season, but this may be the year general manager Billy Knight expects the team to be a serious playoff contender.

BACKCOURT

Knight hopes he has put together the Hawks' backcourt of the future in Johnson and Law. There is no questioning Johnson's ability, as the All-Star guard can do it all on both ends of the court. However, Law will have to step in prove that he can earn big minutes.

The 6-3 Law is a versatile guard and plays both ends of the court. He is effective driving to the hoop and creating for his teammates. The Texas A&M product still needs to work on his outside jumper.

Childress, who will also get minutes at small forward, will backup Johnson and gives Woodson some offense off the bench, while veterans Claxton and Tyronn Lue are going to compete with Law for minutes at the point. Woodson has some depth to work with.

FRONTCOURT

Young, athletic and full of potential is a great way to describe Atlanta's frontcourt. Marvin and Shelden Williams, who averaged 5.5 points and 5.4 boards in 81 games during his rookie campaign, have to increase their production in both the scoring and rebounding columns if the Hawks hope to make a big move in the standings. Shelden will log minutes at center and power forward, while Marvin will spend time at both forward spots.

It doesn't matter that Horford is a rookie. Woodson knows he needs to start to win and his rookie big man has to contribute immediately. The 6-10 Horford will play in the middle and at the big forward spot. Atlanta is hoping for double-digits in scoring and rebounding from the former Gator.

Smith, who was second on the club in scoring (16.4 ppg) last season, is athletic, plays great defense and could be primed for a breakout season. If the 21-year-old Smith makes his leap in 2007-08, the Hawks could be on their way to being a real playoff contender.

Horford, Smith and the Williams duo give the Hawks a lot to look forward to up front. Zaza Pachulia, who is just 23, collected 12.2 points and 6.9 boards in 2006-07. The 6-11 Pachulia plays the same positions as Horford and Shelden Williams, which could make him expendable. Veteran Lorenzen Wright gives Woodson another big body off the bench.

OUTLOOK

The Hawks win total will go up once again. However, this is not a playoff team. Expect 35 wins and another early vacation. There is plenty of potential, but that is all it is for now. Woodson probably won't be around when the Hawks make it back to the postseason.

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[pimp]

I thought the last time we made the playoffs, we were lost to the Knicks in the 2nd round.Not in the first round to the Hornets.

[Duff_Man]

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I thought the last time we made the playoffs, we were lost to the Knicks in the 2nd round.Not in the first round to the Hornets.

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Yeah...that was the strike year 1999. We beat Detroit then got killed by the Knicks. I love how these guys never do any homework.

[Lascar78]

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I thought the last time we made the playoffs, we were lost to the Knicks in the 2nd round.Not in the first round to the Hornets.

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This is correct. As per usual, we get horrible coverage. It doesn't surprise me at all anymore.