Baby Birds

The Atlanta Hawks’ 2006 – 2007 season starts tonight with a home game against Allan Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers. Atlanta is the youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 23 years old. Most commentators predict the Hawks finishing in last place. Unfortunately, this prediction and its realization are familiar for Hawks’ fans. The team has been rebuilding for the past seven years and has lacked an identity since the departures of Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith. During the early rebuilding years, Atlanta became a haven for disgruntled, overrated, and overpriced veterans. This approach changed when General Manager Billy Knight and Coach Mike Woodson came on board. Both decided to pursue young talent through the draft and supplement them with veterans with strong character and work ethic. The jury is still out on whether this approach will work, but the team has steadily improved over the last two seasons, doubling its wins from 13 in 2004 – 2005 to 26 in 2005 – 2006. Meet your Atlanta Hawks:

Projected Starters:

Speedy Claxton, Point Guard
Joe Johnson, Shooting Guard
Marvin Williams, Small Forward
Josh Smith, Power Forward
Zaza Pachulia, Center

Reserves:
Esteban Batista, Forward / Center
Josh Childress, Guard / Forward
Tyronn Lue, Guard
Salim Stoudamire, Guard
Sheldon Williams, Forward
Lorenzen Wright, Center

Regardless of the outcome, good or bad, I’ll be at Phillips Arena, the Highlight Factory, for at least six home games. Wubya and I purchased the Hawks’ Big Game package. We’ll cheer the Baby Birds on as they take on the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, and Chicago Bulls. I’m hoping to provide my loyal PiB readers with a recap of game and some pictures.