Hope of Atlanta

The 2007 – 2008 sport season has been a hard time for Atlanta sports. The Braves are absent from the playoffs for the second straight year; the Falcons have imploded and look like a non-playoff team. Unless the Falcons can pull it together, our only hope lay with the Atlanta Hawks, a team that hasn’t made the playoff since 1999.

Fortunately, the Hawks look as if they’re posed to make a run at the playoffs this season. Although it’s preseason, the Hawks are 7-1 and finally look like a winning team. They’re still one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but if they can stay healthy, confident, and lucky, I think the Hawks can be this season’s Golden State Warriors of last season – a team that overachieved and made the playoffs. I read season previews and expectations for the Hawks are all over the place. Some say the Hawks will be last in the East, while some say the Baby Birds could finish as high the fifth in the East.

The Hawks keys to success start with keeping Joe Johnson healthy. He’s our all-star, team leader and the offense runs through him. Second, we need to solidify the point guard position. Somebody needs to step up and dish the ball – veteran Speedy Claxton and/or Anthony Johnson or rookie Acie Law. If you’re not producing, then Coach Woodson needs to bench them. Third, Marvin William needs to finally show why he was drafted #2 in the draft by showing his ability to get to the basketball score. Fourth, Josh Smith needs continue to dominate on defense and on the boards while also showing that he be involved in the offense when the balls not in his hands. Fifth, Sheldon Williams needs to man-up and control the paint that experts said he would. Sixth, if Al Horford is supposed to be as good as advised, Coach Woodson needs to get him if the game, especially if the starters aren’t producing. Seventh, if the Baby Birds are getting dominated in the paint, they need to trade some of our young talent and get an established center. ZaZa Pachulia has shown potential, so it’s time he takes the next step.

I think the Hawks are playoff bound as long as they can stay focused and healthy. The East is wide open and if the Hawks can play some exciting up-tempo team basketball, they may be able to steal some early wins at the beginning of the season and be in the playoff hunt at the end of the season. The Hawks success will ultimately depend on who steps up to help Joe Johnson and whether we can get some consist point guard play. I’m definitely looking forward to checking them out when they play the Milwaukee Bucks.