October 30, 2007 10:44 am  |  41 Comments

Links: Atlanta Hawks Season Preview

Lang Whitaker wonders if maybe winning it all isn’t all that important after all…

by Lang Whitaker

(For the rest of our season previews, go here.)

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to discuss the Atlanta Hawks. And I never in my wildest dreams thought I would write this sentence in relation to the Atlanta Hawks, but the Hawks preview is running late because we are saving the best for last.

That’s right, kiddos, the Hawks finished their NBA preseason campaign with the best record in the NBA, going 7-1. Can you believe it? I can’t. And I’m a little bit afraid to talk about it. I’d feel wa more comfortable if the Hawks had gone 2-5 and had three of their starters injured. That is the Atlanta Hawks franchise I know and love, not these guys running around out there, doing the fundamentals and, gasp!, winning games.

I should point out here that last season, the Spurs and Cavs went a combined 3-9 in the preseason. So maybe we shouldn’t put too much stock in preseason numbers, right?

At the same time, this is what I’ve been given to go on, and I’m not about to turn a blind eye or a deaf ear. I needed this. I needed a flash of hope, a spark of life, even if our starters were logging nearly 40 minutes a game in the preseason. We wanted wins and we got them.

And if we can’t win a championship like the Red Sox, through steroids and vast amounts of cash, the Hawks will have to do it the old fashioned way: By praying the other 29 teams simultaneously implode. That’s unlikely, however, so my goals are lower this season. Title? Nah. Playoffs? Well…

According to a friend of mine who dabbles in these things, I was told the over/under on Hawks wins this season is 38 games, set by the gambling masters in Vegas (or perhaps some dudes on a small island in the Caribbean). And I think that number is dead-on for the Hawks this year. We may swing a few wins in either direction, but I’m expecting about 38 wins. That would be a significant improvement on last season’s 30 wins, and really, improvement is all I’m looking for.

38 wins? Last season, Orlando made the Playoffs as an eighth seed with 40 wins. And if Atlanta’s going to sneak into the postseason, one of last year’s teams has to drop out. And if Boston and New York are going to make it as well, that means three teams can’t return to the Playoffs. But Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, Miami, Chicago, Jersey, Washington and Orlando all look pretty good to me.

So how do the Hawks make the Playoffs? Luck. We need someone to screw up. Maybe Gilbert Arenas injures his wrist while blogging, or maybe Shaq accidentally eats Dwyane Wade. Someone has to get hurt or fall apart for Atlanta to sneak in there. All 29 other teams might not implode, but a few of them will, for sure.

Plus, it’s not all about other teams screwing up. Maybe, just maybe, the Hawks will be good enough to beat other teams this season. Last year, the only team the Atlanta Hawks were consistently good enough to beat were the Atlanta Hawks. It was always something — a missed jumper, a late unforced turnover — that had me rolling my eyes, exasperated night after night. I was so stressed that I almost starting eating as much as Sekou Smith — almost. I’m hoping that age and seasoning will correct some of the Hawks errors this year.

I’m also hoping Acie Law and Al Horford will correct some of those errors. Acie Law is the coolest-named point guard we’ve had since Speedy Claxton, who is still on the team and still having knee problems. (How did Claxton pass a physical last summer? Who was the team doctor who approved Claxton, Dr. Kervorkian?) And Horford is not only a big body, but he’s actually won two championships in college, so he knows that winning one-third of your games isn’t acceptable.

Joe Johnson will continue to put up numbers in every category, and I’m hopeful that a lot of Hawks possessions this season won’t end with Josh Smith bricking a jumper from the wing. It would also be nice if Zaza Pachulia starts dunking the ball, considering he’s 6-11 and a center and everything.

But I think the Hawks biggest contribution this season doesn’t need to come from anyone actually wearing a Hawks uniform. This year we need a yeoman effort from head coach Mike Woodson. A couple of weeks ago I was working on an Al Horford story for the OJ Mayo issue of SLAM, so I called Woody on his cell. He asked me to call him back a little later because he was busy…walking his dog. If you can’t walk your dog and talk about your team at the same time, that doesn’t bode so well.

I like a lot of things about Woody, from his Steve Harvey suits to his Teddy Pendergrass beard to his Tone Loc voice. But thus far, I haven’t been overly impressed with his coaching. He’s worn Joe Johnson to a pulp, been outfoxed by more than one opposing coach and doesn’t seem to understand that there are ways to utilize players who maybe aren’t all that talented as long as you don’t put them in situations where they’re destined to fail.

The Hawks have talked a lot this fall about how they are going to be a running team this season, which confuses me a little bit. They’re going to use the same coaches and the same players as they had last year but just be a different team? GM Billy Knight has said over and over in the past that the Hawks were always looking for guys who would fit into their “system.” So now they’re just switching systems? It just so happens that the old system and this new system and completely compatible?

I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem likely, does it?

I could keep rambling all night about the Hawks, but at the end of Billy Knight’s afro, only one thing matters this season: Playoffs. I say we get there.

But what do I know?

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  • Bryan Posted: Oct.30 at 10:52 am
    I like the Hawks…Josh Smith is literally a jumper away from being an absolute monster.Joe Johnson is really good, one of those players you have to see in person to understand how good he actually is..I read a scouting report over on SI.com about the Hawks and they ripped them apart but I’m pretty high on these guys.I never saw Acie Law play in college so I don’t know what he brings..But Horford is good and they really do have some pieces that could take a step forward.Josh Smith being the key if he can knock down just half his open jumpers, it’s gonna be over.

  • Cheryl Posted: Oct.30 at 10:52 am
    Um, okay.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Oct.30 at 10:56 am
    You guys have a point guard in Law, a solid scorer in Joe and a beast in Horford with plenty of complementary pieces in Smith, Williams and Afroman. You guys are better-well more talented- than Orlando, Milwaukee and anyone else vying for that #8 spot. But it’ll take some time for them to learn the NBA game, their respective positions and develop some cohesiveness as a unit. This team should definitely make the playoffs in say, 1, 2, 3 years, howeva they could surprise and end up ahead of schedule. But I don’t know if the dog walker is the one to take them there.

  • white hot eboy Posted: Oct.30 at 10:57 am
    Good preview, per usual, Mr. Whitaker. They can maybe get in, but I defintley see them becoming constant playoff dance partners within a season or two. This year might be the establish “we’re not sorry anymore” and next may be the Takeover. (Allright, that may be a bit much, but it’s a start). I’m sure they will compete more often than not so that’s a huge step in the right direction for them. GOD Bless the Hawks. But burn those sorry-ass uniforms. Hopefully they’ll have plenty of retro nights.

  • h-town nick Posted: Oct.30 at 10:57 am
    nothing can stop them; nothing can stop them; nothing can stopt them; they’re atlanta’s air force.

  • Myung Posted: Oct.30 at 10:58 am
    1,2,3, playoffs. I can’t wait until Friday… I’ll be at Philips, as we host the Mavs, rooting like crazy to get off to a good start with a win over one of the League’s best teams. I feel good about this year’s squad. I mean, I always feel good about (insert year here) version of the Hawks (foolish optimism, I know), but this time, it’s different. I REALLY feel like we’re going to make the proverbial “leap.”

  • Myung Posted: Oct.30 at 11:02 am
    Oh and btw, great preview, Lang…

  • Myung Posted: Oct.30 at 11:06 am
    I was actually at Philips Arena this past Sunday, and the fans in attendance were rowdy and the place was packed… so it looks like we’re in good shape, in terms of crowd support (if you can somehow overlook the fact that I was at the High School Musical on Ice show with my fiancee and her little sister).

  • Jared Posted: Oct.30 at 11:08 am
    shelden, horford, childress, law, and marv…hell of a college squad

  • Cheryl Posted: Oct.30 at 11:13 am
    I really do like this team, but I just don’t think they have the coach to get them to the playoffs. And if they win more than they lose this year, it will be in spite of the coaching, not because of it.

  • Myung Posted: Oct.30 at 11:22 am
    Amen to that, Cheryl.

  • Phila Posted: Oct.30 at 11:24 am
    Nice post Lang, I do agree with you. Its time for the Hawks to make the playoffs. They have the talent to compete with anybody they just need to find there swagger and pull some games off. This years J-Smoove will be 20-10-3 bpg. He worked on his game all summer long. I say Hawks are last years GSW.

  • jj Posted: Oct.30 at 12:28 pm
    If only the uniform wasn’t a bobcats rip-off !

  • phunkykarma Posted: Oct.30 at 12:47 pm
    The Hawks may make the playoffs if ” Shaq accidentally eats Dwyane Wade.” hahaha. Lang, I love reading you since “The Immaculate Collection”, in Kicks.

  • The Notorious King Posted: Oct.30 at 1:22 pm
    hawks are the 8th seed

  • Co Co Posted: Oct.30 at 1:42 pm
    “They are going to use the same coach and the same players they had last year, but just be a different team”. This is exactly the reason the Hawks could win 40 games or 25 games and I wouldn’t be surprised. They could go either way. In theory they’re better, but………

  • BETCATS Posted: Oct.30 at 1:51 pm
    lang got to write his favorite teams preview….G-State…Monta Ellis??

  • Po Po Posted: Oct.30 at 1:53 pm
    Technically not the same players because most of them were injured last year.

  • Phil B Posted: Oct.30 at 2:09 pm
    and who was their only loss to this preseason? portland! which means portland is the best team in the preseason… right? and what are the chances that san antonio sleeps through the opening game and lets portland beat them? they don’t care about the first half of the season anyways, do they?

  • Tariq Posted: Oct.30 at 2:13 pm
    Man, if Boston is spoiled rotten with the Red Sox, Pats and KG, then my heart goes out to Atlanta. The Hawks AND Vick? I think the Hawks need one more young 6′8″ swingman in order to compete. And f*ck Jay Bilas, just for good measure.

  • Co Co Posted: Oct.30 at 2:22 pm
    Atlanta is just like Boston Tariq, except the other way. And f*ck Tim Legler, just for good measure.?.?.

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Oct.30 at 2:23 pm
    ACIE LAW IV is super duper clutch. hawks have a good squad and will be competitive for the next 8-10 years.

  • Co Co Posted: Oct.30 at 2:29 pm
    Or they could be set back for the next 8-10 years depending on what happens with Josh and the fact that they refuse to spend any money on a good player. Unless you count Speedy as a good player. And let’s not forget Joe is entering year 3 of a 5 year deal. There’s no guarantee he’s going to be there. You add that to the fact that BK is still making decisions and almost all of your optimism goes out the window. Damn.

  • Sko Posted: Oct.30 at 2:42 pm
    lang is lang, you’re just a nickname coined by lang, see the difference?

  • Khalid Salaam Posted: Oct.30 at 2:47 pm
    The Hawks are not making the playoffs. I don’t care what Lang and Charles Barkley say.

  • Co Co Posted: Oct.30 at 3:03 pm
    Wanna bet Khalid? LOL

  • Rubens Posted: Oct.30 at 3:26 pm
    “… so I called Woody on his cell. He asked me to call him back a little later because he was busy…walking his dog. If you can’t walk your dog and talk about your team at the same time, that doesn’t bode so well” that one cracked me up

  • Khalid Salaam Posted: Oct.30 at 3:28 pm
    Yes I do, Co Co. yes i do.

  • Co Co Posted: Oct.30 at 3:33 pm
    Whatchu got on it Khalid?

  • Jim Mora Posted: Oct.30 at 3:56 pm
    Playoffs? You kiddin’ me?

  • Khalid Salaam Posted: Oct.30 at 4:46 pm
    If i win you have to wear a sam dalembert jersey. if you win..well you won’t win so nevermind.

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Oct.30 at 5:00 pm
    kutcher korver jersey, for a week

  • Phil Posted: Oct.30 at 6:10 pm
    Toronto had the NBA’s best preseason mark last year, and they finally jumped back into the playoff picture. Maybe the Hawks can do the same this year?

  • john Posted: Oct.30 at 6:16 pm
    i no da had new jerseys

  • mitch36 Posted: Oct.30 at 7:27 pm
    is t-lue even on the hawks anymore

  • Kareem Posted: Oct.30 at 9:20 pm
    No T-lue isnt on the hawks( he was a disgrace anyways( See: 2001NBA Finals game 1 Overtime against Iverson)). But i guarantee Hawks will be AT LEAST 6th spot(i hope Miami loses becuz shaq’s still sad from his divorce and dwade injures himself on chuck hayes like last year)

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Oct.30 at 10:42 pm
    I’m not really feeling this Hawks-in-the-Playoff talk myself, though this is definitely the best roster they’ve had in five years.

  • Co Co Posted: Oct.31 at 12:37 am
    You’re on Khalid and T-Lue is on the Hawks roster.

  • Lang Whitaker Posted: Oct.31 at 2:35 am
    When the Hawks make the Playoffs, Khalid has to wear a Zaza Pachulia jersey. Size medium. I’m buying.

  • Holly MacKenzie Posted: Oct.31 at 3:34 am
    “Maybe Gilbert Arenas injures his wrist while blogging, or maybe Shaq accidentally eats Dwyane Wade.” Loving this line. haha Seriously though, while I don’t consider myself a huge fan of the hawks (I’m with Ben on loving all of the teams), I am a HUGE fan of the underdog and feel good stories and everyone knows there is not a team out there who is more deserving of a good season. As much as I feel for the players themselves, they can always get traded to a team with brighter playoff hopes. It is the Hawks fans who I feel for, because when your team is killing you year after year it takes a true fan to keep on loving even when you don’t believe. I am hoping this year will be the year where Hawks fans get to believe. Not in too much, of course, but that they feel they need to catch all of their games because they don’t want to miss out on the moment where it all comes together. I don’t think they will make the play offs unless some other teams really do implode, but I think this will be the closest they will come in awhile and it sure is going to be exciting. Of course, with the way the NBA usually works the Hawks probably will end up in the playoffs! The minutes the starters were playing in preseason was sick, thankfully they are a young team. I am looking forward to seeing them play this year and I am looking forward to Acie’s nba rookie season as well.
    Very entertaining recap, Lang, and I look forward to reading your stuff with the Hawks blogging team. You are EVERYWHERE!!

  • Tariq Posted: Oct.31 at 4:39 am
    The concept of the “long-suffering” fan has always fascinated and baffled me. When it comes down to it, why do you care if your home team wins?I mean, if you love the game, wouldn’t it make more sense to go through cycles of rooting for teams and/or players that play the style you enjoy? I can understand rooting for the Suns (offensive juggernaut, fun to watch) or Celtics (KG), but why should I care about a team that has sucked since time immemorial? I’m just wondering….

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