Atlanta Hawks Preview

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Back to back posts, here we go.

ATLANTA HAWKS

Key Additions: Devin Harris (trade), John Jenkins (rookie), Kyle Korver (trade), Anthony Morrow (trade), Deshawn Stevenson (trade), Louis Williams (FA), Anthony Tolliver (FA).

Key Losses: Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Kirk Hinrich, Tracy Mcgrady.

Projected Starting Lineup: I honestly have no idea how they are going to actually do their lineup, this is what I would do.
PG: Harris
SG: Jeff Teague
SF: Morrow
PF: Josh Smith
C: Al Horford

Role Players: Korver, Zaza Pachulia, Tolliver, Stevenson, Jenkins, Williams, Ivan Johnson

Comments: The Hawks the last few years were stagnate. They had assembled a roster that on paper should do very well. With J-smoove, SuperJoe, and Horford, they had 3 all-star caliber players. They just could never put it together and even reach a conference finals. With a new GM, Danny Ferry, they decided to rid themselves of players they were paying too much, Johnson and Marvin Williams. Now, they are a little younger, saving a lot of money, and setting themselves up for a big time free agent to come and join the talented Smith and Horford. I have read theories that the Hawks want both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard next year. Supposedly, the both have connections to the Atlanta area, and want to play together anyway. While I give this about a 1% chance of happening, that team would be very scary. They will be able to get a big time free agent though, perhaps a James Harden or Steph Curry, if either fail to get a new contract.

Devin Harris had so much potential when he was on the Mavericks. Many wanted the Mavs to get rid of Kidd to pave the way for Harris to take over. He was quick, fearless to the hoop, and had a nice little jump shot. The Mavs did not go on this path, and Harris never reached his potential. Now, he is still a good passer, but shoots way too many 3's. He has lost that killer instinct to constantly push the tempo to the basket. This is the highlight of his career. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afz7lz7KGM. Teague is this teams real PG, but we will get to him. Lou Williams is a combo guard that is a really good scorer off the bench. I think the Sixers will regret letting him go, because he is clutch and can light it up quickly. Really an underrated player.

Jeff Teague is a PG, but the Hawks will probably start with both him and Harris in the starting lineup. He is really quick and has got a neat floater. His turnovers and inconsistency have been problems, but the Hawks never expected this kind of production from Teague when the drafted him. I am excited to see how he gets along with Joe Johnson (a known ball stopper), to see if he can get Smith and Horford involved so that they can be at their best. The rookie I wanted the Nuggets to get this year was John Jenkins. They could have, but they didn't. Jenkins is probably the best shooter in the draft, and I think he could be a very useful player when he picks up the other aspects of his game. Stevenson will likely get a lot of playing time as well. Supposedly, he has slimmed down, but his patented unnecessary fadeaway shot will always be inconsistent. He will always be remembered for shutting down Wade and LeBron for the Mavs in the 2011 finals. He also thinks he is Michael Jordan, which is an admirable quality for such a bad player.

At SF, the Hawks have probably two of the best shooters in the NBA in Morrow and Korver. They are both lights out from deep, but can't really do much else. Korver was part of the hustle squad on the Bulls bench for the last few years, and Morrow has been stuck on the lifeless Nets and Warriors. Both will be counted on to lift up their scoring a little more, especially Morrow, to make up for the losses of Johnson and Williams.

Josh Smith is one of the biggest enigmas in the NBA. This guy is ultra athletic, blocks shots, can score inside, rebound, cover guards and centers a like. BUT, he has had the same problem his whole career. He settles for the outside shot. Way too much. He will make a 3, and then shoot a bunch more the rest of the game. Anyways, he still is an all-star caliber player despite that because he can do so many other things.  Smith, and Horford are the reasons this team will still be very competitive even come playoff time. I also am interested to see what kind of role he takes without Joe Johnson, he will be needed to score more consistently, and take over late like Johnson used to. Anthony Tolliver and Ivan Johnson are the backup forwards. Tolliver is a solid outside shooter, but lacks the defensive effort. Ivan Johnson has a lot of effort and athleticism, but lacks the ball skills. The two of them combined would make a very nice player.

The Hawks desperately missed Al Horford last year (as did my fantasy team). He is one of the best post players in the NBA, especially because he can hit the 18 foot jump shot. He is more of a PF in his game, and many have said that he should move to that position, so he doesn't have to cover larger people and waste his energy on defense. I like this theory, but the Hawks have never had a center that can cover other centers better, so Horford stays. Zaza Pachulia is the backup, and actually played very well in Horford's absence. He is a solid rebounder and can do this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAcerISqI8s.

Everyone knows this is a transition year for the Hawks. There are two types of transition years, one in which you are rebuilding, and another in which you are retooling. The Hawks have no plans to rebuild, but they will attempt to retool. I assume they will go aggressively at free agents in the offseason, but for now, expect them to be in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with an early exit.

Next Up, Los Angeles Clippers