(a sorta) League Preview: Atlanta Hawks

Having reviewed the sorriest teams, the lottery likelies, and the might be somethings, our attention is now on some serious League powers. This tier of teams will absolutely play in the post-season. Whether they can do much after the first or second round is more doubtful. Joining the Hornets and Jazz is the second best squad in the stacked Southeast.

Atlanta Hawks

PG Mike Bibby Jeff Teague

SG Joe Johnson Jamal Crawford

SF Marvin Williams Maurice Evans

PF Josh Smith Joe Smith

C Al Horford Zaza Pachulia Randolph Morris

The surest sign that the Leastern Conference is no more is the position of the Atlanta Hawks. Led by perennial all star Joe Johnson, Atlanta has the fire-power, depth and veteran leadership to win 50 plus games. Their core is entering its third season together, and will almost inarguable improve. Yet with all these positive signs, the Hawks are no better than the four seed.

Johnson’s game is ultra smooth. His shot appears effortless even several feet beyond the three point line. He has the strength and length to play on the block, and the sweet handle to get into the paint off the bounce. Johnson is even a skilled defender. Though he does not get the shine of LeBron or the Kobster, he is clearly among the NBA’s elite swingmen.

Not as polished as the All-Star Johnson, forward Josh Smith has similar top shelf skills. A human pogo stick, Smith has the potential to lead the League in shot blocks as well as dunks. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Smith still has some growing to do despite entering his 6th in the NBA. An absolute brick layer from the perimeter, Smith chucked up 87 3’s last year, connecting on less than 30%. He also has displayed a tendency to pout and withdraw when frustrated. Word is that Smith entered training camp with a new found focus. Atlanta hopes so.

Atlanta’s third major talent is former Gator champion Al Horford. Unlike Smith, Horford has had his head screwed on straight since he entered the League. A very strong rebounder and defender, Horford provides the toughness and strength to control the lane. Though under-sized, Horford’s foot work and body control allow him to compete with bigger centers. He is not an offensive dynamo, but he has excellent hands and the ability to finish in traffic.

12th year point guard Mike Bibby and former number one draft pick Marvin Williams complete a very good starting five. Bibby is on the back end of a solid and at times spectacular career. While he has never been known as a defender, his steady leadership on offense suits the Hawks quite well. Williams has been slowed by repeated injuries, and he will likely never escape the shadow of Deron Williams and Chris Paul. That said, he has a truck load of talent and seems satisfied in his supporting role.

Off the bench, Atlanta had added several proven rotation players and an exciting rookie. As much as Jamal Crawford is a proven loser, he is also a pure scorer and an upgrade from Flip Murray. Joe Smith is an excellent third big. Wake Forest alum Jeff Teague has reportedly been a force in the Hawks training camp. A big, strong point guard, Teague excels in many of the areas that Bibby struggles.

The potential for improvement of Smith, Horford and the rookie Teague make it difficult to place a hard ceiling on Atlanta’s prospects for the 09-10 season. Certainly for the regular 82 and the first round, they will be as exciting as the League has to offer. Yet with Boston, Orlando and Cleveland as their betters, Atlanta’s growth into a contender seems at least another season away.