SI on Hawks!!!!!!

[Zone034life]

Beating the Heat

Southeast rivals make big strides to catch Miami

Posted: Thursday August 30, 2007 1:02PM; Updated: Thursday August 30, 2007 6:07PM

The Hawks impressed many by taking Al Horford (left) and Acie Law IV in the draft.

AP

Laugh if you will, but every team in the Southeast can make a logical argument why it can win the division. While, in part, that speaks to how much the aging Heat have come back to the pack, it also hints at the improving talent in Orlando, Charlotte and, yes, Atlanta. This is going to be a tight race, as the kids try to focus on winning consistently and veterans such as Shaq just try to stay focused. If what happened over the summer is any indication, however, Shaq had better show up to start the season in shape for a change because this division is coming for him.

Atlanta Hawks

What went right:

• They drafted well.

For a team that has made a habit of puzzling fans and experts alike with their draft selections in recent years, the Hawks seem to have finally gotten it right with Al Horford and Acie Law IV. Neither may have the most upside, but both are as close to NBA-ready as the college game has to offer. Horford will bolster a frontcourt that needed more off the glass and around the hoop, and while Law may not be Deron Williams or Chris Paul, he could be the tempo-directing point this team has long lacked.

• They didn't give into temptation.

Josh Smith has alternately thrilled the coaching staff with his eye-opening athletic gifts and driven it to distraction by butting heads with their instructions. With an abundance of swingmen, Smith has often found himself in many a trade rumor. To Atlanta's credit, they didn't deal him this summer (at least as of this writing). When you have a 6-foot-9 player who can block more than two shots a game, why would you trade that?

What went wrong:

• The ownership situation has yet to be resolved.

The tug-of-war between the multi-headed ownership group and a former partner in that group, Steve Belkin, hangs like an anchor over most of what this franchise does. Free-agent deals, front-office personnel decisions -- everything running a franchise entails is never quite clear cut with Belkin still in the mix and, more important, still at war with his former co-owners.

• Is that all?

With some $6 million in salary-cap space, a glut of swingmen and a yawning need for more defense the Hawks have passed on the summer season. Whether or not that has been a result of their buyer's remorse over Speedy Claxton or because the aforementioned unresolved ownership situation, the Hawks could have made plenty of plays for defensive-minded players such as Mickael Pietrus, Ruben Patterson or even a James Posey. They didn't, and that could hurt.

GRADE: B

The Hawks have been quiet, but effective, this summer filling some big holes through the draft and retaining one of the league's youngest rosters. But coach Mike Woodson, who is in the last year of his contract, needs to at least contend late into the season, and given the East's relative weakness, perhaps even reach the postseason. He appears to have the talent to do so; does he have the coaching chops?

[Yubs]

Nice article. It's very refreshing to see someone actually sit down, evaluate our talent, and see the potential for success from this team, rather than just write a snide little remark like, "It's the Hawks, who cares?"

[gsuteke]

they compliment Billy for drafting Law and Horford for the same reason they roasted him for drafting Shelden.

does anyone else see the irony in that?

[uga2006]

The only thing that didn't make sense in the article was the guy saying we should've went after a Pietrus or Patterson. Did he forget how many small forwards we have on this team?

[shug94]

We do have enough small forwards, but he was right in that we still need a SOLID upgrade defensively. This may happen over the course of a few seasons with our own guys' improvement, or it can come from adding free agents.

[hawks]

I dont think adding a Mickael or Patterson would have been a good move because unless we run JJ at point..they would really have no consistent PT or spot nah mean.

I think Marvin has the tools to become a good Defensive presence

and we already know smoove is on the help side..Acie Law is a underrated defender too so him and speedy could potentially be pretty disruptive in teams backcourts

[shug94]

Acie was a pretty good defender in college, but that does not mean that he will necessarily be a good defender in the NBA.

I hope he is though!

[DavidSomerset]

Wow, that lowers the credibility.

[Zone034life]

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Wow, that lowers the credibility.

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I believe the Hawks are the one of if not the worst covered teams in the national media today. The only thing that might change that is if they begin winning.Most of them have Marvin Williams as the Hawks starting Power Forward. We all know thats not true but thats what he played at UNC so they just figure that is what he is for the Hawks.

[mrhonline]

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Wow, that lowers the credibility.

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Well, to play devil's advocate, Smith is kinda like a swingman playing the 4. He likes to hang out on the perimeter and doesn't really have a post-up game to speak up.

I do agree that the "Marvin is a PF" comments are ridiculous.

[Swatguy]

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Wow, that lowers the credibility.

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Well, to play devil's advocate, Smith is kinda like a swingman playing the 4. He likes to hang out on the perimeter and doesn't really have a post-up game to speak up.

I do agree that the "Marvin is a PF" comments are ridiculous.

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He ain't Maurice Lucas.