10 Games To Watch in 07-08

[Zone034life]

10 Games To Watch In 2007-08

by Micah Hart

Though last season began promisingly enough with a 4-1 start, a hail of injuries cast a pall over the entire campaign and kept the team from its goal of competing for a playoff spot. This year the Hawks hope to reverse the curse, and with a healthy roster take care of the business left unfinished from a year ago. With the continued maturity of players like Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, the quiet leadership of All-Star Joe Johnson, and a new infusion of talent from draft picks Al Horford and Acie Law, the team hopes to get back to the postseason for the first time in nine years.

There will be plenty of tests along the way though, that's for sure. Let's take a closer look at the Hawks schedule for 2007-08 season and see which match-ups Hawks fans should be circling on their calendars:

An Early Test (And A Big One At That)

Hawks vs Mavericks, Fri. Nov 2

The schedule makers didn't do the Hawks any favors with the start of their season, but hey - you gotta play the big boys at some point, right? Atlanta opens the season at home for the first time in six years with Dallas, a team that despite a spectacular playoff flameout a year ago still won 67 games. The Mavs will be out to prove that the end of the season was the fluke, not their record. A win here would give the Hawks a ton of confidence to begin the season.

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

Hawks vs. Suns, Wed. Nov 7

Continuing the early onslaught, the high-flying Phoenix Suns come to town on Nov. 7 in what promises to be an incredibly entertaining game. The Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak to the Suns last year with an unexpected win on the road, while Phoenix returned the favor at Philips Arena. If the Hawks are going to emerge from this battle victorious, they'll have to do a better job against Suns big man Amare Stoudemire, who dropped 43 points and 16 rebounds on them in the last meeting.

Taking On The Champs

Hawks vs. Spurs, Tue. Nov 20

The Spurs won their fourth title in nine years last season, and they continue to churn along with class and dignity. One reason the Spurs have done so well over the years? Continuity. They have had the same nucleus of players (and front office staff) for several years. The Hawks are trying to replicate that as well, and a win over the defending champs would go a long way towards showing the Atlanta youth movement is ready to step up to the next level. It's pick your poison with the Spurs top trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, so expect the Hawks to have their hands full (and then some).

Year Four In The Reign Of King James

Hawks vs Cavaliers, Wed. Jan 9

The moment everyone was waiting for with LeBron James occurred during last year's Eastern Conference Finals, as LBJ scored Cleveland's last 25 points in a Game 5 double-OT win over the Pistons. The Cavs made the NBA Finals for the first time ever, but didn't last very long in the Spurs' four-game sweep. Still, many want to proclaim the Cavs the Beast of the East for the foreseeable future. The Hawks will get their first crack at the Cavs at Cleveland on January 2, then play host to them a week later on January 9th. Atlanta has taken at least one game from Cleveland in the last two seasons, both times on the road. Let's see if they can't nab one at home.

Getting The Monkey Off Our Back

Hawks at Bobcats, Wed. Feb 13

What is it about the Charlotte Bobcats that vexes the Hawks so much? In each of Charlotte's three seasons in the NBA, they have won their season series against Atlanta by a count of 3-1, despite having inferior talent every time (well, you could argue about 2004). Have the Hawks been taking them too lightly in the past? Perhaps. But this year, with the addition of Jason Richardson, the Bobcats appear to have narrowed the talent gap even further. The Hawks will get four more cracks to overthrow their masters, including the Feb. 13 game at Charlotte, the team's last game before the All-Star break.

The Start To The Second Season

Hawks at Lakers, Tue. Feb 19

The NBA All-Star weekend hits New Orleans this season, and the Hawks better use the time off to rest up (except for the players who will be participating - Joe, Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Acie Law perhaps) because they hit the road for a five-game west coast trip once it's done, starting in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Feb. 19. Who knows what the Lakers will look like come February, with Kobe's on-again off-again trade demands, but either way, a win in this game would be a tremendous start to a tough stretch that begins the season's second half.

Hey, That Could Happen To Us!

Hawks vs Warriors, Tue. Mar 4

Remember when Golden State was the laughingstock of the NBA? It wasn't that long ago. In fact, they were still considered a bunch of bums as late as March of last year, but a terrific late-season run and an improbable first-round playoff victory over Dallas later and presto - the Warriors became NBA darlings. Well, I for one couldn't help but notice the obvious parallels for our Hawks (who, incidentally, swept the Warriors last season). A little winning goes a long way, and if the Hawks can put together a similar run this year, the disappointments of the past decade will be forgotten but quick. The Hawks host the team they hope to emulate on March 4, and look to continue a three-game winning streak against Baron Davis and the boys.

Fond Remembrances Of Seasons Past

Hawks at Nets, Wed. Mar 19

The Hawks return to the scene of one of their most thrilling victories in 2006-07, a 101-99 OT win courtesy of Tyronn Lue's buzzer-beating 3-pointer. With Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Vince Carter all back for another run, expect New Jersey to once again be very competitive in the Eastern Conference (unless they trade Kidd, in which case all bets are off). The win on February 4 was the Hawks first in ten tries in New Jersey. They'll need to continue to improve their road record again this season if they want to compete for a playoff spot.

The Big Three: Success Or Failure?

Hawks vs. Celtics, Sat. Apr 12

The team that made the biggest splash this offseason was, without question, the Boston Celtics, who mortgaged the future of the franchise to acquire Hall of Fame talents Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to team up with Celtics stalwart Paul Pierce. How will they fare as a trio this season? Who knows? What we do know is the Hawks face them early on in Boston (November 9th), but Atlanta fans who want to see the triumvirate up close and personal will only get one chance, during the last Saturday home game of the season on April 12. By then we will have all the answers we need about both teams, and hopefully a battle of two teams for playoff positioning down the home stretch.

A Crucial Division Battle (Hopefully)

Hawks vs Magic, Tue. Apr 15

The NBA's Southeast Division could be the most competitive in the league this year. While it may not have the top-tier teams like the Southwest, it may be the only one with five teams who come into the season with legitimate division title aspirations. One team that holds those goals is the Magic, who made a huge move in free-agency this summer by adding All-Star SF Rashard Lewis to pair with beastly big man Dwight Howard. These two teams meet in the season's last home game on Tuesday, April 15, and who knows what might be up for grabs. The Hawks won the season series 3-1 a year ago, and will be happy if they can repeat that performance again this season against their improved neighbors to the South.

Micah Hart is the Manager of Websites for the Atlanta Hawks

[shug94]

Hopefully we can come through the firey crucible of those first few games a new and powerful foe for the rest of those teams to fear!

I am especially looking forward to those games after the allstar break! Lakers, Warriors, Celtics. Should be a fun time!