CNN/SI Sneak peek at East contenders

[HawkItus]

Posted: Wednesday July 21, 2010 2:30PM ; Updated: Thursday July 22, 2010 10:58AM

Ian Thomsen

Ian Thomsen>INSIDE THE NBA

More ColumnsEmail Ian ThomsenFollow Ian Thomsen on Twitter

Sneak peek at East contenders

Story Highlights

Criticism of Heat's stars may provide Miami unifying defiance Pat Riley teams love

Celtics' continuity may not be enough to overcome decline of star trio vs. Heat

New coach, emphasis on transition game should keep Hawks among elite in East

• Atlanta Hawks (53 wins last season). It's a big mistake to write off Atlanta based on its unprecedented postseason drubbing by the Magic. The Hawks' young trio of Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams is still maturing around Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, and Jeff Teague will be given additional minutes at point guard to make them more explosive in transition. They're deep and athletic, and coach Larry Drew may provide new energy after serving as an assistant the last few years. Johnson's max contract was controversial, but the Hawks will be glad to have him back next season.

Find this article at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/07/21/east.contenders/index.html

[T21]

Posted: Wednesday July 21, 2010 2:30PM ; Updated: Thursday July 22, 2010 10:58AM

Ian Thomsen

Ian Thomsen>INSIDE THE NBA

More ColumnsEmail Ian ThomsenFollow Ian Thomsen on Twitter

Sneak peek at East contenders

Story Highlights

Criticism of Heat's stars may provide Miami unifying defiance Pat Riley teams love

Celtics' continuity may not be enough to overcome decline of star trio vs. Heat

New coach, emphasis on transition game should keep Hawks among elite in East

• Atlanta Hawks (53 wins last season). It's a big mistake to write off Atlanta based on its unprecedented postseason drubbing by the Magic. The Hawks' young trio of Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams is still maturing around Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, and Jeff Teague will be given additional minutes at point guard to make them more explosive in transition. They're deep and athletic, and coach Larry Drew may provide new energy after serving as an assistant the last few years. Johnson's max contract was controversial, but the Hawks will be glad to have him back next season.

Find this article at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/07/21/east.contenders/index.html

Good article!

We're not going to dissappear for sure!

There's a very strong reason why ASG and Sund don't want to break up our core... unlike many other teams, we have huge room for improvement from within (still) and luxury of having continuous build-up of chemistry...

Our biggest problem was our offense!

We never played up to our strenghts: high-tempo basketball (athleticism), movement, longer rotation (a must!)... I don't see many teams who could keep up with us!

With new coach, another year of maturity, I think we're just fine!

P.S. This year we're not gonna judge our Hawks by regular season win total, but by the way we play and how far we go in the Playoffs...

[IHeartAtlanta]

one of the first articles not discing the hawks this offseason, Great Find I Like it :newspaper:

[Joker]

one of the first articles not discing the hawks this offseason, Great Find I Like it :newspaper:

+1

[Buzzard]

Posted: Wednesday July 21, 2010 2:30PM ; Updated: Thursday July 22, 2010 10:58AM

Ian Thomsen

Ian Thomsen>INSIDE THE NBA

More ColumnsEmail Ian ThomsenFollow Ian Thomsen on Twitter

Sneak peek at East contenders

Story Highlights

Criticism of Heat's stars may provide Miami unifying defiance Pat Riley teams love

Celtics' continuity may not be enough to overcome decline of star trio vs. Heat

New coach, emphasis on transition game should keep Hawks among elite in East

• Atlanta Hawks (53 wins last season). It's a big mistake to write off Atlanta based on its unprecedented postseason drubbing by the Magic. The Hawks' young trio of Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams is still maturing around Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, and Jeff Teague will be given additional minutes at point guard to make them more explosive in transition. They're deep and athletic, and coach Larry Drew may provide new energy after serving as an assistant the last few years. Johnson's max contract was controversial, but the Hawks will be glad to have him back next season.

Find this article at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/07/21/east.contenders/index.html

I agree that we will not disappear. But adding Shaq would give us a valid shot at beating anyone in the post season. No Shaq and it will still be the at best a 2nd round exit.