Hawks

By Jesse

October 3, 2005 04:21 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see them win at least 26 games and double their total from last season, but at the same time anything more than 35 wins would probably exceed my expectations. To me, this year the Hawks are still fairly early in the rebuidling process and I’m willing to be patient and watch this young team develop without any real playoff expectations.

By Harry Hawk

October 3, 2005 06:10 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks can get 26-30 wins this year, they can seriously make a run at the playoffs in ‘06-‘07, so I’ll take 26 wins. However, if they don’t win that many, I think Woodson might get the ol’ heave-ho.

By HB Ando (Andy)

October 3, 2005 06:34 PM | Link to this

I think winning 50% of their home games is a reasonable goal. That’s 21 wins. I think picking up 5-10 wins on the road seems within reach. So 26-31 wins seems like a target that should have some teeth. Based on the development of Smith and Childress, the condition and health of Harrington, coming into camp, the acquisitions of Zaza and Edwards in the paint, a full season of Lue, a draft pick that many feel is the steal of the draft, in Stoudamire, and the addition of the antcipated cornerstone of the future, Joe Johnson, this team should have improved at every position on the floor this season. If that doesn’t translate into a significant improvement in wins (again, we’re not asking for .500 ball or the playoffs), it’s not unreasonable to look at the coaching staff for some accountability. Given the youth and inexperience of the team, though, I think they’ll best be judged on how they play the last half of the season (possible mid-season moves could impact that in a number of ways, ie: Harrington does get moved, but it’s for unproven potential or future #1 picks versus the big man that we all crave-who just isn’t going to materialize). I’ve heard others say that quality big men are out there for the taking, if we will just dangle some of our young talent.

Let me say this: talented big men are so scarce, that two centers who have never averaged double figures in EITHER points or rebounds both just signed contracts for over $10 million per year. Now given starters’ minutes, Zaza’s numbers extrapolate to a double-double. At $4 million per, let’s see who gets the best end of that deal next season.

By buddy@sundaysportstalk.com

October 3, 2005 07:00 PM | Link to this

The hawks will win 35+ games this season

— Buddy

By Andruw

October 4, 2005 12:08 AM | Link to this

I believe 30-35 wins is a realistic expectations. It will be a struggle until the end of Dec. Then the team will start to gel together and show glimpses of what they are going to be.

Starting line up in the 2nd half.

C-Zaza Pachulia PF-Josh Smith SF-Marvin Williams SG-Josh Childress PG-Joe Johnson

Behold the future of the next exciting and great Hawks team. Not one player over 25 and everyone locked up for the next 4 years. All of which will get extended contracts when they come up, right Hawks Owners?

By tb

October 4, 2005 02:33 AM | Link to this

I am sure that Hawks management is more aware of Harrinton’s value to the team than all the fans that want to trade him. Harrington and JJ are our only proven starters until Chil, Smith and Williams show that the can compete and win at their positions as starters. If we trade Al for a player who is not NBA ready, we take a step backwards in our progress. With Harrington the Hawks can win 25-35 games this year.

By AaronB

October 4, 2005 07:35 AM | Link to this

I think that 26-35 is doing pretty well for the Hawks next year. But however, I do believe that if they gel well enough before the all-star break, they could even reach for .500. I still don’t think people should try to trade off Al just yet. You guys admit you like him, but want to trade him is weird. Like I said in a previous post, I’d rather have 3 great players playing for 2 positions then the opposite.

By Swatguy

October 4, 2005 08:38 AM | Link to this

It is unacceptable to have 26 wins as such a low total. The aim should be atleast the playoffs.I believe Al Harrington will have a career season, Marvin and Salim to be All-Rookie as well. I do expect a lot from the coaches/coaching, to propell this group early and growth late as the season unfolds. The Hawks have much youth and promise, it will take a committed team to gel early. I hope this team is committed to conditioning, sacrifice and strong leadership. We have talent our direction to be towards 40-42 wins and the playoffs.

By crs

October 4, 2005 01:30 PM | Link to this

The key to this years team is defense, Mike Woodson is supposed to be a great defensive coach and we keep drafting players according to Billy Knight based on “wingspan” for defense and versatility. Last year, the defense was otrocious. We got blown out way too often. This team needs to strive for 500 and 41 wins, anything less than 30 in a very weak eastern conference is unacceptable.

By Jesse

October 4, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this

The Eastern Conference is not as weak as it used to be. The Heat, Pistons, and Pacers are all as good as any team in the West and are legitimate title contenders. Teams that were easy wins only two seasons ago (like Cleveland, Chicago, and Washington) are now legitimate playoff contenders. And then you still have very good teams who are usually in the playoffs, like New Jersey, Philly, and Boston. Even the Magic and the Knicks are better than they have been recently.

By Robert

October 4, 2005 03:18 PM | Link to this

Hey “crs”, whatever that is, one of the most impressive things about last season that we kept so many games close. I don’t know what you’re talking about “getting blown out way too often”. I have a hinkering you just really don’t know anything about this team.

By jhan

October 4, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this

30 wins would be acceptable this season. I agree that the main focus should be on defense. Hopefully we will find a center that doesn’t fall down every time somebody touches him in the paint!

By doc

October 4, 2005 05:27 PM | Link to this

well lets hope they can string together two in a row at some point this season and win more than one game on the road. that in itself might be an improvement over last year.

i will not evaluate this team on wins alone, look to phoenix the year before or maybe miami as their wins went up with the addition of a significant player, the margin in wins and losses is really very close. i would like to also hear what we need to see happen to give us optimism going into next year than worry too much about wins alone as a measure of success.

By ray

October 4, 2005 07:41 PM | Link to this

Good comments, doc. One season is not something one should go by when judging the team, its coaches and ownership. Unless of course, something really wonderful happens (like playoffs or very nearly playoffs) or something insanely dreadful happens (less than 10 wins, that sort of thing).

By Samuel

October 4, 2005 09:29 PM | Link to this

Did I hear someone hear say .500? We won’t even respond to that one.

The East Weak? Other than San Antonio the next top five teams are in the East. You guys obviously haven’t been keeping up very well the last few months.

Realistically Cuz,

Twenty-six(26) wins would be about all I could expect from this squad, however, I would not be surprised if we could only muster a “dub”.

I guess for traditional Hawks fans, that’s good. But for a transplant “ATAlien”, I can’t handle it.

By doc

October 4, 2005 10:38 PM | Link to this

hang in there samuel remember atlanta appeared out of the ashes of the civil war. you just dont know what it was like to live in loserville during the 60’s through the 80’s. the hawks with some success in coming from st louis and the flames who were gone when the real estae market went belly up were it baby.

i am optimistic because i think ownership is interested in providing a product to the point they jettisoned the one person that quickly was identified as going against that grain. now whether they deliver is a different matter.

if present management does fail, i.e. bk and woodson, they have shown the rest of the league they arent going to back down to see it done the way their pro in charge wants to do it right or wrong. that in itself will buy some chips into the game or credibility for getting a big name gm if that is what they have to do. they had no choice by after that move by the megalomaniac.

some may not remember but jerry west pulled out at the last minute when he saw the potential chaos that was coming as aol was bailing. no business spends when they are shopping a sale in fact they try to rob as much as they can from the investment for any residual cash and aol fit that bill perfectly. any person in the future would smell that rat if not delt with.

yeah samuel it has been a lot of fun watching ineptness and lack of committment for the past 6 years or more. more people went to see a potential nba star play in high school than went to nba games with the “real” stars. i pray you will be able to enjoy some of the intangibles that we may see rather than tangible wins. your number is very realistic and echoes ray and andy among other knowledgable folks.

maybe we can all look back and remember the down history and laugh as they routinely win 50 a year and we call it mediocrity because they havent won it all. opps, that is the party line for some fans in the atlanta area; can it invade this hawk culture?

By Big Papa

October 6, 2005 07:36 PM | Link to this

First, I would be delighted with 26 wins! That doubles our win total - showing improvement and still allows us to be eligible for one last lottery protected first round draft pick - after which I hope we are never in the lottery again.

Second, this is our core team. We need Al Harrington. Look at what other successful teams are doing - stockpiling talent. 82 games is a long season and players will get hurt. We need as many quality players coming off the bench as well as starting.

Finally, it certainly is a fan’s perogative to express their opinion. I am just glad you care enough to do so but teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, the New England Patriots all have three things in common: a) a strong system (ownership and general management with a focus on the long term)

b) a collective chemistry (coaching with a focus on the short term - win now!)

c) and personal passion (players that dig deep within to discipline and motivate self).

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Go Hawks in 2005 and beyond!

By BRANDON

October 7, 2005 05:56 PM | Link to this

26 WINS THATS NOTHIN WE NEED 2 GO 2 THE PLAYOFFS THIS TEAM HAS 2 MUCH TALENT NOT 2 WE NEED 2 STOP SETTING LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS TEAM IF THEY DONT MAKE IT 2 PLAYOFFS I AM THROUGH WITH THEM I HAVE BEEN WAITIN 4 7 YEARS FOR THEM 2 WIN