Hawks

By THL

October 30, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

40ish - 40ish

By mountain_jim

October 30, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

I know I am an optimist but I had low 40s in mind until the Marvin injury, but I am still going to be an optimist who believes this team is better than folks think and still predict 40 wins.

By Eric

October 30, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

I am calling for a .500 finish. 41-41…which will probably be good enough for a playoff berth in the East.

By THL

October 30, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

I guess I should have given somewhat of an explanation to my 40ish - 40ish prediction for the Hawks record. I think their defense will be improved. They will play faster (even without Marvin) and the young guys have more experience. They have (or at lease should have) a chip on their shoulder. Hopefully, the “experts” will be surprised by the Hawks winning 40-ish games.

By phar71

October 30, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

I’ve got 20 on them making the Play-offs with a buddy of mine. I just really want to believe so that is my prediction a playoff birth in 07! How lame is it that we cant watch the Season opener on TV?!

By Astro Joe

October 30, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

37 wins. 13-17 during Marvin’s absence and 24-28 when he returns.

And I am CRAZY ready for this season to start!

By Clyde

October 30, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

30-52

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

October 30, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

with marvin’s injury i am down two to think they will go for 34 wins this season. they are better this season than last on paper. if josh is a man this season then they go for more and push .500. if they go better than 7 and 13 to start the season i up it to chaallange for a playoff bid especially considereing that marvin is out and it represents their percentage wins after they put together last year after their awful start.

By The Flash

October 30, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

Over 500, but only if Woody uses JJ at the 3 for considerable periods, and JJ lends his muscle and athleticism there. Then, when MW comes back, Woody can move JJ back to his, er natural position, full time, that is, if anyone still thinks (I doubt you all will), that the 2 is where he really belongs. Just funnin, or am I, doc, heh, heh, heh.

Doc, lawyers can make big bucks; damn, I missed that course in law school, figures, huh?

By doc

October 30, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

flash, just getting paid by the hour was the emphasis. they dont make silly money either unless they “branch out” is my assumption.

very optimistic for the upcoming season.

By G-Money

October 30, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

Hey, I’ll stick with the 35 because I think that the entire team is better than expected, understand the game better, and are learning how to finish. Anything over that is gravy.

By Ricardo

October 30, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

34, but the ownership still stinks.

By newkid

October 30, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

42 - 40. Hawks win the 33-35 they’re expected to win, and catch 6-8 others with their trousers down (largely because league does not fully anticipate improvement in team’s overall play as result of influence of Speedy). S. Williams plays more effective minutes than any other 1st year player in league (particularly through December), and is rewarded with best rookie award.

By Gutz

October 30, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

I don’t think 40 wins is out of the question here at all. The Marvin injury really hurts this team and comes at the worst time but he will be back in 5 weeks i’m sure. Didn’t he get the exact same injury as Speedy and he is already back playing after 5 weeks? I don’t know why they are saying Marvin will take 6-8weeks when he is younger and should heal quicker than Speedy did. I think this team will definitely get to 35wins and hopefully more. Just all depends on how the youngsters step it up. I think Shelden(The Landlord) will be huge for us this year. His toughness and bullish attitude in the paint is what these team needs. So with that said I say between 35-40 wins. Go Hawks!

By Bertie

October 30, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

.500 (41-41) The team has improved, if they play with heart they will do it even with the injuries.

By Andy

October 30, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

I hope 10—go greg oden—i think the hawks will win 39 games.

By rob

October 30, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

I will have to go with 42-40 as well. Obviously the loss of Marvin will hurt us out of the gate, but luckily we play the sixers and knicks the first two games. I think we win both, build confidence, and Sheldon and Childress step up in Marvin’s absence making us better in the long run. We will finish the first half a few games shy of .500 and finish strong for the 8th seed.

By Mac

October 30, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this

Hawks will improve from last year, but not enough to fill/make one of the 8 playoff spots in the East. Hawks record for 2007-2007 season: 34 wins and 48 losses.

By crs

October 30, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

I tend to think Sekou is probably right on. That said, I would really like to see this team strive for .500 and be in the mix for the last playoff spot. I think that would be a solid season. Inside I am skeptical that we will be much better which I think continues to hold this team back. That said I think we have a solid nucleus with Joe, Marvin and Josh. It would help immensley to come out of the gate well.

By chris

October 30, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

43 wins…. 7th seed in the playoffs. The keys are going to be the young guys stepping up and mike woodson staying on top of these guys.

By honest_abe

October 30, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

i’ve said 36 wins before and i haven’t seen anything to really change my estimation.

damn, i wish i had been awake for the draft…lol

By jhan

October 30, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

39-43 is my prediction. They will finish 2 games out of the playoffs unfortunately.

By Jeff Gibson

October 30, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

KENNY ADELKE was released by his team , The Atlanta Hawks could use him behind S. Williams. Adeleke was No. 2 in college Rebounding in NCAA last year behind Milsap. Milsap has 15 in a Preseason game so Far, for Utah. Use him for a Season, try to sign him for a ten game Contract and use Him in NBDL. NBA Development League. He was not only avg 13.1 Rebounds in NCAA College Basketball He averaged 20.1 Points.

By Jeff Gibson

October 30, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

KENNY ADELEKE was released by his Team, He Averaged 13.1 Rebounds and 20.7 Points per game College Numbers. He could Play behind Sheldon Williams, While Marvin Williams is Injured if the Atlanta Hawks sign him to a Full year Contract And or a Ten Day Contract. The NBADL NBA Development League would also be a Possibility. Atlanta Should be better anyway 32-45 Wins.

By Tyger

October 30, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are considerably better. How many wins this translates to is difficult b/c so many other factors go into winning. 1. Injuries, 2. Officiating, 3. Chemistry.

Marvin wont hurt us as much, b/c he’ll be back soon and Shelden is better than advertised.

Officiating is where the Hawks will be hurt the most. You just cant touch Wade or Lebron or Kobe, etc. And that’ll really hurt us.

Chemistry has improved by adding role players versus stars we kept the core in tact and didnt bring big egos. Hopefully, playing team ball the right way will result in better results.

38-44, sniffing the playoffs.

By The Flash

October 30, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

That’s me, doc, optimistic. Not exactly. We definitely got better. Detroit, they got too many donnas, and Sheed is gonna lead em in dancing. Dancing ain’t gonna cut the cake; lost a lot with Ben; they will not be anywhere near as good in the last 10 minutes. Big stops? I don’t think so. And, Sheed is gonna set the tone, which will not be harmonic.

Ditto the Knicks. You think that they was bad last year? We’ll see worse this year.

Indiana, I think that there is a cancer that is growing there, and that they have had their best days. O’Neal, I’m thinking, is not liked by anyone, except our guy, and that that will not cut it.

Nets, Vince or Jefferson is goin down hard and will be out for a while. They can’t win without both.

Charlotte, MJ will be a negative force.

The Zards. The guy they got from Chicago is very important here and I fear that he is going to have, at best, a very spotty year physically. Gilbert is going to become unhappy, and will prevent others from reaching their offensive potential. They will miss Jefferson.

Now, does that sound all shiny and optimistic to you doc? Thought you knew me better than that.

Speedy, with his NY roots, just might prove to be the kind of leader that will let JJ relax. I’d love to see him relax a bit. I’d hate to have Shellie guarding me those last few minutes. We’ll see.

By Craig Francis

October 30, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

I am a optimist…I like the Hawks very much ,but I do think they are one or two seasons away from the playoffs. I think they will make significant strides this year ,and I am predicting a 38 win season barely out of playoff contention.

By Jimmy F

October 30, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Usually I wouldn’t suggest using polls and critics as motivation because it should come from within, but there isn’t a site or article or poll that even gives the Hawks credibility for being an NBA team. They are so overlooked and forgotten that its scary to think that they might be the Las Vegas Hawks if this keeps up. Now the players should use this as the gasoline to fire to succeed. If everyone expects failure, you physically cannot disappoint anyways. Somebody has to take initiative no matter which jersey it is. This is ridiculous look at ESPN Sportsnation poll and look at the disrespect. At some point two players need to seperate themselves from the bunch. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. No questions have to become All-Stars in order for ATL to get themselves out of the dungeon of gloom. No pressure, just do it. 43-39 is my bet, the only way to stay in Atlanta, especially if Belkin takes over.

By doc

October 30, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

good points flash, dont have the corridor info that you have for the eastern seaboard and you left out philly. agree that detroit is going to have to see their best days are behind them. what glue there was after they decompensated with brown there to lead the league only to falter when big ben got fed up is gone. no harmony ultimately and you will seee a lot of me first stuff there.

agree also and have said it, indiana is showing signs of blowing up. they think they got rid of their bad boy only to find out there were more hiding. can anyone say “it smells like portland”? it does appear that whatever afflictions there were in portland have come to roost in indiana. interesting that it will happen in the heartland under bird’s nose.

i can be optimistic if this team gets off to a huge start say 13 and 7 or 14 and 6 which they might if speedy lives up to what i think he can be and stays healthy. realistically, if speedy is above the average point then they will continue to rise but will need one more draft and a good free agent before they make the next level. that is what get me to think 34 to 36 wins are it. this team does have the makings of a suns type turn around if speedy is the man we hope he is.

By Chris McAndrew

October 30, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

12 wins.

By Chris McAndrew

October 30, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

in the 11-15 wins range

By Andrew

October 30, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

Hawks will make the playoffs, and Speedy Claxton will win the Most improved player award. Mark it down

By Volman145

October 30, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

I have been a Hawks OPTIMIST for around three or four years now..

I really think with Marvin back and the entire team healthy/playing to potential, that this Hawks team could be a playoff team and bring back some fans to ole Phillips Arena.

I hope and pray that Marvin gets better SOON. Very soon.

I’m going to say that the Hawks will win 30-36 games this year. There will be some games where the youth will HURT us, but there will be plenty of games where teams don’t bring their A games because they are “playing the Hawks”. We will get some pats on the back for improving, but still get lots of shots for being the “most exciting bad team to watch”. I hope all of this changes.

I can see us getting a playoff berth, but what is reasonable at the moment is 30-36 wins.

go Hawks!! Please prove us wrong and get us to the playoffs! We all believe you can do it.

By Gutz

October 30, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t think 40 wins is out of the question here at all. The Marvin injury really hurts this team and comes at the worst time but he will be back in 5 weeks i’m sure. Didn’t he get the exact same injury as Speedy and he is already back playing after 5 weeks? I don’t know why they are saying Marvin will take 6-8weeks when he is younger and should heal quicker than Speedy did. I think this team will definitely get to 35wins and hopefully more. Just all depends on how the youngsters step it up. I think Shelden(The Landlord) will be huge for us this year. His toughness and bullish attitude in the paint is what these team needs. So with that said I say between 35-40 wins. Go Hawks!

By Volman145

October 30, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

Jimmy F, I totally agree with you.

Joe Johnson will step up no doubt, but Josh Smith has really got to step up and have a leadership role with this team. He needs to atleast average 15 points and around 7 or 8 rebounds.. A couple blocks (his usual perfomance) will be a key factor. Last year in some of the wins the Hawks had Josh would come out of NOWHERE and block a shot.. go down on a fast break and dunk. If he can put stretches of that play together for a good part of the game, then that’s scary.

And just in general, who is saying that Oden is going to the NBA straight after the first year? Is it confirmed? I know he’s good, but is this what he has said?

GO HAWKS!

By Gutz

October 30, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

I don’t think 40 wins is out of the question here at all. The Marvin injury really hurts this team and comes at the worst time but he will be back in 5 weeks i’m sure. Didn’t he get the exact same injury as Speedy and he is already back playing after 5 weeks? I don’t know why they are saying Marvin will take 6-8weeks when he is younger and should heal quicker than Speedy did. I think this team will definitely get to 35wins and hopefully more. Just all depends on how the youngsters step it up. I think Shelden(The Landlord) will be huge for us this year. His toughness and bullish attitude in the paint is what these team needs. So with that said I say between 35-40 wins. Go Hawks!

By Volman145

October 30, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I just looked at the schedule.. and I counted around 53 games that the Hawks SHOULD compete in or be able to win (within reason based on last year’s teams and preseason outcomes).

If the Hawks can take care of 80 percent of those games, then that’s equal to 42-40.

That’s a good season for the Hawks. Now go out and do it!!! :)

By bobbo

October 30, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

Wow I credit your optimism folks, I think 28-32 wins, just a small improvement, my guess we can maybe see .500 in the ‘08-‘09 season

By bushwacker

October 30, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this

500??? How the can ask the city to support a team that you say may IMPROVE TO 500?

This team should win 50 and make the playoffs, at least that’s what the HAWKS should be saying!!!

By Harry Hawk

October 30, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

33 wins. Maybe a few more or a few less.

By HB Ando

October 30, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

Been saying 31-34 for months. Seen nothing that changes that opinion. But I’m trying to curb my negative ways. So, I’ll go the high side and take 34. They’ll play .500 at home (for 21) and .333 on the road (for about 13). They’ll end up with one of the five worst records in the league. They’ll have a shot at retaining that top-3 pick.

If they just miss keeping it, and hand Phoenix a pick in the 4-7 range, then the final cost in talent (Diaw, Rondo and whoever Phoenix picks) will have been too much for Johnson, no matter how good he is (and I expect him to make the all-star team this year). If they’re in the bottom five with 20 games left, they ought to play Shelden and Solomon and Salim and Ivey, and anybody else that figures to give them a better chance at keeping that pick.

And if you don’t believe that that kind of activity goes on (see Minny shutting down KG and Davis at the end of last season), then you are simply naive.

We add a top-3 pick to this roster next summer (Oden, Noah or Durant), resolve the ownership issue, and go in to free agency with that cap space in hand (and men with enough money to use it), and we’ll actually have something worth keeping both eyes on. Or, since some folks are getting antsy, we can trade the top-3 pick, and Marvin or Josh, and pick up Garnett. Go into ‘07/08 with Speedy, Johnson, Smith or Marvin, KG and the quartet of big men, in Zaza, Wright, Shelden and Jones.

A guy can wish, can’t he?

By DHD

October 30, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

41-41

Next year will be our breakout year.

By Akshay A

October 30, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this

28 wins max. Joe Johnson’s great, but he can’t be everywhere on the court. Claxton is a good backup, missing out on Brandon Roy (starting for Portland) as the best all around player in the draft will really hurt the hawks this year.

By Wink from Lithonia

October 30, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

It’s time to tip it off and get this season underway. I think the Hawks can get 37 - 38 wins.

If they can run the offense of Phoenix and assume roles like the Pistons, they may make the playoffs. Of course, defending the basket is a big key to any success.

Hate Marvin got hurt, but this will give Sheldon a chance to gain some much needed pro experience. I am not a big fan of any Duke players, let along this one, however, this is his time to prove me wrong. When Marvin returns, he will add to the depth or replace a struggling player and provide an upgrade at the 3 or 4 spot.

If these player can play full tilt when they are on the floor, we have got to improve from last year!

By GuyFromUruguay

October 30, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

I estimate 35 wins.

They will compete in many more (most games I hope), I hope they can finish more close games than last year, but I suspect they’ll lose some games they should have won on calls & inexperience.

By Richie Rich

October 30, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

32 wins, losing Marvin will hurt the Hawks out of the gate….and can someone please tell Ryan Cameron to stop the highlight comments after every open dunk we get, that’s really gay.

By David Duncan

October 30, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are on the decline No improvement this year. I predict 17 wins 65 losses. Finishing with the worst record in the NBA.

By David Duncan

October 30, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

The Hawks will have an NBA worst record of 17 Wins 65 losses in 2006-2007. No improvement. The Hawks continue their slide toward mediocrocity.

By thecamera

October 30, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

i’ve been debating this for months myself. i’m not sure that the loss of marvin is as bad as some people will thing because it will afford sheldon to get more minutes earlier in the season. i think the lo. wright signing may be as good as the speedy signing, because while the team needed a point, they needed a big just as bad. and, all young teams that take a step forward always sign a couple of under-the-radar vets that provide the leadership to push the team into the playoffs.

anyway, 37 wins, but one position out of the playoffs.

By roan st

October 30, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

O.K after the 2-16 start last season the hawks went 24-40. If they had played at that same clip ( 24-40) for the full season they would have won 33 last year. So I don’t think 40 wins is out of the question this season if they stay away from anymore injuries. So my prediction is 40-42 for the 2007 season.

By jeffery jones

October 30, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this

I love my Hawks……

53 wins and 29 losts ( oh yes!!!!! )

Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Bryant

October 30, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

i’ll say 36-42. hoping for a good season for our hawks!!!

By walter

October 30, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

40 wins

By Melvin

October 30, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

i say between 35 and 40 wins . hopefully, more… Ando, i hope we could get Noah or Oden next year as well. but as much as i like Durant. he’s a small forward. i couldn’t see where he could fit on this team with MW, JS and JC….

By Sir Stealth

October 30, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

I truly appreciate all the enthusiastic Hawks fans on this blog. I think Sekou’s 10 game improvement in the win column sounds about right. I think that Shelden, Speedy, and JJ will all be real positives. The thing is, we’ll probably end up like 4th or 5th in the lottery which sucks. Go Hawks!!!

By Swatguy

October 30, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

I believe we will start well, above .500 over the first 16-20 games. We will pick up after the All-Star break and finish well. 42-40

By Swatguy

October 30, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

I believe we will start well, above .500 over the first 16-20 games. We will pick up after the All-Star break and finish well. 42-40

By Wedgie Evans

October 30, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

38-39 wins sounds about right, considering our team, our track record, and the other teams in the conference. Unlike last year our early season schedule is not gonna rape us completely, so we shouldn’t be completely out of it when Marvin comes back. This team has a track record of starting poorly and improving in the 2nd half — I still think we will improve as the season goes along, but in the end I think we are gonna fall a little short of a playoff spot.

By jeremy

October 30, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

44-40. tight race at bottom section of playoff standings at end of the season. we will be 6th or 7th. once the city starts coming out to see them and people believing in the hawks, teams will start respectin’ more, things will fall in to place easier, etc. sad marvin is out for 6 mo’ weeks, but stoudamire’s gonna break out as well as sheldon…so it’s all good.

By Kappy

October 30, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this

i’d say less than 5% has predicted less than 28 wins for our hawks. not bad. but when you consider that vegas has our o/u for wins is at 28.5????? They tend to know more about this stuff than us. Or its our lottery ticket!!!j/k!!!!

By ray

October 30, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this

I hate making predictions for this. 30-41 wins. Why? 30 if injuries keep hitting and no good trade moves or waiver-wire pick ups are made to compensate, or there is a huge chemistry problem. 41 wins if a lot of things go right: youngsters step up, JJ has the all-star season, team chemistry is good, and Woody coaches his butt off. Not to mention we start closing out some games. I think there’s too many factors for me to make a comfortable prediction, really. But I do believe that even a mostly healthy Hawks team is significantly better than 26 wins…at least 8-10 games better.

By ray

October 30, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

The Knicks just waived Jalen Rose. Tell me we couldn’t use him! At least sign the dude for one season…Send somebody else to D-league.

By Chris

October 30, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

34

By Chris McAndrew

October 30, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

All this optimism has made me change my mind. Anytime a lot of fans are optimistic about the Hawks they do poorly…here’s my new number…

By Chris McAndrew

October 30, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

THREE if they’re lucky and catch a few breaks in at least two of those games.

By Melvin

October 30, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

WTF? Hawks 1st game wont be televised… I want my refund from the NBA League Pass I purchased….

By Melvin

October 30, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

WTF? Hawks 1st game wont be televised… I want my refund from the NBA League Pass I purchased….

By Melvin

October 30, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this

WTF? Hawks 1st game won’t be televised. i want a refund from my purchase of the NBA League Pass…

By Melvin

October 30, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

WTF? Hawks 1st game won’t be televised. i want a refund from my purchase of the NBA League Pass…

By John D

October 30, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

There are so many factors - but a minimum of 35 wins seems doable with a total in the low 40’s also possible.

Terrence Moore claims the Knicks are a 42 win team, well if that is the case then the East will dominate the league and all those excellent teams in the West are fictional! Terrence seems to have been mixing his substances, whether prescription or otherwise, and surely did not see the Knicks play last year. Did he ever see the Hawks?

There are some fragile teams in the East, the Nets were the only team in their division last year with a winning record, and the first 20-25 games will determine the year for some. Bad start and they are history and a good start may not mean a year of success. The Sixers, Knicks, Raptors, Wizards, Nets, Celtics, Bobcats, Bucks and possibly the Magic are all capable of going down early. Many of these could also set the tone for an excellent year in those early games but their fragile players and psyche give them more down side than up.

Detroit and Indiana are two of the better teams that could end with a 45-50 win season and not the 50+ of the recent past. If Miami loses Shaq and/or D. Wade for an extended period they are average. Ditto Cleveland and King James.

Chicago appears to be the team that can play through an injury to a starter or two since they are deep and do not have a dominant star like the others.

The Hawks have a legit shot at the playoffs.

By Aaron B

October 31, 2006 02:14 AM | Link to this

Hmmn, I see a much improved team. Even with Marvin out, I believe they’ll have a .500 team this year and barely make the 8th seed. Even though Marvin has vastly improved, I think he’ll hit the sophmore wall this season late. I also see Josh Smith having quite a few 20+ nights this year.

Speedy will either win or come close to most improved player, and JJ will make this All-star second team for the east this year. Even though his stats will eclipse one of the beloved starters(Vince Carter…Cough cough). But the media will slander the Hawks anyway out of habit.

By Andy

October 31, 2006 04:42 AM | Link to this

Sekou would you rather have the “Big Greek” or Bautista?

By doc

October 31, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this

sekou, nice article about the hawks rebuilding but you overstated that the hawks were ahead of the bulls in the process that took them four years to acheive where the hawks are in year two. the winning percentages for the two year and four year totals were about the same at .22 vs. .23 for the bulls and hawks respectively. i think we will do better than 16 wins a year the next two so we will leave them in the dust for rebuilding but we are at the same pace thus far.

it is hard to remember (and many forgot) that the bulls avg. 16 wins a year after they blew up their team the year after they got rid of the guys that were left from the mj era. i think we wil do better than that but it still remains to be seen.

agree with roan that the benchmark of .333 is important to this team. continue from that and build some wins to it and we move up the ladder and dont look back to the draft issue for 07 that keeps coming up whenever someone wants to throw sand in our faces or just throw up …. his knowledge that is. heh, heh

By Gecko

October 31, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

The Hawks were a 40-win team until Marvin went down. He is the most improved player on our team and the biggest reason they had a chance to get close to .500. I fear that a slow start without him will set us back a bit. Probably 30 wins if we get him back in 6 weeks, 25 if it takes longer than that.

By A Thinking Fan

October 31, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

I need to see a few games with Speedy at the helm before I prognosticate.

By The Flash

October 31, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Facts, thinkingman, you’re gonna start now to let things like that get in your way? Why the change? “we don’t need fancy, explanations, you never have to work that hard, we just need something, we can hang onto, we luv you just the way you are.” Young, and stupid! LOL

By Lacsho

October 31, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

41-41 I will stick with my earlier predictions. I think they will be in contention for a playoff spot. People always forget about the injuries, hopefully we’ll be through with ours by December. Just in time for Marvin to get back into the line up.

By John D.

October 31, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

There are two factors that appear to be ignored in these posts. The Hawks played hard and competed to the very end of the season last year. If you have followed the league that is an exception to the rule for losing teams. If they compete this year wins will come at the end.

Marvin Williams, while improved over last year, is not a “go to” guy now. Of the starters he can be replaced the easiest. Marvin is talented and works hard but he is still young and 82 games is a grind for the youngsters. The injury could end up being a blessing - he will be fresh in January and February when the other players in the league, young and old, are starting to feel the wear and tear of a long season.

By Chris

October 31, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Speaking of predictions lets take a quick look at the top rated rookies going into the season on nba.com

http://www.nba.com/rookies/rankings.html

1. Marcus Williams
2. Rajon Rondo

If either one of these guys gets rookie of the year and puts up better numbers than Speedy. What will you argument be next year for keeping Billy Knight around? Sheldon is in the rankings and with his added playing time now available we will have to see if he can step up. If not it will be time for BK to step out.

By Chris

October 31, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

John D,

The Hawks have played hard and competed at the end of the year every year for the last five years or so. I am looking forward to a year were the games at the end of the season are worth more than promotional material for the next year. Not that it wouldn’t be exciting to see Marvin Williams score a lot of points in the last game of the year when the Hawks are 10+ games out of a playoff spot.

By macaroni Tony

October 31, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

43 games, we lost over 20 games by one to two points. So if they learn how to keep the lead, then we are going to be just fine. I am so sick and tired of people (Terrence) who don’t keep up with the Hawks but write something dum and nontruthful…either love the Hawks are leave them alone. Even if it takes them one more year to make the playoffs don’t jump one their bandwagon then. Go Hawks

By A Thinking Fan

October 31, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Flash Holla at a playa, will ya - LOL!

By DeeT

October 31, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

I say 42-46 wins

By doc

October 31, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

ando, did you take a turn at ghost writing for schultz today?

By michael m.

October 31, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

37-45. probably always just a step behind in the playoff hunt, but playing meaningful games deep into march.

i also predict that indiana isnt as good as everyone thinks. while everyone keeps saying, it will be a pick in the 20s at best, i think the pick will be in the teens.

also believe that a team everyone thinks will either miss or just barely make the playoffs, the orlando magic, will show show themselves to be much stronger and perhaps have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs as they fight for the 4th seed in the east. i think the first quarter of the season will show a lot of the experts that they have misjudged quite a few teams.

i am also really glad to hear ando is trying to curb his negativity. for real, bro. i also agree with the other comments in his post. the only one i disagree with is the idea of trading a top 3 pick plus someone like marvin for garnett. big kev is a salary cap hog and thus not worth two top young guys who will be difference makers. garnett is great, but his godfathered salary, age, and what he wants out of the remainder of his career make him a terrible fit for us.

i sure hope we have some lottery luck this year. anyone want to predict the number that both our pick and the indiana pick end up at? i will start it off. the hawks reverse course regarding the terrible luck our franchise has endured, and move up in the lottery, securing the 3rd pick in the draft. we all conjecture that the reversal of fortune is due to belkin losing on appeal and being banished from hawkdom with a golden parachute that he doesnt even truly deserve. additionally we receive indiana’s pick, #18.

now if i could just make like hiro on “heroes” and will it all into existence. of course if that was the case i would probably get oden greedy.

By jhan

October 31, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

I also can’t wait to see how the Indiana pick plays out. I said when the trade happened that I thought the Hawks will end up on the winning side of that deal. I think the Pacers will end up being a .500 ballclub or worse this year.

By Gary W Scott

October 31, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

40 wins 42 losses

By St. Bernard

October 31, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

We will regret not getting Rondo or Marcus, I’ve already said that and I’ll stand by it. It would be interesting to see this team though with a Bibby and Darko as FA next year with whatever happens with the draft picks. The base is here, we just need a star to play with JJ. Maybe that is Josh or Marvin, I’m still not sold though.

By ScoobySnacks

October 31, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Excuse me if I missed this discussion before, but reading the Belkin vs. NBA NHL article concerned me. Did anybody notice what Belkin was saying. Here’s a quote: ‘the best interests of … [the] fans’ does not transform an ordinary contract dispute into one that should be taken up by the state’s highest court.

Belkin’s filing adds: “Nonparties whose ‘primary concern is the long-term stability and success of … teams’ in which they have a financial interest have not been entrusted by the Legislature with any judicial function.”

Belkin’s response counters: “If large numbers of fans or, in the corporate setting, customers or stockholders became the basis for meeting the ‘public interest’ requirement, this Court would be faced with that argument every time a major corporation wanted its case to skip the Court of Special Appeals.”

Basically he is saying. Hey…scr-w you fans. I want my f-in’ money and my team. Has anybody else picked up on this. Jeez he just flat out admitted it.

By ScoobySnacks

October 31, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

56 wins 29 losses. Complete turn around

By G-Money

October 31, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

ScoobySnacks, you should lay off the scooby snacks and Belkin articles before making predictions.

As for next year’s picks. Ours will go to Phoenix — let’s hope we don’t get one. The pick we get from Chicago will be in the high teens up to 22. They are better than you think.

By mykhalc

October 31, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this

i’m gonna go with .500 ball, 41-41 tho it’s a bit of a stretch since we really haven’t seen the team with SPEEDY and MARVIN in the lineup together. but i’ll step out on a limb just ‘cause i’m a fan!!LOL but i do think SPEEDY will be a difference maker. they can’t afford one of those horrendous starts tho. gotta get outta the gate decently!! GO HAWKS!!

By Fred B.

October 31, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

I think your prediction sounds about right but with this caveat — under no circumstance can they start the season 2-14 or anything like that but what will help them is they don’t start the season with that brutal west coast swing as in years past.

By hazer

October 31, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

Gary W Scott stole my 40-42 prediction. I still stand by those 40 wins. Playoffs, not sure…

Sheldon and Chills do better than expected. Smoove lights it up with triple doubles galore. Marvin comes back and lives up to the hype and makes us forget all about Chris Paul. Lo gives us the veteran defensive depth in the paint we’ve been needing. Speedy makes all the difference in the world and handles the likes of A.I. Double-Z does what he does, which is continue to be the steal of 2005. And Johnson makes the all-star team averaging 20+ in his natural position. Optomistic, yes. Gonna happen, probably.

Am I the only one who’s praying for the Wovlves to bomb and the Hawks to spend all that money on KG? Speedy, JJ, Smith or Marv, KG, and Double-Z/Lo (C;

By cowa

November 1, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

I’m going with 25 wins. A better start to the season than last year, but injuries will occur that we really didn’t have last year. It’s just the odds of an injury or two happening. Just don’t see them getting better like everybody else seems to think. I’m not hating on the Hawks, I am a true fan. But this does give us a great shot at Oden! And after Oden, then we go after KG (Marvin/Jsmoove, Sheldon and our 1st from Indy - pre-arranged, of course, as there’s no trades after the deadline until after the draft takes place). And then Bibby! Of course, our payroll might be a little high ($75M!!!)…