2008 Atlanta Hawks NBA Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 7, 2008 by Luke Knight

The Hawks finally ended the NBA’s longest playoff drought last season, and took Boston to 7 games in the playoffs, but fell to the more experienced and more physical team. The Hawks’ general manager, Billy Knight, stepped down after the season ended and the Hawks brought in veteran NBA Executive Rick Sund. The big task this season for Sund was holding the pieces together as the Hawks didn’t have any draft picks, but already had plenty of young talent. Read on to find out whether we think the Hawks will improve on last seasons playoff bid, or if that was just a flash in the pan. If you want to bet on the Hawks to win the East, head over to BetUS where the odds currently have Atlanta at +4000.

Mike Bibby will be the go to guy at this position, since Atlanta’s scoring average increased from 93.8 points to 103.5 per game with Bibby running the show. Bibby seemed to wear down late, but the Hawks look to have some depth at this position. Behind Bibby is 2nd year man, Acie Law IV. Law was a workout demon this offseason and should be ready for a jump in playing time and responsibility. Law will be proving whether he is the Hawks’ man to takeover the point position. Speedy Claxton, who had been out for more than a year with a gimpy knee, volunteered to play summer league for the Hawks to prove his worth. He did just that and is now the 3rd man at the point position.

Joe Johnson led the team in scoring and earned his 2nd straight all-star appearance. Johnson averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and averaged 40.8 minutes in every game last year. The Hawks need another shooter to prevent defenses from focusing on Johnson alone. On the rare occasion that Johnson comes out, Ronald Murray will get the coveted minutes. Mario West could also pick up some minutes here as well.

Marvin Williams increased his scoring and rebound averages for the 3rd straight season and shot a career best .462 from the field. Williams also yanked down 12.3 offensive boards per game and had 10 or more offensive boards in 64 games. Maurice Evans was brought in to soften the blow of losing Josh Childress to Greece in the offseason. Evans is a solid defender, but not as explosive offensively as Childress.

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Josh Smith has become one of the NBA’s top defenders. He finished 2nd in the league in blocks and 16th in steals. Smith was also 2nd on the team in scoring and rebounding. Smith is listed as the starting power forward this year, which means he will be relieved by Solomon Jones. Jones contributed in small doses, but he is 6-10 and the Hawks need more out of him to give them more depth up front.

Al Horford, the 6-10 forward who spent most of the season playing center, turned in magnificent numbers. Horford averaged 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He was the only unanimous choice on the NBA’s all-rookie team, and finished 2nd to Kevin Durant in Rookie of the Year balloting. Horford also performed better in the playoffs than he did in the regular season, so there is reason to suspect Horford will be even better this year. Zaza Pachulia got off to a slow start due to an injury, which gave Horford his shot, but Pachulia’s play off the bench was a big key to the team’s improvement. Randolph Morris was also added in the offseason to provide depth for the Hawks at the big-man position. Morris is big and strong, and could really help out after the Hawks showed they were less physical underneath against the Celtics.

Final Analysis

The Hawks were one of the NBA’s youngest teams last season, and will still be that way this year. Their youth allowed the Hawks to stay fresher late in the season last year, and that should be pretty much the same. The Hawks lose Childress, one of the leagues top 6th men, but other than that remain pretty much intact. If Acie Law emerges as the starter at point guard and the rest of the team continues to improve around Joe Johnson this team will be dangerous all year. We have them finishing 2nd in the Southeast division behind the Magic and ahead of the Bobcats, Heat, and Wizards. For the second straight year in a row the Hawks should make the playoffs, and if they can stay out of that 8th spot in the playoffs they are a dangerous team to play in the first round. We don’t have them winning the Conference but should be a team to watch come playoff time. You can bet Atlanta to win the NBA Finals at BetUS with the odds set at +8000.

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