2011-12 Atlanta Hawks Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Atlanta Hawks earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record last year. They pulled off a huge first round upset by knocking out the Magic, but would lose to the Bulls in the second round. By upsetting an overrated Orlando team, it seemed to take away from how poorly the Hawks played in the regular season. Atlanta won nine fewer games than it did during the 2009-10 season. It seems like every year the Hawks are suppose to take that next step into becoming an elite team, but never live up to the hype.
There will be a little bit different look to Atlanta this year. Atlanta was unable to bring back sensational sixth man Jamal Crawford, who averaged 14 ppg off the bench during the regular season. The Hawks have replaced Crawford with a veterans Tracy McGrady and Vladimir Radmanovic. McGrady isn’t close to the player he was back in his prime, but he can still be effective in limited minutes. Radmanovic is a 6’10 small forward who can shoot from long distance. His production will all depend on how much playing time he earns.
The Hawks figure to have a very solid starting five to start the year. Third-year point guard Jeff Teague emerged in the playoffs, and could be in for a breakout season. Teague has all kinds of talent around him, in Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Marvin Williams, and Josh Smith. Johnson, Horford, and Smith all have the potential to score 20+ points game on a give night, but too many times they end up settling for jumpers instead of attacking the hoop. If head coach Larry Drew can get Horford and Smith to play more around the rim, the Hawks have the potential to be one of the best offensive teams in the entire NBA.
Not having Crawford to come off the bench is a huge concern going into the season. McGrady, and Radmanovic will team up with Kirk Hinrich, Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins, Magnum Rolle, and Jerry Stackhouse as the key reserves, but not one of those players possess the scoring ability of Crawford. It’s likely going to be more scoring by committee than just having one player do all the work. What they get out of the role players will go a long way in determining where this team finishes.
Prediction: 3rd Eastern Conference Southeast Division – Atlanta has the talent to contend for the No. 4 seed in the East, but they just can’t seem to put it together. Being an elite team in the conference just doesn’t seem to be a huge priority to the players. There are too many games over the course of a season where this team lacks, desire, motivation, and energy to pick them to do anything more than what they have done in years past. The difference maker could be the play of Teague at the point, but then you have to wonder where they are going to get their bench scoring. I just see this being a very inconsistent team during the regular season. They might be able to win another first round playoff series, but I can’t see them making it past the second round.
Find out where we have all 30 NBA teams finishing in our 2011-12 NBA Predictions article.
If you are looking to make some money this NBA season, be sure to check out what Steve Janus has to offer. Steve finished No. 7 overall in the NBA last year, thanks in large part to a 37-17 run towards the end of last season!
Got something to say?
