Lack of depth will hinder talented Hawks
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:54 pm
Depth Chart
C: Al Horford / Zaza Pachulia / Randolph Morris
PF: Josh Smith / Solomon Jones / Othello Hunter
SF: Marvin Williams / Thomas Gardner
SG: Joe Johnson / Maurice Evans / Ronald Murray
PG: Mike Bibby / Acie Law / Speedy Claxton
Biggest strength: Talent
The Hawks are a club that has plenty to prove before being thought of as a legitimate Eastern Conference threat, but they are not to be slept on.
The reason? Sheer talent.
They've got one of the NBA's most complete wings in Joe Johnson, one of the most athletically gifted players in Josh Smith, a savvy and seasoned veteran point guard in Mike Bibby, and two extremely promising youngsters in Al Horford and Marvin Williams.
The talent level within that starting five is undeniable, and because of that Atlanta is a team that can create problems for the opposition on any given night. Don't believe me? Just ask Boston.
Biggest weakness: Depth
As talented as Atlanta's starters are, they can't do it all. At some point, you've got to turn to your reserves and be able to rely on them for production.
That remains an issue down in "Hotlanta," as they are truly only about seven deep. The rest of the bench consists of unproven youngsters and veteran point guard Speedy Claxton, who was unable to suit up all of last season and has only appeared in 42 games since signing with Atlanta in the summer of 2006.
The young and industrious Hawks look to have a bright future ahead of them, but they'll need to strengthen that second unit if they ever want to make noise past the first round of the playoffs. A little size up front wouldn't hurt, either.
X-Factor: Al Horford
The multitalented 2007-08 Rookie of the Year runner-up (*cough — he was robbed — cough*) has a tough taskas Atlanta's lone interior defensive force.
Smith provides a great deal of help as a trenchant roamer, but Horford is the only Hawk with the ability to hold his ground on the inside. With minimal help from the Zaza Pachulias and Randolph Morrises of the world, holding down the middle becomes a difficult load to carry.
Offensively, we know that Horford has the ability to do damage, but he's yet to develop the aggressiveness to do so on a consistent basis. Horford is a winner — and that can be backed up by the back-to-back national championships he was a part of at the University of Florida — but he's going to have to make more use of his versatility if he wants to experience success at the NBA level.
Should he take steps toward doing this in 2008-09, and become an even bigger double-double threat, both he and his team will be better off on both ends of the floor.
What to expect In 2008-2009
With the pending improvements by multiple Eastern Conference clubs — including a few Southeast Division rivals — the Atlanta Hawks may have a tough time topping last season's record. In fact, it may not be farfetched to suggest they could even take a minor hit in the win column.
Expect flashes of brilliance, the downside of a late-lottery selection, or the upside of a consecutive first-round exit.
Prediction: 37-45, third in Southeast Division, eighth in Eastern Conference
Link
C: Al Horford / Zaza Pachulia / Randolph Morris
PF: Josh Smith / Solomon Jones / Othello Hunter
SF: Marvin Williams / Thomas Gardner
SG: Joe Johnson / Maurice Evans / Ronald Murray
PG: Mike Bibby / Acie Law / Speedy Claxton
Biggest strength: Talent
The Hawks are a club that has plenty to prove before being thought of as a legitimate Eastern Conference threat, but they are not to be slept on.
The reason? Sheer talent.
They've got one of the NBA's most complete wings in Joe Johnson, one of the most athletically gifted players in Josh Smith, a savvy and seasoned veteran point guard in Mike Bibby, and two extremely promising youngsters in Al Horford and Marvin Williams.
The talent level within that starting five is undeniable, and because of that Atlanta is a team that can create problems for the opposition on any given night. Don't believe me? Just ask Boston.
Biggest weakness: Depth
As talented as Atlanta's starters are, they can't do it all. At some point, you've got to turn to your reserves and be able to rely on them for production.
That remains an issue down in "Hotlanta," as they are truly only about seven deep. The rest of the bench consists of unproven youngsters and veteran point guard Speedy Claxton, who was unable to suit up all of last season and has only appeared in 42 games since signing with Atlanta in the summer of 2006.
The young and industrious Hawks look to have a bright future ahead of them, but they'll need to strengthen that second unit if they ever want to make noise past the first round of the playoffs. A little size up front wouldn't hurt, either.
X-Factor: Al Horford
The multitalented 2007-08 Rookie of the Year runner-up (*cough — he was robbed — cough*) has a tough taskas Atlanta's lone interior defensive force.
Smith provides a great deal of help as a trenchant roamer, but Horford is the only Hawk with the ability to hold his ground on the inside. With minimal help from the Zaza Pachulias and Randolph Morrises of the world, holding down the middle becomes a difficult load to carry.
Offensively, we know that Horford has the ability to do damage, but he's yet to develop the aggressiveness to do so on a consistent basis. Horford is a winner — and that can be backed up by the back-to-back national championships he was a part of at the University of Florida — but he's going to have to make more use of his versatility if he wants to experience success at the NBA level.
Should he take steps toward doing this in 2008-09, and become an even bigger double-double threat, both he and his team will be better off on both ends of the floor.
What to expect In 2008-2009
With the pending improvements by multiple Eastern Conference clubs — including a few Southeast Division rivals — the Atlanta Hawks may have a tough time topping last season's record. In fact, it may not be farfetched to suggest they could even take a minor hit in the win column.
Expect flashes of brilliance, the downside of a late-lottery selection, or the upside of a consecutive first-round exit.
Prediction: 37-45, third in Southeast Division, eighth in Eastern Conference
Link