2008-2009 Atlanta Hawks

King Ken · Post #1 » by **King Ken** » Thu Jan 3, 2019 2:23 pm

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2009.html

This was the squad that won 47 games.

Bibby had a breakout season and Horford showed that he isn't just a junkyard dog his two year in the NBA.

While we had a fairly good starting five for that time period in the NBA, we lacked a good bench although we did get a breakout campaign from Flip Murray.

This was our best season since the 90s at this date of 2009.

Did you feel that this team had potential to ever win the East at this time?

For me, I was just like, we just need one superstar. The drafts wasn't strong so at this point, via trade. Where were you on this team at that time and what in hindsight would you have done now?

GM: Rick Sund
Coach: Woody

Franchise player: Iso Joe

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jayu70 · Post #2 » by **jayu70** » Thu Jan 3, 2019 2:34 pm

No.
Hawks have never had a true Alpha Superstar since Nique - can't win without one.
When it mattered most our guys were shrinking violets. No one took ownership of the team.

macd-gm · Post #3 » by **macd-gm** » Thu Jan 3, 2019 2:41 pm

Well the next season we won 53 with just the addition of Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith taking zero threes. But Woody got outcoached by SVG in the playoffs. And we had no one who could defend Dwight.

Mike Bibby was the difference between the Hawks being in the playoffs and not in those days.

But to answer your question, I probably felt that we were a star player away but in hindsight we weren't.

King Ken · Post #4 » by **King Ken** » Thu Jan 3, 2019 2:53 pm

I remember thinking maybe we can get Josh Smith traded to Denver for Melo. That would be perfect. Lol!

The one trade I had no interest that looks dumb now was Steph Curry for Horford. At that time, Steph had ankle injuries, he wasnt a true PG, and I wanted him with Al than without him. Man, looking back at that, even though Steph didn't fit, Steph and Joe could have been a hit

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Post #5 » by **ATL Boy** » Thu Jan 3, 2019 2:58 pm

I was still pretty much a child during that season and remember watching Joe dominate (that year and the years prior that is) and just being in awe of how clutch he was.

I remember foolishly thinking that I wouldn’t trade my hawks for any other team. We beat the Heat in 7 in the first round of a playoff series where every game was a blowout, but looking back at it, that team never really had a chance of surpassing even a young Lebron.

I think 2011 had more potential with Jamal Crawford off the bench, and Teague breaking out in the playoffs. I’m still upset about losing to the Bulls in the second round that year.

If we could’ve somehow had Coach Bud coaching that 2011 team that would’ve been our best shot at the finals imo. That’s the most talented team we’ve fielded in decades (more talentedthat 2014-15), but the coaching was poor. The high-low between Smoove and Horford seemed to be the only halfcourt designed play Larry Drew could draw up to get a consistent bucket.