Can the Hawks finally turn into a contender?

Well, the ping pong balls broke perfect for Atlanta last night and they got the #3 pick which prevented them from losing their pick to Phoenix. They also retained the #11. The hawks actually have a real foundation already with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith who are legtimate emerging stars. They also have nice pieces in Marvin Williams, Josh Childress, and Zaza Pachulia. They also have nice spot players in Sheldon Williams and Salim Stoudimire. They desperatly need a BIG, physical rebounder up front and a point guard. There are two guys I would love to have for this team PG Mike Conley from Ohio St. and C Roy Hibbert from Georgetown. Odds are we can't have both. Everyone says we have to take Conley and I can't really argue that he most likely would solve our PG problems and help in making this a playoff team next year. The PG's remaining in the playoffs are Tony Parker, Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups and Larry Hughes who is playing out of position, so you have three legitimate stars, whereas center wise I couldn't name one on any team. This would support drafting Conley. The league has become more of a small man's league with few if any dominant centers anymore with an aging Shaq. This to me though begs the question, in a league with few legitimate bigs, wouldn't a guy like Roy Hibbert who is 7'2 and with a body to match be more valuable allowing you to nightly exploit the other team's weakness. In the NCAA he more than held his own with Oden. And I believe you could more than adequatly address the PG problem with Acie Law, who I believe will be a more NBA ready player than Conley. Or you maybe even take a shot at 11 with local Javaris Crittendon who is very talented and 6'5 to boot. I would be very happy with Conley but I think there may be a better move here.

Atlanta Hawks Finish Year With A Win - YIPPPPEEEEE!

Well, the hawks closed out the year with a win, god damn, this team can't even lose win it needs to. The hawks most likely cost themselves the third pick which could have been used on Hibbert from Georgetown. He would have the defensive presence and rebounder that this team desperatly needs. The only way the hawks now pick before #12 is if they get one of the top three picks in the lottery. Further, we wasted our second round pick in acquiring has-been Anthony Johnson from Dallas. Here are my observations:

1. Team clearly needs to revolve around Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.

2. Everyone else on the roster is expendable and could be traded.

3. Speedy Claxton was one of the biggest flops I can remember, he was hurt basically all year and when he played he showed why he has been a career backup.

4. Marvin Williams showed some of the promise that should allow him to be a very good NBA player and surpass Chris Paul. The hawks have caught a lot of flack for not taking Paul but Marvin does have a superior upside.

5. Sheldon Williams, Josh Childress, Tyrone Lue, Zaza Pachulia and Salim Stoudimire all have a certain amount of skill and all can provide quality depth and a solid second team.

6. Soloman Jones has some potential.

So the hawks have eight to nine solid players. They desperatly need to address the point guard spot and if they are drafting #12 which is most likely AC Law from Texas A&M would be a solid selection, he showed in the NCAA he is NBA ready, a winner, and I like his ability to get in the lane.

The hawks then via free agency need to get a banger inside that can play defense and rebound.

Billy Knight and Mike Woodson at this point have had plenty of opportunity to show their value and worth and neither is worth keeping.

The hawks would be best suited playing a fast paced, west coast style and forcing the east coast teams to play their style.

The hawks won 30 games this year. Anything less than the playoffs next year is unacceptable.