Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sports

Time to fly—finally?

The once dismal Atlanta Hawks show real promise. But...

By Michael Mahan

Don’t look now, but there’s a new energy at Philips Arena. New uniforms, new players and a new attitude have given Atlanta Hawks fans a jolt early in the 2007 season. Big things may be brewing, and a charge of electricity has aroused a franchise that has flat-lined for nearly a decade.

Forward Josh Smith was a 14 year-old freshman at Cobb County’s McEachern High School the last time the Hawks qualified for the playoffs. Rookie Al Horford was in middle school. In the eight-plus seasons since a four-game sweep at the hands of the Knicks ended the 1999 season, the Hawks have lost 220 game more than they have won, and fallen to almost minor-league status in the realm of professional sports. A near decade-long string of dismal seasons, questionable roster maneuvers and lagging attendance have rendered the Hawks the “Clippers of the East,” and a punch line in the NBA.

But without much ballyhoo, the long-neglected home team seems to be finally moving in the right direction. Though happy thoughts are nice, does this team really have what it takes to—dare we even think it—win? Can players with precious little experience in anything besides losing at this level expect anything different this year?

If you ask them, winning doesn’t happen between the ears, it happens between the white lines of the court. “We’ve just got to play hard every night, and [winning] will take care of itself,” Smith tells The Sunday Paper. “We have to play with energy.”

THE DIFFERENCE MAKERS

In April, Lady Luck smiled on the Hawks as the ping-pong balls in the Draft lottery finally bounced in their favor. Blessed with two selections in the top 11 spots, the Hawks brass chose wisely.

The biggest reason for optimism is the addition of power forward/center Horford, a two-time national champion with the Florida Gators. the third overall pick in the draft, Horford is a 6-foot 10-inch shot-blocking and rebounding machine and has already proven a stabilizing influence in the paint, altering opponents’ shots and collecting rebounds by the bushel. In only his first few games as a pro, he’s averaging double digits in rebounds, including 15 boards in Atlanta’s exciting recent home win over the Suns.

Horford appears to be the perfect addition to this team, exactly what it needed. General manager Billy Knight and coach Mike Woodson have built an athletic, if a bit undersized, team that can be competitive by playing tight, aggressive defense, controlling the boards (particularly on the defensive end), and being patient and earning high-percentage shots on offense.

Fourth-year swingman Smith is quietly becoming one of the best all-around defenders in the NBA, and is among the league leaders in blocked shots and steals—a rare feat. The 2005 Slam Dunk Contest champion also supplies the “wow” factor, sorely lacking in this franchise since the heyday of Dominique Wilkins.

But if this team has a star, it’s Joe Johnson, a supremely athletic guard with a common name but uncommon game. Adept at splitting defenders and creating his own shot, Johnson, along with Smith, has the long arms and quickness needed to harass ball handlers on the perimeter and disrupt opponents’ offense.

THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE

Johnson is a streaky shooter who will occasionally light up the scoreboard, but the Hawks aren’t going to blow many teams out. The squad lacks a proven perimeter shooter or skilled offensive big man—which are real handicaps. Solid defense will determine how far this team can go.

“We have to play good isolation defense.” Smith says. “We can’t give up drives or open jump shots.” This may seem obvious, but at least the Hawks know who they are. A team that has been trying to find itself for so long now has an identity, and defines itself by its defense.

It’s a cliché that NBA games are decided in the last two minutes. But in many cases, it’s also true. Successful teams expect to win, and execute in the deciding moments. “We’re close,” says Woodson. “We just have to figure out how to make plays at the end.”

For the Hawks to have a real chance of a playoff run, rookie Acie Law, chosen with the 11th pick, will need to quickly assume a leadership position at the offensive end. Nicknamed “Captain Clutch” as an All-American at Texas A&M, Law was a prolific college scorer who needs to translate his skills to the pro level. A natural shooting guard, he’s been starting at point guard and may be playing out of position, as is Horford at center. The Hawks’ management needs to address this and acquire some veterans to make a playoff run realistic.

It may be as difficult to get excited about the Atlanta Hawks as any other pro franchise. But for once, the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t seem to be an oncoming train. You never know: This team just might compete. They might draw a few fans. They might even win a few games. SP

Atlanta Hawks File

• Founded in 1946 as Tri-Cities Blackhawks. Also played in Milwaukee and St. Louis before moving to Atlanta in 1968.
• The franchise has one championship—none in the last 49 seasons.
• Never in 39 seasons in Atlanta have the Hawks advanced past the second round in any playoff format.
• Atlanta owns the NBA’s longest current playoff drought, at eight seasons.
  The team has lost at least 50 games in four consecutive seasons, at least 47 in eight straight.
• The Hawks have just one division title since 1987.