Atlanta Hawks Season Preview

The Atlanta Hawks are not in a great place.  There are little ways for them to better themselves.  They tried switching things up in the off season, moving on from Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Pelicans but the return of Larry Nance Jr, Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell, and Cody Zeller aren't game changers nor are the two low 1st round draft picks they also received.  The Hawks traded three of their own 1st for Murray just a few years ago.  Those of course are more valuable.  The Hawks also tried to trade star Trae Young but there were no takers.  I think many don't see Young as a player who takes their team to the next level and the $136M left on his contract as too much to swallow for the player they see him as.  The Hawks have very limited options.  They did get the #1 pick in the 2024 draft but as is their luck, Zaccharie Risacher, isn't seen as a franchise type guy either.  I said it last year.  Unless many of their role players take a major leap in play this team is probably looking at 36 wins again.  Maybe. While Murray didn't work with Young, will De'Andre Hunter or Jalen Johnson take a huge leap to become a great second option for this team.  I just don't see it.  Somebody will get the points Murray left behind, but I don't think they can make up for his quality play.  And bless Trae Young, that man is really good and can fill up a stat sheet.  But he hasn't shown he's a "The Franchise".  Lots of negativity I know but I don't see improvement this season.  Here's hoping I'm wrong.

Atlanta Hawks get the #1 Pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

 The Atlanta Hawks beat the odds and have the top selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.  Unlike 2023, there is no consensus #1.  The Spurs couldn't lose.  Even if Wemby did nothing in his career nobody faults them for that pick.  The Hawks will not have it so easy.  Atlanta is already rumored to be up for major changes.  Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and the supporting cast have not made for a playoff caliber team.  Personally, I'm okay if Trae Young goes.  His lack of defense has always been a sticking point for me.  Getting Murray was a fail for me.  I like Murray but he just isn't a fit with Young and now that's he's on a big extension he'll be hard to move.  If nothing else, the #1 pick gives Atlanta lots of options.  Whether that is who they pick or the ability to make trades.

Portland has two picks in the top 14.  They need lots of help so this is good.  Same thing in that they'll have options in regard to making trades.  I'm okay if they move up using those two picks but I wouldn't mind them getting two players who can really help.  They are struggling to stay healthy, helps their young core take the next step and to see the benefit of picking up Deandre Ayton.

No matter how much grief teams get for drafting, the NBA draft is a crap shoot.  So whether you're #1 or #14 you have your work cut out for you.  The draft is May 12 in Chicago.

Atlanta Hawks Season Preview

The Hawks offseason really came down to moving off John Collins and extending Dejounte Murray.  Getting off John Collins was huge.  Atlanta gave him a five-year $125M deal and instantly regretted it.  What they were thinking I'll never know.  They've tried trading him for two years and finally were able to offload him to Utah.  While the return isn't anything to write home about it gives them more cap flexibility.  Extending Murray was also key.  He's needed to bring balance to the team and defense that Trae Young doens't know how to play.  The Hawks are solid at center with Capella and Okongwu.  De'Andre Hunter may be becoming the scorer they need him to be but it's still early to tell how consistent he'll be or if he can take it to another level.  After that I just don't know.  Bogdanovich can shoot and provide some scoring off the bench but after that there's a lot of unknowns.  Maybe Saddiq Bey or AJ Griffin take big steps but I don't see a path to major improvement without multiple players getting much better.  I don't think Murray and Young can carry this team.  I do think Quin Snyder was a big add as coach.  Can he make the difference this season? Maybe they get in as a #8 see but that feels like the best we can look forward to.  Hopefully I'm wrong.    

2022-2023 Atlanta Hawks Quick Look

The 2021-2022 Atlanta Hawks, coming off an Eastern Conference Championship appearance, went 43-39 and were booted in the first round of the playoffs by Miami four games to one.  The Hawks basically ran back the same team hoping for the same results and it didn't work.  The team looked lost for much of the season.  The signed John Collins to a huge contract but it didn't fill up the stat sheet or equate to wins.  He's really athletic but that only gets you so far.  Lots of guys who could get you 10-17 points a night but no clear number two star on this team and Trae Young couldn't carry them.

In the offseason they made a pitch for KD but ended up getting rising star Dejounte Murray from the Spurs.  He's a great defender who put up amazing numbers last season (21ppg, 8rbg, 9apg).  Trae Young doesn't do defense so this is a big addition.  The other big move was moving Kevin Huerter to the Kings for Justin Holiday and Maurice Harkless.  This move saves them money in the long run but did not make the team better.  And it really confused me.  I love the addition of Murray but losing Huerter makes the offseason very uneven.

Coach Nate McMillan now has to get two ball centric guards to share.  He also needs to get more from John Collins while making the role players better too.  Does De'Andre Hunter have another gear?  This team has to get better defensively and be more well-rounded on the offensive end.  Sure Murray will help but as a team they have to be really efficient and have others who can give them big points when needed.  I think Atlanta is better but the East has some really good teams at the top.  If they are the number seven seed they'll be doing good and a number six seed will be a really good year.  I'm not convinced they are there yet looking at the other teams in the conference but I can have hope.

   

Atlanta Hawks Trade for Dejounte Murray

 The Atlanta Hawks traded for Dejounte Murray this week.  Great trade for the Hawks.  They did give up a ton of picks but if all goes well those won't be early round picks.  Murray is a great defender which is something Atlanta needs desperately (Trae Young is a horrible defender).  A lot of his scoring happens going to the rim and he is also and outstanding rebounder (8 RPG) and dished out 9 assists per game.  Atlanta now has two ball dominant guards so there is work to do but my hope is this move will be a great building block moving forward.

Does this put them over the top?  No but it goes a long way.  They still need to figure out what to do with John Collins, whom they never should have signed to the big contract, and what the rest of their roster is going to look like. They traded sharpshooter Kevin Huerter to the Kings.  I don't get it.  They picked up a draft pick and role players.  Probably a cost saving move but to what end?  We'll see what's nex.

Trade: Traded by the San Antonio Spurs with Jock Landale to the Atlanta Hawks for Danilo Gallinari, a 2023 1st round draft pick ( was later selected), a 2025 1st round draft pick ( was later selected), a 2026 1st round draft pick ( was later selected) and a 2027 1st round draft pick ( was later selected). Conditional 2023 1st-rd pick is CHO own 2025 1st-rd pick is ATL own 2026 1st-rd pick is a right to swap 2027 1st-rd pick is ATL own

Atlanta Hawks Advance to the Eastern Conference Finals

 The Atlanta Hawks advanced to only their second Conference Finals in like 50 years with a gritty 4-3 series win over the 76ers.   It took everything the Hawks could muster but it secured a shot at the Milwaukee Bucks who come in after their own seven game series with the Brooklyn Nets.  At first glance the Bucks are deeper and seem to have the edge as is to be expected but the 76ers were the same going into that series.  I, and probably every other Hawks fan, would love to see Trey Young hit a higher percentage this series.  He is a great facilitator and fun to watch while also able to make a fan cringe.  Those 28-30 foot threes are great when they go in...but as exciting as they are he isn't Steph Curry.  Still he is the reason the Hawks are where they are and will be a huge part of what the Hawks accomplish against Milwaukee. My keys to the series is shooting.  The Hawks have a bunch of shooters and as we see with any team when they are hot they are hard to beat.  If not they can still win by being aggressive going to the basket but the Bucks are good rim defenders.  Should be fun.   I'm excited and can't wait to see what the series brings.  

2020-2021 Atlanta Hawks Quick Look

New unis aren't the only thing Atlanta Hawks fans have to look forward to this season.  They won the offseason with the additions of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, and Rajon Rondo.  Once healthy they'll also have Clint Capela to add to the mix when he is healthy.  He was pcked up in a really good trade last year.  On paper this is an excellent roster but you don't win trophies for best offseasons.  There are still plenty of questions like where some players will play, having enough minutes and basketballs to go around, and what does all this do to the younger players this team had been developing.  That's about as negative as it gets.  I'm excited to see what this team can do.  Trae Young is a superstar talent and he finally has talent around him.  This is still a young team so if they figure it out they could compete for a few seasons to come and in the Eastern conference there's no reason to think they won't.  Hopefully I'll get the chance to see this team play this year.  I have to admit I'm a little giddy.

 

 

Atlanta Hawks Trades at the Trade Deadline Last Week

Not sure Clint Capela was this happy when he heard the news he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks last week) but I'm happy.  Atlanta really didn't have to give up much and I agree with the talking heads that when healthy Capela will fit in well with the young core who like to push the ball.  Atlanta gave up Evan Turner, the Nets' 2020 first round pick and the Warriors' 2024 second round pick.  This year's draft isn't a strong one so that first rounder from what is currently a playoff team doesn't look like that big a loss.  This was a huge win for the Hawks.  Trae Young and John Collins should work well with Capela.  Not sure if Collins will be with the team long term but there is time to figure that out.  

The second trade for a big man confuses me though.  Atlanta picked up Dewayne Dedmon and two second round picks for Jabari Parker and Alex Len.  On the surface it is a good deal.  But Dedmon has been complaining about playing time and not sure how he fits when Capela comes back from injury and starts.  Dedmon won't take any minutes from big men Capela or Collins.  He is on contract for two more years so this one has me scratching my head. 

The Hawks completed three other more minor trades.  Overall it was very productive.  They traded away many of the veteran contracts they had taken on and for the most part have a very young roster.  It'll be interesting to see where they go from here.  They'll surely have a high pick in the upcoming draft.  Hopefully they can hit on a key player in what isn't looked at as a strong draft class.  They should have some financial flexibility as well.  Good things are on the horizon for this team.  Hopefully we aren't more than a couple of years from seeing the Hawks back in the playoffs. 

2019-2020 Atlanta Hawks Preview

The Atlanta Hawks, while only winning 29 games last year, are an exciting team with young stars Trae Young (19ppg/8apg) and John Collins (19ppg/9rpg).  In the draft they loaded up with even more young talent with De’Andre Hunter (Virginia) and Cam Reddish (Duke).  This team probably isn’t going to make the playoffs this year but this is all about developing the young players and being a contender for what hopefully will be a long time.

Depth will also be an issue with this team as there isn’t much of a bench.  I wish they had been able to keep Dewayne Dedmon who had developed into a good stretch center but he signed as a free agent with the Kings.  Less veterans will mean more playing time for the new guys but it will also lead to growing pains if they struggle.  I like coach Lloyd Pierce and I hope he can develop these guys into that core the fans have been waiting for.  It should be a fun season albeit not with a ton of wins.  If they can get to 35 wins I think it is a good season. 

Jami Gertz Owns The Atlanta Hawks!

How am I just now finding out about this?  Jami Gertz owns the Atlanta Hawks!  I was so in love with Jami Gertz when The Lost Boys was released in 1987...and I kinda still am.  Just saying....   She will also be the onstage rep for the Hawks during Tuesday's NBA draft lottery.    This will be the second year she has been there for Atlanta.  I got nothing else to say.  I was shocked when I read this and I just had to share.  

Atlanta Hawks Trade Dwight Howard

The Atlanta Hawks traded Dwight Howard and the number 31 pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli and the number 41 pick.  The Dwight Howard signing didn’t look good before last season and it didn’t look any better after the season.  Howard never seemed a fit for their offense and his signing contributed to the loss of Al Horford in free agency and Horford was a much better fit.  Howard finished the year with a 13.5 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 1.2 BPG stat line while logging just under 30 minutes per game.   

 I like Dwight Howard and he deserves tons of praise for a great career.  But if you don’t have a team of shooters around him, his offense which consists of playing around the rim is very limiting.  He’s still a very efficient scorer shooting 63% from the field but he works better with a spread offense.  A movement oriented offense needing a big that can shoot is not his thing.  Howard is only 31 and I hope he can find success in Charlotte.

I hope Plumlee can give Atlanta something, anything.  He is making $12M per year but his stats are not anywhere near what you’d expect for someone making that much money – 2.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG in 10 minutes per game last year.  Belinelli is a shooting guard who should at least be a nice bench asset.  He can shoot the three and give you ten points per game.  He has one year left on his $6M deal. 

What’s next:  How hard will the Hawks pursue free agents Paul Milsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason?  Where do they see the team moving forward?  Dennis Shroder is the PG and face of the franchise if those two aren’t re-signed but there won’t be much else left around him.  I’d hate to see Atlanta starting over but that may well be what they are doing. 

Hawks fall to Wizards in the First Round

The Atlanta Hawks were eliminated in six games by the Washington Wizards in the first round of the NBA playoffs.  This wasn’t a surprise.  The Wizards are clearly a better team and John Wall has elevated himself into the discussion of “best point guard in the NBA”.  Still it was good to see Dennis Schroder step up with a huge series averaging 24.7 pts and 7.7 assists.  Paul Millsap also had a big series putting up 24.3 ppg , 9.3 rpg and 4.3 assists per game.  After that though there just wasn’t enough help.  Taurean Prince had a small coming out party.  With the need for wing scoring on this team he would be a great help moving forward if he can continue to develop.  Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kent Bazemore didn’t shoot well and Dwight Howard wasn’t a factor. 

I’ve said it before.  This team doesn’t have a real identity nor does it have that go to guy.  This was Schroder’s first time putting up big points consistently and Millsap is normally an 18 PPG guy.  Millsap is also a free agent after this year (he won’t pick up his player option).  Atlanta rolled the dice by not trading him during the season.  Even keeping him has its issues as a max or near max contract would not allow the Hawks to make other changes that may be necessary to actually get better.  I do like Schroder but there just isn’t that much else on this team unless a few players take some big leaps forward.  To be honest this run the Hawks have had, 10 straight playoff performances, is probably over.  We’ll see how the offseason plays out but it feels like they’ll be fighting just to get an eight seed next year.

Hawks vs Wizards and Trail Blazers vs Warriors NBA First Round Playoffs

Dwight Howard

Atlanta had a decent enough season (43-39) to get the fifth seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs but I can't say I really know who this team is.  They'll play the Washington Wizards in the first round who are a much better team.  And more than anything they know who they are.  I'd be surprised if Atlanta wins this series but who knows.  The Hawks will need the entire team to play at a high level every game.  That is not something that has happened consistently this year.  They still don't have that go to player to score when they need it.  I'd love to say I know how this game will go but I just can't get a good read on this series.  I am definitely leaning towards Washington though and think they'll probably take the series in six games.  I hope I'm wrong but Atlanta will have to play much better for something like that to happen.

C.J. McCollum

Portland really came on late in the season and grabbed the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.  The addition of Jusuf Nurkic at the trading deadline was a big part of the reason Portland raced into the playoffs.  It is currently unknown if he'll actually be able to play after breaking a leg near the end of the season.  This is a big blow.  The team still have stud Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum but this team need a miracle to win multiple games and playing short handed isn't going to help that happen.  I think Portland can win a game but Golden State is so, so talented that a sweep is a definite possibility.  I just have to believe their great play at the end of season can continue and they are able to steal a win or two.  I just can't make myself believe they can win this series. 

Hawks Lose to Spurs

Was able to catch a good portion of the Atlanta Hawks - San Antonio Spurs

game Wednesday night.  I rarely get to see the Hawks play so it was a treat.

Atlanta lost 107-99.  The Spurs looked pretty good even without LaMarcus

Aldridge and Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard not playing up to his normal

standards.  No big surprises for me.  The Hawks are who I think they are.

They are a very good team that could still make noise in the Eastern

Conference playoffs if everything falls right but they just don't have a

scorer to put them over the top.  They have guys who can get buckets but no

true blue get you a basket guys.

 

Milsap is very good but won't necessarily take them to the next level - at

least not alone - and Atlanta may regret not trading him at the deadline if

he walks in free agency.  Dennis Schoder is a good young point guard and Tim

Hardaway has become a good scoring option but Kent Bazemore is not the

scoring threat they had hoped he would develop into while Thabo Sefolosha is

good supporting player but that is it.  Dwight Howard is playing well but as

in this game his free throws cause him to be off the floor in close games.

Pickup Ersan Ilyasova is a nice addition to the team but comes off the

bench.  I just can't see Atlanta ever being better than a fifth (currently)

or fourth seed but also wouldn't be surprised if they drop further in the

standings.  They need a dynamic wing player.  We'll see how it plays out but

I think the playoffs will end similarly to years past which isn't that good.

Atlanta Hawks Team Set - 2010-11 Panini Basketball

When I was reviewing the group of Atlanta Hawks Team sets I purchased last year I lost this set but finally came across it. This is the 2010-2011 Panini Donruss set.  This set borrows the 1984 Donruss baseball card design which is one all-time favorites.  The cards look good to me and the backs have the Donruss design we are accustomed to.

With this set I also got a team card and a rated rookie card.  Overall these are nice cards.  The photos seem to be a tad dark or just off for some reason but it isn't a big negative.  I like these and am very happy I was able to add these to my collection. 

2016-17 Atlanta Hawks Season Preview

The Atlanta Hawks had a great year in 2015-2016 culminating in an ugly sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.  In the playoffs their lack of depth showed as did the fact they were moving away from Jeff Teague at point guard.  In the offseason Teague was traded, Al Horford signed with the Boston Celtics and the Hawks signed hometown hero Dwight Howard to a $23M a year contract. 

Losing Horford hurts.  An undersized center he was more to the team than the 15 and 7 he put in the stat sheet each night last year.  While most Hawks fans would echo that sentiment it may or not be overstated.  Enter Dwight Howard.  While there have been rumors in past Howard free agent years of the Hawks making a run at him I didn’t see this coming.  Howard is now 30 and while very efficient shooting he only put up 13 points and 11 boards last year while continuing to “struggle” in Houston.  He is a defensive upgrade but definitely one dimensional on offense which might clog up the middle.  My hope is that this is the right system for him and that he can be better than what we’ve seen in the recent past. Paul Milsap will once again be counted on for big things on both ends of the floor.  In his free agent year I’m hoping he can mesh with the new look offense and maybe want to stick around longer.  I was slow getting on his band wagon but he is good and been a key to the Hawks’ success.  If the Howard acquisition doesn’t work or other players don’t step up he could be looking to move on come this next offseason.  

Running the team now at the point is up and comer Dennis Shroder.  He showed last year in the playoffs he has more to offer.  Can he do it consistently is the question.  I can’t wait to find out.  He must shoot consistently and be able to control turnovers with the extended minutes he’ll get.  Kent Bazemore signed a big deal in the offseason totaling $70M over 4 years.  That shows Atlanta believes he can be more of a scorer than the 11 points a game he put up last year – the only time he has scored double digits for a season in his career.  Small forward is his and with the need for scoring I’m hoping he can put up 15+ every night but that is a lot to ask for.  Shooting guard is still Kyle Korver’s.  I’ve said it over and over - he isn’t a scorer.  That said, he can shoot from three like nobody’s business.  I think he is better suited coming off the bench sharing time with both units.

 

Newly drafted wings Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry will be expected to help with scoring which is the big need for the Hawks.  Thabo Safolosha is back from injury as is Tiago Splitter.  Mike Scott and Kris Humphries will be depth at power forward.  This all gives Atlanta much more depth than they had last year.  How good they are coming off the bench will go a long way in deciding how good this team really is. 

Atlanta is very good.  Not great but very good in the Eastern Conference.  With the changes made, players back from injuries, and new young blood it is easy to think Atlanta will be better than their 48 wins last year.  It can also be thought there are too many new moving parts and something in the machine is bound to fail.  I’m in the middle thinking they can win 45-48 games and will again be in the middle of the pack.  It just seems like way too many things have to go just right for this team to be much better.  I’ve got my fingers crossed but something in the back of my head just isn’t sold yet. 

Atlanta Hawks Team Set - 2015-16 Panini Basketball

The final set I'll look at is the current Atlanta Hawks 2015-16 Hoops team set.  Eleven cards in this set which is nice compared to the others and I love that there are two cards with Hawks players in their throwback uniforms (Schroder and Milsap). 

The design is pretty nice but I'd like to have seen some smaller borders.  There are no player positions as is normal for Hoops.  I think having the corner colored around the team logo as is seen on the rookie card would have been nice to see on all cards.  Otherwise the photos are as good as always.  The backs are black and white and a tad different as the team logo is gone.  I'm not sure if Hoops is trying to take everything interesting out of the designs of the back or what.  If they had enlarged the font or done it for some other purpose I'd understand but as is it is just a big negative for me.  Overall these are ok for me but nothing to write home about. 

 

Atlanta Hawks Team Set - 2014-15 Panini Basketball

This is the Atlanta Hawks 2014-15 Hoops team set.  This set had nine cards.  Average cards with a decent design.  Still no player position but the photos are good.  Maybe it is just the nature of basketball but the photos from year to year provide little excitement/difference.  The backs are black and white with a very similar design as past years.  Again not bad but not thrilling. 

Atlanta Hawks Team Set - 2013-14 Panini Basketball

Time to look at another of the Atlanta Hawks team sets.  This one is the 2013-14 Hoops.  I was excited because the package stated "Find 1 Bonus All-Star Card Inside!".  There was no all-star card.  Bummer.  There were a total of eight cards in this pack.  The cards are pretty nice with most photos taken at the hoop.  The team logo set against a hardwood pattern is nice.  The Kyle Korver card is my favorite with him just prior to a game.  The fronts are ok but again they are missing the player's position.  The backs start the "no color on the backs" era for Hoops cards.  Bad. Look it doesn't have to look like a rainbow but it would be nice to have some color...ANY color.  Otherwise the backs are fine sticking closely to past designs.  Overall I like the cards but that is mostly due to the fronts 

 

Atlanta Hawks Sign Dwight Howard - Al Horford Goes to Boston

Dwight Howard is signing with the Atlanta Hawks for 3 years and a total of $70 million.  This move meant there wasn’t any more room in the front court for Al Horford who took a max deal with the Boston Celtics.  I like Dwight Howard and for all the flack he takes he is a great center though I understand he isn’t the all-star he once was.  Still he averaged 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game while shooting 62% from the field last year.  If your center’s name isn’t Dwight Howard you love those stats.  Bottom line here is I don’t think Atlanta made their team any better.  What they needed was a scorer and Howard is that guy anymore.  I think he can average between 15 and 17 a game in the right system but he isn’t that wing scoring guy they need.  I hope I’m wrong but this seemed like a very curious move to me but I know Atlanta has wanted to sign the local boy for some time.

 

Just as big in this is the loss of Horford.  He isn’t quite the big body Howard is and won’t put up the rebounding numbers but he was the most popular player on this team and regarded for being the “glue guy”.  Why wouldn’t you just give him the max contract he wanted?  Granted that didn’t necessarily mean you got better so maybe that is what the suits were thinking.  They had to try something.  There weren’t many dynamic wings (Durant excluded) available so maybe this was their best option?  Again I hope it works.  I’d hate to see the franchise lose a player like Horford in a gamble that doesn’t help the franchise.  Unfortunately I’m not sure if this was a good move and only time will tell.