Comments on: Season Preview: Atlanta Hawks

By: Martin Knezevic

Martin Knezevic — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 20:47:44 +0000

Ramesh, GREAT point of the need for a starting caliber center. I was on record last year that he team should've signed a starting C and moved Horford to the PF. Especially considering that Josh Smith wanted to leave town back then. But now, with a happy 'Smooth', I say the team stays As Is inside. I think more minutes for Ivan Johnson will do wonders. There's definitely a void at the SF. Drew has some tough decisions to make. I guess he'll start Lou at SG and Morrow at SF. Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution told me the other day he's guessing Korver starts with Harris and Teague together. I fear that the wing lineup is going to get juggled all season, which lends to inconsistent play...Consistency is the key to making the postseason. Thanks for reading, Ramesh. Tell me, do you think Devis Harris can beat out Teague at PG? -Knez

By: Ramesh Donthamsetty

Ramesh Donthamsetty — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 14:29:39 +0000

Coaching will be critical for this team, and Larry Drew will have the largest challenge that he’s ever had in his professional career. The team has several lineups they could play, which could be very interesting, but they could lack size if they play too much small ball and only three-point shooters.

I do like the additions, but I’d like to see a true starting center to enable Al to move to PF or a glue guy at SF like a Shawn Marion type to anchor the defense. Perhaps summer ’13 will be better.

Finally, Larry Drew will have to manage his team’s personalities, particularly young Jeff Teague. Teague is a good guy, but blossomed last yr b/c he got minutes. It’s hard for him to be efficient, being so young, so I would imagine it hard to split minutes w/ Harris. Lou Williams / Anthony Morrow / Jenkins will also be tough for minutes. Obviously, Jenkins is the most likely to suffer, as a rook.

I think this team has major upside, but a few too many small guards and still no true center to start or back-up pachulia.

Hawks fan since 1982

By: Jeff Schultz

Jeff Schultz — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:24:57 +0000

My guess is that Teague and Harris both start. Obviously Josh-Al, too. The fifth starter would be Korver or Williams maybe. Just guessing.

By: Peter B

Peter B — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:00:17 +0000

Big Al’s shoulder injury isn’t mentioned enough. He missed two months last year. Horford is the face of the franchise now.