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2012-13 NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks

7. Atlanta Hawks

HOW THEY CAN WIN: Just because the Hawks traded Joe Johnson doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve taken themselves out of playoff contention. Atlanta brought in a slew of (WAY) less expensive players who can collectively do what Johnson did. Lou Williams  (14.9 ppg, 3.5 apg) was a big-time shot maker in Philly, Kyle Korver was a three-point killer in Chitown, and Devin Harris a solid point in Utah. Throw in Anthony Morrow and rookie John Jenkins, and the Hawks might have the best three-point shooting team in the league. Atlanta is also counting on point guard Jeff Teague, who broke out in the playoffs against the Celtics and could be ready to emerge as one of the league’s better points.

WHY THEY WON’T: Despite all their talent, the Hawks still lack a superstar who can carry them down the stretch in playoff games. Joe Johnson was never that guy, and that’s why they had to get rid of him. It’s not likely that Al Horford or Josh Smith can be that guy either, so despite the Johnson trade, the Hawks are probably stuck in the same position they were last April.

FINAL DESTINATION: Atlanta did well to rid itself of Johnson, mainly because his contract was absurd for a team that couldn’t get out of the first round. But now the question is, where are the Hawks going? You don’t want to be stuck in the basketball purgatory that is the first-round playoff exit, but that’s where Atlanta was before they shipped off their best player. They’ve done enough to replace him, but that only puts the team in the exact same spot.
OUR CALL: 44-38. And another first-round playoff exit.

TEAM ROSTER
NO. NAME POS AGE HT WT COLLEGE 2012-2013 SALARY
11 James Anderson G 23 6-6 215 Oklahoma State $854,389
34 Devin Harris G 29 6-3 192 Wisconsin $8,500,000
15 Al Horford C 26 6-10 250 Florida $13,000,000
8 Damion James F 25 6-7 225 Texas $854,389
12 John Jenkins G 21 6-4 215 Vanderbilt $1,204,560
6 Carldell Johnson G 29 5-10 180 UAB
44 Ivan Johnson F 28 6-8 230 San Bernardino $962,195
26 Kyle Korver F 31 6-7 212 Creighton $5,000,000
22 Anthony Morrow G 27 6-5 210 Georgia Tech $4,000,000
20 Ismail Muhammed F 0 0-0 00
27 Zaza Pachulia C 28 6-11 275 $5,248,750
10 Johan Petro C 26 7-0 247 $3,500,000
32 Mike Scott F 24 6-8 237 Virginia $473,604
5 Josh Smith F 26 6-9 225 $13,200,000
92 DeShawn Stevenson G 31 6-5 218 $2,240,450
0 Jeff Teague G 24 6-2 181 Wake Forest $2,433,077
4 Anthony Tolliver F 27 6-8 240 Creighton $854,389
3 Louis Williams G 25 6-1 175 $5,000,000
Coach: Larry Drew


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  1. Pingback: 2012-13 NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks | JockSpin.com Sports News and Opinion Aggregator and Publisher

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