Mid-Flight Review Of The Hawks Zettler Clay - 18th February, 2006 2:09 PM After a 2-16 inauguration, the Hawks have clawed to a 14-18 record since. Not great, but not nearly as awful as the start of the season indicated. We (as Hawks fans) have seen few good times, lots of promise, flashes of brilliance, and plenty of ugly moments. Here is the breakdown of the Hawks at the break of the season: MVP: This term is used loosely because we’ve won only 16 games, but the choice is clear—Joe Johnson has undoubtedly been the most important player for this team. He has handled the transition from role player to star player well. It would have been flawless except for his high amount of turnovers (3.3 per game). At 19.6 ppg, 6.1 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game while shooting a good 46% from the field, he has done all that was expected and should improve greatly, over time, in the playmaker role. Furthermore, the Little Rock, Arkansas native has shown the toughness and clutch factor that makes him a fan favorite in this city. Most Improved Player: This is a hard one. This team has won three more games already this season than all of last season (13), but there has not been an incumbent Hawks player from last season that has made a substantial jump. So with this said, the award will have to go to ZaZa Pachulia, who is starting in this league for the first time, after coming off the bench last year with Milwaukee. Hustle and scrappiness have been his trademarks this year. In addition, he’s tied for 2nd among the league leaders in offensive rebounds (3.6 per game). His field goal percentage is rather bad for a center (43 %), but at 11 .4 ppg and 8.1 rebounds per game, who can really complain about his contribution to the team at his price (4 million dollars). I’m sure management is pleased with his progression. And he just turned 22. Biggest disappointment: Hmmm, take your pick. Is it Mike Woodson and his questionable coaching “style”? Is it Hawks management and the fact that Boris Diaw is playing so well after leaving town? Is it the Hawks record? Or is it the free agent to be Al Harrington and his lack of defense, consistency, and perceived apathy? Wow, I guess you know my biggest disappointment from reading the previous question. Al Harrington is the biggest disappointment; quite easily too. Sure his numbers are respectable (18.3 ppg, 6.9 rebounds per game), but those who watch the Hawks play on a consistent basis know what I am talking about. It’s his lack of energy, effort, and production on defense, where games are won (or in the Hawks case, lost). 0.2 blocks per game? Is he a guard? That’s as putrid and indicting as it gets. There are also the inconsistent offensive performances (9, 14, 26, 9, 8 points in last five games) and the fact that the Hawks appear to do better with him not on the hardwood. I’m sure we all have our different opinions on this topic. Boris Diaw was an unproductive player here, and Billy Knight did what he had to do. I’m happy for him, as we all should be. I have defended Woodson to a certain degree this season. I have also insinuated his departure. But I don’t think Woodson is the most disappointing figure in this first half. Believe it or not, the Hawks record wise are doing what most expected them to do. The manner in which we achieved this record is what’s most disconcerting (also the fact that Al Harrington is still on the team). Season Outlook: Judging from what we have seen this year from the franchise, there is plenty reason to look up. The emergence of the Josh's; the sweet shooting touches of Marvelous Williams and Salim Stoudamire; ZaZa’s hustle and rebounding; Joe Johnson’s productivity in a new role; Royal Ivey stepping in and providing solid contributions. But none of this will mean anything if the right moves aren’t made by Hawks management to facilitate the growth of this team. Being that I feel Billy Knight is a very competent GM (until he proves otherwise), I know he will make the right moves for this franchise. The top of his list is to trade Al Harrington for a big man who can rebound/block shots (where we need the most help—24th in the league in total rebounding, 29th in defensive glass work). Moving Harrington would allow Josh Smith to slide over to the power forward slot, where he does his most damage. Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers , he had the best game of his young career, tallying 21 points, 15 rebound, and 3 blocks (this was with Al Harrington on the bench most of the game, I might add). With that said, I look for Josh Smith to show the greatest improvement over the second half of the year. Also look for Marvin Williams to develop greatly as he receives more playing time. With Joe Johnson, “the coming out” of Josh Smith, the all-around skills of Josh Childress, and the rest of this young Hawks team following suit, I see this unit doing very well in the second half of the season. Winning 20 out of 32 games is not far-fetched at all. And per Charles Barkley’s comments on “Inside the NBA”, a playoff run might not be out of the picture. I hope these birds realize that. If they don’t, we’re looking at yet another unfulfilled season. Predicted final record at close of season: 37-45 资料来源 http://hawks.realgm.com/articles/546/20060218/mid_flight_review_of_the_hawks/ -- 期待很高阿，老大.. --

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