The Atlanta Hawks were a good team in the 08′-09′ season. The Hawks were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers – this would suggest the Hawks are yet to take the leap into one of the better Eastern Conference teams.

The Hawks finished with a 47-35 record season and defeated the Miami Heat in the first round in 7 games.

The 08′ playoffs against the Boston Celtics proved that the Atlanta Hawks were on the rise and should compete for the Eastern Conference Championship in the near future.

The Hawks also have veteran point guard in Mike Bibby who averaged 15 points per game and 5 assists. Al Horford is one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the NBA and he will need to have an outstanding season for the Hawks to have more success this year.

Joe Johnson is – while a very good player – must be put in the same sentence as Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Dwight Howard as one of the best players in the game if the Hawks expect to do anything this season. Joe Johnson averaged 22 points per game – Johnson must be more aggressive and average 24-25 points per game because the Hawks go in scoring droughts.

One of the major concerns for the Hawks was the lack of scoring on offense – out of the 30 NBA teams the Hawks were the nineteenth in scoring, which for a playoff team isn’t acceptable. If the Hawks ever hope to reach the Eastern Conference Finals their scoring must improve.

The Eastern Conference just became stronger again with the acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers – how will the Hawks stop Shaq? That remains to be seen.

Look for the Hawks to build on their success from the last two years. This is a talented, young team that can’t be slept on looking forward. Hawks fans have many reasons to be excited.

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