2008-09 NBA Wagering Preview – Atlanta Hawks
When last we saw the Atlanta Hawks (37-45 SU, 37-44-1 ATS, 42-40 O/U), they were scaring the bejesus out of the Boston Celtics, running the defending champions unmercifully at home before falling in seven games.
I had high hopes for the Hawks entering the 2008-09 regular season, but those feelings have been tempered by Atlanta’s failure to upgrade their team one iota while simultaneously losing one of their most important players since their first round ouster by the Celtics. Still, the Hawks say they are dead serious about winning this season, starting with training camp.
“We’re going to really focus in on training camp. I’ve had some discussions with Mike (Woodson). It’s going to be a serious, serious endeavor this year,” Hawks GM Rick Sund said. “We’re putting them up at the hotel this year. They’re going to have practice sessions in the morning and skull sessions and meetings and everything at night. We’re going to be like Hard Knocks on HBO, we’re going that route. We’re not going to go crazy because we have rules. But training camp is going to be a 24-7 gig.”
Atlanta, posted uninspiring straight up and ATS records last season despite earning the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Hawks have one of the best guards on the face of the planet in shooting guard Joe Johnson and a capable, if aging point guard in veteran Mike Bibby, although I’ll be shocked if Atlanta doesn’t start to gravitate toward 2007 first round draft pick Acie Law at some point soon.
The Hawks should get a huge boost from the return of a healthy Speedy Claxton and the addition of underrated veteran guard Flip Murray and veteran swingman Maurice Evans.
While the Hawks didn’t have a single draft pick this year, the Hawks are hoping the improvement of the players that currently populate their roster, will be enough to vault them back into the postseason.
Power forward Al Horford is one of my favorite young players in the game and will undoubtedly improve on his stellar rookie season in which he averaged a double-double while former No.2 overall draft pick Marvin Williams has some serious plans on improving his game.
“As always I’m just trying to get better,” Williams said. “I’ve been shooting a ton of (three-pointers). I’ve definitely been working on the 3-ball. And I’ve put on a lot of weight, too. I’m up to about 245 with seven percent body fat. I’m as big and strong as I’ve ever been. I’m finally starting to fill out my frame and it feels good.”
The Hawks will depend on veterans Zaza Pachulia and youngster Zach Morris to man the middle, with Solomon Jones also seeing some time in the frontcourt.
Atlanta ranked 15th in scoring last season, averaging 98.2 points per game while allowing 100.0 points per contest defensively, also 15th overall.
