[外電] Mid-Flight Review Of The Hawks
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
資料來源
http://hawks.realgm.com/articles/546/20060218/mid_flight_review_of_the_hawks/
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※ 編輯: ZazaPachulia 來自: 59.121.56.151 (02/21 20:00)
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