2006-2007 Finish: 19-63

What went well

Going well and the Atlanta Hawks are not phrases that very often go together in the NLL. Traditionally ignored and often beaten, this sad franchise frequently is without a GM and almost always in last place. After a two-year run in the playoffs at the league's inception, the Hawks settled into a perennial cellar-dweller.

Partway through the most recent season, the Hawks hired GM Jrob to take over. Unlike previous GMs, Jrob knew he had inherited a fixer-upper and managed the team with this knowledge.

It's old news by now, but the Hawks scored the first pick in the rookie draft, netting them Ohio State phenom and next NLL superstar Greg Oden. Rather than trade the pick to the other "Vultures" of the league, GM Jrob will build around Oden and hopefully lead the Hawks back to glory.

The Hawks now have the beginnings of a fresh, exciting roster. T.J. Ford showed no signs of his potentially career-threatening back injury and played in 70 games this season. Luke Walton, hampered last season by injuries, has already verbally committed to a contract extension.

There is still a lot of work for the Hawks and Jrob to do, but it looks as if the Hawks story is finally taking a positive turn.

What didn't

Everything else about the Hawks last season was a nightmare. They finished with the worst record in the league. They won five of their last 35 games. Players like Walton, Speedy Claxton and Bobby Simmons spent almost the entire season in street clothes. Attendance was at an all-time low. Bottom line: they played bad basketball.

Stars

- T.J. Ford, PG -

Ford was one of the few bright spots this year for the Hawks. After missing all of the 2004-05 season with a terrifying back injury, where Ford was sent to Atlanta in the deal that shipped Elton Brand to the Heat, he played one season for the Hawks and then signed an offer sheet with the Pistons. The Hawks retained him at a large salary and reaped the benefits. He averaged 26 points, ten more than his previous best average and led the league in Free-Throw Attempts. On the same token, he led the league in fouls and came in fourth in turnovers. Ford is a free agent this off-season, but the allure of playing with Oden should sway him to stay in Hotlanta.

- Cuttino Mobley, SG –

Mobley played well in his second season as a Hawk. He competed in 78 starts and had his best season yet with 25.6 points per game. He ranked in the top 25 in categories such as Points per Game and Field Goals Made. He also arrived in the Brand deal from Miami and over the past few years developed a seemless backcourt with Ford. The Hawks can expect similar numbers out of him next season and should consider him as part of the foundation to rebuild this franchise.

Goat

- Speedy Claxton, PG –

Claxton signed a big contract with the Hawks last fall in hopes that would be insurance for T.J. Ford and serve as a reliable starter if the necessity called. After the season ended, Claxton turned out to be a bust. He only played in 40 games for the Hawks, spending the rest of the time on the bench. Even though he didn't put up horrible numbers, 10 points and 3 assists, the Hawks expecting much more. Perhaps he will rebound in the 2007-08 season. Expect him to be a Hawk. No one will trade for him at this point.

Looking to the future

While the Hawks have some strong players in Oden, Mobley, Walton and Bobby Simmons, who should return next season from injury, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. On the eve of the draft, there were rumors that GM Jrob was going to send Oden to Miami for Kevin Garnett. What this new GM needs more than anything else is patience. Don't trade prospects for supposed glory. Recognize you are in a rebuilding phase.

The Hawks will also need another big man to go alongside Oden. Mikki Moore, who had a breakout season, has indicated he will prefer to play elsewhere. Juwan Howard, though serviceable, is aging and can only start for another year or two. Nazr Mohammed could be the answer, but the center is disgruntled with the Hawks' losing ways and it shows on the court. The Hawks already flipped prospect Mardy Collins to the Knicks for established swingman Trenton Hassell. That is a good start. Perhaps a balance of youth and experience could be the key.