NLL Insider - Team by Team: Atlanta Hawks

by proid, updated on Thursday, August 28 2008, 04:35 pm EST

Atlanta Hawks Review

2007-2008
Finish: 18-64
What went bad

The Atlanta Hawks are a prime example of the difference between the NLL's rich and poor. While teams like Dallas and New Jersey experience success season after season, the Hawks have been more or less written off by the NLL community and the team's fans. That is not a good place to be.

One thing Dallas and New Jersey possess that has eluded the Hawks all these years in consistent management. GM Jrob bowed out sometime between the seasons and new GM Knicks08 stepped in to try and fix the mess that bad management has created down in Hotlanta. Armed with the excitement of the arrival of Greg Oden, GM Knicks08 had a chance to turn things around this season with the Hawks.

Most players who play in Atlanta want out. This season began as usual with Luke Walton, Mikki Moore and others saying sayonara to the team. Only point guard T.J. Ford remained loyal to the franchise and re-signed. It was time to attract new blood to the Atlanta court. But a new GM and a crap team doesn't do much to entice players. You know there is a problem when your biggest free agent acquisition is Penny Hardaway and it took way more than the veteran's minimum to attract him. Joining Hardaway were these FA prizes: Demetris Nichols, Sean Marks and Justin Williams.

That didn't stop Knicks08 from trying to turn things around. He sent Cuttino Mobley, the oft-injured Bobby Simmons and T.J. Ford to Bulls for Stephon Marbury, Keyon Dooling and Jamal Crawford. While Crawford and Dooling had career years, Marbury played only five games in a Hawks uniform and then sat out. That's a good use of $20million+.

What went worse
For the third time in three years, the Hawks finished last place in the Eastern Conference. With this newest squad, they ended with their worst record yet. But the biggest blow to the team was Oden. He arrived for training camp and informed the team he needed surgery on his knee. He would miss his entire rookie season. Also, the new GM's Knick obsession became apparent when he traded two of his best players for Marbury and there is even talk he will bring the malcontent back next season. Once again, Speedy Claxton sat out the entire season. Things couldn't get much worse for the Hawks.

The Star

Jamal Crawford, G -
We can all imagine Crawford's face when he learned that after five seasons with the Chicago Bulls he would be banished to the Hawks. His only consolation must be that he could opt to leave after the one year ran out on his contract. But something happened to Crawford in Atlanta. He became The Man. He averaged a career high in points (28.4), assists (5.2) and minutes (31). Maybe breaking free of working with Marbury helped. His contract is up. Will he follow the train of Atlanta FA departures or help Oden bring the team back from the dead next season?

The Goat

Stephon Marbury - G
While the T.J. Ford deal netted the team a star this season, it also netted them one of the biggest wastes of $20 million in the entire league. After suiting up for just five games in Atlanta this season, perennial head case Marbury decided to shut it down. The GM would be wise to just let him walk this fall. A franchise that needs this rebuilding shouldn't invest so much in one player, especially one with a chip on his shoulder this big.

Looking to the future

For a GM looking to ingratiate himself in the cutthroat FA market this fall, GM Knicks08 is not really doing the most impressive job. His most recent gaffe resulted in his failure to turn up for the league's draft. These Hawks need help! Though they have two promising young players in Oden and Linas Kleiza under contract, they are going to need to be savvy in the FA game to make a splash this season.

On the other hand, the Hawks did fare well in the draft. With the second pick they attained the much-vaunted Derrick Rose. He is an athletic point guard that should make Marbury nothing but an afterthought. He is a threat on both ends of the guard and paired with Oden, could just be what the team needs to bring in some business. Also selected was big man Serge Ibaka. He is not NLL ready and will play in Europe next season.

The Hawks have more than $35 million to play with this offseason. Once again- we hope they do not use $20 million of that to retain Marbury. Keeping Crawford would be a big plus, but his return is not set in stone. The Insider recommends the team build around Oden, Kleiza and Rose. Nazr Mohammed is a decent enough center. If the team can splash out and get a class shooting guard, as well as bench mixed with cheap veterans and up-and-coming young players, the Hawks should be on the right path. This is a crucial time for the team. One wrong decision and the team could be mired in years of financial woes. Good luck, Hawks.

NLL Insider - Team by Team: Atlanta Hawks

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