2008-2009 Finish: 34-48

What went bad

Let's get this out of the way. The Atlanta Hawks took the league worst record in 2007/08 of 18-64 and finished this past season 34-48. However, the team made some bad trades and lost its GM along the way. After scoring rookie phenom in the draft and the guarantee that Greg Oden would be playing, the Hawks seemed poised to be the next Toronto Raptors, a powerhouse of young players ready to be the underdog.

But first, some major personnel changes would be needed. Like many of the lower end NLL teams, Atlanta is a transit station for minimum player contracts but this season kicked with some notable free agent signings. First GM Knicks08 managed to convince star Jamal Crawford to re-sign and let the very expensive Stephon Marbury take a walk. Then he convinced Eddie House and the oft-injured Robert Swift to come aboard. But his biggest coup was wresting Ben Gordon away from Charlotte (for admittedly a big payday). The Bobcats were not going to let their star leave and matched the contract. With a ton of cash to burn, Knicks08 plunked $13 million down for the declining Wally Szczerbiak and two weeks into the season brought on Antonio McDyess. With Dice, Wally, Rose, Crawford and Oden running the team, this Atlanta squad looked the best it has in years.

And win they did. Briefly. For awhile there GM Knick08 steered this team in the right direction. But soon enough, the Knicks08 who didn't even show up to the draft would return, and destroy the Hawks once more.

What went worse

The first trade of the season came a few weeks before the deadline. Already loaded down with point guards, Knicks08 sent Wally's big contract, Robert Swift and his first round pick (that would become Jonny Flynn) for another onerous contract of Kirk Hinrich and the always injured Marquis Daniels. Why would this team, which already had Rose and Crawford, move an expiring contract and a pick for another guard who had missed most of the season with an injury?
The next deal made even less sense. Knicks08 moved forward Linas Kleiza and his second rounder (which would become DeMarre Carroll) for point guards Kyle Lowry and Chris Quinn. Let's replay that: Crawford, Rose, Hinrich, House, Lowry, Speedy Claxton and Quinn. What was the average height for this team?


It was to no one's surprise that Hawks began to slip and soon it all the negligence caught up with Knicks08. He was fired and the team slipped out of contention.

Stars

- Derrick Rose, PG -

Derrick Rose helped restored hope to a franchise in disarray. Rose's selection was hardly a surprise, after the No. 2 overall draft pick averaged 5.6 assists per game and had a scoring average at 20.9. Rose has already established himself as the franchise's first true cornerstone in a long time. He was awarded Rookie of the Week four times. Rose excelled from the start and never really slowed down. Expect big things next season.

- Jamal Crawford, SG –

Though Crawford quickly tired of the Hawks' inept management and crowded backcourt (see below), the veteran turned in an admirable performance this season. In just 52 games he scored 18.8 points on 41% shooting. He also dumped in 36% of his three pointers.

Goats

- Speedy Claxton, PG –

Claxton only played in two games this season and burned through another $5 million of Atlanta's money. What a bust.




- Kirk Hinrich, PG –

Hinrich's arrival sunk the upstart Hawks. He spent some time coming off the bench and then had to play out of position at shooting guard. He only hit 39% of the shots and worst of all, locks Atlanta into a long term deal.

Looking to the future

After the season ended, Crawford opted back into his contract with the stipulation that he be traded. The Hawks found a taker in Charlotte, who sent Al Harrington, Tim Thomas and a 2nd rounder for Crawford. Could this be a new beginning for the Hawks? Unfortunately, the team pulled in point guard Patrick Beverly with that pick. Welcome to Atlanta, Patrick. Join the rest of the short players.

The Hawks find themselves in a difficult situation as the new season approaches. They have a decent starting four in Oden, Harrington, Hinrich and Rose, but the rest of the team is more or less point guards, Thomas and Nazr Mohammed. There is a chance Claxton and Thomas will come off the books and that is what this team needs most. They are barely above the cap and they don't have enough money to bring a marquee player. So what to do? McDyess is unlikely to come back, Daniels is making noise about leaving and the other FAs are bench filler. Trading Hinrich for a handful of forwards and centers makes the most sense. But with his dodgy last season will anyone want him? Welcome to Atlanta. A place with an open job almost 300 days out of the year.