They main things is they finally have what they've been searching for since the end of the Mookie Blaylock era, a point guard(and no Jason Terry doesn't count). Once Bibby got a little time to acclimate w/ the rest of the team they could focus on other areas. Now they've solved that problem while giving Acie Law time to grow into the pg position. Only issue is if Woodson is a good enough coach to take them past the 1st round.
Career 3pt shooting %s Mike Bibby 37.0 Joe Johnson 37.7 Mo Evans 36.8 Marvin Williams 24.8 Josh Smith 26.6 Ronald Murray 28.0 Acie Law 20.6 I'll give it to you that, aside from the top 3 guys, the rest of them do NOT shoot the 3 very well. However Williams and Smith are both taking and making 3 pointers so far this season: Williams attempted 0.7, 0.7 and 0.2 per game his first 3 seasons, so far this season he is making 1.5 per game - and took and made plenty in the pre-season, has he added a string to his bow?; Smith's % has risen every season from behind the arc. And that's besides the point - the top 3 guys are all above average 3 point shooters, and are all significant minute guys - which gives them a solid 3 point shooting squad (one would think!) I wouldn't say they are devoid of 3 point shooters. What I think they DO have is a strong frontcourt rotation of Horford, Smith and Pachulia. Pachulia is great off the bench as a centre who can score from the post position. I think Atlanta is a young team where the individuals should expect to improve this season (and that should help them as a team). Be interesting to see if it's just a hot streak, or if they are genuine!
As some posters have said, it's the east - anything is possible . Yet, I think the Hawks will genuinely be above .500 this year and not make the playoffs as a team 50 games under .500 like last year. Hey, it's a start right?
One thing that i love about them is the freakish athleticism across the board. At the end of the Hornets game they switched on every pick. Smith can hold David West but so can Horford or Williams, I even saw Joe Johnson successfully switch on him. Their mix of quickness and strength on D is unmatched. Last year their offense was hard to watch and they seem to have improved so i think they'll definately be in the playoffs again. How far they go depends on matchups.
