Atlanta Hawks 2006-07 Season Preview

By Warren Blatt Oct 19, 2006, 15:05 GMT

Forward Al Harrington averaged 18.6 points and 6.9 boards in 76 outings for the Hawks. However, the 26-year-old Harrington now wears an Indiana Pacers uniform. Harrington and center John Edwards were sent to the Pacers in a sign- and-trade deal that landed the Hawks a 2007 first-round draft pick.

Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith had solid campaigns for the Hawks. Pachulia contributed 11.7 points and a team-best 7.9 boards per game, while the athletic Smith averaged 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 blocks.

Forward Marvin Williams, who was selected out of North Carolina with the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, had some growing pains in his rookie year. He scored 8.5 points and pulled down 4.8 rebounds in 79 games. Williams, who played 24-plus minutes per contest, should see more time on the court in his sophomore campaign.

The Hawks missed the postseason for the seventh straight year, but once again had the opportunity to add a solid player through the draft. Atlanta made a bold pick with the fifth overall selection in the 2006 draft, as it grabbed Duke power forward Shelden Williams. Third year head coach Mike Woodson will give Shelden Williams plenty of playing time. The Hawks' rookie should help on the glass and will be ready to the dirty work down low for his new squad.

Veterans Speedy Claxton and Lorenzen Wright joined the club through free agency in the offseason. Claxton registered 12.3 points and 4.8 assists in 71 games for the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets last season, while Wright, who played for the Hawks during the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 campaigns, averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 78 contests for Memphis. Claxton will help at point guard, while Wright gives the Hawks depth in the low post.

General manager Billy Knight continues his attempt to put together a team that will compete for a playoff berth in the near future. The Hawks are getting better, but they are not there yet.

BACKCOURT

The 6-7 Johnson is the key to the Atlanta backcourt. Not only is he the Hawks best offensive player, but he is also their strongest defender. He is one of the best defenders on the perimeter in the league.

Claxton, 28, is an excellent addition. He will run the point and will help the Hawks big time in transition. Tyronn Lue, who averaged 11.0 points and 3.1 assists, and second-year guard Salim Stoudamire will also see time at the point.

Twenty-three-year-old swingman Josh Childress will see some time at shooting guard. He played over 30 minutes per game last season and averaged 10.0 points in his second year in the league. The Stanford product shot an impressive 55.2 percent from the field in 74 games.

FRONTCOURT

Losing Harrington's production hurts, but it will allow Marvin Williams more playing time and that is the only way his game is going to mature. There is no question that Marvin Williams is talented, but he needs to show it on the hardwood.

Pachulia and Wright will split the duties in the middle. Neither player is spectacular, but they both fill a role and should be able to give Woodson solid minutes at center.

Rookie Shelden Williams will get the chance to play center and power forward. He won't learn from watching on the bench, as there should be plenty of opportunity for him to prove to the Hawks that they were smart for selecting him as high as they did in the draft.

Smith's athleticism is a big plus for the Hawks. His ability to create some easy baskets with his defensive skill is a nice bonus. The 20-year-old Smith's monster dunks and exciting style of play is great to have for a team that is still trying to find its way.

OUTLOOK

The Hawks are getting better, but they are still not a playoff team. Johnson's stock continues to rise, while the younger players on the roster will improve with more experience. More than 30 wins is possible in the 2006-07 season.

© 2006 The Sports Network