NBA Special Report: Atlanta Hawks- Team Profile
The trade and draft sessions kept going on. Joe Johnson was drafted in place of Boris Diaw in the summer of 2005. The team also found Zaza Pachulia, who was selected from the team Milwaukee Bucks. These were some of the major changes that took place in the
team during the year 2005. This change was also a result of a really hard struggle attempt that kept going on for a period of three weeks between the owners of the team. The issue of ownership of the team still remains present with a strive that continues
till the present day.
Sinking Ship
The Hawks faced really difficult times, survival became a hard to achieve state and literally, the ship that carried the Hawks started sinking. In 2007, when even the Golden State Warriors were qualified for the NBA Playoffs, Hawks was one of those teams
that had faced the most consecutive seasons in NBA without an appearance in playoff. They were also entitled for losing 50 consecutive seasons and also for the 2nd longest run for not winning a title in NBA for 49 years after their first and only
championship in 1958, when the team was located in St. Louis. It seems like St. Louis was the only fortunate place for the team to reside in.
The Plus Point
Things started changing in 2007 for the ill-fated Hawks. As they say every cloud has a silver lining, so was the case with the now hopeful Atlanta Hawks. They started drafting players they thought would be of an asset to the team. Carefully they picked Al
Horford who was from the University of Florida and added him to the team using third pick of the NBA Draft. Al Horford stands out a bright and excellent player in his career. He scored an average of a double-double in the rookie season that shows that he is
a player of an element. He has also been privileged as a runner-up for honours in Rookie of the Year.
Hopes started for a bright future as they started the season by winning against the Dallas Mavericks. The lost smiles of the Hawks followers were revived once again when they scored 101-94 points. This was a breather for the Hawks’ fans as the last time
they had stood victorious was back in 1998 and that too was a season opener. They must have wanted to re-live the golden memories of St. Louis as the Atlanta Hawks changed their uniform colours to navy blue, red and white that very season.
Face to face with the Celtics again!
In Feb, 2008, the Atlanta Hawks drafted Mike Bibby from Sacramento Kings for Anthony Johnson, Shelden Williams, Tyronn Lue, and Lorenzon Wright. In April, 2008, the Hawks somehow pushed the series to seven games against Boston Celtics. This was quite a big
competition as the Boston Celtics were the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and also the champions of NBA. Hawks stood victorious in Philips Arena in all three games eventually falling down once again in Boston, 99-65.
The Former GM of Seattle Supersonics Rick Sund assumed duties as the General Manager to the team after Mike Woodson was fired as a coach by the owners. All this took place after Billy Knight resigned as the general manager in July 2008 saying it was time
for him to take a break.
The Hawks vs. Timberwolves pay off
Success knocked on the doors of the Hawks after a long time when they played against Minnesota Timberwolves in March 2009. This was a big achievement for the Hawks as this was their first victory after 1998-99. But even after defeating the Miami Heat in
seven games they faced defeat at the hands of Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
The trade of guards Speedy Claxton and Acie Law for Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors took place in June 2009. Jeff Teague who was a promising guard was also drafted in the 2009 NBA Draft. Finally, the Hawks won over the Orlando Magic in March
2010. They earned their third straight playoff by doing so. This was the first time for the Hawks to win 50 games since 1997-98 period. This proved to be successful in having them gain a 53-29 record.
The Hawks never lost hope and in April 2010, they were the 1st round openers against the Milwaukee Bucks scoring 102-92 win. They kept advancing and won while playing against the Milwaukee Bucks in game seven of the series. The 2nd
round that they were advanced to, lead them to face Orlando Magic. The same thing happened that had happened the previous year; they again lost a four game sweep.
The head coach, Mike Woodson was replaced by Larry Drew during the 2010 offseason. Joe Johnson was also given resigned to a 6 year long contract that is worth $119 million.
Heads High
The Hawks have a struggling history to their record, they have the potential and spirits, and they require only the right coaching that can bring out the hidden hawk spirit in them. They haven’t yet passed the Conference Semi-finals ever since they moved
to Atlanta in 1968 but if they keep following the rules and their fans keep supporting them, they might.
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