What Went Right?
It's hard to find a lot of things that went right on a team that only won 30 games. Joe Johnson missed 25 games including the final 21 games of the season with a bruised calf. But when he did play, he had a phenominal statistical season. He poured in 25 points on 47% shooting every night he played which were both career highs. Josh Childress missed 27 games during the year but was able to drop in 13 points on just over 50% shooting. Big man, Zaza Pachulia, was able to contribute with 12.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. And Josh Smith became a game-changing type of player as the year went on by having his career season.

What Went Wrong?
Well, it's the Hawks of the 21st century. What didn't go wrong? They had a wasted off-season in the previous summer by signing free agent bust, Speedy Claxton, and by drafting bust, Shelden Williams, with the 5th pick. Claxton missed 40 games and when he did actually get on the court was awful. He averaged 5 points and 4 assists per game while shooting 32.7% from the field. Shelden Williams had 5 points and 5 rebounds per game but played so poorly on offense and defense that the Hawks often went small with either Josh Smith or Marvin Williams at the power forward position.

Off-Season Overview
The Hawks did what they've done for the past 5 years. They added more young players with great potential and kept the inept coaching staff and incompetent front office employed for another year. They added a possible corner stone for the franchise in Al Horford from Florida and drafted Acie Law to run the point for the Hawks. They didn't add any other players through free agency or trades and have failed to come to terms with Josh Smith on a contract extension so far.
Players Added- Power Forward Al Horford (Draft), Point Guard Acie Law IV (Draft)
Players Lost- Point Guard Royal Ivey (Free Agent, Milwaukee), Center Esteban Batista (Free Agent)

Phil Barnett's Impact Players-
The Hawks were the youngest team in the league last year with an average age of 23 years. Instead of trading their early draft picks, they picked up Al Horford and Acie Law, both of whom could make immediate contributions. Their youth, however, could keep them out of the playoffs for another year or two.

Breakout Player: This is a tough one since this team is flooding with youth and raw talent. Josh Smith actually made a left-handed lay-up last year and could be doing a lot more this year. He, along with Ben Wallace and Shawn Marion, was one of only three players to finish in the top 20 in rebounds, steals, and blocks. Also, look for Josh Childress to have a decent season.

Disappointing Player: Marvin Williams is coming into his third year in the league. He was a big time talent going into the 2005 draft and should be putting up big numbers this year, but this actually happening looks grim. I still feel like the former Tar Heel should have stayed another year in college, especially since he didn’t even start on the 2005 National Championship team.

FantasyInsideronline.com Fantasy Sleeper
Acie Law IV, Point Guard- Acie Law was a really good scorer in college because he had to be. He didn't have much offensive help at Texas A&M. Well, in the NBA, he'll have Joe Johnson and Josh Smith to help with the scoring load. The Hawks need Law to run the offense and play defense. Two things he's more than capable of doing. Speedy Claxton has had the inside edge at getting the starting job but now he has a knee injury, which will probably allow Law to move into the starting lineup. Expecting over a steal, 8 or 9 points per game and 7 assists per contest during his rookie year isn't out of the question.

Best-Case Scenario
The young guys finally get it and figure out how to win in the NBA on a consistent basis. Joe Johnson's stats finally translate into victories and Josh Smith becomes one of the best defenders in all of basketball. Law and Claxton are able to provide steady and productive minutes at the point. Marvin Williams has a breakthrough year and finds a way to perfectly compliment Smith and Al Horford while on the floor with them. The Hawks sneak into the 7 or 8th seed and play a tough first round series before being eliminated.

Worst Case Scenario
Talkhoops.net writer, Cory Elfrink, has hypothesized on this for a while. Joe Johnson just simply isn't able to lead this team to victory night in and night out. This year becomes no different from the previous two and the Hawks are still unable to win with all of their young talent. Josh Smith becomes discontent with all of the losing and decides that he won't listen to management anymore and will try to get out of Atlanta and on to another team. Claxton's injury problems don't go away and Acie Law proves not to be ready to handle the load. Horford has a tough time adjusting to the NBA and struggles through his rookie season. The Hawks again win just 30 games and have their lottery pick go to Phoenix in the summer.

Talkhoops.net Prediction- 5th in Division, 14th in East
The Hawks are going to be improved this year, but they still won't find a way to play a consistent, good stretch of basketball that can vault them into the playoff picture. They will probably win about 30 to 35 games again and miss the playoffs by 5 or 6 games. The young players will find a way to put out productive and efficient minutes on the floor and by the end of the season, look like they're ready to make the leap in the '08-'09 season. This team is a year away, much like Charlotte from last season.