<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For the past two seasons, Josh Childress and his Atlanta Hawks teammates have had to learn the hard way about life in the National Basketball Association with 39 wins in that span. With some additions in the offseason such as Speedy Claxton who will be the starting point guard after he recovers from a hand injury as well as Lorenzen Wright and Solomon Jones. The third-year Childress who is from Stanford is looking forward to the upcoming campaign. Childress, who was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team in 2005, was in Newnan recently at Boys and Girls Club conducting a clinic as part of a Hawks caravan that is visiting several cities including Columbus and Macon. "The new guys will help us a lot," he said. "Speedy is a great playmaker and Shelden Williams (Hawks top draft choice in 2006 from Duke) is a real smart player. That is something you can't coach." One area that the 6-foot-8 Childress believes will help the Hawks is an identity which is something the team has been lacking. "Last year we didn't have an identity like a Detroit, Phoenix or a San Antonio," the former Stanford Cardinal said. "We are hoping to be a defensive minded team this year and with the new guys we should be more physical." To help the Hawks seek that identity, the 2004 Pacific 10 Conference player-of-the-year has had a busy offseason in preparation for camp which begins Oct. 3. "I have been working on my perimeter game and fine tuning a few things," he explained. "I think the work will help me because I want to be an all-around player and be able to help this team win." </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LAKERSKB8:</div><div class="quote_post">I still see the Hawks winning 30-35. There still to young. Give them a few years.</div> Same thoughts here. Them, the Bobcats, and the Magic still need more time. Atleast one more year imo before making some serious noise.
I think Childress is a sleeper for the Hawks since they are still kind of overloaded at the SF position. If they're going to do well, I think Childress will play a key role in the winning ways.
The key to the Hawks will be the same old formula. Find an inside outside game (fast or slow) and get that ball moving to the hot scorers who can exploit a matchup or a gap in the team defense. This takes teamwork, brains, guys who can shoot, pass, follow orders, take it inside. Sometimes raw talent can do this, but they also need experience and leadership so they get comfortable of what to do in the situation they come across. Otherwise, players can become inconsistent and panic when they feel the pressure from their teammates and coaching staff. Sheldon Williams ought to help some in the way Emeka Okafor helps out on defense. Adding Wright adds more depth to Pachulia who is decent, but there needs to be better rebounding and inside scoring. None of these guys are really good scorers inside. Also shooting could use some work. I like the Hawks potential for defense though. Claxton, Williams, Smith, Childress, are pretty good defenders. Childress and Williams are really smart players and good athletes.
