<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body"> The new uniforms are washed and pressed. The roster is set. The goal — PLAYOFFS! — has been stated. All that's left is for the Hawks to kick off the 2007-08 season, which they'll do Friday against Dallas at Philips Arena.</p> The month leading up to Friday's opener, however, could prove to be the true make-or-break portion of the Hawks' season.</p> <table width="175" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0" align="left"> </table> Sure, the 7-1 record they piled up during the exhibition season, their best in 25 years, means nothing once the real games start. But the chemistry forged during that time could well decide the Hawks' fate this season.</p> So what did we learn about these Hawks during the exhibition season? (And remember, much of what happens then needs to analyzed in context.)</p> ——————————</p> Point guard Speedy Claxton</p> What we learned: Claxton's still not over his injury woes and might not get over them anytime soon. His knee issues remain.</p> ——————————</p> Point guard Anthony Johnson</p> Key stat: .333 field goal percentage</p> What we learned: He admittedly shot the ball horribly from the floor in the seven exhibition games he played. And 14-for-42 shooting during any seven-game period during the regular season could be fatal for someone with a tenuous hold on the starting job (if Johnson actually holds on to the job). A fierce competitor, Johnson won't go to the bench quietly.</p> ——————————</p> Shooting guard Joe Johnson</p> Key stat: 16.4 points per game</p> What we learned: That's nearly a 10-point dip in scoring from Johnson's All-Star season, a cause for concern if it were any other player. But Johnson wasn't nearly as aggressive during the exhibition season as he will be come Friday night. What he needs, though, is a permanent backcourt partner so they can learn how to play off each other during crunch time.</p> </div></p> More Hawk Player Analysis</p> </span></span></p>
