<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body"> Hoping a 7-1 preseason record has opened fans to the possibility that this season could be better than the past eight, the Hawks' marketers are trying to reinforce the point.</p> Each of 19 billboards around town carries a large photo of a Hawks player, an oversized team logo and bold type conveying the message that things are changing:?</p> Changing Attitudes," blares one. "Changing Perceptions," says another. "Changing The Game," screams another.</p> The Hawks open the regular season Friday night at Philips Arena vs. the Dallas Mavericks. And after eight consecutive losing seasons — and the NBA's longest current streak of seasons without a playoff berth — there's plenty to change.</p> "We've gotten new uniforms, new colors, made a couple of nice draft picks, and the team has done well [in preseason]," said Lou DePaoli, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Hawks' parent company, Atlanta Spirit. "We're trying to get people to change their perception of the Hawks."</p> DePaoli said the team expects to sell out the opener, although he added that good seats remain available. He said season-ticket sales have been spurred by the preseason record.</div></p> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> </span></span></p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Didn't the Hawks start off hot last season as well or just a good preseason too?</p> </div></p> </p> They started the season 4-1, but with injuries, they fell off.</p>
