I am very excited about the way the season started we beat a good not great Denver team, and limped to a win over Minny, but wins are wins. Friday is a huge game not only for the team but also for our frontcourt against Dwight Howard could really set the tone for the season with a dominating performance.

But I think a lot of people are sleeping on the Atlanta Hawks right now, and this is a team that will give the Knicks problems and will probably be between us and them for the 8th Spot.

The Hawks already beat Dallas and Phoneix and blew an overtime game vs. Detriot. Is anyone worried about this team? I think they have one of the brighter futures in the entire conference.

Center Matchup
Al Horford 6.5pts 10.8rbs 1.2blks 1.5stls
Eddy Curry 18.7pts 7.3rbs 0.7blks 0.3stls

PF
Marvin Williams 17.8pts 6.0rbs 2.3ass
Zach Randolf 19.3pts 13.7rbs 1.0ass

SF
Josh Smith 17.8pts 9.5rbs 4.0ass 4.0blks 3.5stls

SG
Joe Johnson 20.3pts 5.5ass 4.5rbs
Jamal Crawford 24.7pts 7.0ass 2.7rbs

Discluded the PG because we have a slight edge right now, I think we have discounted a lot of teams that aren't on the radar, like the bucks, bobcats, etc.

Who are you most afraid?

wait why did you discard Q and the PG again?

Worried about them? Not really - we just have to win games and not worry about any one particular team or matchup until it is clear we're nearing the playoffs.

As to who is more impressive I am impressed by our Knicks they are playing a bit better than I expected this early. However the general consensus is that barring injuries we were a pretty decent team on the upswing last season - and Atlanta is thought of to be garbage - so I'd suggest they have been the more impressive team in terms of improvement.

We win the pg matchup hands down, and q has been horrible because he is not getting touches. Balkman will step in and play the entire night once isiah gets a clue.

Hawks don't have the problem of bench players warranting playing time with big contracts.

I follow atlanta and I think marvin williams is going to break out this year, but they just don't have perimeter shooting or a post game, so they will run hot and cold as a team. They did beat dallas and the suns at home and that is big, but Dallas didn't have Josh Howard and the suns no amare, but hey, that is not the Hawks fault. I think they will be a good team this year, but they are a couple of players away from a playoff team IMO... preferably a good passing PG, a center and another shooter..

Shawn and Marvin WIlliams and Al Horford = NCAA champions. That's 3 winners already. 1 of them won twice. Joe Johnson played on the Suns and knows how to win. Smith is just so freaking talented, he's destined to become awesome. That Hawks team is NOT a collection of misfits. Maybe they needed a jumpstart and a little more time to develop (And maybe they still do) but if they have a good season, it's not going to be a surprise. It was bound to happen.

Wait...we discarded Q? Cool !

Sorry he deserves to be included right now, my apologies for anyone that was offended

SF
Josh Smith 17.8pts 9.5rbs 4.0ass 4.0blks 3.5stls
Q Richardson 4.3pts 2.7rbs 0.7ass 0.0blks 0.0stls 31%

I think there is no denying Atlanta is going to be a good team. But as some else said, they lack outside shooting other than Johnson and they have no consistent post game. It is going to come down to Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and the Knicks for those final two playoff spots, but I like our chances, especially if we can go undefeated in this home stance.

The Hawks were my number one sleeper/surprise team of this season along with the Pacers. I started a thread about 3weeks before the season started highlighting ATL, PACERS, and BUCKS as the teams to look out for and their promising youth.