| Preseason Point/Counterpoint Authored by Patrick J. Austin/Zettler Clay - October 17, 2006 - 8:27 pm
Topic 1: Billy Knight
Patrick: I think this is the make or break season for Billy Knight. If the team struggles, I think he'll get canned sooner rather than later.
Zettler: Yeah, if the team struggles, and there is not a major injury catastrophe, then yes, he will be fired. However, if (knock on wood), Speedy, Smoove and Marvin all come down with season ending ailments, then the axe isn't ready for BK's head. But I don't expect that, nor his firing. [Coach] Woody's deadline is more imminent.
Topic 2: Mike Woodson
Patrick: Just like BK, this is the defining year for Woodson.
Zettler: Oh yeah, winning 13 and 26 games the first two games of your coaching year doesn't beg for mercy…unless you have the youngest team in NBA history, and a buddy for a GM, then you get a third year
Patrick: Very true. I think if the Hawks can win 35-40 games, he'll keep his job, any less and he'll get the axe along with BK.
Zettler: I concur, he has the tools, now he has to use them. The Hawks have to make significant improvement for him to keep his job
Topic 3: Power forward situation
Zettler: This will by far be the biggest question heading into camp
Patrick: There will likely be a heated battle between Josh Smith and Shelden Williams for minutes at the PF spot
Zettler: Actually Pat, I think Marvin has entered that battle too.
I'll tell you what, if Shelden plays well this pre-season, I think Smoove and Marvin will be battling. And it sets a domino effect to the rest of the team; if Shelden starts, either Smoove or Marvin will come off the bench, which would limit either Josh Childress or Salim's minutes because they would have to back up JJ.
Patrick: It's always frustrating talking about Shelden because my mind immediately reverts to--why in the hell did we draft this guy? But I digress; we can't change history.
Zettler: In my opinion, only if he starts and performs well immediately is his pick justified. If he plays 20 minutes a game and averages 5 rpg and 6 ppg, then we have a problem. A number five pick should be an impact player. Shelden has to impact like he did at Duke, or this was a bad, bad, pick.
Patrick: Speaking of Power Fowards, has Solomon Jones done anything noteworthy?
Zettler: He has impressed coaches and players alike in practice
Patrick: But he hasn't done much of anything in the summer leagues and pre-season.
Zettler: In talking to Bob Rathbun (commenter for the Hawks) and Mike Woodson, they both say he has shown tremendous defensive ability with his length and athleticism. He’s been injured, so he hasn't played in the pre-season.
Patrick: I just wish we used that pick to get a young guard like Dan Gibson.
Zettler: You know, it's hard to judge a player before he actually plays some regular season games.
Patrick: True. I shouldn't rush to judgement. It just seemed like such a senseless pick, especially after drafting Shelden
Zettler: Speaking of Gibson, he underachieved in Texas. He was a legitimate 1st round pick coming into the season. And he didn't play well. BK wanted some inside help bad, but I want to clarify that I am not defending his picks
Patrick: I understand, not many people can
Topic 4: Hawks Record
Zettler: If all parts stay healthy, I think the Hawks can win 40 games.
Patrick: My hopes are 40-42, but the realist in me says 32-35, especially with Claxton as our go-to PG. We're already seeing the injury bug rear its ugly head
Zettler: Yeah, his rap sheet doesn't look to Joe Johnson-like as far as durability goes. But if he is healthy, he can get to the rack with the best of them and he’ll cause major problems for defenses, with JJ waiting on the wings, as well as Marvin and Smooth
Patrick: Yep, health will be very important this year. We need our vets--Claxton, Wright, and Lue to stay healthy and help the young kids continue their development
Zettler: We now have 4 players in the starting lineup (assuming
Josh and Marvin starts) who can knock down jump shots with regularity. And ZaZa has a decent mid-range. Well, 3 players; Speedy doesn't have to shoot as much. He will be driving.
Topic 5: Offseason
Patrick: Overall, I thought we had a productive off-season. The glaring holes were filled, even if only with veteran stop-gaps
Zettler: I cannot complain
Patrick: But I was kind of surprised BK didn't pull more of his out-of-the-box moves this summer
Zettler: Not much was available, and BK proved he was not afraid of spending money by offering Sam I Am 13 million.
Patrick: True
Zettler: Signing Speedy was a good move.
Patrick: If he can stay healthy, then yes
Patrick I really like the Lo-Wright signing; he'll bring that necessary toughness and we signed him for very little
Zettler: Lo gashed ZaZa's head on a defensive drill! So yeah, his signing will definitely help. He has great confidence in BK's ability.
Topic 6: Predictions
Patrick: I think the Hawks will miss the playoffs, but improve their record to 35-47. For the NBA overall, I think the championship will go to Dallas
Zettler: I am optimistic...the Hawks win 41 games.
Zettler: A lot of questions hang in the balance for the season (see Player's Rankings on RealGm front page). Kobe will prove he is still the best player in the league and Miami will still dominate. But, if Amare can regain his “Amare of 2004-2005” form, then the Suns are my team to win it all. But that won't happen so the San Antonio Spurs win it. San Antonio and Miami in the Finals.
Patrick: The Spurs will go deep into the playoffs, but I just think Dallas has the best overall talent. They're bringing back the same team from last season plus Mo Ager, Greg Buckner, and Deveon George.
Patrick: Back to the Hawks; with those 41 wins, do you think they'll make it to the postseason?
Zettler:: Yes they will make it. 41 wins in the East guarantees that. Yes I wrote it...they will make the playoffs this season.
Patrick: My o’ my Z, you certainly are an optimist.
Zettler: That's the way you gotta' live. |
