Post by w2d on Jul 20, 2010 16:51:38 GMT -5
The Atlanta Hawks are taking a big gamble. The free-wheeling and immediate gratification seeking front office has decided to play for the next 3 years. What's at stake? Only the long term good of the franchise.
Through moves made in the initial player selection draft the Hawks traded away their pick in this seasons rookie draft to the Pistons as well as a first rounder to the Heat that will fall somewhere between the drafts of 2005-2009. These moves certainly seemed as if they would have minimal impact at the time.
Unfortunately, disaster then struck. Franchise cornerstone & overall number seven pick Kevin Garnett went down with patella tendinitis only a month into the season and is just now a couple of weeks away from a return. With capable veteran Derrick Coleman ably filling in the consensus was that the Hawks would be able to tread water in the playoff race until the return of KG. What could not be foreseen was the loss of star PG Nick Van Exel to a torn ACL just a week after the injury to Garnett. With the loss of the NBA's third leading assist man the Hawks front office was at a crossroads: stay put with the roster that was left or take a huge gamble with the future of the franchise by making bold moves to acquire strong replacements for their 2 injured stars.
By choosing the latter the Hawks brain trust quickly jettisoned 1st round picks in 2003 & 2004 to attain Juwan Howard & Derek Fisher respectively. Since the two additions have joined the squad the team has responded well, losing only to Eastern strongholds Orlando & Philly with late fades in the fourth quarter. With Garnett set to return in a little over two weeks Atlanta finds themselves holding on to the 5th spot in the rugged East with a potential run at the 3rd seed not out of the question.
Even with all of this maneuvering the Hawks may only find themselves staring at the behemoth north of the border known as the Toronto Raptors. Can this team as currently constructed, even with KG back, hope to contend with Toronto? The smart money says no, that the loss of Van Exel will be too much to overcome. However, with a core of players in their prime 25-30 years including Garnett, potential All-NBA selection Antawn Jamison, Howard, Jamal Mashburn, Van Exel, & Fisher coming back, the 2003 & 2004 seasons just may be the ones the Hawks are really pointing toward. And if the ultimate success and prize is not attained in the winning months of May & June these next few years then what will the long-term future of this franchise hold?
A city and fanbase hold their collective breath awaiting the answer.
Through moves made in the initial player selection draft the Hawks traded away their pick in this seasons rookie draft to the Pistons as well as a first rounder to the Heat that will fall somewhere between the drafts of 2005-2009. These moves certainly seemed as if they would have minimal impact at the time.
Unfortunately, disaster then struck. Franchise cornerstone & overall number seven pick Kevin Garnett went down with patella tendinitis only a month into the season and is just now a couple of weeks away from a return. With capable veteran Derrick Coleman ably filling in the consensus was that the Hawks would be able to tread water in the playoff race until the return of KG. What could not be foreseen was the loss of star PG Nick Van Exel to a torn ACL just a week after the injury to Garnett. With the loss of the NBA's third leading assist man the Hawks front office was at a crossroads: stay put with the roster that was left or take a huge gamble with the future of the franchise by making bold moves to acquire strong replacements for their 2 injured stars.
By choosing the latter the Hawks brain trust quickly jettisoned 1st round picks in 2003 & 2004 to attain Juwan Howard & Derek Fisher respectively. Since the two additions have joined the squad the team has responded well, losing only to Eastern strongholds Orlando & Philly with late fades in the fourth quarter. With Garnett set to return in a little over two weeks Atlanta finds themselves holding on to the 5th spot in the rugged East with a potential run at the 3rd seed not out of the question.
Even with all of this maneuvering the Hawks may only find themselves staring at the behemoth north of the border known as the Toronto Raptors. Can this team as currently constructed, even with KG back, hope to contend with Toronto? The smart money says no, that the loss of Van Exel will be too much to overcome. However, with a core of players in their prime 25-30 years including Garnett, potential All-NBA selection Antawn Jamison, Howard, Jamal Mashburn, Van Exel, & Fisher coming back, the 2003 & 2004 seasons just may be the ones the Hawks are really pointing toward. And if the ultimate success and prize is not attained in the winning months of May & June these next few years then what will the long-term future of this franchise hold?
A city and fanbase hold their collective breath awaiting the answer.
