Post by jcarter17 on Jan 2, 2011 13:53:33 GMT -5
2005 Atlanta Hawks Season Preview
Atlanta, Ga.- Winning a championship is always a great thing for a team, but it was especially special for this group of guys. With an average age of over 30, the starting five of Nash-Jones-Jackson-Pollard-Dampier showed that maybe experience does mean something when it comes to a title run. Outscoring opponents in the East and West by a 103-91 margin, this group finished 16-3 in the postseason, with all 3 losses coming in the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of the division rival Detroit Pistons. That, however, was last season, and while the group of players remains nearly unchanged, many in the Atlanta circles are wondering if there was too much improvement in the East this offseason to maintain such a high level of success.
The starting five remains unchanged, and with 3 of the starting five entering contract years, the Hawks expect a little extra hunger from the starting lineup.
Center: 289 Erick Dampier C 31 6'11'' 265 B D D A A-
At 31 years old, most in the SSBL would consider Erick Dampier old, but as evidenced by last season's team, the Hawks don't worry about age.
Dampier came to Atlanta in 2001 from Toronto and he has been a model of consistency since. With Erick as the starting Center, the Hawks have gone on to win 37, 40, 50 and 57 games, including 2 division titles and of course the SSBL title. While it has been a team effort, Damp's inside presence since 2001 have given Atlanta something it had been missing for a long time.
Power Forward: 510 Scot Pollard C 30 6'11'' 265 B- D+ F+ A- A-
In 1999, fan favorite Scot Pollard was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the Hawks rebuilding effort. Five years later, he would return to the place his SSBL career started as a key piece to a world title. Acquired from the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline last season, Pollard was nothing short of phenomenal. While Brad Miller did an admirable job as the Power Forward for the first 3 and half months of the season, Pollard came in and immediately showed everybody why he was a fan favorite in 1999. Pollard's shot blocking and rebounding proved to be key elements to the Hawks victory.
Small Forward: 5 Stephen Jackson SF 29 6'8'' 215 C+ B- C A- C+
Stephen Jackson was the other key deadline deals for the Hawks last season, as his presence secured the small forward spot that had been a trouble spot for some time in Atlanta. A "jack of all trades" type player, Stephen does everything well, but nothing exceptionally, but as the 5th member of the starting five, he does what is asked of him.
Shooting Guard: 393 Eddie Jones SG 34 6'6'' 190 B A- C+ A D+
The one thing most championship teams have in common is they have a superstar with the ability to take a game over at both ends of the floor. For the Atlanta Hawks, Eddie Jones is that guy. EJ came to the Hawks early in the 2003 season from the Sacramento Kings, and he has done nothing but impress. Averaging 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.6 turnovers in his two seasons in Atlanta, Eddie has been the superstar the Hawks have been missing.
Point Guard: 475 Steve Nash PG 31 6'3'' 195 C+ A A B+ C-
The other thing most championship teams have in common is the floor general with the ability to make everyone on his team a better player. Steve Nash is that guy for the Hawks. Acquired from the Spurs prior to the start of 2004, Steve Nash has been a terrific player and very well could have been the real key to the Hawks success.
The 6th man: 456 Brad Miller C 29 6'11'' 265 B C C- A- B
Coming to Atlanta with Steve Nash from the Spurs last season, Miller was the starting Power Forward for much of the season. At the trade deadline he lost that spot in favor of Scot Pollard, and it has served as a motivator for him. Miller brought scoring, rebounding and shot blocking off the bench, all which proved to be keys in the postseason.
Future Watch: 542 Sebastian Telfair PG 20 6'0'' 170 C+ B A- B D
The 10th overall pick in the draft this year, Sebastian will look to pick up a few things from one of the league's best, Steve Nash. The Hawks are expecting big things from this young man, but for now, he will man the backup point guard spot.
The outlook:
While this team has gotten older this offseason, the postseason is still expected from this squad, and well, from there, anything can happen. The starting five is still one of the top in the league, and while the bench is not as deep as it was last season, there are still contributers at every position. We fully expect 50 wins from this team, and if it doesn't happen this roster could be dramatically different when you come back to read the Hawks 2006 season preview.
Atlanta, Ga.- Winning a championship is always a great thing for a team, but it was especially special for this group of guys. With an average age of over 30, the starting five of Nash-Jones-Jackson-Pollard-Dampier showed that maybe experience does mean something when it comes to a title run. Outscoring opponents in the East and West by a 103-91 margin, this group finished 16-3 in the postseason, with all 3 losses coming in the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of the division rival Detroit Pistons. That, however, was last season, and while the group of players remains nearly unchanged, many in the Atlanta circles are wondering if there was too much improvement in the East this offseason to maintain such a high level of success.
The starting five remains unchanged, and with 3 of the starting five entering contract years, the Hawks expect a little extra hunger from the starting lineup.
Center: 289 Erick Dampier C 31 6'11'' 265 B D D A A-
At 31 years old, most in the SSBL would consider Erick Dampier old, but as evidenced by last season's team, the Hawks don't worry about age.
Dampier came to Atlanta in 2001 from Toronto and he has been a model of consistency since. With Erick as the starting Center, the Hawks have gone on to win 37, 40, 50 and 57 games, including 2 division titles and of course the SSBL title. While it has been a team effort, Damp's inside presence since 2001 have given Atlanta something it had been missing for a long time.
Power Forward: 510 Scot Pollard C 30 6'11'' 265 B- D+ F+ A- A-
In 1999, fan favorite Scot Pollard was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the Hawks rebuilding effort. Five years later, he would return to the place his SSBL career started as a key piece to a world title. Acquired from the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline last season, Pollard was nothing short of phenomenal. While Brad Miller did an admirable job as the Power Forward for the first 3 and half months of the season, Pollard came in and immediately showed everybody why he was a fan favorite in 1999. Pollard's shot blocking and rebounding proved to be key elements to the Hawks victory.
Small Forward: 5 Stephen Jackson SF 29 6'8'' 215 C+ B- C A- C+
Stephen Jackson was the other key deadline deals for the Hawks last season, as his presence secured the small forward spot that had been a trouble spot for some time in Atlanta. A "jack of all trades" type player, Stephen does everything well, but nothing exceptionally, but as the 5th member of the starting five, he does what is asked of him.
Shooting Guard: 393 Eddie Jones SG 34 6'6'' 190 B A- C+ A D+
The one thing most championship teams have in common is they have a superstar with the ability to take a game over at both ends of the floor. For the Atlanta Hawks, Eddie Jones is that guy. EJ came to the Hawks early in the 2003 season from the Sacramento Kings, and he has done nothing but impress. Averaging 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.6 turnovers in his two seasons in Atlanta, Eddie has been the superstar the Hawks have been missing.
Point Guard: 475 Steve Nash PG 31 6'3'' 195 C+ A A B+ C-
The other thing most championship teams have in common is the floor general with the ability to make everyone on his team a better player. Steve Nash is that guy for the Hawks. Acquired from the Spurs prior to the start of 2004, Steve Nash has been a terrific player and very well could have been the real key to the Hawks success.
The 6th man: 456 Brad Miller C 29 6'11'' 265 B C C- A- B
Coming to Atlanta with Steve Nash from the Spurs last season, Miller was the starting Power Forward for much of the season. At the trade deadline he lost that spot in favor of Scot Pollard, and it has served as a motivator for him. Miller brought scoring, rebounding and shot blocking off the bench, all which proved to be keys in the postseason.
Future Watch: 542 Sebastian Telfair PG 20 6'0'' 170 C+ B A- B D
The 10th overall pick in the draft this year, Sebastian will look to pick up a few things from one of the league's best, Steve Nash. The Hawks are expecting big things from this young man, but for now, he will man the backup point guard spot.
The outlook:
While this team has gotten older this offseason, the postseason is still expected from this squad, and well, from there, anything can happen. The starting five is still one of the top in the league, and while the bench is not as deep as it was last season, there are still contributers at every position. We fully expect 50 wins from this team, and if it doesn't happen this roster could be dramatically different when you come back to read the Hawks 2006 season preview.
