Last year, in the words of Hawks announcer Bob Rathburn, “The Hawks had shocked the NBA!” That statement became very true as they took the eventual 2008 Champion Boston Celtics to a seven game first round matchup. Many speculated that the Hawks were any easy kill, to be swept in four games. The Hawks thought differently, playing phyiscal and giving the C’s a run for their money.
The addition at the 07-08 trade deadline, of point guard Mike Bibby is what drove the Hawks into the playoffs. He came in, with the Hawks just outside of the 8th seed for the eastern conference playoffs. Bibby provided an offensive spark, and the leadership that Atlanta had been missing because they were such a young team. He took pressurre off of Joe Johnson. This team rallied, finishing with a 37-45 record.
The fought the Celtics and took the champs to seven games. They eventually lost on Boston’s home court in game seven. Though disappointed, the Hawks had an even better season to look forward to in 2008-09. They would have Mike Bibby for a full season. They lost Josh Childress to a team in Greece. At the time the loss of Childress seemed huge. Soon though, people forgot who Josh Childress was , as the Hawks signed two quality back-up veterans, Flip Murray and Maurice Evans.
Murray and Evans were great additions, to compliment the already strong Hawks starting core of Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smtih, and Al Horford. For the 08-09 season, the Hawks finished 47-35. They face the Heat in the 1st round. The Heat a year ago, were a disgrace to the league, after being NBA champions just one year before. They drafted Michael Beasley to bulk up the front court. After a challenge from the Philidelphia 76ers, theywere able to hold on to the 5th seed.
So now the question remains, who will win: Hawks or Heat? You decide.
