by Derek Flack

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The Atlanta Hawks came into the 2007-08 season with their hopes as high as a skyscraper. They had just added two time national champion power forward Al Horford from Florida to their team with the third overall draft pick from the 2007 NBA draft. The Hawks second lottery pick was Acie Law, a scoring point guard from Texas A&M who they hoped fill a void in their roster.

The Hawks were a collection of young, blooming talent looking to make a push for the playoffs for the first time since the late 90's. Being in the weak Eastern Conference any team has a shot at making the playoffs.

A few months into the season the Hawks weren't jumping up the ranks in the eastern conference, so it was time to make a move. Law wasn't the floor general they hoped he would be, but over on the West Coast the Sacramento Kings were looking to part with their star point guard Mike Bibby, and the Hawks had the mist intriguing offer to pry Bibby away and bring him to Atlanta. The Hawks sent former lottery pick Sheldon Williams along with a handful of expiring contracts to the Kings for Bibby.

With Bibby in the lineup the Hawks had the last three months of the regular season to make a push for the playoffs and climb the ladder to one of the final eight eastern conference postseason spots.

Joe Johnson had proven all year that he is one of the best scorers in the east with 21 points per game and was rewarded with an All Star spot for the 2008 All Star game in New Orleans. Teamed with Bibby in the backcourt was creating more scoring opportunities for Johnson and it was also making more wins.

Coming down the stretch the Hawks were in a fist fight with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and the Indiana Pacers for the final playoff spot. Through hard work and determination and a little help from other teams the Hawks prevailed and finished in the eight and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 37-45 record.

The Hawks were rewarded for making the playoffs by being the first punching bag for the number seed Boston Celtics, who had a league leading regular season record of 66-16.

One week into the playoffs the Hawks have their backs against the wall and are trailing 0-2 in the series with Boston. They will be lucky to win a game in the series but it is an excellent learning opportunity for Atlanta. They a have young, talented roster that can grow together and make a run at the playoffs again next year.

Learn more about this author, Derek Flack.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.