The Atlanta Hawks

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ATL 100 MIA 92

The Atlanta Hawks being the first team to inflict a loss to their South West Division rivals, the Miami HEAT. The Hawks used a surge in the final quarter as they outscored the HEAT 33-21.

Joe Johnson lead the Hawks with 21 points while Al Horford scored 16 points. The Hawks had some lift off the bench with 16 points from Tracy McGrady. While point guard Jeff Teague added 15 points in the effort.

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The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran point guard Jannero Pargo.

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Head coach Larry Drew revealed that the Atlanta Hawks will be playing more uptempo this season and will look to push the pace of the game into fast breaks. Atlanta is a good rebounding team with scorers in the wings from last season. This season, the Hawks still have the wing-scoring from last year and a more uptempo attack will help their scoring woes as a team.

Last season, the Hawks are ranked 11th out of 15th in transition points in which is mind boggling given that they had Josh Smith and Joe Johnson in the wings. This season, expect Jeff Teague to lead the much more pressurized offense on which Teague's athleticism and distributing skills are ideal for the break. Teague could help Johnson, Williams, McGrady and Smith up their scoring during the break.

The Hawks currently have the mis-direction plays on their half-court sets and the integration of the uptempo attack will help up the team's scoring. That too will make the team much more exciting with the viewership.

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AJC reports that the Atlanta Hawks are interested in free agents Chauncey Billups or Gilbert Arenas.

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The Atlanta Hawks have signed sharp shooting bigman Vladimir Radmanovic to a one year contract. Terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

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The Atlanta Hawks have re-signed center Jason Collins to a one year veterans minimum deal. The Hawks also signed rookie Keith Benson, who they selected in the second round of the 2011 NBA draft.

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ESPN Radio reports that the Atlanta Hawks and veteran point guard Earl Watson are close a deal.

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Tracy McGrady and the Atlanta Hawks have reached an agreement on a 1 Year Veteran Minimum Contract.

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Rumor has it that the Atlanta Hawks are interested in inviting veteran guard / forward Jerry Stackhouse into their training camp roster. Stackhouse last played with the Miami HEAT last season before being waived.

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It is reported by ESPN Radio that Tracy McGrady is drawing interest from the Atlanta Hawks.

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CBSports reports that Kirk Hinrich will be sidelined for weeks due to surgery on his shoulder. Hinrich is expected to return late December or early January depending on the rate of recovery.

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Rumor has it that swingman Josh Smith is open to being dealt to another team.

Sources: Smith Would Welcome a Trade

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The Atlanta Hawks are also interested in New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul?

Atlanta Hawks Could Offer Enticing Package For Chris Paul

The Hawks could arrange a deal consisting of Jeff Teague, Marvin Williams, Draft Picks and Cash Considerations. That package is not the best deal for Paul and the Hornets but surely, would be better than nothing if Paul walks away in the next off-season.

It can be noted that Hawks could have drafted Paul in the 2005 NBA Draft, but selected Marvin Williams as the second overall pick.

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For the Hawks, I look forward to the following issues:

1. Josh Smith

Smith has been a fixture of trade rumors prior the lockout. We will see this season is Smith is traded for a center. That will allow Horford to finally play PF to his heart's desire.

2. Kirk Hinrich

Surely Hinrich will stay as he stabilizes the point guard spot. I look for improvement with the team-sync given a full season with training camp.

3. Jeff Teague

Most likely being groomed as a starting point guard. He can learn a lot from Hinrich.

Also a good read about the situation:

Atlanta Hawks Roster Breakdown, Amnesty Clause And More

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Updates on key Hawks players Joe Johnson, Jeff Teague, Josh Smith, ect.

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2011/11/25/2584784/atlanta-hawks-updates-joe-johnson-jeff-teague-josh-smith-and-more