Over the next month until opening night on October 31, I’ll be previewing one NBA team a day. Starting in the Eastern Conference, I’ll be starting with my lowest ranked team and continuing to the best, then switching conferences. Enjoy.

Playoff Drought Bound to End…Eventually
When I decided who to pick as the worst team in the Eastern Conference, I immediately though of the New York Knicks. However, I don’t want to start this month-long feature with something so negative. I figured I’d start with a team that has had it’s share of struggles but actually has hope for the future, unlike Isiah’s Knicks.

Overview
The Hawks have gone the route of the Chicago Bulls and (as I’ll preview tomorrow) the Charlotte Bobcats. They’ve rebuilt their franchise from the ground up by drafting developed, talented players with college experience. The exception here is slam-dunk specialist Josh Smith, who was drafted out of high school. A combined 67 wins did two things: it made them a league laughingstock but it also gave them some young talent. With selections like Josh Childress (the guy from Stanford with the awesome fro), Marvin Williams, Salim Stoudamire and Shelden Williams in the last three seasons, the Hawks have a talented young nucleus to play with star swingman Joe Johnson.

Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Speedy Claxton/Tyronn Lue
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Josh Childress
PF: Marvin Williams
C: Shelden Williams
Key Reserves: Salim Stoudamire, Josh Smith

Three Questions about the Atlanta Hawks
1. Can Shelden “18 Inch Forehead” Williams make as large of an impact on defense as he did while playing for Duke? Williams was able to dominate in the ACC because of his pure strength inside. But this is the NBA and a division with Shaq, Dwight Howard, and Emeka Okafor. Also, how will Duke sackrider Dick Vitale function without getting to watch Shelden stuff dismal white centers from the ACC.

2. Can Marvin Williams play up to his #2 selection? Williams’ rookie season was decent (8.5 PPG) but by passing up Rookie of the Year Chris Paul, the Hawks left themselves open for criticism. Had they drafted either Paul or Raymond Felton, they wouldn’t have the dismal platoon situation they have now.

3. Can the Hawks do enough to improve for a third straight year? I think so. They doubled their win total from two years ago last season, improving from 13 wins in 2004-2005 to 26 wins in 2005-2006. Another season with marked improvement can leave this team ready for a playoff berth in 2007-2008. But these are the Hawks so time will tell.