Fall brings the start of a new school year, the reminiscing of summer pleasures, and some long awaited cool weather. It also marks the beginning of the NBA season, something I’ve been waiting for since last season ended! If you couldn’t figure it out already I am a basketball junkie, and to appease my appetite, I’ve decided to provide you avid basketball fans with my team breakdowns and predictions for the upcoming season. I’ll breakdown a new team everyday until the season starts in October. Let me warn you that what lies beneath these words are not for the basketball-illiterate.

Atlanta Hawks:
Key Acquisitions: Jamal Crawford, Joe Smith, Jeff Teague
Key Losses: Acie Law, Speedy Claxton, Solomon Jones
Re-Signed: Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia, Marvin Williams

Analysis:
While the Big 3 in the east (Celtics, Magic, Cavaliers) all made big splashes this summer, the Hawks quietly bolstered their lineup and kept their core group together, shedding little used Law and Claxton from their books. Crawford, an early summer acquisition, will provide the Hawks with much needed bench scoring, one of their biggest deficiencies last season. Smith adds veteran experience to a team who got swept in the second round of the playoffs last year. Re-signing Bibby stabilizes the back-court along with perennial all-star Joe Johnson and Pachulia is a steady backup center. Williams, who is only 23, continues to improve every year as does budding defensive-stopper Josh Smith.

Prediction:
49-33. fourh seed.
Although the Hawks have gotten significantly better since last season they still cannot compete with the big three. I see an improved regular season record, but another second round playoff exit.