Commentary

NBA Offseason Buzz: Atlanta Hawks

Originally Published: September 20, 2009
By John Hollinger and Ric Bucher | ESPN Insider

Want to know who's heating up for a big season on the hardwood? Insider is tapping into John Hollinger's projected player efficiency ratings to see who's trending up and down across the NBA. Ric Bucher rounds out the report by examining a pivotal player you'll want to watch as the season approaches. The series continues with the Atlanta Hawks.

The ownership mess took an important step in being resolved. GM Rick Sund re-signed three vital free agents -- Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams -- at prices that would have been impossible three years ago. Rookie Jeff Teague has been drawing offseason raves, and they added versatile vet Joe Smith. The only dark cloud is that coach Mike Woodson is entering the final year of his contract, not by choice, and has made his unhappiness publicly known.

To see which player is taking off, which is crashing to earth and which name you'll need to know for the 2009-10 season, you must be an ESPN Insider.


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Ric Bucher

NBA Reporter, ESPN The Magazine Senior Writer
  • Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine
  • Co-authored "Yao: A Life in Two Worlds"
  • Full-time beat writer/NBA analyst since 1992

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