NBA profile -- Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks

Last season the Hawks finished 5th in the East with a 40-26 record.  First round exit last season against the Celtics with an injured Horford.  Experience will continue to lead this team to be competitive year in and year out.  The centerpieces of their teams are proven veterans now.  Josh Smith is in his 8th year and Al Horford is in his 5th.  Losing Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams maybe become a challenge towards the end of the season.  

9 new faces on the team including Jeff Teague, Lou Williams & Devin Harris were added during the offseason.  Kyle Korver is expected to be their top sharp shooter.  There will be a different tempo to their offense but the defense of the Hawks will be their strong point of the team.  

The Atlanta Hawks are a work in progress with players that know how to win.  Their division includes the world champs so if they are expecting to win a championship this team will have to gel fast and compete with the Heat.  So far the Hawks are 8-4 on the season.  Al Horford earned the player of the week for the Eastern Conference this week  They have the pieces in place to be successful just have to keep feeding Horford and keep him healthy.  I see a Eastern Conference final in this team's future if they are all healthy by that time.

Top 5 BCS rundown

Shakeup in the NCAA Football Top 5

1.  Notre Dame @ USC -- Huge game is an under statement.  This game is make or break for the Irish.  The Irish have won some big games this season which makes them deserve the number 1 spot.  With the back up QB in for USC and these dominate WR.  Really I don't know what to expect other than a great game.     

2.  Alabama Host Auburn -- Auburn has not been playing well.  Auburn is 3-8 going against a team that can probably beat the K.C Chiefs right now. Tide should be able to roll on to the SEC ship game.

3.  Georgia Host Georgia Tech -- This could be a disastrous trap game for the Bulldogs.  With a chance at a national championship game appearance the Yellow Jackets look to put all the hype to rest

4.    Florida @ Florida State -- WOW! What a way to close out the season for both teams.  The Seminoles should be in the top 3 but the close loss to NC State was too much of a blow for them.  They will look to prove themselves this weekend against a struggling Gator Defense.  My eyes will be glued to this game.

5.   Oregon @ Oregon State -- The Ducks are now on the outside looking in with a huge upset handed to them by Stanford.  The Civil War won't be an easy game for them.  If they escape this game then they will have a chance to the national championship game if the above teams all screw up.