By: Drayton Hogarth

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Although we are smack dab in the middle of the football season, the NBA has tipped off its 2016-2017 season, and the Atlanta Hawks will do the same with a totally new look with the free agent signings of Dwight Howard and Kent Bazemore.

The Hawks also made a decision at the point guard position by trading Jeff Teague and going with the younger and higher potential of Dennis Schroder.

Plus, the Hawks added depth in their draft by selecting Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry. Let’s take a look at how the Hawks can build upon these last two seasons, and possibly get over the Cavalier curse.

The biggest roster move for the Hawks was the decision to bring Dwight Howard back to his native Atlanta. Many questioned the move due to some of the brooding and poor attitude that was displayed by Howard in both Los Angeles and Houston.

However, if his interviews are to be believed since his signing, it seems that Howard has been rather humbled by his past experiences and just wants to reclaim his tremendous potential that he came into the NBA with as a top draft pick of the Orlando Magic.

Atlanta seemingly was determined to get tougher and bigger over this offseason after seeing the Cleveland Cavaliers dominate the Hawks in the paint and on the boards.

No matter the decline in Howard’s scoring, which is much more easily manipulated by having a ball-hogging scorer in James Harden, as well as by plays called by the coaching staff.

By resigning Kent Bazemore, the Hawks bring back one of their more popular players both with teammates and the fans. It is the improvement in his gameplay that makes him such an important piece of the puzzle.

Another massive decision that the Hawks made over this offseason was going with Dennis Schroder at the point guard spot over incumbent Jeff Teague.

Teague was traded to the Pacers for the twelfth pick in this year’s draft—more on that selection later in our article. Schroder was able to earn the confidence of Coach Mike Budenholzer down the stretch and in the playoffs.

While not starting, Schroder would very often be in the game when it mattered the most, at the end of the game. Schroder simply wasn’t as timid to drive the ball, and didn’t shy away from taking the big shot with the game on the line. Schroder has shown a knack for being a tougher minded defender. If Schroder can improve his outside shooting just a touch, look for him to challenge for an All-Star nomination.

The Hawks draft was a solid way to build depth along the wing. We mentioned the draft pick acquired in the Jeff Teague trade, that selection ended up being Taurean Prince.

Prince is an athletic small forward out of Baylor. Prince will bring more defense and three-point shooting to the roster.

The Hawks also had their own draft pick and selected DeAndre Bembry. While at Temple, Bembry was a do-everything small forward for the Owls. Again, toughness and athleticism are the two biggest traits that Bembry brings to the Hawks.

The Hawks front office realized that in order to get to the NBA Finals, they will have to get through Lebron James and the Cavs, and the only way to do that is to matchup better in the playoffs.

It hasn’t been the regular season that has hurt the Hawks the last two seasons under Coach Budenholzer. It is when the playoffs come around that the Hawks seem to not be able to reach their full potential, and the Cavs, in particular, have swept the Hawks both seasons.

The difference has been rebounding and athleticism. This offseason has addressed both of those deficiencies with the additions of Dwight Howard and draft picks, Taurean Prince and DaAndre Bembry.

Plus, keeping Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore will mean enough continuity to keep the winning tradition going.