Atlanta

Knight Rider

Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services 

Presidential elections notwithstanding, Atlanta's Commander-in-Chief Billy Knight has not only been extended in his post as General Manager but he has added the burden of "Executive Vice President" to his broad shoulders as well. Knight also announced the signing of Anthony "Pig" Miller to bring the training camp roster to 19.

Apparently Atlanta's owners feel Knight has accomplished the main task set in front of him of putting together an exciting team that is capable of winning and drawing in fans. After all of his wheeling and dealing, the Hawks are left with an expiring contract in Antoine Walker, a potential breakout star in Al Harrington, a stable if unspectacular rookie in Josh Childress, a potential force in Josh Smith, and some veterans to help with this transition year.

There are two ways of looking at the roster. The first way is to consider Atlanta as yet another expansion team this year, like Charlotte. They have some long-term pieces with their youth and they have some bargaining power with a huge expiring contract combined with talent. They will look to either move Walker at the trade deadline or be more major players next summer than they were able to be this summer. Perhaps they're hoping that some wins will make them more attractive.

The other way of looking at the roster is that they resemble the 2002 Boston Celtics team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals except instead of Paul Pierce they have Antoine Walker. Tony Delk, Kenny Anderson, and Walker are all teammates from that exact same team. In that point of view, the Hawks could get pretty far.

The truth is likely in the middle somewhere, which would mean the Hawks have a solid shot at making the playoffs.

And that in itself would mean Billy Knight deserves a monstrous extension.

NEXT GAME
The Hawks host hometown favorite Dwight Howard and the just-as-rebuilt Orlando Magic on Wednesday, October 13th at the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Georgia, home of this season's training camp. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. EDT. There are no scheduled broadcasts of this game at this time. Tickets are available for this game at Macon Coliseum.

TEAM NOTES
Sunday, Oct. 10 - FREE Open Practice!Get an up-close and personal look at your Atlanta Hawks at an exclusive Open Practice on Sunday, Oct. 10 at Philips Arena. This is your first chance to preview the team -- including Al Harrington, three-time All-Star Antoine Walker and former Georgia Tech star Kenny Anderson -- led by new Head Coach Mike Woodson! Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. and the event is FREE and open to the public.

NEWSLINES

The Associated Press writes inAccess North Georgia: Boris Diaw looked down at his jersey just to be sure. Yes, he's still with the Atlanta Hawks.He's about the only one. The Hawks open training camp Tuesday with a new coach and virtually a new roster. Diaw, Chris Crawford and Jason Collier are the only holdovers from the end of last season. That's it. Everyone else has changed.