NBA 2K13 Team Preview: Josh Smith And The Atlanta Hawks In The Post-Joe Johnson Era

The Atlanta Hawks traded away their former All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson in the offseason to the Brooklyn Nets, but that doesn't mean the Hawks are worst off. Atlanta used some of the money they saved on Johnson to add depth to the team by brining in players Lou Williams, Kyle Korver and Devin Harris.

The team lost Jason Collins, Erick Dampier, Kirk Hinrich , Tracy McGrady, Jannero Pargo, Jerry Stackhouse, Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson. The Hawks have been a solid defensive team for the past few seasons. Smith and Horford make it hard for the opposition to score in the paint and the duo contest and block shots well. The Hawks were sixth in the NBA in points allowed last year and that solid defensive play should continue this season.

One of the only weaknesses the Hawks frontcourt has is the lack of quality backups for center Zaza Pachulia and Horford. Pachulia is physical and a solid defender, but he is still recovering from a foot injury that kept him out of the playoffs last season. Johan Petro is still very raw at this point in his career and has never averaged higher than 6 points or 5 rebounds in a season.

The Hawks also have a problem that plagues many NBA teams; they lack one of the few elite players in the league. Although they have a very talent group of player, there still isn't a guy that other teams fear.

According to NBA 2K13, the Hawks will take a step backward with out Joe Johnson and will miss the playoffs in the first season minus the former All-Star. But it will also be because of injures at the guard position to Jeff Teague, Devin Harris and Lou Williams. Former Chicago shooting guard Kyle Korver also fails to make an impact and his three-point shooting average drops from his career 0.413 to a 0.301 average. It isn't all terrible for the Hawks, as Josh Smith has a banner year and finally makes the All-Star team.

Here is how the game simulates the Hawks' season:

Regular Season Record: 37-45 tenth in the Eastern Conference

Top scorers: PG Devin Harris 12.5 PPG, SG Lou Williams 18.1 PPG, SF Josh Smith 22.9 PPG

Leading rebounders: C Zaza Pachulia 6.6 RPG, SF Josh Smith 9.4 RPG, PF Al Horford 9.9 RPG

Assist Leader: SG Lou Williams 3.8 APG, PG Jeff Teague 5.1 APG, PG Devin Harris 6.5 APG

Playoff Opponents

Round 1: Did not qualify

Round 2: Did not qualify

Conference Finals: Did not qualify

NBA Finals: Did not qualify

Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:

Miami Heat

Oklahoma City Thunder

San Antonio Spurs

Boston Celtics

Los Angeles Lakers

Philadelphia 76ers

New York Knicks

Brooklyn Nets

Chicago Bulls

Los Angeles Clippers

Minnesota Timberwolves

Portland Trail Blazers

Cleveland Cavaliers

Washington Wizards

Denver Nuggets

Phoenix Suns

Houston Rockets

Orlando Magic

© 2024 Game & Guide All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.