2017: The Most Pivotal Season in Atlanta Hawks History

The new look Atlanta Hawks are ready to take on the
league and sink or swim in 2017
(Illustration courtesy of @sole_workz on Instagram)

I already know what you are thinking: "Exaggerate much?"

That is a fair opinion, but please hear me out. The 2016-17 Atlanta Hawks season is without a doubt, the most pivotal and important in the 49 seasons this franchise has been in Georgia.

As to the "Why" behind this proclamation? One word explains it all: CHAMPIONSHIP

Atlanta Hawks fans need, want, desire, and are clamoring for a title. Not just a division title, which the team earned in their record breaking 2015 season, but a World Title. One which would give the city only it's second in its professional sports existence (assuming the Falcons are gonna Falcons)

These aspirations are not just limited to the fan-base either. Hawks ownership has put their two cents in as well. In a recent podcast, Hawks minority owner, Jesse Itzler boldly made his intentions known as an owner.

"I want a (bleepin') parade" - Jesse Itzler on Jeff Shultz' podcast

Hawks Majority Partner, Tony Ressler is
all in with Hawks financially and on the court

Majority partner, Tony Ressler echoed those same sentiments in June. This is certainly a 180 from what Hawk fans were accustomed to hearing from "ownership" during the tumultuous Atlanta Spirit Group days. That group was more known for being in the courtroom and derogatory remarks about the fanbase than uttering the word CHAMPIONSHIP. And the organization is better for it.

Speaking on it is the easy part, the hard part is navigating the minefield of LeBron James, the Golden State Warriors and the rest of National Basketball Association to get said championship. For the past nine seasons, playoff basketball has been a staple in Atlanta, but numerous early round exits have soured those berths. Blame has been placed on a litany of players and coaches as to why the Hawks could not get the job done. 

Two of those players, Al Horford and Jeff Teague have, in their own ways, been jettisoned. Insert new-comer and home-comer, Dwight Howard along with new starting point, Dennis Schroder and this Hawks team has a totally different look Sure, plenty of key components still remain in Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore, but the Hawks dynamic is undoubtedly changing.

 After being embarrased by Cleveland in the last two playoffs, something HAD to change. 

When Ressler and his group purchased the Hawks in June of 2015, he outlined specific details on how he would turn them from a run of the mill NBA franchise into a world class organization. 

Rendering of the new Hawks Practice Facility, which is under
construction and will be completed in 2017
(Photo by HAWKS.COM)

Priority Number One: Build a state of the art practice facility that would be key in retaining and recruiting players as well as have cutting edge training and rehab centers: Check. Construction of the venue is well underway in nearby Brookhaven.

Priority Number Two: Renovate Philips Arena and bring it to current NBA standards: Check. The team and city formally announced today of a two-phased plan to give the 17 year old arena a much needed makeover and develop the surrounding areas. This keeps the Hawks in the ATL for the next 25 plus years.

Newly released Philips Arena remodel images
(Photo by HAWKS.COM) 

Priority Number Three: Attract Prime Time talent to Atlanta and make it a destination for future free agents. Check??? The jury is still out on this one, though one cannot accuse the Hawks for lack of effort. They did land Howard (and even courted him pre-Ressler in 2013) and were vocal about going after the summer's biggest prize, Kevin Durant, though he did not take an interview with the team. It remains to be seen what happens in future summers with salaries skyrocketing and television money flowing for the league, but the front office appears to be relentless on improving a roster who has won 60 and 48 games respectively in the last two seasons.

With a 3-0 start to begin the 2016-17 campaign, Atlanta appears to be well on its way to a tenth consecutive playoff berth, but Atlanta sports fans are unimpressed with multiple post-season appearances. Ask the Hawks' sports brethren, the Braves. Fourteen consecutive division titles were great, but only winning one World Series has put an asterisk next to their dominance in the 90s and early 2000s. And it showed with playoff games being played at turner field with sections upon sections of seats being unsold.

Despite what a certain four-letter network wants you to believe, Atlantans want winners. They want champions, not also rans. 

The Hawks have a tall order in front of them. Not only do they have to battle the Eastern Conference, but they must prove to themselves that this particular roster is unlike the last 48 who tried and failed to bring one to the A. Questions will be asked all season. Will Dwight work here? Can Dennis Schroder make the jump from sixth man to leader? Or, to paraphrase Mike Tirico  from last season's Game 3 versus Cleveland: Who's The Star?

Who will take the shot when all bets are off and Budenholzer's game plan is not working? 

There are 79 regular season games to go and, give or take, 10-20 playoff games thereafter. Hopes are that the Hawks will still be standing in late June, exercising all demons of Pac Past and restoring hope to a city who is accustomed to holding L's like they are the Sesame Street Letter of the Day. If we are using Cleveland, Ohio as a blueprint, it is a good one--and a similar one for the Hawks. 

Dwight Howard has returned to his native Atlanta intent on
bringing the city its 2nd pro championship in history
(Illustration courtesy of @sole_workz on Instagram)

A lost son (Dwight Howard) comes home to shoulder the burden of expectations of a starving fanbase. He embraces it by words and actions in the community (sounds familiar?). The following chapters will play out over the next seven months. If this story has a sad (and familiar) ending, changes WILL be made in Atlanta. 

It will be time to re-evaluate who and what the Hawks organization aims to be. Staples like Paul Millsap (opt-out clause), Kyle Korver, will be able to leave the organization. Dwight Howard may become impatient with the rebuilding process and seek greener pastures. If this happens, the Hawks must react swiftly. 

They cannot afford to go through the doldrums that plagued the franchise between 1999 and 2007. They have come too far.

They have worked too hard to establish respectabilty, not only in the NBA, but in the city of Atlanta. Atlanta, a town who has only been able to call themselves a champion once. Twenty-one years and four days to the date when the Braves finally gave this city sports credibility, it is time to reach the top of the mountain again. 

A parade down Peachtree is well past due. Ownership wants it, and we damn sure want it. Time to get it done, Hawks!

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Artwork by:
Twitter @bhogan1781
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