Lang Whitaker is many things - executive editor of Slam Magazine, a columnist for SI.com, and most importantly, a die-hard Hawks fan. For 2007-08 , Lang will be sharing his thoughts on the team in an exclusive column for Hawks.com. Check back every Wednesday throughout the season to read his latest musings, and read him every day at www.SLAMonline.com

"Working Their Way Up The Ladder"
by Lang Whitaker

The Atlanta Hawks -- my Atlanta Hawks, your Atlanta Hawks, our Atlanta Hawks -- are 5-2 over their last 7 games. After what we've been through the last decade years, from Babcock to Bowdler to Belkin, we should look at a 71-percent winning percentage and start bouncing like an A-Town dancer.

But we do not. Instead, we Hawks fans, tortured as we are, see that 2 at the end of the 5-2 and allow the crocodile tears to roll. Woe is us!

Well, I'm here to remind us that there's hope Hawks fans! That's right, I'm the Joel Osteen of Hawks.com, but without the mullet! Hallelujah holler back!

I don't know why I feel compelled to deliver this message today, as normally I'm a pretty dour sort, afraid to see any glass as even a quarter full. But while watching the Hawks lose a winnable game against Cleveland last night, I actually (and strangely) felt hopeful.

Yes, even as LeBron rained down improbable jumper after improbable jumper over helpless Hawks defenders, a smile creased my face. LeBron was having to make all those jumpers for a reason -- our Hawks wouldn't go away. While King James showed again why he's the best all-around player in the NBA, Josh Smith continued to drive and dish and Joe Johnson casually flipped in 30 footers. The Hawks would not go quietly into that good night, and they stuck around and fought until the end, just like they did against Dallas a few nights ago.

Am I happy we lost both games? Nope, but I am happy with the way we lost both games. Dallas and Cleveland are both great teams (I know Cleveland's had a rough start, but they've been playing with a fraction of their roster). If the Hawks want to get to the top of the charts and join the NBA's elite, they've got to go from the bottom to the top. And the first step in that long climb will be going from the bottom to the middle. We don't have to beat the best every night, but we have to compete with everyone, every night. We used to not even be able to do that. Baby steps, baby steps.

This includes our head bird. Last week before the Hawks hosted the Pacers, I went to the Hawks' game day shootaround and got to sit in and watch the Hawks fine-tune their defensive plans against a couple of Indy's pick-and-roll plays. And Woody was out there coaching his flattop off, hollering, cursing, telling guys when and where to be and explaining in serious detail what the Hawks players could expect to see that evening. That evening, about an hour before tip-off, I wandered into Woody's office and found him at his desk, staring at a couple of sheets of plays, his eyes bloodshot. On a TV screen (Philips, I hope) hanging on the wall, tape of a recent Pacers game played. I had a few questions for Woody, and he dutifully answered them, but he hardly took his eyes off the screen the entire time.

The Hawks came away that evening with a W, while I came away comforted, knowing that while the Hawks players have started buying into Woody's system, sharing the ball and defending hard, Woody's also still working, trying to improve, trying to become a better coach.

(Either that or he's a really good actor, and I think we all know his acting range is limited after seeing his performance for years on "The Steve Harvey Show.")

MAILING IT IN:

Finally, let's check this letter from a reader with the email address Bee Moe…

I don't mean to come off like a wet blanket on the Hawks' newfound flame, but I just read a disturbing article in the AJC and I was hoping that there was a blog up pertaining to this, but of course I found out that there was none. It is in reference to our oft-injured point guard Speedy Claxton. It has seemed that the only thing "speedy" about Claxton is his ability to get injured quickly AND often. Finger, back and those well-documented, degenerating knees. Get this...in case it was a secret to some, Speedy's second season with the Hawks IS OFFICIALLY OVER. Yeah, he's not going to play another game with the Hawks this season. No surprise, right? Understandable. What I am bothered by is this guy's contract. 4 years, $25 MILLION??? He has the second biggest contract on the team and he hasn't EARNED one red cent of it! The team has yet to offer an extension to Josh Smith, but THIS GUY can continue to sit on our bench and muck up the salary cap?

Is it just me or does anyone else find that this is extremely selfish on Speedy's part?? What in the world is he waiting on? There are no such thing as a "knee fairy." Someone ought to tell dude that.

Signed,
A HAWKS FAN SINCE DAY ONE

Next time Bee Moe specific with your name, my friend, but thanks for writing nonetheless.

I had to edit down your letter a bit for length, but I think your sentiment is clear: You're upset that Speedy Claxton's knee isn't working the way it's supposed to work. Well, you're not the only one. I'm right there with you, and I'm pretty sure there's a guy named Speedy Claxton who totally agrees with both of us.

Wait, does anyone recall whom the Hawks were initially trying to sign two summers ago before they ended up signing Speedy? The player who was supposed to be the answer to all of our problems at the point, our rock of ages? That's right, it was Sam Cassell, who ended up missing about 30 games with injuries last year and has already missed 12 games this season. Do you really think the Hawks signed Speedy knowing his knee was going to give out? Really, do you think that?

And do you think Speedy's happy to sit there and collect his checks without being able to validate those dollar signs? Look, he's got pride just like the rest of us, and he wants to prove himself, to verify he's worth all that cash we threw at him. If he goes for microfracture surgery, perhaps it's a last ditch effort, but it worked out pretty well in the past for two point guards with a problematic knee (their names are John Stockton and Jason Kidd, maybe you've heard of them?). Perhaps Speedy can shock the world and get back to where he once belonged. And if he does get the surgery, hopefully his nickname will serve as a precursor to his recovery.

Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.com. He can be reached at lang@harris-pub.com. The best email he receives each week will run in this column.