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

"Time To Grow Up"
by Lang Whitaker

Alright everyone, come in and grab a seat in your locker. Wait, Acie, don't go to the trainer's room yet. Chillz, put down the afro pick.

OK, we've got a big game tonight against Milwaukee, but I want to have a word with everyone before we go out there.

Three years ago, the Hawks won 13 games. Two years ago, we won 26. Last year we won 30.

This season, we've also won 30, although with a dozen games left to play. Even if we split the last 12, we'll finish with 36 wins. Oh sure, we'll still be six games under .500, but for the fourth year in a row it appears the Hawks are going to be better than they were the previous year.

The last time the Hawks won over 30 games, Lon Kruger was the coach. You guys remember him, dude with the unibrow? At that time, being on a 35-win-season pace wasn't good enough, as Kruger was canned during the season.

These days, things are different. That team, in 2002-03, was loaded with veterans, from Glenn Robinson to Shareef Abdur-Rahim to Theo Ratliff. Those guys were supposed to understand how to play the game. They just couldn't pull it off.

You guys, however, have been given something of a pass. You're too young, we've heard, too uninitiated to fully grasp the mysterious ways of NBA.

Be patient, we've heard. Give them time. They will improve. I've said that at least a dozen times over the last few weeks.

Well, guys, the time is now. We've got 12 games left in the season, with our postseason destiny completely in our control. And here the kicker: We get to play against teams that we're more talented than, from Milwaukee to New York to Chicago to Memphis to Indiana.

For once, let's not look too far into the future. I'm not worried about who the coach or who the GM is, which guys will get contracts, any of that stuff. We just need to win, every night. We need our young guys to grow up, starting tonight against the Bucks. We've had four years of inconsistency.

Time for everyone to grow up. Starting tonight.

Alright, let's get out there and kick some butt. Hands in, everyone. On three…one, two, three, TEAM!

MAILING IT IN…

This week's letter comes from reader Steven, who writes…

I have a copy of the last great Hawks moment in the Garden. Sadly it's on an abused VHS that's half eaten. Where can I get DVD's of that series, playoffs or season? I'd be game for buying the entire 87-88 season on DVD.

I've watched the Hawks since '83. Never since 88 have we had this kind of potential and excitement. Yeah, '94 was a good run...but they had nothing on the Atlanta Air Force. Any tips on DVD's would be priceless.

I'll be at the Game Friday. I think two wins on Chicago will really help bolster our next chance getting our ticket to Bean-Town. This time one of the Josh's won't get called for basket interference and we'll smoke the Celtics. Some say it's dreamin'...but you gotta have one to achieve it.

Thanks for your columns and your support of the Hawks. I've enjoyed your takes this year. Honest, candid, yet optimistic. We need that! Sekou, Terence & Bradley just like to whine.

Steve, thanks for writing in. I don't know Bradley or Terence, but yeah, Sekou is totally a whiner. (He'll love that.)

Anyway, as for old games on DVD, great question. I know there used to be a site that sold games in Europe, but because of licensing and stuff you can't get the games here.

Actually, I was trying to get a copy of that Hawks/Celts game on DVD a year or so ago, and I called a contact at the NBA to see if they could get me a copy of just that one game on DVD. Yes, they said, although it would cost me some amazing amount of money. For that price I figured I could build a time machine, go back in time with a DVD recorder and make my own copy.

Your only hope, I think, is catching that game on ESPN Classic or NBA TV.

At least it involves a Boston team, so there's an extremely high probability ESPN will show it.

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.