Lang Whitaker is many things - executive editor of Slam Magazine, a columnist for SI.com, and most importantly, a die-hard Hawks fan. After a successful run as a columnist for the Hawks last year, he's is back for another go in 2008-09 to share his thoughts on the team exclusively for Hawks.com. Check back every Wednesday throughout the season to read his latest musings, and read him every day at www.SLAMonline.com

"Yes We Can!"
by Lang Whitaker

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that the NBA is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of the pick-and-pop, today is your answer.

It's the answer told by a dominant performance on the road in Orlando, by an incredible come-from-behind victory over the Sixers, by a huge win in New Orleans, because the Hawks believed that this time must be different, that their games could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by Bibby and Joe, Al and Josh, by Marvin, Flip, Mo, Acie, Zaza. Players who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of guys between 6-6 and 6-9, or a collection of guys who weren't good enough to play on any other teams.

We are, and always will be, the Atlanta Hawks.

OK, I guess that's enough channeling President (elect) Obama, because I think you get where I'm going: Yes We Can.

That's it -- starting today, that's my motto as a Hawks fan. I didn't think it could happen this fast, but before our very eyes, these Hawks have become a real, solid, good NBA team.

I suppose we should start with the defense, because it's been as tight as Michael Cage's curl over the last week. The win in New Orleans was great, but what really impressed me was that they held the Hornets, who were coming off a stretch of six straight games with at least 100 points, to just 79 points. Guys are rotating correctly, staying in position, getting on the ball, boxing out -- they look like something out of Red on Roundball out there. Mike Woodson came to town with a rep as a defensive specialist, and the Hawks haven't been an abjectly horrific defensive team, but they've also never looked this complete on the defensive end.

Offensively, our franchise player is carrying our franchise. Perhaps you saw the story this week about an "anonymous" scout saying of Joe Johnson: "He's a good third player on a contending team. But he's not the guy you build around." Really? Because it seems to be working pretty well for the Hawks. Also, let's give a shout-out to Josh Smith, who's been playing under control and looks like he's quietly taken his game to the next level.

The Hawks are here, kids.

Yes we can.

(Now if we could just Mike Woodson some suit jackets that fit…)

MAILING IT IN…

This week we hear from reader LB, who writes…

I'm a huge Hawks fan. I went to 10 games last year and plan on attending at least 10 this year (I was also there for the awesome opening night game last week).

I'll make my question short: After only 2 games, the Hawks seem much improved, especially off the pine w/ Murray and Co. But I still feel the same way about the Hawks as I did at the end of the playoffs last year: We NEED a big man. Zaza does good off the bench and has potential BUT I think if we're gonna win consistently against the Celtics, 76ers, Magic, Pistons and Cavs, we need a presence down low to go w/ Smoove and Horford.

Do you agree? Would it be possible to acquire a big?

Well, it's possible, LB. We still got two bigs on the bench that we haven't seen a lot of this year in Solomon Jones and Randolph Morris, so the jury's still out on them. Either way, having one more veteran big man who can knock some heads and give some fouls down low probably tops my wish list right now. Someone wake up Kevin Willis!

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.