It is the season of previews. Peachtree Hoops dropped ours last week. But that was done in the preseason optimism that reigned over us before the Orlando game.

Clearly, Joe Johnson would have a different perspective after the loss on Friday.

"Sometimes, I can't tell if we really want it,'' Johnson told FanHouse after his Hawks were embarrassed by a 37-point loss Friday night in their final exhibition game by the Orlando Magic. "It's discouraging. Sometimes, you never know what you're going to get from this team. And that won't work.''

I could call this leadership or I could call this throwing under the bus. Either way though, you normally want your leadership to have a clear line between the two.

The Human Highlight blog continues to call everyone aboard the train of depression/realism with their own preview.

That the front office doubled down on the status quo with their moves in the off-season while not extending the chief architect's (Mike Woodson's deal ends at the end of this season) contract was telling in that they believe they have the talent to win big, but not sure about the basketball philosophy that's wrapped around it. You can't expect a different paradigm from the same people--that's why organizations make changes even while winning. If this style doesn't scale up again this year, THHB would expect a change in approach before the next season begins.

Woodson getting fired? Check that the train of optimism/realism. Ahhhh, I kid, I kid.

Joe Johnson is by far and away the best player on this team. I know Josh Smith gets a lot of attention because of the highlight dunks, but he isn't even the team's second-best player. I would say Al Horford is their No. 2 guy, and there is a big drop-off between Johnson and Horford.

I like the argument for conversation, but tough to emphasize consistency that much on what makes a good player.

Also, did you know the Hawks drafted Marvin Wiliams over Christ Paul? Who knew? Thank you anonymous scout.

The scouting report from SI delves mostly into the Jamal Crawford signing. I happen to be liking Jamal more and more, unfortunately not as a player but more as a person. As a player, he is starting to freak me out with how well he will fit in Woody's stand around offense. Anyway, I liked this quote from the article.

"These guys are like an '80s team with how long they have been together," he says. "My job is just to fit in."

They will win more than 50 games for the first time in over a decade.

Bethlehem Shoals always has interesting things to say and there are some of that in his preview, but of course, I give him high praise for putting Zaza Pachulia under "blog superstars" with this tagline.

Someone get Zaza Pachulia on the corporate lecture circuit, tape it, and send it to me so I can disseminate it.

Agreed.

Taking it down a notch to team to team, Nets are Scorching compares New Jersey and Atlanta. Tough to disagree with anything they say. Devin Harris can do bad things to Mike Bibby and Al Horford had a tough time against Brooke Lopez. On a side note, I actually like the Nets. I think they are the new look Hawks with an athletic bookends at the point guard and center position instead of on the wings.

On Josh Smith, Nets are Scorching drop this one.

There was really no explanation for the decline (of PER, blocked shots, etc), so he’s a player to watch this season to see which direction he’s headed.

Funny, that is actually as good as you can do when it comes to analyzing Josh smith.