Tonight I went to my first game of th 2009 season. The Hawks are a much, much, better team this year. Not just because of the key additions to the bench, but because Josh Smith is really starting to get it. Josh Smith has looked great the first two games. He is playing within his game and not forcing it like he has in the past. I have to admit I loved seeing josh pull a three and say "NO no no no no.......(then if it went in) YEAH!!!!!!". But this team will be a lot better without those threes. They were basically turnovers. He is now hanging around the rim and driving the basketball (and not he is not as out of control as he used to be either)..... The bench we have this year is awesome. Having Crawford come off the bench is great. He can score in a hurry. He will also be an upgrade over Flip, if someone goes down for a period of time (which i hope doesn't happen, knock on wood). He is real quick and I think he could probably get by anyone. With his handles he will open up a lot of easy baskets in the paint when they have to help on defense. Joe Smith is also going to be huge. He is a 6'10" big guy that can step out and shoot the long range jumper. He is also going to be big in the maturation of our big men. All night he was talking to Horford, Zaza, and Josh.....Jeff Teague is a major  upgrade of Acie Law. Bibby is getting older in age, in basketball years, and Teague is going to be benificial in keeping Bibby fresh at the end of the year. I wouldn't be surprised if his minutes increase as the year goes on. The hawks won't lose anything, they will gain some defense and quickness, with him coming in and Bibby sitting. ..... Lastly, it was great seeing Joe Johnson sit for a while tonight. I was worried after the first game and I saw he had played 39 minutes in the opener, but tonight he played 30 and this will help us at the end of the year. Our personally believe our bench will not miss a beat while our starters get a rest. Teague, Crawford, Evans, Joe Smith, and Zaza. I'd say that's a pretty solid five coming off the bench. I think playing Joe 30 minutes tonight will help us on Sunday against the Lake show. I know Joe will appreciate the break. And instead of him putting up huge numbers to start the year, I think we will see him putting up big numbers at the end... Well I'm out. This seasons gonna be fun to watch.