http://ballhype.com/nba/joe_smith/ The Web's top Joe Smith news from BallHype - find more at http://ballhype.com/nba/joe_smith/ en BallHype http://backend.userland.com/rss http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/ballhype/logo_120x60.png http://ballhype.com/nba/joe_smith/ 120 60 http://ballhype.com/article/road-to-eastern-conference-crown-runs-through-atlanta/ <p> With a little less than one fifth of the 2009-2010 NBA season in the books, it may be a bit soon to anoint a Conference Champion. What we know so far is that the Atlanta Hawks have come out of the starting blocks quickly, and appear to be a team built to pose a legitimate threat to the Eastern Conference powers that be. Atlanta is tied with Orlando for the best record in the East at 11-3 (Los Angeles and Phoenix also have 11-3 records in the Western Conference). The Hawks are undefeated at home, (7-0) with eight of their 11 wins coming against teams with a .500 or better winning percentage. The Hawks have tweaked their roster from last season, adding journeyman centers Jason Collins and Randolph Morris. Atlanta also got help in the back court by acquiring versatile guard Jamal Crawford via trade and signing veteran forward Joe Smith. Atlanta has long been a place where aging players come to finish their careers, or unproven talent cuts their teeth in the NBA. Now the Hawks are long, athletic,&nbsp;...</p><p>Find more top sports news, videos, and blogs on BallHype: <a href="http://ballhype.com/nba/">NBA</a>, <a href="http://ballhype.comhttp://ballhype.com/nba/atlanta_hawks/">Atlanta Hawks</a>, <a href="http://ballhype.comhttp://ballhype.com/nba/joe_smith/">Joe Smith</a></p> http://ballhype.com/article/road-to-eastern-conference-crown-runs-through-atlanta/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:42:08 +0000 NBA Atlanta Hawks Joe Smith