The key to the Atlanta Hawks NBA season, which ignites Wednesday with a home gig against the Indiana Pacers, is . . . the Washington Wizards.
Well, not the only key, but one as large as the ceremonial key to the city handed out by mayors.
Here's why: The Hawks, sporting new red unis, have upgraded by disposing of deadwood and adding super sixth man Jamal Crawford (left), along with backup big man Joe Smith. However, the Eastern Conference's big three have also fortified themselves. The Celtics imported Resheed Wallace, the Cavaliers corraled Shaquille O'Neal and the Magic lassoed Vince Carter and Brandon Bass. Barring the unimaginable, they will seize seeds 1 through 3 for the playoffs.
That leaves the Hawks and Wizards for the fourth spot. (What, you ask, about the Heat? Not with Michael Beasley coming out of rehab and Dwyane Wade ticked off that no new teammates of note came to Miami.)
Washington not only has Gilbert Arenas back from injury, but Mike Miller and Randy Foye arrived by trade at little cost.
D.C. and the A-T-L will arm-wrestle for the fourth seed, the winner earning home-court advantage in the first round. Recent Hawks playoff teams have won at home, not on the road.
Other factors will come into play, such as whether Marvin Williams morphs from a good to a very good player. But Hawks Nation should keep an eye on more than the White House and halls of Congress in Washington. The Wiz mean biz.
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