Is it just me, or has this preseason been underwhelming? Even by preseason standards. Moose, Stuckey, Jonas, and Knight are all a bit lackluster, the castaways didn’t pan out, and our crappy guys really stink. Fun fact: Villanueva and Daye are both shooting under 20 percent. Breathe in…breathe out…TWENTY!!!

The Hawks haven’t had that problem. Josh Smith and Al Horford are doing their things, a couple of late-round rookies are looking interesting, even Anthony Tolliver and DeShawn Stevenson are getting in on it. But that backcourt…it might be a concerning. But overall, this revamped Hawks team looks like they might be able to compete while also have gotten themselves a heck of a lot more fiscally sound. Who’s their GM?

Keys to the game:

Feed the Moose: Josh Smith and Al Horford aren’t an easy front line, but that’s what the preseason’s for. Move him around, let him use his advantages against each.

Play the logical lineup: everyone wants to see it. Let’s see it.

Starting center: it’s up for grabs. Drummond has outplayed Maxiell in every way this preseason – and Maxiell has played really well for him. Brahma Bull had a rough game in Canada, but bringing it tonight will create the only storyline beat writers have to work with for the next five days: should Drummond start?

Question of the game: pics? No, really, read that link – it’s hilarious and family friendly. H/t to Packey.