The Atlanta Hawks' Offseason Gamble Will Be a Success

Immersed in the darkness of a playoff drought that lasted nearly a decade and saw the franchise give money back to season ticket holders for unfulfilled promises, the Atlanta Hawks finally came into the light in 2008.After a stunning first round series with Boston that year and a fourth place finish in the Eastern Conference in 2009, the Hawks have taken a serious gamble this offseason.The Atlanta Hawks have gambled on stability.The Hawks faced plenty of uncertainty heading into this offseason.  Four members of the Hawks eight-man rotation were entering free agency.  The Hawks re-signed Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia.  They flipped two mostly unused players Acie Law and Speedy Claxton for Jamal Crawford to replace last season's super sixth man Flip Murray.Yesterday the Hawks cemented one more crucial bench piece by signing veteran forward Joe Smith.  Smith isn't the kind of player who will bring a title to Atlanta, but front court depth ha...