It's usually a cliche, but you really can split last year's Atlanta Hawks into two distinct teams. There was the deadly, hyper-efficient shooting squad that dominated the NBA for more than three months, including a 17-0 January, and then there was the post-All Star break Hawks that were just a little slower and didn't make quite as many open looks.

Atlanta still had a successful year, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, but it failed to give the Cleveland Cavaliers the contest many had hoped when watching them dominate the NBA in December and January. Headed into the 2015-16 season, the team really is a question of which half will show up.

While DeMarre Carroll departed to the Toronto Raptors during the offseason, the Hawks kept most of the rest of the team together while adding center Tiago Splitter in a trade. They'll face more decisions next summer with Al Horford hitting free agency. A major part of Atlanta's season will depend on whether its younger players can step into the larger roles that have been carved out.

LAST YEAR

RECORD: 60-22 (First in Eastern Conference)

PLAYOFFS: Lost 4-1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals

OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY: 106.2 (6th)

DEFENSIVE EFFICIENCY: 100.7 (7th)

ROSTER

Coach: Mike Budenholzer

Assistant coaches: Kenny Atkinson, Darvin Ham, Taylor Jenkins, Charles Lee, Neven Spahija, Ben Sullivan

OFFSEASON CHANGES

IN: Tim Hardaway Jr., Tiago Splitter, Justin Holiday, Walter Tavares

OUT: DeMarre Carroll, Pero Antic, John Jenkins, Elton Brand



Atlanta traded the draft rights of Jerian Grant, the No. 19 pick, to the New York Knicks in exchange for Hardaway Jr. in June. They picked up Splitter in a salary dump that allowed the San Antonio Spurs to clear room for LaMarcus Aldridge, then signed Tavares. They then held on to Millsap despite a big offer from the Orlando Magic, but since that contract was so rich, they were forced to watch Carroll go to the Raptors.

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

POINT GUARD SHOOTING GUARD SMALL FORWARD POWER FORWARD CENTER STARTER Jeff Teague Kyle Korver Thabo Sefolosha Paul Millsap Al Horford RESERVE Dennis Schroder Tim Hardaway Jr. Justin Holiday Mike Muscala Tiago Splitter RESERVE Shelvin Mack Kent Bazemore Mike Scott

Walter Tavares RESERVE

Earl Barron

THE KEY QUESTION

Does Al Horford have another level he can go to raise the Hawks higher?

Al Horford does so many good things for the Atlanta Hawks that simply don't show up in the boxscore. He is the closest thing to an elite player that Atlanta has on its roster.

Still there are several reasons to think that we may see a career year from Horford. First, he is entering the final year of his contract and will be in line for a huge payday next summer. He took the summer off from international competition to fully train focus on the upcoming season. He is also over a year removed from the pectoral injury that cut his 2014 season short. 2016 will be his third under Mike Budenholzer and he and his teammates should have a firm grasp of the offensive system.

A comfortable Al Horford could be a really good Al Horford.

-Kris Willis, Peachtree Hoops. Read the full Peachtree Hoops preview here.

PREDICTIONS

BEST CASE: After an offseason, the Hawks are recharged and look like the team that won 43 games before the All-Star break, including a perfect January. They cruise through the regular season and are a true contender to come out of the East over the Cavaliers.

WORST CASE: The shooting falloff that plagued the second half of their season become the new normal and the Hawks just aren't the same team we marveled at early last year. The defense falls off without Carroll and Atlanta has to fight to finish with a top four seed in the East.