Who are the most crucial Atlanta Hawks players? Part 2

5.  DeMarre Carroll, SF 

DeMarre Carroll shot the ball well versus Memphis, going 5-9 from the field. (Kevin C. Cox/NBA/Getty Images)

Hawks fans will love (not like, love) DeMarre Carroll. He is the blue collar player that every fanbase loves to have on their team. Carroll is the type of player that brings energy each and every night, and is strong at both ends of the floor. If you haven’t seen him play yet, you’re in for a treat.

The Hawks will be asking a lot of Carroll this season. He is likely to draw the toughest defensive assignments and still be expected to produce at the offensive end of the floor. He will be the one guarding LeBron when the Heat come to town, or Camelo Anthony when the Knicks invade Philips Arena. Carroll will be up for the challenge (he better be, at least, if the Hawks are going to surpass the 44-win benchmark).

This is Carroll’s first opportunity to walk into a starting role. I do not expect him to disappoint.