As an NBA team in the hunt for the post season, all you can do is take each game as they come and aim to get the win. Well the Atlanta Hawks are doing just that, yet unlike the Golden State Warriors or Chicago Bulls, Atlanta seem to be doing so almost unnoticed. Sitting top of the East and third overall in the league, Atlanta currently have a record of 26-8 and have taken a few big scalps in the process.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/11145311564_0c4411162e_z.jpg’ width=‘404’ height=’600′ title=‘Source:Keith Allison,Flickr’ align=’left’]As you would expect, much of the talk at the start of season in the East was surrounding Cleveland, Chicago and even Washington in regards to making a push for the top. They had all made big plays in the offseason and it seemed as though other teams would struggle to compete with their star power, both new and old. I’m one of the first to admit that I didn’t really expect much from the Hawks this season as they didn’t really make any big moves in the offseason to match it with what was happening around them in the East. How wrong I was..
Even when they were winning early on, I didn’t want to buy into what Atlanta were selling. Whether it be a fluke or just playing the lower ranked teams, I still didn’t believe that they were a team to really pay attention to. Well after beating the Bulls, Cavs, Trail Blazers, Rockets, Mavericks and Clippers, the Atlanta Hawks definitely have my attention now. Led by Jeff Teague, the Hawks are playing that team style basketball that has become so crucial to modern day hoops. The days of a “Superstar” led team with a supporting cast is gone and Atlanta are an example of that. Ranked third in the league for assists, the Hawks have the ability to find the best shot whether that be Millsap or Horford banging down low, Teague exploding to the basket or Kyle Korver hovering out deep, although he has become much more than a catch and shoot player. Korver is in arguably career best form and compliments the Hawks line up nicely. They have found a balanced mix of inside and outside players which forces the defense to be aware of their surroundings. The Hawks are also ranked 5th in points allowed which to me is a key indicator of where a team is at. While great offense wins fans, great defense wins games and that is maybe the reason for the Hawks going about their business so quietly.
Whether you buy into Atlanta just yet is up to you, but in my opinion they are a team that you can’t sleep on. They have proven that they have the ability to match it consistently with the top teams in the league and will be looking to do so again in their upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies, in their first meeting of the season.
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Banner Image Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr
Story Image Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr