NBA Panic Meter: 10 Teams To Monitor

Nov 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) goes past Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) to the basket in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Lakers won 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 11

Nov 7, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) goes up for a dunk during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Charlotte defeated Atlanta 122-119 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks (2-3)

Al Horford is healthy, Kyle Korver is shooting 61.3 percent from downtown and Mike Scott has been a lightning rod of shooting efficiency off the bench. Yet so far, this team that was projected to be a potential Eastern dark horse is off to an underwhelming 2-3 start. Paul Millsap‘s production is down, and despite Jeff Teague putting up career numbers, Horford hasn’t quite looked comfortable yet.

Panic Meter: 2 (They ain’t got no worries.)

Through five games, the Hawks have pretty much lost to the teams they should have lost to and beaten the teams they should have beaten. The bench still needs some work and even if Horford gets back to his All-Star play, nobody’s pegging Atlanta as title contenders. But as long as the Hawks keep winning the games they should, they’ll be a decent team as Horford gets more comfortable. In the East, “decent” is more than enough to make the playoffs.

Next: The Hornets Are Not So Born Ready