In every passing season, a team rises up to surprise the NBA community. Some maintain their high level of play deep into the playoffs, while others eventually come back down to Earth.
As it pertains to the 2014-15 regular season, do yourself a favor: believe the hype for the stars of the south.
The Atlanta Hawks are the real deal.
Atlanta is the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-8. It’s gone 22-3 in its past 25 games, and while that type of dominance is unlikely to continue, it’s successfully established itself as a contender.
Not only are the Hawks on pace to finish atop the standings, but they’re in line to obliterate the franchise record for wins.
At 27-8, Hawks have their best 35-game start in franchise history. Current pace of 63 wins would shatter franchise record of 57.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 8, 2015
There’s still 47 games to go. Thus, 63 wins are more of a nice dream than a realistic goal.
The fact is, it’s possible. At this rate, it could be expected.
Regardless of whether or not the Hawks eclipse the 60-win plateau, they’ve proven that they’re a legitimate championship contender. They hold victories over top teams and routinely show up for big games.
It’s time to believe the hype.
Home and Away
Whether a team is a bottom-feeder or a championship contender, they’re expected to win at home. The Atlanta Hawks have lived up to that expectation by going 15-3 at Philips Arena.
Atlanta has been just as good on the road.
Thus far, the Hawks are 12-5 on the road to balance out the dominant mark at home. That’s the No. 2 record away from home amongst Eastern Conference teams behind just the Chicago Bulls.
Seven of Atlanta’s 12 road wins have been against teams with winning records. Nine of the 12 victories have been against teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today.
There’s not much more you could ask for.
Atlanta opened the season at 1-4 during road games, but has since won 11 of 12. It’s also won 10 of its past 11 home games.
Regardless of where they play, the Hawks are winning.
Balanced Attack
The key to any team legitimizing their championship aspirations is developing balance. One area can be stronger than another, but true contenders shine on both ends of the floor.
The Atlanta Hawks fit the bill.
Atlanta presently ranks No. 9 in scoring offense and offensive efficiency. It’s also No. 5 in scoring defense and defensive efficiency, thus establishing the baseline for a balanced attack.
The deeper you dig, the better it gets.
Offensively, the Hawks are No. 3 in assists per game, No. 4 in points per shot, No. 6 in field goal percentage and No. 7 in both 3-point field goals made per game and 3-point field goal percentage.
On the defensive end, Atlanta is No. 6 in opponent field goal percentage and opponent points per shot, and No. 9 in opponent 3-point field goal percentage.
All of those numbers correlate with the design of the roster.
Atlanta has designed a roster that consists of players who fill specific roles. There are sharpshooters, low-post scorers, willing passers, man-to-man defenders and committed rebounders.
With a strong perimeter defense to aid admittedly lackluster rim protection, the Hawks have a balanced attack that can compete with the best of the best—including the teams out West.
Dominating the West
As has been established, the Atlanta Hawks are currently 27-8 with records of 15-3 at home and 12-5 on the road. That includes a tremendous mark of 17-6 against the Eastern Conference.
For those who don’t want to do the math, here it is: Atlanta is 10-2 against the vaunted Western Conference.
The inevitable reaction is the misguided one: “The Hawks haven’t been defeating Western Conference teams of note.” That’s not only false, but is the exact opposite of the truth.
It’s also the most common response you’ll find on Twitter—a trustworthy land.
Atlanta has wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers.
That success includes road wins over Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Portland—a group that’s a combined 56-16 at home against teams other than Atlanta.
With so many wins over such a high-caliber set of teams, the Hawks should have won over the general population. Somehow, they still haven’t.
Rather than using opinion to dispute a factual arrival, do yourself a favor: believe the hype. Appreciate the way Mike Budenholzer has turned Atlanta into the systematic force of the Eastern Conference.
If you open up your mind, you’ll learn one very important truth: the Hawks are an absolute joy to watch play.