Atlanta Hawks: Sleep On the Hawks at Your Own Risk

The Atlanta Hawks have been the best team in the Eastern Conference for most of the season. They are 31-5 at home, are on their way to a 60-win season, and clinched the first seed in the East on Friday night after a win over the Miami Heat.

Their transformation from perennial first-round exits to a legitimate force in the Eastern Conference in the space of one season has been remarkable, and the Hawks could win their first championship since being relocated from St. Louis to Atlanta and just the second overall in franchise history.

More from Atlanta Hawks

Despite their regular season dominance, many are still sleeping on the Hawks, and media analysts have even been quick to discard the notion that the Hawks could win it all this season.

It was a notion that seemed humorous earlier in the season, with the Hawks’ fanbase playing off the lack of media attention as a way to “remain under the radar.” But as their dominance continued, the ongoing narrative of disregarding the Hawks’ title credentials has turned from a joke to an insult.

At first glance, it’s easy to see why. The lack of playoff experience, the lack of a superstar closer, and the lack of a winning culture are all reasons Hawks’ unbelievers have relied on to discard their title chances. After all, regular season dominance hasn’t always translated to “winning it all” in the postseason, and judging by the way certain experts spout their knowledge, playoff ball is somehow drastically different from basketball in the regular season – as though the court dimensions, ball size, and rules change.

But, contrary to popular belief, the court dimensions remain the same, the ball size doesn’t change, and the rules (for the most part) are unchanged. The pace of the game slows down, but that shouldn’t deter the Hawks, who average 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes – good enough for 17^th in the league.

What about the lack of playoff experience? Only four different teams have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals over the past four seasons: the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers, and the Chicago Bulls. The Heat (if they make the playoffs) will be without Chris Bosh and LeBron James — two of their biggest pieces in their previous postseason runs.

Will Dwyane Wade’s playoff experience help make up for the lack of talent on the team? The Celtics are a completely different unit from the team that made the Eastern Finals, and the Pacers haven’t looked the same without Paul George playing at full strength. Only the Bulls have managed to keep the same core, but even then, they are dealing with injuries of their own.

As for the lack of a superstar closer, recent statistical studies have disproved the “hero ball” theory. The Hawks’ offensive game plan revolves around sharing the ball and finding the best shot possible. If we go by conventional wisdom, which suggests that teams with a superstar closer perform the best in the clutch, the Hawks should (in theory) be one of the worst teams in the league, considering they don’t have a superstar by definition.

However, according to NBA Stats, the Atlanta Hawks have the best win percentage in the clutch, with a 28-10 record. They shoot 49.7 percent from the field in the clutch – the best mark of any team by 2.1 percent. They are averaging 43.3 percent from long range – the second best in the league. Their offensive rating of 122.1 is the best in the clutch, and are also the fifth best defensive team in the clutch.

It seems as though the only checkmark against the Hawks’ title credentials that remain is their lack of a winning culture. The Hawks are yet to win a title as the Atlanta Hawks, and have only won once in their franchise history.

However, general manager Danny Ferry and head coach Mike Budenholzer, come from successful backgrounds. Ferry played under successful coach Gregg Popovich, and was GM for the Cleveland Cavaliers when they made the NBA Finals in 2007 and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009. Meanwhile, Budenholzer spent 18 seasons under Gregg Popovich, with two as his assistant coach.

The Hawks may not be a “winning” franchise, but the core of their front office is from a winning pedigree, and may be the key to turning around the fortunes of this franchise.

The media narrative that the Hawks aren’t “good enough” to win it all is a farce. The notion that a lack of a superstar, playoff experience, and winning mentality will harm the Hawks are just myths that have no factual basis. The Hawks are a legitimate title contender, and have proven it in the regular season. Ignore them at your peril, but you have been warned.

Next: The 30 Best Centers of All-Time

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Atlanta Hawks