Hoops Habit
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Time To Blow Up The Atlanta Hawks?

By Gerald Bourguet

May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts with guard Dennis Schroder (17) after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts with guard Dennis Schroder (17) after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) hugs teammate forward Kevin Love (0) after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 100-99 in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Facing Reality

The Hawks are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, if their standing as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference didn’t already tip you off. They’ve won 108 games over the last two seasons (including a franchise-record 60 in 2014-15), which is more than any Eastern team in that same span except the Cavs (110).

The Hawks were the NBA’s second ranked defense this year, they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and you could certainly make the case that if not for the Cavs, the Hawks would be the most dangerous playoff team in the conference.

But at some point, Atlanta’s front office must face reality, and the reality is this: The Hawks, as currently constructed, are never going to get through LeBron James and company.

In his playoff career, James possesses a perfect 12-0 record against the Hawks. Thabo Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore couldn’t contain him on the wing, just like DeMarre Carroll and Sefolosha couldn’t last year. Switching Paul Millsap onto LeBron provided temporary relief, but King James still had his way and even worse, one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA then faced nightmarish matchup problems everywhere else, especially trying to keep Tristan Thompson off the offensive glass.

Kyrie Irving roasted Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder for most of the series, Kevin Love did the same to whoever was supposed to be guarding him and at this point, it’s fair to say the Cavs own the Hawks. Short of staggering internal development, that’s not going to change anytime soon.

When Atlanta’s front office considered moving Teague, Kyle Korver and/or Al Horford at the trade deadline, they were assessing this team’s ceiling. After a second straight sweep at the hands of the superior Cavs, it might be time to move forward with plans for roster reconfiguring.

Next: Horford's Future In Atlanta

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