Atlanta Hawks: What We’ve Learned From An Eventful Few Days

Inconsistencies Remain Costly

Although the Schröder situation can’t simply be glossed over in judging the Hawks’ recent performances, it can’t be solely blamed as the cause for a strange run of results since the All-Star break.

In their return to action for the final stretch of the season, the Hawks have so far lost by 19 points to Orlando and 18 points to Miami, before then decisively beating the second placed Boston Celtics by 16 points.

This kind of inconsistency isn’t new to the Hawks. If anything, it’s even been the defining characteristic of their season to date.

Atlanta opened the season by winning nine of their first 11 games, establishing themselves as an apparent force at the top of the Eastern Conference. Before the end of November, the tide would turn, though, and the Hawks lost a shocking seven consecutive games.

Atlanta Hawks

With a record of 33-26 that’s only currently good enough for fifth in the East’s standings, Atlanta’s identity remains up in the air.

Whether the Hawks are actually good, or just how good they are remains a pressing question, but the evidence of the season so far suggests that there won’t be a clear cut answer forthcoming.

This Atlanta team has shown the capability to lock in and hit a hot run of form when they can go toe-to-toe with anyone. If that happens at the right time, they could yet have a long and exciting postseason run.

By the same token, they could fall backwards into the playoffs and get swept in the first round.

Timing is always important in the final months of the season, and the Hawks learned that when their 60-win team slowed down in the 2015 playoffs.

At this point it’s too much to ask for this Hawks team to become a well-oiled, reliable vehicle, but if they can just run when needed that might yet prove to be enough.