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The Atlanta Hawks have certainly not played the brand of basketball that they were hoping for this season.
Atlanta had a similar start to the season a year ago but they were able to turn things around by this time of the year. Unfortunately for Atlanta, they still haven't been able to figure this thing out, and they're playing below .500 basketball as a team.
It's not the craziest thing to predict that this Atlanta Hawks squad won't figure it out, given many people questioned if they were truly that good last season. They certainly deserve credit for reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, but it appears that they could've been playing over their heads.
On the other hand, given how good this Atlanta Hawks team can be on some nights, it would be unjust to say that they played above their heads last season. There is no doubt that they can be not just one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but also one of the best teams in the NBA.
It'll be fascinating to watch how Atlanta finishes the season and whether they even make the playoffs.
Let's take a look at three opponents that could make it tough on the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs, if they make it that far.
Winning an NBA title is never easy. As we have seen with the past 20 champions, every team is going to need something significant to go their way. Whether that is an unfortunate injury to someone, or having guys on the roster step up more than they ever have. There is a reason why winning a championship is so hard, and a reason why we have seen crazy upsets in the past. If a team is going to win a title, they’re going to need everyone on their roster to be playing the best basketball they possibly can, and even sometimes that isn’t enough to get the job done. Matchups are always something that is going to play a major factor, and some teams just know how to get the job done against certain teams when it matters most.
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The Biggest Threats To The Hawks In The Playoffs, Ranked
3. Raptors
The Toronto Raptors haven't been great this season, but there's no denying that when they play other top teams, they always play better than they do against average teams. The Raptors' game-planning for Trae Young will be tough for him, as they will make it difficult for all of their offensive players.
Toronto will do everything possible to guarantee Trae Young isn't the reason the Hawks beat them, so the other players will have to step up when it matters most. Can someone like Bogdan or Hunter take over for Atlanta? Possibly, but it won't be easy.
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The Hawks and Raptors would be a good matchup. Toronto is a high-level defensive team and on the other side of being an elite defensive team… Atlanta is not one of them. Nick Nurse will do everything in his ability to make every possession on Trae Young extremely difficult in the playoffs. Atlanta might not have the same answer for the Raptors' best scorers.
2. Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will have to be respected by every team simply because Kevin Durant is on the team. They were also able to get Ben Simmons, who may not be the best player in the world, but is still a top-tier defender.
Because Kevin Durant can't be stopped, it'll be intriguing to see how both of these teams line up. Guys like De'Andre Hunter and others will have to put up a fight against Brooklyn if they want to win. Given the Nets' below-average defense, Atlanta should be able to get anything they want on the offensive side of the ball unless Ben Simmons is guarding Trae Young.
1. Bucks
They met in the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, and it's hard to say Milwaukee won't return and pose a serious danger to anybody they face once again.
The Hawks haven't been particularly good this season, but there's no denying that when they play the Milwaukee Bucks, they play their best basketball. Atlanta will make things difficult for Giannis, but he'll still get his. If the Bucks want to beat the Hawks again, players like Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday will have to play their A-game.
Atlanta must do everything possible to prevent Giannis Antetokounmpo from being the reason the Bucks beat them, therefore it will be up to the other players to step up when it matters most. In Giannis' absence, though, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez all stepped up, as we witnessed last year.
