Atlanta Hawks to Feel The Heat From Dwyane Wade and Miami

To preview the first round match up between the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat, you only need two words: Dwyane Wade.

Forget Atlanta's home court advantage or the Hawks improvement from last season, forget all-star Joe Johnson and even forget Al Horford's solid sophomore campaign.

They are sideline notes.

There is no player who can impact games in this series greater than Flash.

Apart from LeBron James and with an honorable mention to Dwight Howard, Wade is easily the most destructive player in the Eastern conference.

Unlike Allen Iverson who only knows self-destruction, Wade is always in control.

For the first time since winning the championship in 2006, Wade is healthy and the results speak for themselves. He's taken a less than stellar Heat team, with an unheard of rookie head coach into the playoffs.

What makes Wade so special is that he possesses one of the talents that is usually reserved for only the truly greats of the game. It's that ability to take over a game on a moments notice when all else looks lost. 

The playbook gets tossed out the window.

It becomes about instinct.

His team mates know to just get him the ball and be ready, just in case he needs them, but otherwise stay out of the way.

It can't be taught. You either have it or you don't.

It's what makes fan watch and pay attention because they know that something special could happen at any moment.

Go back to the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 9th. Wade loaded his team onto his shoulders and carried them to victory. It wasn't by the book, it was from the heart, and his is the size of lion.

It's the difference between an all-star and a superstar.

The Hawks Joe Johnson is the former, but not the latter. He's an experienced veteran and the leader of his team too. He is capable of big scoring nights, but rarely produces them. He's steady rather than spectacular.

Wade is like a kid tip-toeing through science class with a test tube cocktail that could explode at any minute.

Johnson does have a high basketball IQ and displayed it last season in the Hawks first round match up against the Celtics. Atlanta wasn't expected to get anywhere near to Boston, but Johnson, playing smart basketball and taking high-percentage baskets at the end of games gave the Hawks a shot.

Solid at home for that series, the Hawks got exposed on the road. Badly.

They were able to extend the series to seven games, but in reality, an upset was never close.

Johnson simply couldn't take his team over the edge and there was nobody else on the roster who could either.

In Josh Smith, the Hawks have a unique talent but disappointingly, his offensive game hasn't evolved to match his athleticism or potential. His high-flying dunks and acrobatic plays remain popular with highlight reel editors, but he has yet to develop the consistency or maturity that the NBA demands of its best.

If J-Smoov does get it together, the Hawks will become a real threat. For now, he remains an unfulfilled talent.

Al Horford showed steady improvement and maturity in his second season, but his game still needs work. Horford has the makings of a star in the future, but for this series at least, even the wonky old legs of Heat center Jermaine O'Neal should be able to keep him in check.

Age and injury has caught up with O'Neal and he is far from the low post presence he was just a few seasons ago, but he does still have soft hands and an effective mid-range jump shot.

Expect the Hawks to play smart basketball and stifle the Heat, but when it comes time to advance, that's when Wade takes over.

Heat in six.