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When experts were asked who would be contending for an NBA Championship in 2009-10, I believe they mentioned the following teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic.
I don't think any of them expected much from the Atlanta Hawks, who are now 10-2—tied with the Phoenix Suns for the best record in the NBA.
The Atliens are coming!
Okay, so while the Mavs and Suns lead their respective divisions, it shouldn't be that surprising, considering they have more than one legitimate All-Star that plays for them. The Hawks don't have that luxury.
They have Joe Johnson, who took the heat (pun intended) out of Miami on Wednesday, with 30 points, to tie his Hawks with Phoenix for the NBA's best record thus far.
Not bad for a team with a coach that was previously in lame-duck status. When I mentioned before about the Hawks only having one legitimate All-Star, I didn't make that statement to bury the rest of the team. I meant it from a fan's perspective.
When you think of All-Star forwards in the Eastern Conference, the names Garnett, LeBron (who can play multiple positions), and Bosh are the ones that most likely come to mind first.
Well forget them for a second and enter Josh Smith (a.k.a. the player that bares a striking resemblance to west coast rapper The Game). At only 23-years old, the College Park, GA native (home of Yung Joc for you hip-hop heads out there) has already been in the league for five seasons and counting (drafted out of high school).
It took him awhile to mature, but that dude can ball.
Just take a look at his averages the last three seasons, counting this one(numbers rounded to nearest tenth. Ex: 16.7 ppg = 17 ppg):
2007-08: 17 points per game , three assists, three blocks , and eight rebounds
2008-09: 16 points per game, two assists, one block, and seven rebounds
2009-10 (12 games played): 16 points per game, three blocks, 9 rebounds
If those numbers aren't impressive, then maybe his dunks will do send you the message (he is 2005's Slam Dunk Champion). But the Hawks' talent doesn't stop there.
They have a great veteran guard in Mike Bibby, famous for those Sacramento Kings teams that were so fun to watch in the early/mid-2000s. Guard Jamal Crawford has finally found a place where he can play like...well, Jamal Crawford, averaging nearly 17 points and three assists. He sure can score.
If there is one guy from the ATL people need to take notice of, beyond the team's scorers, it's their center, Al Horford. Here's a guy that may not score a ton of points (career average in his two-plus seasons is 11), but gets the job done on the defensive side of things, averaging nearly a double-double in every NBA season he's played.
The man who could be considered an undersized center at 6'10” and 245lbs, comes from a winning background via the University of Florida. He won two National Championships in 2006 and 2007 and took home the NCAA Finals MVP Award both times as well. What the statistics don't show you is his hustle.
Just watch his playoff games against the eventual NBA Champion Celtics back in 2008. I dare you to tell me there's fear in those eyes and he was a rookie back then, going up against the likes of Kevin Garnett!
The bottom line is that the Florida alum is a winner. He won in college. He's won playoff berths in the NBA and last season, his team even won the first round. Don't underestimate Al Horford.
Actually, don't underestimate the entire Atlanta Hawks team. Who knows where they'll be in a month's time or as far as the All-Star break. But screw the immediate future for now. I'm not Miss Cleo. Let's focus on the now. And right now, the Atlanta Hawks are the best team in league, record-wise.
That might not last, but don't be surprised if they upset one of your championship picks this postseason.
ATL, stand up!
Fred "The F-Bomb" Richani is a columnist for The Sports Courier , 411Mania.com , and everythingyntk.com . Richani founded The Sports Courier in 2009. His work has been featured on CBS Sportsline , Pro Wrestling Torch , GOOGLE News , and USAToday.com .
He has also interviewed Platinum-selling bands Blue October and OneRepublic . Richani currently resides in Freehold, N.J., just an hour from New York City and Philadelphia.
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