Twitter Gushes as Entire Atlanta Hawks Starting 5 Named Players of the Month

First, the Atlanta Hawks made history in January by pulling off the NBA's first 17-0 month. Then on Wednesday, they made history by having all five of their starters named the Eastern Conference Players of the Month. 

And why the hell not? At this point, impossible is nothing for the 41-9 Hawks. 

"

The NBA has rewarded our starting 5 after a historic January. Check out these amazing stats: http://t.co/HJzTNqLfoz pic.twitter.com/aA4QU1J4Ch

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 5, 2015"

The Big Five who took the honors are Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll. During the Hawks' flawless January, all five averaged between 12.3 and 18.3 points per game. 

It was an unconventional decision by the NBA...

"

Go home NBA, you're drunk. MT: @NBA: @ATLHawks Starting Five & @JHarden13 of the @HoustonRockets named @Kia NBA Players of the Month for Jan

— Aliko (@MisstraNoItAll) February 5, 2015"

...but it felt like truly well-earned recognition for a Hawks squad whose season gets more magical by the minute. We're not even at the All-Star break, and it's already amassed more wins than some projected it would have all season.

"

Fun Fact: The Atlanta Hawks covered their SportsBook-projected season win total (41.5) tonight, February 4th. FEBRUARY. FOURTH.

— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) February 5, 2015"

Hawks fans have every reason to feel proud. 

"

The whole Hawks starting five got player of the month for January. I'm so proud of them.

— Micah the Golfer (@FookieBookieJr) February 5, 2015"

Wednesday's announcement drove home an image of these Hawks as a team without a superstar—a balanced attack in which every player knows his role.

"

Alright, alright already - we get it. The Hawks don't have a star. Their starting five is named Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) February 5, 2015"

Still, Horford alone was probably deserving: He averaged 17.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 59 percent from the floor.

"

One thing about the Hawks' starting five winning player of the month: Horford deserved it himself. Check the splits: pic.twitter.com/DoISrLKFGG

— Adi Joseph (@AdiJoseph) February 5, 2015"

The Hawks can do no wrong these days, and they're reigniting a fanbase that has watched them lose in the first round of the playoffs for three straight years—and has been waiting 56 years for another NBA title.

"

ICYMI: On #hawks winning with selfless system, re-igniting apathetic fans & the missing architect, Danny Ferry: http://t.co/1Fq1ED7XPY #NBA

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 4, 2015"

After the New Orleans Pelicans snapped their 19-game winning streak on Monday, the Hawks created a Spotify playlist for their fans that featured a hidden message of gratitude.

"

The @ATLHawks wrote a thank you note to their fans with a Spotify playlist (read song titles top to bottom) pic.twitter.com/4nGzw5izLW

— NBC Sports Network (@NBCSN) February 3, 2015"

It's a rewarding moment for Hawks fans who have remained loyal to the team, albeit at a bizarre moment for the franchise. The team is for sale and has done plenty in the past six months to alienate fans, namely with racist remarks from owner Bruce Levenson and general manager Danny Ferry. 

But the on-court product is spectacular. And the bandwagon is growing.

"

I guess now is as good a time as ever to hop on the Atlanta Hawks bandwagon

— Sal Pal (@s_yan23) February 5, 2015"

"

I've never been much of a basketball fan, but I'm totally jumping on the Atlanta Hawks bandwagon.

— Susan Illis (@sjillis) February 5, 2015"

For those who didn't know before about Millsap, Teague, Horford, Korver and Carroll, it's time to learn.

"

We're not saying y'all newcomers aren't Hawks fans, we're just wanting to know if you can name our starting five??

— Marlon Melendez (@costadelmarlon) January 31, 2015"