Why the Atlanta Hawks Have a Good Chance at the Finals

In the 2004-2005 NBA season, the Hawks went 13-69, a record only four games away from the record setting 9-73 season of the 76ers. And in just five seasons, they are a legit championship contender. They have a perennial star in Joe Johnson, an elite defender in Josh Smith, a pretty good big man (and all-star) in Al Horford, a veteran point guard who can get it done in Mike Bibby, and the probable sixth man of the year, Jamal Crawford.

So why would people not like a team like this? Their main problem is that they can’t get wins against teams they’re supposed to. Just this season, they have one win and two losses versus the New York Knicks, a team that the Hawks should be sweeping. But, the Hawks also have trouble winning against the Cavaliers and Magic, going 0-5 against both combined this year.

That might be a problem, considering that the Hawks could face off with either of these two in the conference championships or divisional round. However, the Hawks have been able to kill the Celtics this year. Even with the Celtics collapsing, that’s got to be a confidence boost for this team. Even with their terrible record against the Cavs and Magic, here are just a few reasons I believe the Hawks will be able to make the NBA Finals this year.

1. The depth of the East

The East doesn’t have very many good teams. The Hawks will most likely easily make it past the first round. Their fate from there will be different. Most likely with the Celtics collapsing (they just lost to the Nets) then the Hawks will get either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Barring an upset to either team, the Hawks will then get the…Orlando Magic.

Their division rivals probably don’t have the talent that the Hawks do, but they do easily win many of their matchups. However, I believe the Hawks will step it up in the playoffs (more reasons coming later). They do have the team talent to do it, and I believe they would beat the Magic in six or seven. That then leads to a matchup with most likely the Cavs.

The Cavs do have the Hawks’ number as of late, and they have improved very much. I believe a Cavs-Hawks series would be more in favor of the Cavs. The Cavs do have better depth overall, but the Hawks have the better sixth man. In the end, I believe it would come down to how the benches would do, and I think the Hawks might be able to pull that one out.

2.) Joe Johnson will be a free agent

This is probably more important for the front office then it is for the team. However, I’m sure the rest of the team does want him back, as he is a very high caliber player and possibly the best player on the team. There have been rumors that he will leave Atlanta, and I’m sure that the Hawks don’t want that. Even if he does leave to go to Chicago or New York, this team might step up its play to try to convince him to stay, as the Raptors will most likely be doing with Chris Bosh.

But, the Hawks do have the potential to go all the way whereas the Raptors aren’t quite at the point yet. Like I was saying before, without Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford is still a good option but then they have no bench. So I’m pretty sure that the Hawks will try to do anything to keep him in Atlanta, and the team will be motivated to do it too.

3.) Veterans on a young team

Yes, the Hawks are very young. But they are much more experienced than you think. Their biggest three starters are Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Marvin Williams, who are 24, 24, and 24 respectively. However, Joe Johnson is 28 and Mike Bibby is 31. Jamal Crawford is 29 (and he’s never even made the playoffs before). Half their core is in their prime or slightly old, in NBA terms. The rest of their backups are a rookie (Jeff Teague) and a 26-year- old (Zaza Pachulia), but the rest are in their 30s or somewhat older. You would think this was a young team, but they do have quite a few veterans who probably do want a championship. Not to say that young players don’t want a championship, but young teams don’t usually win or make it to the Finals.

Honestly, the only thing holding the Hawks back in my mind is that they have trouble against their top competitors in the East. That could give them some mild problems, but I think the Hawks have the talent and the team to make it all the way this year.

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