Can the Hawks be #1 in the East?

[Jamaaliver]

I agree with everything you said. I just see y'all as a 3-5 seed instead of a 1-2 seed. Masai has certainly been working magic ever since he took over the job. Ferry has done the same for us. Your entire statement could fit the Hawks as that sounds exactly like where we are at as an organization.

What?

[ATLHawksfan21]

I agree with everything you said. I just see y'all as a 3-5 seed instead of a 1-2 seed. Masai has certainly been working magic ever since he took over the job. Ferry has done the same for us. Your entire statement could fit the Hawks as that sounds exactly like where we are at as an organization.

What?

What?

[pickIBL]

As a non-Hawks fan I was just thinking the Hawks could end up being the favorites in the East to get that 1 seed next season. I still think they need to do a little something more for me to jump with both feet onto that bandwagon/proclamation... but the Hawks get Al back and they brought in Thabo. Payne is basically NBA ready. It's hard to argue with what the Hawks have done.

[atlantabbq99]

Pacers are out

that leaves the Cavs, Heat, Bulls, Wizards, Hornets, and Hawks

Cavs - I really really hope the Love trade goes through, a Lebron/Love duo will be just as bad as a Kobe/Nash duo. Watching the Cavs will be fun, i can see it being another train wreck like the Lakers the last two years, or Nets last year.

Heat - I think this team will surpise everybody and still be #1 or #2 in the east, because i think Bosh can go back to being 22/10

Bulls - I have zero hope for them. Rose and done, and i will be money that he will have another injury. I think his body is already in the Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury territory

Wizards - They can be really good, but it all depends on Beal, but i think they will only improve alittle, i see Beal improving, but not taking a big leap.

Hornets - They are a team full of good players but no star. Alot think the Hornets will make a big leap, but i don't, because i don't put that much value on Stephenson. He is good, but not going to tip the scales for the Hornets to be a contender.

Hawks - At this point, it all depends on the health of Horford, Teague, Millsap, and Korver.

[theatlfan]

Pacers are out

that leaves the Cavs, Heat, Bulls, Wizards, Hornets, and Hawks
...
Bulls - I have zero hope for them. Rose and done, and i will be money that he will have another injury. I think his body is already in the Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury territory

2 things:
1) I think you're missing TOR. Since trading Gay, TOR was 41-22 through the end of the season. I don't think this was a fluke either as Lowry and DeRozan blossomed with more touches while young players like P-Pat, Vasquez, and Ross grew into their roles. The team is young with no starter over 30 and 3 under 25. They were breathing down our necks for the 3 seed before Horford went down and even our optimistic projections with Horford would have put us in direct competition with them until the end.

2) Not sure where you're going with CHI. Even without Rose, they were a team that typically smashed us pretty good to the tune of a 6-1 over the last 2 seasons. They don't need Rose to be his MVP self again to be clearly ahead of us - if he's just better than DJ Augustin then I think that history has shown that they are still clearly a better team than we are.

[bee4ever]

Hawks will be the #4 seed. No lower than 5.

[ATL Boy]

Yes, the Hawks CAN be the #1 seed in the East