Other than ex[erience, what do the Hawks have over us?

[HEZI]

Ok so yesterday I got into a heated argument with a friend of mine who is a Hawks fan. I basically told him that the Hawks are going to be a dissapointment this year because they did nothing to improve over the summer while the rest of the East got better. I told him watchout for the Knicks, they are going to be fighting for the playoffs this year harder than they have in recent memory and I told him dont be shocked if they finish ahead of the Hawks. He got mad and told me the Hawks are a much better team with more talent and the Knicks have nothing on them. I just couldnt help but laugh.

Seriously, I know they have good team chemistry, they know how to play together, but if our players are hungry to win and desperate to make the playoffs, that desire and hunger I feel is going to push us to new heights and in the end, I can really see this team getting ahead of Atlanta in the standings.

With Orlando and Miami both in their division, the Hawks are not winning 50+ games this year, I can guarantee that. Which means Atlanta will be fighting for the 5-8 spot, and I strongly believe we will be in that mix as well and our team is so deep and young and athletic and talented, I think we finish better than the Hawks.

Heat
Celtics
Magic
Bulls
Knicks
Hawks
Bucks
Pistons

Thats my playoff prediction

[omerome]

I still think you're a bit too optimistic.

But the Hawks could disappoint and it would be catastrophic for them since they are pretty much in "no man's land" right now. They are at their peak without much hope to get better for the forseeable future.

If I were to rank it would be like this:

Heat
Celtics
Magic
Bulls
Bucks
Hawks
Knicks
Pistons

[nyqua11]

Um a more talented roster that won 53 games last year? A more efficient offense and a better defensive team? Other than that, not much.

[BelieveTheDream]

hawks have a lot of talent...will they ever put it together though?

[dizzy631]

Hawks aren't going to be top 4 anymore. But neither will we. 5-10 are all up for grabs. I'm not even sold on the Bulls as a lock at the 4 but don't think anyone else in that Division is good enough. I would love to see Bulls 4 tho and us 5. First round matchup... Noice

Heat
Magic
Celtics
Bulls

5-10 could be anyone
BUT
5-7 Talent wise are: Hawks, Knicks, Bucks

8-10 : Pacers, Pistons, 76ers

But to answer the question Hawks have better players now Johnson, Smith, Horford, are proven allstars. Randolph and Gallo could prove to be better players but haven't proved it consistently each night, yet.

[runnyc]

If they take a step back it'll be because of their new coach. They're basically the same, their roster has chemistry already, and they've increased their wins each of the last five seasons. Plus they were just 5-7 against the Raps/Cavs/Heat last season, and now that two of those teams have been decimated they could potentially go 8-4 against that trio this season.

[StutterStep]

We should be better than the Hawks this season, esp. if we play defense. Their division got tougher so they will now fall one slot behind the Heat. Our division got weaker so we should get the second slot behind Boston.

If things play out properly we really should be 5th seed in the EAST. I'm hoping for 4th, but coaching will be a hindrance. Hopefully it's not so much of one that we're like the 7th or 8th see and do not make the playoffs.

[StutterStep]

Heat
Celtics
Magic
Bulls
Knicks
Hawks
Bucks
Pistons

Thats my playoff prediction

Switch Bulls/Bucks and that's how I see it but I'm not sure with the Pistons as the 8th seed. It is not a terrible call but I just don't like what I saw of them last year. I would actually put Indy ahead of them.

[Scalabrine]

Ok so yesterday I got into a heated argument with a friend of mine who is a Hawks fan. I basically told him that the Hawks are going to be a dissapointment this year because they did nothing to improve over the summer while the rest of the East got better. I told him watchout for the Knicks, they are going to be fighting for the playoffs this year harder than they have in recent memory and I told him dont be shocked if they finish ahead of the Hawks. He got mad and told me the Hawks are a much better team with more talent and the Knicks have nothing on them. I just couldnt help but laugh.

Seriously, I know they have good team chemistry, they know how to play together, but if our players are hungry to win and desperate to make the playoffs, that desire and hunger I feel is going to push us to new heights and in the end, I can really see this team getting ahead of Atlanta in the standings.

With Orlando and Miami both in their division, the Hawks are not winning 50+ games this year, I can guarantee that. Which means Atlanta will be fighting for the 5-8 spot, and I strongly believe we will be in that mix as well and our team is so deep and young and athletic and talented, I think we finish better than the Hawks.

Heat
Celtics
Magic
Bulls
Knicks
Hawks
Bucks
Pistons

Thats my playoff prediction

First point is, these players are hungry to make the playoffs, but to suggest that other teams weve had didnt want to win basketball games or make the playoffs, is a little foolish...

Second Point, the Hawks may not win 50 games this year, but the strength of their divison has nothing to do with that, the Southeast Division had four playoff teams last season (Heat, Magic, Bobcats, and Hawks), and they are still gonna be playing other teams just as much as they are those teams. The Heat got much better, the Magic didnt do much to improve their roster other then inner growth and the team with the best record in the league last season is now a bottom feeder.

The Bobcats have been hyped alot but the most important position in a Larry Brown offense, as we all know, is a good point guard. Right now they have DJ Augustine (hasnt shown many point guard skills thus far) and Shaun Livingston... I dont know how comfortable I would feel relying so heavily on those two, now reports come out saying they were trying to get Calderon...yuck. Felton was incredibly important to that team. Thats two teams that got worse, one in their division and the other that had the best record. Its realisitc to say they may not win 50+ but they will be around there, and hopefully so will we...

I keep hearing people talk about our depth, I just dont see it. Sure weve got alot of naturally talented, athletic, young guys, but alot of them are unproven (Mozgov, Douglas, Randolph, Fields), three of our hope-to-be rotation players have a history of injuries (Amare, Turiaf, Buke, you could even throw Gallo in their if you want but I hope thats behind him).

This team shouldnt have more than an 8-9 man rotation.

1. Amare
2. Gallinari
3. Felton
4. Chandler
5. Randolph
6. Buke
7. Turiaf
8. Douglas
9. Mason

9 men is a good rotation but like I said some of those players were relying on making big steps toward there potential, when there is no evidence showing that they will... I still think we have enough talent t make the playofs but wheather that talent has us fighting for the 8th or trying to get home court advantage all depends on how some of these guys improve...

[Clyde_Style]

They've got a great forward in Al Horford. We still don't have that type of player. We are tall and our length and athleticism should be our forte upfront, particularly on D, next season. Unless Amar'e wants to be more of an intimidator, physicality is not our primary factor unless our guards set the tone and the rest follow. This does not look like the 90s Knicks. Horford is the kind of forward we don't have and I will want to see how we match up against him.

The Hawks didn't show the kind of will and chemistry necessary before. Unless they evolve from within, they may not have the right mix to go far.

[truth serum]

I'm rockin with you on this Smack!

One thing I can say about the Hawks is that despite their experience and "chemistry", they don't necessarily show heart when it counts the most. We've seen them crumble in big games late in the season and disappear in the playoffs and you'd have to place the blame on their best players for that.

Joe Johnson is still their top gun and leader of that team, and compared to Amar'e who is currently our lead guy, he has less ability and much less passion for the game IMO. That alone is a big advantage for the Knicks. I think we also have a huge advantage at the 1 and with guys like Gallo, Randolph, Chandler and Buike combined with Amar'e in the post, we're simply more dynamic and potent on the offensive end.

I think what it will come down to is defense....as it so often does...and the Hawks have been solid in that department. The Knicks need to surprise people with their D this year and if they make strides on that end of the floor, they can certainly put themselves in the 5th or 6th seed...at least.

But regardless of what the Knicks do, I agree with you that the Hawks are going to have a much tougher time finding the same success they had last year. The east got much better and IMO, the 5th seed will be the ceiling for Atlanta this season unless the Bulls disappoint. It certainly opens the door for the Knicks to surpass them.

[Subway Token]

MUCH better defence, but that's about it. They have a very talented roster, but it doesn't all mesh.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

I think the Hawks are a point guard and an offensive scheme away from being a top 4 team in the East. They have talent. Big wings with dynamic skills. Maybe Jeff Teague or to a far lesser extent Jordan Crawford can be that guy and maybe Larry Drew has the scheme. But Horford, Smith and Johnson is as formidable as it gets outside of Miami and Boston at the 2-4 (not really 5 but all these 4s actually will play there from time to time). Do I think or hope they get it together? Nope. But they have a hella core down there in Atlanta. Somebody should tell their fans.

[Lin Your Face]

The Hawks haven't improved this offseason, but they haven't gotten worse. The only team that has clearly surpassed them is Miami. I don't think Chicago has improved enough to surpass them. The Hawks are still a somewhat young team and Smith and Horford have improved every year so far. People are giving the Hawks a lot of crap for the JJ contract. This criticism is deserved, but the JJ contract won't hurt them this season.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

^^^^^^^^^^^
Dude (I'm presuming here), you're name is Dudleylover?
What's that all about?

[captain subtext]

Threads like these make Knicks Fans look bad.

[Lin Your Face]

^^^^^^^^^^^
Dude (I'm presuming here), you're name is Dudleylover?
What's that all about?

I was a fan of Chris Dudley before I found out he was a Republican. I'm still not sure why I chose that name.

[HEZI]

Um a more talented roster that won 53 games last year? A more efficient offense and a better defensive team? Other than that, not much.

How exactly are they more talented? They got an over the hill PG in Bibby whos a 3 point chucking slow no defense playing has been. They got Joe Johnson who just came off a contract year and put up 21 4 and 4, and this is what got him a $120 mil contract? Yeah OK. They got a nice athletic monster in Josh Smith, but this dude is never going to be confused for a high IQ player, his talents are all physical and his mental understanding of the game is weak. He chucks too many shots and in the halfcourt hes below average. Al Horford is a good forward who I really like, but when compared to Amare hes nothing great. They got Jamal Crawford off the bench and hes a real good spark but hes still a chucker, just had a more efficient chucking season last year, we will see how he comes out this year.

What else do they really have? Zaza Pachulia? Jeff Teague? Uhm ok, thats nice but nothing intimidating.

We got Raymond Felton whos going to be unleashed in a system that fits his skills, watchout for this boy. We got Wilson Chandler whos one of the best up and coming young players in the league, with a PG whos going to create for him, and a bigman who demands double teams, watchout for this boy. We got Gallo who I think I have said enough about him for people to know how I feel, oh yeah you best believe Im going to tell you to keep an eye out and really watchout for this kid. Amare is Amare, Atlanta has nobody at his level right now, and while the Hawks got Jamal, we got a bench so deep that Crawford might not even crack the rotation on our squad if he was here.

But the most important thing that was missing from this team for over a decade now is a true leader, and we look to have found that in Amare who just happens to be our best player which is always a plus. People just want to talk about Amare's skills, but where his biggest impact will come is in the locker room. This guy is a proven soldier, whos been to many wars and played with the NBA's all time greats like Nash, Shaq and Grant Hill. With a team as young and inexperienced as ours, Amare is perfect beacause he brings respect, knowledge and heart. This guys leadership is going to help elevate everybodys game, hes going to make sure we stay focused and we stay on track and dont fall off the tracks like we always do, even after good stretches. His roots with Mike Dantoni will only help as he already knows the coaching staff and the system. Dont for one second underestimate the power of a true leader, thats all Im saying.

[HEZI]

Heat
Celtics
Magic
Bulls
Knicks
Hawks
Bucks
Pistons

Thats my playoff prediction

Switch Bulls/Bucks and that's how I see it but I'm not sure with the Pistons as the 8th seed. It is not a terrible call but I just don't like what I saw of them last year. I would actually put Indy ahead of them.

Pistons were dealing with injuries to their key guys all year last year. If they can keep their main guys healthy, they are a better team than the Pacers.

[HEZI]

MUCH better defence, but that's about it. They have a very talented roster, but it doesn't all mesh.

How do you know they got better defense? Are you talking about last year or this year? Im talking 2010-2011 Knicks son, if you dont think this young athletic energy driven group is going to get down after it on defense, then you got another thing coming. There aint no Chris Duhons, Larry Hughes, David Lees or Al Harringtons on this team anymore, this team is going to be all hustle. Do you see how deep we are? These guys have no excuse for slacking and not giving effort on defense, Mike has options and the players see it, that power is going to push them to work hard in practice and in the actual games.