NBA AM: Are The Atlanta Hawks Contenders?

[HMFFL]

Are The Hawks The Dark Horse?: No one is giving the Atlanta Hawks much of a chance in the post-season; however, if you look at how things have played out over the last month, the Hawks might have as good a shot as anyone in the East.

The Chicago Bulls are nursing injury after injury. The Miami HEAT continues to be extremely inconsistent. The Orlando Magic have completely come apart due to injury. Outside of Boston, is there a playoff contender that is really better than the Hawks?

“This ball club has done tremendous things thus far,” Hawks forward Josh Smith told HOOPSWORLD. “We just have to try and keep it up and stay focused and know that we can play with some of the best teams in the NBA.”

When the Hawks lost All-Star Al Horford for the season most pundits wrote the Hawks off; however, if the playoffs started today the Hawks would be the fifth seed with 35 wins, just one win behind Boston.

“It just shows you how much veteran leadership we have on this basketball team,” explained Smith. “The ‘non-quit’ factor we have. No excuses. Just being able to come out there and just go out there and play the way we’re capable of playing. I am just happy to see that we didn’t hang our heads when we lost one of our key guys. We kept trucking, guys have been stepping up in his absence and been able to come in and just be productive, have productive minutes for this ball club.”

Hawks’ veteran Marvin Williams has also stepped up his game and has been a key part of the second unit that’s been powering the Hawks as of late.

“I was starting early in the season,” explained Williams. “Coach made the switch to put me on the bench and come off for that second unit and ever since then things have just been more consistent for me, so just got to try to get out there and keep doing what I’m doing.

“I think that we have a chance to do some special things in the playoffs and we’ve gotten older. This is probably the most veteran team we’ve had since I’ve been here for sure and it’s exciting that we’ve got that and play like that.”

Read More: http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-are-th ... contenders

[Jamaaliver]

If we had a healthy Horford & Zaza and a more experienced Head Coach, I could see us upsetting the Bulls in the 2nd round.

As it stands, no. We're no contenders. And I have to believe we won't even be favored to get out of the first round this year, especially if we get stuck playing a rejuvenated Celtics team.

[Rip2137]

I honestly think we can beat any team in the East in a series excpet for Philly and Miami.

[MaceCase]

Defense and rebounding win rings......we got the defense part down.

[Jamaaliver]

I honestly think we can beat any team in the East in a series excpet for Philly and Miami.

If you're right, that means we're headed all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals!!!!!

Here's hoping...