Lloyd Pierce (now Nate McMillan) talks Playoffs for 2020-21!

Post #21 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:37 pm

Way-Too-Soon 2020-21 NBA Power Rankings

21. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have the third-fewest wins since 2017-18, so some might argue I'm giving credit where it isn't due. But how many other rebuilders have an offensive superpower like Trae Young? And an absurdly productive sidekick like John Collins? And an interior anchor like Clint Capela? And an intriguing collection of young wings, plus the sixth overall pick in the upcoming draft?

That's a long-winded way of saying I'm buying what Atlanta is selling. The Hawks need to keep rebuffing inquiries for Collins, find a way for him to co-exist with Capela, ace the No. 6 pick and further the development of this young core. That's a decent number of ifs, sure, but there isn't an outlandish goal among them.

Bleacher Report

Post #22 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Nov 15, 2020 5:22 pm

Making the playoffs next season just got slightly easier...

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Post #23 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Nov 17, 2020 1:01 pm

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Spud2nique · Post #24 » by **Spud2nique** » Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:17 pm

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Post #25 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:37 pm

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The Atlanta Hawks believe they are ready to make the jump from cellar-dwellers to playoff contenders, and ESPN's Jalen Rose is right there with them, declaring that the team will make the playoffs this upcoming season.

"We know about Trae Young and young talent they've amassed..." Rose said on "Get Up." "But I tell you what, the Hawks did a terrific job drafting a kid from UFC. He's gonna go with [Clint] Capela. The Hawks will be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference and they're gonna create a lot of excitement."

Post #26 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:52 am

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tbhawksfan1 · Post #27 » by **tbhawksfan1** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:45 am

Schlenk did his part? Time for Coach to step up

Spud2nique · Post #28 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:04 am

tbhawksfan1 wrote:Schlenk did his part? Time for Coach to step up

Seriously! More than I thought. I mean one free agent like a Joe Harris or Bertan and then another minor one was what I thought was coming. We’ve never had this type of splash not ever.

Spud2nique · Post #29 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:08 am

Jamaaliver wrote:

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The lineup combinations are endless!

vtime · Post #30 » by **vtime** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:44 pm

No excuses

Post #31 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Dec 2, 2020 4:20 pm

ESPN statistical model projects playoff berth for Atlanta Hawks

Kevin Pelton of ESPN released his RPM (real plus-minus) projections for every team in the league and, with a 36-win projection over a 72-game season, he projects the Hawks at No. 8 in the Eastern Conference with a 63 percent chance to finish in the top eight.

Here come the Hawks! After loading up on talent using cap space this offseason, Atlanta is favored to finish eighth in the East on the strength of a top-tier offense. The Hawks have the league’s sixth-best projected offensive rating, offsetting the league’s worst projected defensive rating.

...most can agree the Hawks project to have a (very) good offense as long as health cooperates, but the defensive projection from ESPN’s model isn’t ideal. To put it plainly, it seems too pessimistic to suggest that Atlanta will be the worst defensive team in the NBA, if for no other reason than the Hawks project to be better on that end this season and they were not the league’s worst defensive unit in 2019-20.

In terms of the pecking order, the Hawks trail the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers in ESPN’s projected standings. However, Atlanta is almost in its own “tier” of sorts, with a 2.9-win gap between the Hawks and both the No. 7 team (Indiana) and the No. 9 team (Washington).

Projections and predictions will continue to roll in as the season approaches but, on Dec. 1, a major statistical projection pegged the Hawks for the playoffs.

Peachtree Hoops

Post #32 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Dec 5, 2020 7:34 pm

I've been pondering this myself. I do consider it a postseason appearance --particularly if we nab the 7th or 8th seed.

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vtime · Post #33 » by **vtime** » Mon Dec 7, 2020 12:22 am

I think the Westbrook trade made the margin for error much slimmer.

Post #34 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:02 am

How Every NBA Team Can Become a 2021 Free-Agency Destination

Atlanta Hawks: Win a Playoff Series

The Hawks went from a fun, young team to one that's become playoffs-or-bust after handing out over $160 million in contracts this offseason.

Spending big on Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic greatly improves the Hawks while also taking up their 2021 cap space. Atlanta is already over $100 million in team salary for next season before factoring in a new deal for restricted-free-agent-to-be John Collins.

The Hawks were able to land free agents this year thanks to their enormous cap space. With space now limited to a mid-level exception, Atlanta can't simply overpay guys anymore.

Making the playoffs is a must, but even that may not be good enough to make the Hawks a true destination for vets looking to chase a ring.

If Atlanta can win a playoff series with a still mostly young team on the rise, that would do wonders in getting even more big-name players to come to Georgia. As we learned this summer, there are some fine places to get wings as well.

Bleacher Report

graymule · Post #35 » by **graymule** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 6:00 pm

Lloyd Pierce isn't the only one thinking "Playoffs!" And, after 2 pre season games where many of our new Hawks have yet to make an appearance, we, the faithful, expect to be in the playoffs. Half the pre season is behind us and tonight @ 8PM, the other half begins. Each step gives us more fuel for the fire..

:lol:

Post #36 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:27 pm

Yikes!!! A sub-.500 record would be disappointing.

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oldshoolballer · Post #37 » by **oldshoolballer** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:03 pm

Spud2nique wrote:

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Hawks need a lot of work. The team chemistry is not there.

Post #38 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:49 pm

graymule wrote::nod:

Lloyd Pierce isn't the only one thinking "Playoffs!" And, after 2 pre season games where many of our new Hawks have yet to make an appearance, we, the faithful, expect to be in the playoffs. Half the pre season is behind us and tonight @ 8PM, the other half begins. Each step gives us more fuel for the fire..

If we start the regular season getting blown out Lloyd Pierce won't have my support. He's already losing it.
This team co tinues to lack chemistry.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

jayu70 · Post #39 » by **jayu70** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 2:28 pm

HMFFL wrote:
graymule wrote::nod:

Lloyd Pierce isn't the only one thinking "Playoffs!" And, after 2 pre season games where many of our new Hawks have yet to make an appearance, we, the faithful, expect to be in the playoffs. Half the pre season is behind us and tonight @ 8PM, the other half begins. Each step gives us more fuel for the fire..

If we start the regular season getting blown out Lloyd Pierce won't have my support. He's already losing it.
This team co tinues to lack chemistry.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

I get the overall sentiment particularly with the blowouts, but the incumbant players haven't played a competitive game in 9 months, Capela hasn't played in 11 months and is new to the team, they are also incorporating new players that will see a ton of minutes. Chemistry? Of course there won't be instant chemistry.

shakes0 · Post #40 » by **shakes0** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 2:49 pm

they're not making the playoffs if they play defense like they did last night. Pathetic.