Few groups within the Jap Convention have been anticipated to enter the contender dialog this late within the season. But the Atlanta Hawks are starting to pressure their method into it.
Atlanta lately secured its ninth straight victory, persevering with one of many hottest streaks within the league. The run included a win over the Milwaukee Bucks, extending a surge that few analysts noticed coming.
Regardless of that momentum, the Hawks nonetheless sit ninth within the Jap Convention standings, which is strictly why they continue to be one of the ignored groups within the playoff race.
9 straight wins, 14-6 document within the final 20 video games, greatest streak because the 2015-2016 common season. If it seems like a duck swims like a duck and quacks like a duck then it in all probability is a duck.
Atlanta Hawks have been already adjusting earlier than the Trae Younger commerce
Atlanta’s current success didn’t come fully out of nowhere. The Hawks had already been enjoying stretches of sturdy basketball with out Trae Younger earlier than the commerce deadline.
Younger missed time with accidents earlier within the season, forcing the Hawks to experiment with a distinct offensive construction. Throughout that interval, the ball moved extra freely, and the group leaned right into a extra balanced assault.
Nonetheless, when the entrance workplace in the end traded Younger, the transfer regarded extra like a reset than a push towards competition. Even with the brand new acquisitions bolstering the roster, few believed the Hawks have been abruptly about to grow to be a critical menace within the East.
For many observers, Atlanta regarded like a group stabilizing its future, not constructing quick momentum.
CJ McCollum has emerged because the Atlanta Hawks’ chief
One of many largest causes the Hawks have continued to climb is the management of CJ McCollum, the brand new man in the home.
Because the roster modifications, McCollum has stepped into the position of offensive chief and delivered a number of essential performances. Towards Milwaukee, he dropped 30 factors, serving to information Atlanta by means of one other win through the streak.
His expertise has helped stabilize the group whereas permitting youthful gamers and position gamers to thrive inside a extra balanced system.
As a substitute of counting on one dominant ball-handler, the Hawks are spreading duty throughout the lineup, which has made their offense tougher to foretell.
The Hawks are nonetheless ninth however changing into a harmful darkish horse
Even with 9 straight wins, the Hawks stay ninth within the East, which implies they nonetheless have vital floor to cowl simply to safe a cushty playoff place. However momentum issues within the NBA, particularly late within the season.
Atlanta’s current run suggests the group has discovered a brand new identification constructed round depth, motion, and collective scoring slightly than one high-usage star.
That shift doesn’t mechanically flip the Hawks right into a title favourite. Nevertheless, it does make them a harmful opponent that few groups could also be desirous to face.
For a group that regarded directionless simply weeks in the past, Atlanta abruptly seems to be one thing very completely different: a darkish horse the remainder of the Jap Convention would possibly remorse overlooking.
