Hawks

[houlana]

Atlanta has been a big surprise this yr at 11-2.  I thought in the past they lacked leadership and a bench.
well their young guys have matured and jamal crawford has been a huge pick for them.

how good do u guys think they are? what pieces they are missing (if any), and can they really be contenders this yr?

i personally don't think they can win a championship, but i think they can beat anybody in a playoff series.

[Bahku]

Very good team and very athletic, but I don't think they'll get deep into the playoffs yet ... they need much more experience and need to be a little more long-winded before that happens. That said, they are one of the teams to watch out for, because they match up very well with the Celtics and have been getting stronger and stronger the last 3 or 4 years. Atlanta has a great future in this league.

[houlana]

not only can they match up with the C's. but also they match up well with so many teams.

as to being strong in the future. i think they can be if they keep their guys. but i think management will mess it up.

has anybody seen their arena, they have the best record and its still empty

[Roy Hobbs]

I think that if they keep their focus -- always a problem with them -- that they're a legit contender.  Nothing inherently makes them worse than Cleveland, Orlando, Los Angeles, or the Celtics.  They've got a ton of talent, and they're finally putting it together consistently.

[Who]

The Hawks aren't good enough offensively, or defensively, to contend for a title. They're a very good team but not an elite one.

If Josh Smith + Al Horford continue their improved play then they can win 55+ games.

[Fan from VT]

They probably won't win the title. But then again, you can say the exact same thing about any other top tier team, as there can only be one champion.  i think they have about as good a shot as any other team.

[scoop]

They don't have the defence to go far in the playoffs.

[PosImpos]

I think they're like the Blazers.  Very good with a ton of talent but might not have the experience to really go all the way. 

Even a team like the Celtics might still be able to beat them in 7 games by playoff time just because of mental endurance (certainly not physical endurance) in the crunch of the postseason.

[Mike-Dub]

I think that if they keep their focus -- always a problem with them -- that they're a legit contender.  Nothing inherently makes them worse than Cleveland, Orlando, Los Angeles, or the Celtics.  They've got a ton of talent, and they're finally putting it together consistently.

100% agree with you Roy but idk if they have the heart to be a champion... but a contender they definitely could be.  If Joe Johnson ends up playing like a superstar they will be a contender.