I kinda want the hawks

[droopdog7]

Obviously we are a ways away from the playoffs, but since those last two games against the hawks (not to mention getting swept), I have been quietly hoping we get them in the second round.  If it happens, I may regret it happening but I can't stand those guys. 

I understand the athleticism advantage they have, but the other things they do against us just don't make sense.  First, it's like JJ and crawford just never miss.  Forget about exposing us defensively, they are hitting contested fadaway three's.  And it seems their entire offense is just one-on-one basketball.

Would be beat them in a seven game playoff series?  I believe yes but certainly, I would not be surprised if the C's lost.  But at the end of the day, it is about revenge in my mind.  Plain and simple.

[BudweiserCeltic]

We would crush them.

[BballTim]

We would crush them.

  I'm a little less optimistic than you. I'd go with "beat them handily".

[the_Bird]

I'd much rather face them in the ECF, in large part because that means LeBron would be watching from his couch...

[j804]

Gotta agree I cant stand them, funny thing is im sure they cant stand the c's either and look at us as a rival 

Yesterday on NBA TV they interviewed Al Horford and he was saying were not quite there yet as GOOD AS THOSE 3 top teams referring to cavs, magic and lakers im assuming, leaving us out like yea we sweeped them. Its all good though we thrive on being underdogs with Nate in rotation and KG and Ray coming around well knock em out the playoffs AGAIN and let that do the talking.

[chelsearules]

yea they swept us but they had 1 legit win against us... sheed missed 1 game kg missed 3... beating the celtics without kg is nothing ask the clips and warriors lol

[P2]

We can get them in the East Semis already if they and the C's end up 2nd and 3rd, respectively. But Orlando will have a word to say, and it looks rather unlikely that we'll face ATL in the 2010 Playoffs. If we get the first seed, we'll most definitely have them in the Semis.

[Who]

I think the Celtics should be favoured against the Hawks but Atlanta will give the C's one hell of a series.

Atlanta can beat Boston.

[Fafnir]

I think the Celtics should be favoured against the Hawks but Atlanta will give the C's one hell of a series.

Atlanta can beat Boston.

I don't think we're likely to match up with them though. I don't think Orlando will fall out of the top three.

[GranTur]

Chances are Boston and Orlando have 2 and 3 locked between them, so the only way we see Atlanta in the playoffs is if Cleveland loses to Atlanta.

I'd rather face Atlanta than Cleveland to be honest with you. Bibby is sooo washed up Rondo would dance circles around his old corpse.

[WeMadeIt17]

I just want 16 wins in the post season. No matter who we play!

[Fafnir]

Chances are Boston and Orlando have 2 and 3 locked between them, so the only way we see Atlanta in the playoffs is if Cleveland loses to Atlanta.

We could easily end up the fourth seed, or worse the fifth!

Raptors are behind us, but only 4.5

[Drucci]

I don't specially want Atlanta, but I would be happy to see us crush the Hawks in the playoffs, because that's what whould happen if we were healthy in such a series.

The OP summed it up pretty well, the Hawks only play isolation basketball, one on one on 95% of their possessions, it's quite shocking to see how good their record is when compared to their poor offensive "schemes" (they really haven't any offensive tactic whatsoever).

Their athleticism and youth could be a concern, hypothetically but it's obvious the "old" C's would be glad to teach them playoffs basketball once again.

[Hoops]

Chances are Boston and Orlando have 2 and 3 locked between them, so the only way we see Atlanta in the playoffs is if Cleveland loses to Atlanta.

We could easily end up the fourth seed, or worse the fifth!

Raptors are behind us, but only 4.5

I know that there's a lot of skepticism around here (some of it warranted), but I think it's highly unlikely that we'll drop out of the top 3. The C's have a very favorable schedule from here on out (3 against the Knicks and 3 against the Bucks, for example) plus I think the team has regained its focus for the stretch run now that the all-star break and trade deadline are behind us.

So, I agree that we're not likely to see the Hawks until the Conference Finals. And, as already noted, that would mean the Hawks knocking off the Cavs - I'll take it!!

Personally, I don't feel the need to prove anything against the Hawks. On the contrary, I really want to see Bos/Orl in the playoffs. Last year's Magic and everyone that followed the NBA came away thinking the Magic were legit contenders, which I still maintain was crap. Give credit to Orlando for pulling out the series, but I will always maintain that Boston was the better team - even, dare I say, without KG. This year, I'd like to see Boston spank the Magic back into reality. 

[housecall]

Gotta agree I cant stand them, funny thing is im sure they cant stand the c's either and look at us as a rival 

Yesterday on NBA TV they interviewed Al Horford and he was saying were not quite there yet as GOOD AS THOSE 3 top teams referring to cavs, magic and lakers im assuming, leaving us out like yea we sweeped them. Its all good though we thrive on being underdogs with Nate in rotation and KG and Ray coming around well knock em out the playoffs AGAIN and let that do the talking.

Its almost like fools gold,Al Horford especially,and the NBA.tv staff which is based in the ATL are fooling themselves into thinking because they beat the C's in the regular season they will automatically do the same in the playoffs.If the C's are fully healthy and focused they would beat the Hawks in the playoffs.tp