Playoff Roundtable: Atlanta Hawks-Washington Wizards Preview
By Adam McGee
May 1, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap (4) commits an offensive foul against Brooklyn Nets small forward Thaddeus Young (30) during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
After their slow start, the Hawks started to find their groove in Games 5&6. How do you feel about their title chances now as compared to when the Playoffs started?
AMcG: I don’t think it’s changed a lot really. The Hawks still have a winnable path to the Finals, it’s just up to them to click into gear to make sure that they make it happen now.
VM: I feel the same about the Hawks as I did before the playoffs began. They had to meet a challenge, experience adversity, fight for their identity and rise to their potential. Mental toughness in the playoffs is just as important as execution. I think the Hawks are on the right track.
JA: Considering the East, their chances look good. Before the Playoffs, Cavaliers and the Bulls were legitimate threats. The Cavaliers lost Love. The Cavaliers will also face a very physical Bulls squad. The Bulls are coming off a great blowout themselves. They are versatile on every position and are serious championship contenders. They can trot any type of lineup and not miss a beat. Cavaliers don’t have the depth or the experience to beat the Bulls. ECF will be Hawks-Bulls. DeMarre Carroll’s play on the wing will determine if the Hawks make it to the Finals. Taking into account the injuries and the return to form by the Bulls, the Bulls are a serious threat.
MMcE: I think their title chances are very alive. Atlanta looked like they had returned to form the past two games and have proven that they can battle with any team in the league when they’re playing as a team. Plus, Cleveland has to deal with Chicago without Kevin Love, which hurts their title chances a lot.
MK: Doc Rivers and Boston Celtics team won over 60 regular season games and looked to be HEAVY favorites against their first round opponents back in 2008. Who did Paul Pierce and company play that year during the opening round of the NBA playoffs? Ironically, it was the Atlanta Hawks. A young Al Horford helped Atlanta take the almighty Celtics all the way to seven game before being defeated. The fact that Brooklyn gave them some competition was a just a reminder of how seriously one has to take each and every opponent in the NBA playoffs. The real potential impact to their title chances came in the form of an injury. Kevin Love missing the remainder of the post season might work in Atlanta’s favor, should Cleveland get past Chicago.
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