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Atlanta Hawks: Top 5 Moments From Last Season

By Andrew Snyder

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May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) and injured guard Thabo Sefolosha (left) react on the bench during the fourth quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks Reach Eastern Conference Finals

At the end of the season what did the Hawks have to show for all that winning? 60 wins, a number one seed in the Eastern Conference, four All-Stars, and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. I can’t repeat those accomplishments enough, it seems. You could have the mindset that the only thing that matters is a championship, but that would be a very narrow minded view of sports.

A championship is the most important thing, but it is not the only thing. Only one team gets to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of every season, the Hawks fell short of that goal, but they still should be proud of their accomplishments.

After securing the number one seed the Hawks had to battle through six games with the Brooklyn Nets to move on to the second round. Then there was an epic series with the Washington Wizards that included Al Horford to the rescue and Paul Pierce returning from the basketball graveyard to talk premature trash.

Their reward for winning two hard-fought series? A date with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It did not go well. Cleveland quickly won the first two games in Atlanta causing some early concern among Hawks fans, especially after learning that Kyle Korver’s ankle injury would keep him out for the rest of the postseason. Then Atlanta dropped an overtime heartbreaker in Game 3, who knows what would have happened if Al Horford had not been ejected for elbowing Matthew Dellavedova. After that it was no contest, the Hawks were blown out in Game 4 and their season was over.

As I said, the ending was not indicative of how special the season was and it should not taint how fans remember the journey. Despite that sweep the team still reached their first Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the NBA realigned to a conference format in 1970-1971. The ending may have been bitter, but the ride was pretty sweet.

Next: Can't Miss Hawks Games This Season

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