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Atlanta Hawks Year of 2016 in Review: Individual Performances

By Tyler Sellers

Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) react against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 110-83. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) react against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 110-83. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts with guard Dennis Schroder (17) after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts with guard Dennis Schroder (17) after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Player Performances Against Elite Competition

3. Al Horford 02/22/2016 vs. Golden State Warriors

The Atlanta Hawks, as a team, did not fare well at all last season against teams of the upper echelon. When facing off against the championship contender likes of Golden State, San Antonio, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Toronto (if we wanted to be nice to them), the Hawks had a disappointing 2-11 record. On Feb. 22 at home versus the Warriors, the good guys fell by a score of 92-102. That result was not Al Horford’s fault, however.

He was able to enjoy one of his best games of the season in the loss. Horford scored 23 points, grabbed a game high 16 rebounds, dealt six dimes, and also had three steals and five blocks. He held the long ago, long forgotten, once upon a time number one overall pick of the 2005 draft, Andrew Bogut, to just three points in over 30 minutes of time on the court.

If it wasn’t for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combining for 71 points, as they made 10 of 25 three pointers, then the Hawks may have had a chance. The Warriors went on to win an NBA record of 73 games, surpassing the previous record of 72 set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls team. So, to actually beat them last year during their run took a really special effort.

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