Power Rankings
Overall rank: 10th
Tier: Playoff Locks
Projected Seeding: 4th in East
The Hawks are one of the tougher teams to pinpoint heading into the 2015-16 season. On one hand, they finished with the second best record in the league last season, as well as the top record in the East and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance as well. They also have arguably the best team chemistry in the NBA, five All-Stars (counting their coach, Mike Budenholzer) and have kept relatively the same team since last year. On the other hand, however, they got embarrassed by the Cavaliers in a playoff sweep last year, the Hawks still boast no true superstar, the top of the Eastern Conference is improved, and Atlanta did lose ex-starting SF DeMarre Carroll to the Toronto Raptors in free agency this summer. The Hawks did add a quality backup big man in C/PF Tiago Splitter, something they needed, but SG Tim Hardaway Jr. was the chief reinforcement brought in to replace Carroll. In an improved East, you can’t help but drop them down a few spots and revoke their “Title Contender” status, although with All-Stars PG Jeff Teague, SG Kyle Korver, PF Paul Millsap, C Al Horford, and others, Atlanta will still be looking to make another playoff run.
Overall rank: 10th
Tier: Playoff Locks
Projected Seeding: 4th in East
The Hawks are one of the tougher teams to pinpoint heading into the 2015-16 season. On one hand, they finished with the second best record in the league last season, as well as the top record in the East and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance as well. They also have arguably the best team chemistry in the NBA, five All-Stars (counting their coach, Mike Budenholzer) and have kept relatively the same team since last year. On the other hand, however, they got embarrassed by the Cavaliers in a playoff sweep last year, the Hawks still boast no true superstar, the top of the Eastern Conference is improved, and Atlanta did lose ex-starting SF DeMarre Carroll to the Toronto Raptors in free agency this summer. The Hawks did add a quality backup big man in C/PF Tiago Splitter, something they needed, but SG Tim Hardaway Jr. was the chief reinforcement brought in to replace Carroll. In an improved East, you can’t help but drop them down a few spots and revoke their “Title Contender” status, although with All-Stars PG Jeff Teague, SG Kyle Korver, PF Paul Millsap, C Al Horford, and others, Atlanta will still be looking to make another playoff run.