All alone in 1st place!

[Gray Mule]

Some of us poor souls like to study the standings- Have for all the time

I have been a fan, which is a while.

 

Being in first place this late in the season is strange.  To be up 9 is unthinkable.

That's where the Hawks are and we just don't really know how to act.

 

When we break down the standings, we find three bunches of teams in the east.

 

Directly behind our Hawks we find five teams, 9 to 14 games out of 1st place.

 

Next, fighting for a playoff berth we find 6 teams, 20 1/2 games to 23 games behind.

They are in a battle for 7th & 8th place.

 

Finally, with no chance except the lottery, we find 3 teams - 28 - 33- & 34 1/2 back.

 

Those talking heads, the "experts," still have trouble believing what the Hawks have

done and are just waiting for them to fall on their face as the Hawks keep wining

and stretching their lead.

 

"Just wait until the playoffs.  Then they will easily fall."  "They are not built to win

when they face REAL competition."

 

If Atlanta holds on to their place or if, as the "experts" expect, Cleveland replaces

them and we're second, that middle group of 6 teams listed above will supply the

challenge in the first round. 

 

Two question to you:  Who do you wish to face in round one?  And, do you expect

the Cavs to pass us in the standings?

[somegsuguy]

Heard on the radio last night that the Cavs would have to go 22-1 just to catch us if we go .500.  

 

We should clinch a playoff berth by Wednesday (magic number down to 4). Our magic number to clinch the Southeast is like 10, and the magic number to clinch the #1 seed in the East is 15.  

 

Washington is in a free fall, and Toronto has lost 4 in a row since beating us. They're only a half game up on Chicago for the #2 seed, and Cleveland is a full game behind Toronto.  

[Ryaan]

Only team I bother checking standings for is Brooklyn, and BOY did they drop yesterday

[Final_quest]

I don't think the experts are picking Cleveland to win the #1 seed in the East, but they are picking them to play in the Finals.  It would take an epic collapse combined with an unthinkable winning streak from another team for us to lose the #1 seed at this point.  

 

There's not a team that seems threatening in the first round.  I kind of hope it's Indiana so we can get the memories of last year out of our system.  Miami could be a threat as an 8 seed if they start getting some chemistry with Dragic, Wade, and Whiteside.  Not sure who I would feel most threatened by.  

[Vol4ever]

Hard to believe for old timers where we are sitting right now.   I hope they pick that consistency on defense back up instead of playing in spurts last night. 

[Wretch]

I keep watching this magic number site.  The magic number is like 16 to clinch...and I've been counting down!  

 

For the first time since I was a little boy, with crazy homerific hope, there isn't a single team in the East that I fear.  Not one.  LeBron makes me a little nervous, so I'm still holding my breath a little...but if we play our game and make the shots we should make...we're going to the ECFs.

 

That is just so crazy to me......

[hawkman]

I keep watching this magic number site.  The magic number is like 16 to clinch...and I've been counting down!  

 

For the first time since I was a little boy, with crazy homerific hope, there isn't a single team in the East that I fear.  Not one.  LeBron makes me a little nervous, so I'm still holding my breath a little...but if we play our game and make the shots we should make...we're going to the ECFs.

 

That is just so crazy to me......

This is our year period. When this team is on top of its game, they can compete with and beat any team in the league. The only issues I've seen are maintaining the defensive intensity for the entire game and keeping the offensive execution crisp. I highly doubt those things will be a problem during the Playoffs, especially with home court advantage through the Eastern Conference and possibly throughout the Playoffs. We've all seen how these guys react to the energy from the fans. The energy from the crowd this postseason will make the '07-'08 Celtics series seem tame.

Edited February 28, 2015 by hawkman

[NJHAWK]

I think even Bud expects us to win the regular season east title. Judgeing by the way we sat guys vs Miami Bud knows we have room to play with and rest is important rite now.The fear may actually be in finishing off the east too early and having nothing to play for late.

[aznsensation]

I hope coach Bud dont rest the players when they face the Nets twice at the end of the year. We will need to bury them and make sure they dont make the playoffs.

[NBASupes]

10 games

[Kadienuss]

I like it

[WraithSentinel]

Right now I am concentrating on the division magic number. It has been awhile since the Hawks won a division title.

[enrique]

The fact that this thread exists makes the past several seasons a distant memory. I really hope Thabo returns and resumes where he left off. He will be a key part of a deep playoff run. The depth and defensive intensity he brings will be much needed IMO.

 

For the record, I'd like to beat Indy! I also hope we play the ECF against the Cavs and win that one before taking top honors in the Finals;)

[Randy]

I'm with Ryann - only team I don't want to face in round 1 is the New Jersey Nets. (Take that Brokelin.)