will atlanta make it to the finals

[swagga]

serious question. I don't give a fck about 20 win game streaks, no matter how impressive they are, the playoffs are different.

imo hawks is similar to the grizzlies, alot of talent but no alpha tier talent to take over when shit hits the fan (and it always does). we all know rings are not won in february.

no hate tho, they playing nice ball :applause: but if i'd be betting my money gonna be on the cavs (lebron + stacked team)

[atljonesbro]

Yep, they can. Their play style is perfect for the playoffs.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

serious question. I don't give a fck about 20 win game streaks, no matter how impressive they are, the playoffs are different.

imo hawks is similar to the grizzlies, alot of talent but no alpha tier talent to take over when shit hits the fan (and it always does). we all know rings are not won in february.

no hate tho, they playing nice ball :applause: but if i'd be betting my money gonna be on the cavs (lebron + stacked team)

This is why I'm not convinced that they're going to be a finals team. The second round is probably going to be difficult in the East (Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Washington as far as realistic second round teams) and I don't know who they turn to if they need an alpha to carry them through an important game.

[SugarHill]

This is why I'm not convinced that they're going to be a finals team. The second round is probably going to be difficult in the East (Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Washington as far as realistic second round teams) and I don't know who they turn to if they need an alpha to carry them through an important game.
Which "alpha" carried the Spurs last year?

[atljonesbro]

Which "alpha" carried the Spurs last year?
This. The Hawks are much like the Spurs of last year. The "They had 3 HOF's" argument is useless since none of them played near a HOF level. I really have no clue why people think the Spurs big 3 were playing at a HOF level last year, really odd argument.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Which "alpha" carried the Spurs last year?

Fair point, but the Spurs had one guaranteed HoFer, two probables, and a rising star in Kawhi as well as one of the best NBA coaches ever.

It's certainly possible that Atlanta will be able to make due but I don't see it happening.

[BuffaloBill]

They can, and they have no excuse if they don't

[poido123]

Fair point, but the Spurs had one guaranteed HoFer, two probables, and a rising star in Kawhi as well as one of the best NBA coaches ever.

It's certainly possible that Atlanta will be able to make due but I don't see it happening.


Still, the team balance and ball movement is very similar.

Horford and Millsap form a much more formidable combo than duncan and splitter.

Budenholzer seems to be a great coach too and has learned a lot from pop.

[Im so nba'd out]

**** No!

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Still, the team balance and ball movement is very similar.

Horford and Millsap form a much more formidable combo than duncan and splitter.

Budenholzer seems to be a great coach too and has learned a lot from pop.

It's definitely true that there are similarities between the two teams.

One difference is that the Spurs are a playoff tested team that have been the picture consistency for more than a decade. They're a team that knows how to win, as difficult to gauge as that may be.

Might Atlanta turn into a Spurs-esque team over the next few years? Possibly, but I just have difficulty believing that their first season as a real team to watch isn't going to feature growing pains when the playoffs hit.

[swagga]

Which "alpha" carried the Spurs last year?

tim duncan son.
the fact they use him rarely because he is old and lacks stamina doesn't mean that he doesn't dominate the important stretches.

look at last years series:
vs mavs (where they used him alot in the 4th to put pressure and open the mavs D, he also locked the paint, put people in foul trouble)
vs okc (some BIG key games)
vs miami the first 2 games (which were the hardest for the spurs)
i'll not even mention his great defense, especially in the clutch. Dude was a beast during the toughest stretches.

alpha don't mean 30ppg. Alpha means alpha when you need it : points, rbds, asst, blk, defense, leading the team when it gets rough, shots not falling, others are choking, etc.


the hawks don't have somebody like duncan to alter the game on both sides at elite level for the tough stretches. imo. that's why I'm not seeing them in the finals.

god bless.

[swagga]

Still, the team balance and ball movement is very similar.

Horford and Millsap form a much more formidable combo than duncan and splitter.

Budenholzer seems to be a great coach too and has learned a lot from pop.

this is full of wrong. from the system they play and how they open up the defense. To the different type of frontcourt. Etc. just a bad take overall son. You do have a history of bad takes, the latest being the YEARLY bulls hype.

[poido123]

It's definitely true that there are similarities between the two teams.

One difference is that the Spurs are a playoff tested team that have been the picture consistency for more than a decade. They're a team that knows how to win, as difficult to gauge as that may be.

Might Atlanta turn into a Spurs-esque team over the next few years? Possibly, but I just have difficulty believing that their first season as a real team to watch isn't going to feature growing pains when the playoffs hit.


The two biggest question marks on cavs and hawks.

Are they going to struggle under playoff pressure Basketball?


That's why I still hold out hope with the bulls, no matter how bad they are playing.

[swagga]

The two biggest question marks on cavs and hawks.

Are they going to struggle under playoff pressure Basketball?


That's why I still hold out hope with the bulls, no matter how bad they are playing.

you are hoping for great playoffs performances from a team that pays half the its cap space to pau gasol and derrick rose .... not the best argument tbh.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

The two biggest question marks on cavs and hawks.

Are they going to struggle under playoff pressure Basketball?


That's why I still hold out hope with the bulls, no matter how bad they are playing.

I have more faith in the Cavs, especially if they continue to play the way they have been since LeBron's return. LeBron has been the best player in the league since his return and if this is a return to prime form then it's difficult to count the Cavs out in the playoffs.

The Hawks don't have a proven superstar to turn to if they need one, which is why I'm unsure about how they'll do in the playoffs. That said, they may very well prove me wrong and keep playing at a high level through the postseason.

[poido123]

this is full of wrong. from the system they play and how they open up the defense. To the different type of frontcourt. Etc. just a bad take overall son. You do have a history of bad takes, the latest being the YEARLY bulls hype.


Similarities


Elite ball movement
Excellent spacing
Solid defense
Solid 3pt shooting
Drive and kicks from the point guard
Horford pick and pop from 16 feet similar to duncan pick and pop



A simplistic observation. Now sit down boy

[poido123]

you are hoping for great playoffs performances from a team that pays half the its cap space to pau gasol and derrick rose .... not the best argument tbh.


:facepalm


Great logic. I guess the bulls have no one else on their team outside of rose and Gasol.

Gasol on 7.5 mill a year is a real burden :rolleyes:

[beastee]

If Jeff Teague keeps playing like he has lately...nope.
Why is nobody mentioning his recent struggles?
Last 5 games:
13.5 ppg, 38% FGP, 8.4 Assists (still solid), 3.4 TOPG
That is not All-star level play and he needs to pick it up if they want to win the Eastern Conference. He has played very well in stretches, but IMO needs to be THE GUY come playoff time for them. Not sure if Millsap or Horford can be clutch kings against the top 4 of the east.