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Atlanta Hawks: Eastern Conference Finals Bound in 2016?

By John Buhler

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The Atlanta Hawks are coming off arguably the best season in the franchise’s history since relocating to Atlanta from St. Louis in 1968.  Atlanta won 60 games and the Southeast Division title en route to a top-seed in the Eastern Conference.  Head Coach Mike Budenholzer led his team to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance this past spring.  While replicating 60 wins is a tall feat for the 2015-16 squad, are the Atlanta Hawks still Eastern Conference Finals bound heading into next season?

-= Related: Atlanta Hawks: Options to Replace DeMarre Carroll =-

Although the DeMarre Carroll signing by the Atlantic’s Toronto Raptors still hurts, the re-signing of PF Paul Millsap and the trade to bring C Tiago Splitter over from the San Antonio Spurs might be enough to ensure that the 2016 Atlanta Hawks will win over 50 games.  While 50 wins will not guarantee a top-seed or another division crown for that matter, going 50-32 might be enough to get Atlanta a Top 4 seed in the East next year.

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    • Getting a Top 4 seed is crucial as it provides your team with home court advantage in the always tricky Eastern Quarterfinals (the first round).  The 2015 Atlanta Hawks needed that leverage to top both the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards in the first two rounds of last years NBA Playoffs.

    You also might have to assume that since LeBron James plays in the Eastern Conference with the Cleveland Cavaliers that his team is essentially a guarantee to make it at least to the third round of the playoffs.  So that leaves just one opening for the other ECF bid.  Are there any teams in the East worthy of taking that spot from the Atlanta Hawks?

    I believe that Chicago will still be an Eastern Title contender even under new HC Fred Hoiberg, formerly of the Iowa State Cyclones.  Washington played Atlanta very well in a budding divisional rivalry in the second round of last year’s playoffs.  With HC Randy Wittman‘s uncanny ability to win road playoff games, the Wizards are a threat to make some in every postseason with this roster.

    Other teams that look like they are on the rise heading into 2016 are the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat.  Milwaukee is an outstanding defensive team for HC Jason Kidd and should they find some more consistent shooting, the Bucks are a dangerous team for this upcoming season.  When it all clicks for the Bucks, watch out!  We might Fear the Deer in 2016.

    Miami had a year of adjustment in 2015 after the abrupt LeBron James departure during last year’s free agency period.  But by re-signing PG Goran Dragic, SG Dwyane Wade, and SF Luol Deng, Miami will definitely find themselves in the playoff mix in 2016.  Perhaps HC Erik Spoelstra can work his magic and get the Heat back to the Eastern Conference Finals if his strong starting five stay healthy.

    Realistically, Atlanta has three primary challengers for the other ECF spot: Chicago, Milwaukee, and Washington.  Cleveland will likely be the favorite to win the East again, but any of these other teams that will finish between 2nd and 6th in the East (Yes, the Atlantic Division will get the 4th seed…) can certainly get to the Eastern Conference Finals is 2016.

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    While it certainly won’t come as easy as it did last year, I do think that the Hawks will have serious championship aspirations heading into 2016.  It would be great to see them when it all, but the top half of the East looks very promising.  I would say that anything less than an Eastern Conference Semifinals appearance would be a major disappointment for the 2016 Atlanta Hawks.  However, I do sense that a rematch between Atlanta and Cleveland is the most likely matchup for the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals.  Or at least, let’s hope so.

    Next: Atlanta Hawks: An Improved Team in 2015-16?

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