Atlanta Sports Takes – Hawks Fall to Lowly Knicks and More
Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) defends New York Knicks forward Jason Smith (14) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
1.0 – The New York Knicks came into Philips Arena with a 16-64 record – the worst in the Eastern conference – but still beat the Atlanta Hawks 112-108 despite Coach Budenholzer starting the usual group (minus Paul Milsap with injury). Nevertheless, the game was meaningless, but it’s a little bitter considering the likelihood of a three game losing streak heading into the playoffs with the Bulls on the docket for Wednesday (in Chicago).
The Bulls are battling it out for the 3 and 4 seed with Toronto. I’m not sure which team I’d rather play in the 2nd round, but probably the Raptors. So I’m all for just phoning it in on Wednesday and preparing to play whoever the 8 seed winds up being.
2.0 – As we approach the playoffs, the question has been asked: are the Hawks playing with house money? In other words, since this 60-win season was not expected by ANYONE, is a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals or The Finals expected or just gravy?
I have to lean on the site of, no, they are not playing with house money. Maybe last year, when the team was an 8 seed and nearly defeated the top seed Pacers they were in that situation. Not this year, despite what the preseason expectations were. If you have a team that can go on a 19-game winning streak and easily attain the top seed in the East, bowing out in the first or second round is bad for business.
These chances don’t come around all that often. You never know when the “team chemistry” doesn’t fit like it did this year. You have to strike while the iron is hot. The Hawks need to find a way to get to the Eastern Conference Finals….finally. We’ve been waiting on that forever in Atlanta and it hasn’t happened. If that’s all we achieve this year, fine. Because at least the glass ceiling will have been broken. A trip to the Finals would be gravy for me, but anything less than the ECF will be a disappointment.
3.0 – The Braves won again! 4-0 against the Marlins, and four saves now for Jason Grilli – Craig Kimbrel who? I kid, I kid. The Braves are now 6-1 and atop the NL East by a full two games over the Mets.
I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I’m going to enjoy it! It’s especially fun to see a team with no expectations – or really poor expectations from around baseball – win like this. Granted it is still SO early, but fun to watch.