Who’s The Hawks’ Biggest Divisional Threat in 2016?
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Hawks look to repeat as Southeast Division Champions in 2015-16. While only the Washington Wizards joined the Hawks in the postseason this year, there are four teams hungry to knock Atlanta off its perch in the Southeast. Which of our four division rivals pose as the biggest threat to the Atlanta Hawks repeating as Division Champs in 2016?
Charlotte had a very disappointing 2015 as the newly re-christened Hornets failed to reach the playoffs after getting in as a .500 team in their final year as the Bobcats. HC Steve Clifford is one the Association’s more brilliant defensive minds. Charlotte finished ninth in the NBA in team defensive rating with a 103.5. The obvious problem with the Hornets is that they are a dreadful offensive team, 28th in the NBA with a 100.1 team rating.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Hawks Look to Continue Momentum Tonight Against Portland
- Joel Embiid Leads Sixers Over Hawks On Monday Night
- Atlanta Hawks: John Collins Playing His Best Basketball Of Season
- Atlanta Hawks Win Second Straight Against the Dallas Mavericks
Though shipping SG Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers for SF Matt Barnes and C Spencer Hawes could help alleviate headaches next season for the Hornets, they have to find consistent perimeter scoring either in the draft or free agency if they want to contend in the Southeast. Otherwise, Charlotte will have to play with incredible pace in transition and hope that nobody gets hurt to possibly eclipse the Hawks in the division. Clifford has a great defensive team but their miserable offense won’t win them a division title in 2016.
Miami is interesting heading into 2016. The Heat had to adjust to life without LeBron James last season and failed to make the playoffs due to injuries to key players. If healthy, I really like the Heat’s starting five entering next season: PG Goran Dragic, SG Dwyane Wade, SF Luol Deng [should he exercise his player option], PF Chris Bosh, and C Hassan Whiteside.
Erik Spoelstra doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a head coach for the Heat. I think besides injuries, the point guard situation was bleak for the Heat last year, though Dragic should help them this upcoming season. Miami will definitely be a playoff caliber team entering 2015-16. They feel like a 5-seed to me now, but that can all change once next season gets underway. The Miami Heat will be a tougher challenge for the Hawks next season, but I think the Hawks still have the higher ceiling than Miami. Miami could win the Southeast in 2016 as a dark horse contender.
Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) and guard Kyle Korver (26) defend during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Orlando could be a wild card in 2016. No, I don’t think that they will win the Southeast in 2016 but there’s a chance that they could contend for a playoff spot under new HC Scott Skiles. Though Skiles hasn’t coach an NBA team since Milwaukee three seasons ago, he’s often praised by his colleagues as one of the best molders of young minds in basketball. Skiles has many players in Orlando that are oozing with raw talent. If either Elfrid Payton or Victor Oladipo can develop an outside shot, the Magic will be a much improved team offensively.
I can see the Magic playing more cohesive team defense for a respectable NBA coach in 2016. Skiles will want to show signs of improvement in his former team this winter. Though it still might be a year or so away, Orlando has the makings of something promising going into 2017. Nikola Vucevic should garner his first All-Star selection next February. He’s a delight to watch on offense when he’s not playing against the Hawks, of course.
Live Feed
Betsided
Lastly, the Hawks biggest challenger for the division title is the Washington Wizards. These two teams had a very hostile six-game series in the Eastern Conference Semifinals this past May. Could this be the rivalry that both teams need? While I respect the play of John Wall and Bradley Beal, I don’t think anybody in Atlanta cares for Paul Pierce. Should he re-sign with the Wiz and Otto Porter develops into a great 3-and-D guy for the Wiz, Washington could not only win the Southeast but could contend for an Eastern Conference Championship in 2016. That is if HC Randy Wittman doesn’t hold them back during the regular season. I only say that because Wittman knows how to get his guys to play great basketball on the road in the playoffs. It’s the regular season him that’s puzzling.
With Chicago changing coaches from Tom Thibodeau to Fred Hoiberg, I think Atlanta and Washington will be the biggest challengers to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference next season. Both are certainly capable of winning multiple rounds in the Eastern Playoffs. Milwaukee is close to being in that conversation with an improving offense. A healthy Miami or Indiana should make things very interesting in the East next year as well. But really the Atlanta Hawks need to take care of the Washington Wizards early and often in 2015-16 to repeat as Southeast Division Champions. It the Hawks do this, they can get back to the Eastern Conference Finals and beyond.
Next: Should The Atlanta Hawks Re-Sign John Jenkins?
More from ATL All Day
- Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
- Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
- Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up