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Atlanta Hawks: Eastern Conference Power Rankings, Jan. 14

By John Buhler

Jan 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) celebrates with forward Paul Millsap (4) (grey shirt) near the end of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) celebrates with forward Paul Millsap (4) (grey shirt) near the end of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls. 3. team. 24. . . Previous:

Although they are only percentage points better than the Atlanta Hawks this season, despite losing to Atlanta this past weekend, Chicago seems like the national media’s favorite to become the Cavaliers biggest threat this season. While I love their depth and frontcourt, are we sure that the Bulls are the team destined to meet the Cavaliers in the 2016 ECF?

We don’t know how this team will play under new head coach Fred Hoiberg come playoff time, but that stands for now as a positive unknown for this Bulls team. The Bulls’ roster can win the East, but they might again only win in the first round. They sit above Atlanta because I can’t see the Bulls losing in the first round at all, where I see a few scenarios where the Hawks exit the Eastern Conference Playoffs in round one.

. Previous: . Toronto Raptors. 2. team. 81.

Toronto is one of the more complete teams in the NBA and for that I see the Raptors as the biggest challenger to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference as we near the halfway point. Playing in the Atlantic helps the Raptors potentially gain a few games in the standings over teams in the Central or the Southeast.

Essentially the Toronto Raptors have to get out of the first round in 2016 or else heads will roll in the Great White North. This team is too talented to stand as anything less than a team with an Eastern Confernce Semifinals ceiling. They could take a game or two from the Cavaliers in the ECF this spring.

Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 1. team. 156. .

Cleveland hasn’t turned on the switch yet, but this is still the best basketball team in the Eastern Conference without any hesitation. Anything less than another trip to the ECF is a failure for this team. They should win the East and could win it all in 2016.

Next: Atlanta Hawks completely stung by Hornets, 107-84

Since no worthy adversary has emerged in the East yet for Cleveland, the Cavs should easily make it to the ECF and probably will win the East again in 2016. This team isn’t perfect, but it stand as the best offering the East has to offer entering the halfway point of the 2015-16 NBA season.

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