Atlanta Hawks: Eastern Conference Power Rankings, Feb. 11

Will youth and inexperience get in the way of the Detroit Pistons this spring as they try to end their conference-worst playoff drought? The Pistons’ roster and head coach Stan Van Gundy should have this team fighting for a sixth to eighth seed in the East this year.

Van Gundy will probably make a trade in the next week, as he is also the general manager for the Pistons organization. How the Pistons navigate the NBA trade deadline could serve as the type of boom or bust that will decide if the Palace at Auburn Hills will host an NBA Playoff game this spring.

The Charlotte Hornets have a sense of togetherness about them that makes them a contender for an Eastern Conference Playoff spot this spot. The rise of point guard Kemba Walker gives the Hornets the star player they’ve needed since center Al Jefferson went down with an injury earlier this season.

What will end up hurting the Hornets down the stretch is their inability to win away from The Hive at Time Warner Cable Arena in Downtown Charlotte. The Hornets are one of the worst road teams in the NBA at 8-17 entering the NBA All-Star Break.

After seeing the Atlanta Hawks easily defeat a disinterested Chicago Bulls team Wednesday night at the United Center, it is becoming increasingly obvious that this year’s Bulls aren’t going to do much of anything come playoff time.

Injuries aren’t anything new for this organization, but not playing any defense is. One has to wonder if Fred Hoiberg was truly ready to become an NBA head coach. Tom Thibodeau had his issues, but ownership could count on a consistent defensive effort from his teams. With a strong defense, does this team even have a necessary identity to win a playoff series? Probably not.

Next: Tier II: Eastern Conference Finals Ceiling