Eastern Conference Playoff Teams: Where do Raptors finish?
By Brian Boake
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer and forward Paul Millsap (4) react during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Cleveland won 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks
A team already playing modern basketball, this bunch won’t wobble following the loss of DeMarre Carroll. I’m not ready to declare them San Antonio East, but they are the closest imitators. They are well-coached, and their players have no egos. With the gifted Al Horford down low, they don’t need to burn the strings from long distance every night. Now that Tiago Splitter is in town, they can enjoy a talented big man in the rotation. In other words, they don’t ever need to play small ball, except by choice.
I don’t think 60 wins is in the cards, but they don’t need that gaudy number to enjoy a successful season, and the East’s second seed.
Next: 1. Beast of the East