Quote (stuartg85 @ Jun 17 2021 02:37pm)
this is a patchwork hawks team that started the season well below .500 and when nate came in something clicked
they have talent, but shouldn't even be in the same arena as philly/milwaukee/brooklyn
if they win this series then doc has to go, simmons has to go, etc, blow it all up as clearly this team is cursed
for the hawks, trae young seems like an arrogant piece of crap, but his game can be fun to watch (unless you're a hawks fan when i'm sure it's enraging more often than enjoyable)
Hawks were 14-20 prior to Nate McMillan with the 24th best defensive rating in the NBA
Hawks were 27-11 after Nate McMillan became head coach and had the 12th best defensive rating in the NBA.
Whatever it is that happened, the Hawks quickly became legit and by the end of the season they were as hot as any team in the league. I didn't take them serious either, and kind of overlooked this as whatever but i'll be damned if I can't admit they're a lot better than expected.
With that said, the Sixers should still be able to beat them. Losing to the Hawks TWICE at home in Philly where the Sixers are almost always great is just unacceptable.