Atlanta Hawks Look To Gain Respect Against The Warriors

Two of the NBA’s best face off tonight as the Atlanta Hawks take on the Golden State Warriors in a potential NBA Finals preview

The NBA’s two top teams from each conference face off as the Golden State Warriors face off against the Atlanta Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks /

Atlanta Hawks

The big story coming into this game is of course the Atlanta Hawks (41-9) coming off of their historic 19 game winning streak, while winning 34 of their last 37 games, as they are the hottest team in the NBA. The Warriors (39-8) come into this game being the most consistent and arguably best team in the league, this matchup is a can’t-miss for all NBA fans.

The most intriguing aspect of this matchup is how similar these teams are in a number of ways.

Both the Hawks and Warriors are coming off seasons where they were dangerous playoff teams, but not actual contenders. Both teams underwent a change in the head coaching position in the past couple of years and are thriving as a result. The Warriors’ Steve Kerr, in his first season as an NBA head coach, has done a great job coaching this young team, becoming a very deep and versatile squad.

The Hawks are coached by Mike Budenholzer, in his second season as coach, and have every player playing like a Superstar. He has taken solid players like Al Horford and Jeff Teague, and turned them into forces that can match up with every team in the NBA, and beat them.

Yet, the public chooses to highlight the Golden State Warriors, which is warranted, but most don’t see the potential in the Hawks as contenders. They are.

The Atlanta Hawks are completely capable of facing any team in the East and beating them. Good coaching, great cohesion, and teamwork will beat a team of talented, yet poor coached teams every day (looking at you, Cleveland).

Fact of the matter is that with Atlanta, they are all buying in on one common goal, with no player demanding the ball, demanding this or that, but all buying in on the team aspect of the game and playing to their true potential. This Hawks team draws a lot of parallels to the 2011 Dallas Mavericks in a sense that while they might not have a Dirk Nowitzki on their side, they all buy into the team and are fearless and willing to compete with anyone.

The Warriors are without a doubt contenders for the NBA title this season, but are Atlanta?

The answer is: of course.

The East started out initially with parity, but an injury to Indiana’s Paul George, the collapse in Chicago, and the poor play of the Toronto Raptors as of late leave just Cleveland as the lone contender in the East, alongside Atlanta. Many are already penciling Cleveland into the NBA Finals, but not so fast.

Atlanta is no joke. A team with a great offense, solid defense and led by the potential Coach of the Year is not a team you want to face.

Fact is, tonight we very well might be seeing a preview of the NBA finals, so strap yourselves in because it’s going to be a heck of a ride.

Next: NBA Pre-All Star Break Team By Team Grades

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