The Atlanta Hawks have suffered in NBA purgatory for the past 40 years. Too bad to compete for an NBA title, the Hawks have also been too good to win the NBA Draft Lottery with hopes of landing a franchise player.
As a result, the Hawks would basically win 40 or so games, barely make the playoffs, lose in the first round and repeat the same scenario year after year. Before the season began, analysts at ESPN gave the Hawks a zero percent chance of making the NBA Finals. But 2015 is different.
The Atlanta Hawks have surprised most of the NBA by grabbing the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference and defeating top teams in the Western Conference. The Hawks are now playing like champions.
Al Horford is the de facto leader of the Hawks. After a recent victory over the L.A. Clippers in Los Angeles, Horford revealed why the Hawks are one of the best teams in the NBA.
How have the Hawks been able to remain consistent thus far in the season?
Focus. We’re very focused as a team. We understand that we just have to go out there and play. We really can’t control the crowd and a lot of stuff. So we go out there and just do the best we can. I think it’s just our commitment to play the right way. Coach always stressed the importance of defending and rebounding. I feel like we’ve been doing a good job with that.
Can you guys continue to shock the NBA and reach the Finals?
I’m not sure. I feel like it’s early in the season. There are still a lot of things that we can improve on as a team. So we’re gonna keep pushing and see where it goes.
In what areas can you improve as a team?
Just offensively as far as getting better ball movement. We just have to make sure that we remind ourselves that we need to move the ball around.
You have beaten several teams that are considered to be NBA Finals contenders. Have you guys made a big enough statement?
We have beaten elite teams, but we can’t get caught up in every game that we [play] and say it’s a statement game. We’re just coming out here playing. We’re having fun as a team. And that’s what it’s all about.
