The Hawks have played 18 games of their grueling 66-game schedule over the past four weeks. While it mathematically doesn't break down as exactly 25%, now would be a good time to evaluate the Hawks so far this season, and where they may go from here.
While you could just look at the 13-5 record, conclude all is well, and call it a day, there's much more underneath the surface.
- The Hawks opened with a grueling stretch of nine games in 12 days. They went 6-3 during that time, and really only had one off-night during the entire stretch. Whereas last year there were many times to team looked lethargic, the same could not be said this year as the Hawks are the only team so far to beat last year's Eastern Conference finalists.
- The Hawks have taken care of business against lesser opponents. While it might be easy to downplay the Hawks' record as being able to take advantage of weaker teams, the fact remains that the Hawks still had to take care of business - which they have so far. Against teams below .500, the Hawks are 10-0 - that's taking care of business.
- Their 3-5 record against teams over .500 is still way better than last year, when the Hawks didn't notch a third win until two months into the season.
- Last year, the Hawks struggled to move the ball (thanks to Mike Bibby) and struggled at times on defense (thanks to Jamal Crawford). The play of Jeff Teague this year has been great, as he is averaging 12.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.1 steals and leading the perimeter defense.
- Just as the Hawks made it through their tough stretch, they lost Al Horford for the year. The team decided to sit tight on its current makeup, planning to make do with Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins. While Collins can hold his own at times on the defensive end only, Pachulia has been making more with the increased playing time, with three 10+ rebound outings and making 19 of 32 shots from the floor (59.4%). While Zaza is overmatched at times, it's not as bad as originally feared so far.
- Overall, the Hawks are fourth in the NBA in assists per game. While credit should go to Jeff so far for directing the offense, credit must also go to Joe Johnson who has improved his play from last year. In a couple of games so far - especially since Horford's injury - Johnson has put the team on his back to get the win, including Monday night in Milwaukee.
- Josh Smith deserves credit for returning to the form that made him such an exciting prospect in past years. Smith is flying around the court on defense, and is taking less poor jumpers in favor of kicking the ball to an open man or driving the lane. Smoove has averaged almost a double-double this year, along with 1/4 steals and almost 2 blocks per game, and has been a force on both ends of the floor. Like Johnson, he has put this team on his back at times to get a win, and his play should be worthy of All-Star consideration.
- The bench players have improved greatly, and helped hold thing together in order not to wear out the starters. Coach Drew was doing well in balancing the minutes of the team early on, so that no player would be completely worn out over the tough early stretch. It was routine for no player to get more than 35 minutes. With Horford out, and nagging injuries to other players, the bench folks (Vlad Radmanovic, Tracy McGrady, Pachulia, and Ivan Johnson) have really stepped up to reduce the loss of Horford so far as the Hawks have won 6 of 7 games.
- The team may get more assets back sooner than expected. Kirk Hinrich may be cleared to play by the end of the Hawks' current road trip. He can backup at either guard spot, but the Hawks may be looking more at the numbers of his contract rather than the numbers on the floor. Hinrich is a free agent this year, and may allow the Hawks to make a trade to shore up their middle through the end of the season. Hinrich may get more minutes to showcase him as a potential trade asset, since Drew has indicated that Teague will be the starter regardless of Hinrich's performance.
Here in Atlanta, we would probably be very content with a 13-5 start that puts the Hawks with the third-best record in the NBA and first in the division. The fact that they've done this without one of their All-Stars makes the feat more impressive so far.
If they can keep it up through their cross-continent road trip, it will be even better.
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