NBA Power Rankings: Atlanta Moves Up To No. 7 In Latest SB Nation Rankings

by Kris Willis on Jan 31, 2012 12:02 PM EST

The national media doesn't really know what to make of the Atlanta Hawks and their 15-6 start to the season. It's one thing that the team is 15-6 but it is another when you factor in how the team has performed since the injury to Al Horford. Perhaps SB Nation's Tom Ziller sums it up best while moving the Hawks to No. 7 in this week's power rankings.

7. Atlanta Hawks 15-6 W: MIL, DET, NO; L: SA Peachtree Hoops

They just keep on winning ...

Despite a 3-1 week from the Hawks, ESPN.com's Marc Stein holds Atlanta steady at No. 9 this week pointing out a lack of quality opponents as a potential reason for their success:

You know what? The Hawks' 8-2 record without Al Horford -- with only three of those wins coming against teams (Wolves, Blazers, Bucks) playing what you'd call decent basketball -- is a touch easier to explain than the fact Horford was averaging only a modest 12.4 ppg and 7.0 rpg when he got hurt.

Stein could be missing the point because the Hawks are one of the few teams in the league that has actually been playing "decent basketball"

After a few weeks of not believing, NBA.com's John Schuhmann moves the Hawks up six spots to No. 4 this week trailing only Miami, Oklahoma City and Chicago. His write up contains something that fans aren't used to hearing associated with this Hawks club.

Atlanta (15-6)
Pace: 93.0 (22), Off: 102.5 (9), Def: 95.6 (4)
Atlanta is mostly winning with defense, while getting just enough offense from Joe Johnson and a random teammate selected nightly. Marvin Williams has made 10 of his last 13 threes, and Johnson's wild three at the end of regulation helped the Hawks pull a victory out of thin air in Detroit on Friday.

The Hawks are also climbing in Chris Sheridan's Sunday Power Rankings moving up five spots this week to No. 6.He even throws in a juicy rumor to go along with his praise of the Hawks early season success.

LAST WEEK: 2-1 THIS WEEK: 4 games KEY GAME: SAT vs PHI
I'll bump their number of quality wins up to 4 by recategorizing 1/14 victory over Minnesota. Lost by 22 to Spurs and needed OT to beat Pistons last week, but 4-0 week is possibly ahead of them (no back-to-backs) if they beat Sixers on Friday night in what should be a letdown game for Philly a night after death match with Heat. Rumblings around the league that they are looking to shed payroll.

If the Hawks are still actually over the luxury tax number as Bret at Hoopinion reported earlier this week then yes the Hawks are looking to shed more payroll. As always their salary structure is a huge deterrent for any potential roster strengthening moves coming down the stretch.

Atlanta comes in at No. 5 on Tuesday in John Hollinger's daily Power Rankings at ESPN.com.

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Comments

"they just keep winning"

a Tebow reference, just great way to ruin my day

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 12:31 PM EST reply actions

What really kills me about the whole Tebow thing

is that when his name comes up I now instantly have this Skip Bayless-Stephen A. argument that replays through my head. And not even I deserve that!

by wjb1492 on Jan 31, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

"he's a gamer! he's a baller!"

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jan 31, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

OKAY THIS annoyed me more than anything

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

They still have Pargo and Stackhouse on non-guaranteed contracts

Cutting either of those guys makes sense, and would surely cut enough payroll to put them safely below the luxury.

I’ve said before that there are only 6 good teams int he East. If things with Orlando turn around, that number drops to 5. The Hawks could end up with a first round match-up against Orlando or Boston, at this rate, which look favorable enough. They might survive either of those without Horford.

Here’s the real question: What’s it take for the Hawks to get to that #2 seed? If the Hawks manage to go 4-0 this week, they’re still in third place, it seems. The Bulls might lose one game, since they’ve got 4 road match-ups. I don’t see the Heat losing any games this week. But the 76ers have a murderer’s row: Chicago comes in, then they have a back-to-back with Miami and then the Hawks on Friday and Saturday. If the Hawks beat them head to head, they’re in third place. And the Pacers could lose a couple of games this week as well.

I might be irrationally optimistic, but that second seed is attainable. And it might be the key to getting the Hawks to the ECF, having home court for two rounds. If so, the next key game is going to be February 12, when the Heat visit.

Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.

by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT

by Bronn on Jan 31, 2012 12:47 PM EST reply actions

I believe that is a possible goal, because our defense is for REAL...

Marvin, Teague and the bench has been the key to that change.

by Rufus1 on Jan 31, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

with how teague and marvin been playing

its like we have 2 new starters on the team. Plus this is the best bench I have seen since I have started watching the hawks

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

What’s it take for the Hawks to get to that #2 seed?

Lengthy injuries to any 2 of Wade, James, and Bosh, most likely.

by redwards95 on Jan 31, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

OR D. Rose

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 31, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

we should have ivan go in just to stomp on rose's foot

I know its a bad thing to say, but just throwing it out there

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree...Al to return

by Rufus1 on Jan 31, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

I dont think #2 is anywhere near attainable

by xavip on Jan 31, 2012 3:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

They would be so surprised if the did analysis like the NFL....

A good playoff team from the previous year, returns all the key players and upgrades their bench(One of the weakest in the league the previous year), and improves their defense with a better PG play from the starter and back-up…..

Stop looking at fancy dunks, highlight plays and a teams star power realize we are a better offensive and defense team than last year…

by Rufus1 on Jan 31, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Wouldn't ^^^

by Rufus1 on Jan 31, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

Too much to ask but

It’d be nice that instead of pointing out the lack of quality opponents that once in a while they give credit to taking care of business when expected. Still I appreciate that we are getting respect.

Looking at the losses this year:
1. Houston on the road, we almost always get stomped in Texas
2. Chicago on the road, we blew a big lead to lose at the very end (we’d get a lot more respect nationally if we held on to this one)
3. Miami at home, we played down to the lack of Lebron and Wade and then ran out of gas in 3rd OT.
4. Indiana on the road when we lose Horford in the first half. It’s an excuse but an understandable one as we normally play Indiana better.
5. Philadelphia on the road when we blew an early advantage with the players wilting under the defensive pressure and the coaching staff failing to make adjustments.
6. San Antonio on the road, we almost always get stomped in Texas especially in San Antonio.

I can argue that we have no bad losses even though 3 (maybe 4) were real ugly. If we had won those 2 that we could have then we’d be fighting for the best record in the league, but those were learning moments (Finish them when they’re down and don’t underestimate those on the floor just because someone real good is in street clothes). Without winning those I see as a top 6 team who hasn’t given away a predicted win yet. Maybe a couple were close like Detroit or Charlotte in OT, but the team found a way to win.

by Evildallas on Jan 31, 2012 1:22 PM EST reply actions

Miami at home

Was a very, very bad loss.

But none of the other losses bother me too much. (Obviously, they bother me, for I want is to win every game for the rest of eternity.)

GATA!

by Jman781 on Jan 31, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

It was a horribly missed opportunity true

But as I walked into the arena I feared the loss was coming because I heard about Lebron and Wade on the pregame show. Knew that letdown was coming. Credit the influx of Ivan’s energy on getting it to OT. Given the opponent even with the circumstances I don’t classify it as a loss to a bad team. Maybe saying no bad losses was the wrong wording. I should have said no headscratching losses where you wonder how did we lose to New Jersey (or insert other bad team here).

by Evildallas on Jan 31, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Fair enough...

I still feel we should have beaten them, especially since there isn’t much on Miami once Wade and James are on the bench.

But, if we’re only debating one of twenty-one games so far, who can complain?!

GATA!

by Jman781 on Jan 31, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Now I have to get my NBA Ticket again.

Now we’re great.

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Jan 31, 2012 1:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions

what does this mean? What NBA ticket? for which game?

I am confused

by ATLpaul on Jan 31, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

I think he's talking about renewing the ticket so he can watch all the games on TV

since he lives out of state

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Thank-you for clarification

by ATLpaul on Jan 31, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

In the Truths thread I said I was cancelling because it was a little gloomy.

So now this one was more positive so I said I’d renew it again.

Pretty much a failed bit/joke.

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Jan 31, 2012 2:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

now i feel slow because I now realize that

thanks alot

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps my comedy is too high brow?

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Jan 31, 2012 2:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

We can't think right now

We’re too busy watching Blake Griffin dunk.

GATA!

by Jman781 on Jan 31, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

i was gonna say poor Perkins

then i remembered he was a celtic

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

I am watching Kevin Love outlet passes.

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Jan 31, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

hahaha

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Like I said in column

let’s just stop worrying about respect – we’ve gotten to these heights in power rankings before and then, wet the bed. let’s just worry about what should be the critical thing we can learn to do and that’s to beat good teams consistently. We’ve never done that. We have won on the road, won at home, beaten bad teams. Been there, done that. The respect will come when we do what we HAVEN’T done before. like play players as if defense is a skill and matters..

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 31, 2012 1:50 PM EST reply actions

I agree with you

in the end you can have some type of respect but still suck (knicks). Or you can just ignore it all and keep winning

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

The National media called the Knicks contenders....

The real analyst knew without a defense or PG, you couldn’t be a contender.

by Rufus1 on Jan 31, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

the real "analysts" still put them ahead in the confrence

well ahead of us at least.

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Respect does matter....

But I am more interested in knowing that if we are high in the power rankings, it is likely that we are high in the standings (which is what matters at the end of the season).

by jdewayneatl on Jan 31, 2012 1:53 PM EST reply actions

The Power Rankings...

Are nice, but our season will boil down to this question: Without Horford, can we consistently beat Chicago and Miami?

If the answer is “no”, then we’re not advancing to the Eastern Conference finals. It’s as simple as that.

GATA!

by Jman781 on Jan 31, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions

True

but I’m not sure that with Horford, you can accomplish that feat. So, the question really is – are we willing to make a change that would make that possible? I’m not sure we will…

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Feb 1, 2012 1:12 AM EST up reply actions

I'm willing. But I don't trust the centers out there. If I'm trading Al it's for Dwight or contracts that will let me go after Dwight.

Horford+Hinrich+picks for Dwight+Anderson.

Sam Dalembert is having a great year. Looks like he canned overshooting and became Tyson Chandler 2.0. And I think his contract is a 1 year deal. Don’t know if Houston is willing to can the season like that though.

* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Josh Smith * Troy Murphy * Al Horford *
* Kirk Hinrich * Tracy McGrady * Marvin Williams * Ivan/Vlad * Zaza Pachulia *
----
* {#40 Pick Perimeter F Jon Leuer is better than Marvin Williams and Hinrich cost us the pick}

by PointGuardSlim on Feb 1, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

To brighten your day: "The Orlando Magic Are Laughably Terrible Right Now"

Enjoy!

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Jan 31, 2012 2:34 PM EST reply actions

Can't see the link...

http://withleather.uproxx.com/2012/01/the-orlando-magic-are-laughably-terrible-right-now

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Jan 31, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

this makes me feel better

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 31, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

I love looking at the love the Hawks are getting so it matters to me.

. Plus I think being in the top 10 is going to be short lived

As I expect the loss of Horford to catch up with us. Now before the season, someone told me Horford would be out w/ injury for 4 months, I would have highly doubted we could win 8 out of 10 missing Horford even if we had to play the Wizards 10 times. So while we haven’t beaten only one winning team during this stretch, the schedule has been kind. Now our next stretch of games( 18) is TOUGH. No back to back games versus losing teams (I excluded Milwaukee because they are playing better) until March, a west coast road trip, Miami and Indy twice each along w/games against Chi, OKC, and L.A. If we can play .500 I will be fine with that.

by xavip on Jan 31, 2012 3:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I think Kris does a fine job og aggregating this information and presenting it

It is much easier to find out about the rankings here, than click on 6 different sites. While at the end of the day the games prove where a teams stand, I think it is always interesting to see what people think of Hawks, as many subjective things (such as selection to All Star by coaches or defensive teams or …) are driven per these words of mouth.

by ATLpaul on Jan 31, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions