We are just over a month into the NBA season but the Atlanta Hawks find themselves in surprising territory just a game out of first place in the Eastern Conference. I say surprising because many major media outlets dismissed the Hawks in much the same way they have done in recent seasons. After all the Hawks ushered out the Joe Johnson era this past summer and replaced him with plenty of new faces most of whom are in the final years of their contracts.

Despite the new faces, Larry Drew has made it work and while some may bag on Atlanta's schedule, wins over Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Clippers and now the Memphis Grizzlies suggest that this team is for real. Its a long season and many things can happen. There is plenty of time for things to go south but right now it is hard to imagine much more of a better start for this club.

Here is a look at the full Eastern Conference Standings: