:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27570317/20140125_tcb_sh5_245.0.jpg)
Well despite Horford being lost for the season, Pero Antic being out and now recently Jeff Teague getting injured, the Hawks are managing to stay afloat. It seems that some of those doing the rankings are starting to realize how great of a job Coach Bud has been doing this season.
Anyway before I continue to talk about the job he has done this season, I will start the rankings with Jason Patt of SBNation.com placing the Hawks at #14.
The Hawks are doing an admirable job staying afloat in the wake of the Al Horford injury. Atlanta has won three of four, with one of those being an impressive 121-114 victory over Miami. And yes, Kyle Korver's three streak is still going.
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com puts the Hawks at #14. Maybe he has heard some of the tweets you guys have put out.
This team could have bailed for so many reasons, but has stuck together with coach Mike Budenholzer. Pretty impressive.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports keeps the Hawks at #13 and making a case for hopeful All-Star Paul Millsap.
Paul Millsap is the only player in the East averaging at least 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
The guys over at USAToday.com keeps Atlanta at #13 while marveling at the greatness of the Korver Streak.
Does Kyle Korvers three-point streak carry over to international play if he makes Team USA?
Jimmy Spencer of FOXSports.com has the Hawks at #14 in his latest ranking and also adds to the case for Millsap All-Star campaign.
Paul Millsap went from being a sidekick to Al Jefferson in Utah to becoming the secondary punch to Al Horford in Atlanta. But with Horford out, this team belongs to Millsap. The versatile forward leads the Hawks with 19.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the 11 games since Horford went out. With the third-best record out East, Millsap deserves the All-Star game
John Schuhmann of NBA.com places the Hawks at #17 and mentions of how Atlanta hangs on despite the injuries.
Fourteen games after losing Al Horford for the season, the Hawks still have the third best record in the East, with January wins over both of the teams ahead of them. With seven guys averaging double-figures over their last five games, their offense has had its most efficient stretch since Horford's injury. DeMarre Carroll has scored in double-figures in eight of his last nine games, shooting 55 percent.
Matt Dollinger of SI.com also puts the Hawks at #17 and also points out how they just don't quit.
The pesky Hawks are hanging around despite losing Al Horford for the season. They've knocked off the Heat and Pacers this month and are finding creative ways to score, eclipsing 100 points in five of their last six games.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com puts the Hawks at #15, mentioning that Budenholzer should get some credit for the job he has done.
Jeff Hornacek is widely regarded as untouchable in the Rookie Coach of the Year race, but we haven't said enough about the job Mike Budenholzer has done. Al Horford last played in 2013 and there have been other injuries, too, but the Hawks have continued to cling to the East's No. 3 seed.
Finally, Kurt Helin of NBCsports.com mentions how Millsap has stepped up his game since post-Horford.
They have not fallen apart as predicted, Atlanta is 7-7 since Al Horford has went down. They remain the three seed in the East and look like a playoff team.Paul Millsap has made a good All-Star case but we’ll if it’s enough to get the coaches to vote for him as a reserve. He’s on the bubble.
That's it for this weeks ranking and the Hawks look to hold steady in the mid-teens. It seems like some of those doing the ranking are starting to respect how great of a job Coach Bud has done in his rookie season and how well the other players have stepped up this season. Anyway, as always, let me know what you guys think of the rankings.
