Hawks NBA's best team?

[.GR]

SPN's Marc Stein just released this week's NBA power rankings, and the Hawks -- for the first time in his eight years doing them -- are No. 1 on the list.

His rationale: "After matching Cleveland's win in Orlando with their own breakthrough in Boston, it's time to toss it out there: How much more must the Hawks do before we all start saying that the East elite runs four teams deep?"

Fresh off a whooping off the Lakers, and with a 7-3 record after seven road games and J.R. Smith missing seven games due to his suspension, the Nuggets are a close second in this week's rankings.

The Hawks, however, face an immediate test this evening, as they host the Trail Blazers.

 

[Whisper]

Crawford and Joe Smith are very good acquisitions. Never underestimate the value of good role players, they really could change things, but elite? With Boston, Orlando, and Cleveland? Not too sure about that. It'd be something more like; Boston/Cleveland/Orlando -- Atlanta ---------- the other EC teams. Right now they're right in the middle. If they somehow acquire a better SF and or a bangin' big man to slide Smith and Horford back to their natural SF and PF spots, that's when I'll put them up there.

 

[RipCity32]

No disrespect to Hawks fans, but I can think of 5 better teams right now. Even if they aren't playing better then them right now.

Hawks might be gelling nicely, but no way are they the straight up best in the league.

 

[Mexi]

they're good, but come April, no.

they still need some inside scoring to be elite IMO

we all know the NBA still runs through the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs and Magic.

 

[Pugz]

No disrespect to Hawks fans, but I can think of 5 better teams right now. Even if they aren't playing better then them right now.

Hawks might be gelling nicely, but no way are they the straight up best in the league.

Atlanta is the 4th best in the east, no other team is better(in terms of 4th best). But they do need to try and get a upgrade at the 5 spot so Josh and Al can play SF/PF.. They're not elite though, nor should they be number 1..

 

[yezzir]

People are clearly putting too much on early season games. It like saying we might as well say Cleveland has no shot with losses to the Raptors and Celtics. And yet, if they played again, they can deff beat both of them.

 

[RipCity32]

Atlanta is the 4th best in the east, no other team is better(in terms of 4th best). But they do need to try and get a upgrade at the 5 spot so Josh and Al can play SF/PF.. They're not elite though, nor should they be number 1..

I meant 5 better teams in the NBA.