Patrick Laney of Peachtree Hoops: “As the Atlanta Hawks approach Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, it is difficult to identify what a team with a 6.5 game lead over the number 2 seed in the East should do to improve. Atlanta has to be careful in making any move that may disrupt the team chemistry featured in their rise to the top of the East standings. With other contenders sure to get stronger in the months ahead, the Hawks do not want to be too careful in resting on the success of their 43-11 romp through to the All-Star break. In the midst of Atlanta playing outstanding basketball on both ends of the floor, the team has one clear statistical weakness: rebounding. Is it simply a weakness or is it a problem? The rebounding issue could be merely a flesh wound that looks bad in the stat line, but does not have a very large effect on the outcome of games–as indicated by Atlanta’s 19-game winning streak. However, a common ailment in Atlanta’s losses this season has been a significant shortage in securing defensive rebounds versus opponents. In the playoffs, teams like Chicago, Memphis, and even a #8 seed like the Hornets could turn a small problem into a nightmare for the Hawks.”
Aaron Mah of Hoops Habit: “As the 2014-15 regular season hits its proverbial “home stretch,” multiple sources have reported that, after months of deliberation, Ray Allen is finally ready to make a decision concerning his NBA playing future. Apparently, the list of teams in the running for the services of the all-time leader in three-pointers made includes the Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Atlanta Hawks.”
Cory McCartney of Fox Sports: “They took over the All-Star Game, at least for a few minutes. The Hawks contingent of Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague hit the floor together Sunday at Madison Square Garden, putting an exclamation point on a first half of a season in which Atlanta owned the Eastern Conference. With 43 wins, the Hawks already have five more than they had the entirety of last season, they own a 19-game winning streak and have created a gap of gargantuan proportions in the conference, which is now at 6 1/2 games over the Raptors. Basically, everything came up Atlanta. But there are questions to ponder on the road to the playoffs. Herewith, five of the prime storylines for the Hawks as the second half unfolds beginning Friday against the Raptors:”
