NBA power rankings: The brilliance of the number one Atlanta Hawks explained

THE Atlanta Hawks are the shock performers from the East — they move the ball, they shoot and they defend. Are they the best in the league?

Toronto Raptors' Amir Johnson (15) and James Johnson (3) defend as Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague (0) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 in Toronto. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

IF YOU need an idea of how impressive the Hawks have been this season, think of the Knicks. In reverse.

After Monday’s 93-82 home win over the Pistons, the Hawks have won 27 of their last 29 games — the Knicks, including a Monday win, have lost 26 of 28. They rank in the top 10 in both scoring and defence — tied for the league lead in fewest points allowed. Portland is the only other team that can make that top 10 claim.

It’s nice to concentrate on basketball after it seemed the pervading storyline around the Hawks would be the fallout and sale of the team in the wake of the racially charged emails sent by controlling owner Bruce Levenson. Nope, their on-court affairs take precedence.

“I love the Hawks. They play basketball. They move the ball. They shoot. All five positions can put the ball on the floor. They have role players who actually play roles,” said one opposing team executive. “And they defend.”

The Hawks have won 13 straight — almost as impressive in reverse as the Knicks’ skid, which ended at a franchise-worst 16.

Kyle Korver, according to Elias Sports Bureau, had the best first half of any 3-point shooter in history with 53.6 per cent (125-of-233). The Hawks lead the league as a team in 3-point shooting (38.9 per cent).

No Hawk averages 20 points — or even 18. But eight different players average at least six points, with five in double figures. Jeff Teague leads them in points (17.4) and assists while 2014 All-Star Paul Millsap (7.9) and reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Al Horford (6.6), who was injured most of last season, top the rebounding chart.

“They are good in all facets. Good enough to get out of the East? I think so, although when all is said and done, I still think it will be Chicago,” another exec said. “But I would not be surprised one bit if it’s Atlanta.”

This week’s Post power rankings:

1. Atlanta Hawks (34-8) (Last week: 2)

After making the Pistons their 13th straight victim, the Hawks can equal their franchise record for consecutive wins with their 14th at home Wednesday against Indiana.

2. Golden State Warriors (33-6) (1)

One loss and the Warriors slip from 1 to 2. They took apart the Thunder at home two weeks ago, and OKC returned the favour Friday. The Splash Brothers and friends promptly went to work dismantling the Rockets before starting a five-game homestand Monday with a 122-79 massacre of the Nuggets.

3. Memphis Grizzlies (29-12) (4)

Grizzlies are raving about the basketball IQ of recently acquired Jeff Green. Grizzlies had won three straight with Green before losing Monday to the Mavericks. Green has 59 points in 118 minutes over four games.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (31-11) (3)

The Blazers won 13 of 15 before running into their first three-game losing streak: to the Clippers by six, the Spurs by 14 and the Grizzlies by four. Ended skid with home win Monday over the Kings. Blazers are 3-7 against the top 8 in West.

5. San Antonio Spurs (26-16) (7)

Kawhi Leonard returned, scored 20 points then 12, and the Spurs won both games. The Spurs also signed versatile 6-foot-8 forward JaMychal Green, whom the Knicks also considered, to a 10-day contract. The Spurs have used 23 different starting line-ups.

6. Houston Rockets (29-13) (5)

Got 45 points from James Harden, 33 in the second half, to drill the Pacers on Monday. With 12 more 3s, they are on pace for 968, which would break Knicks’ record of 891 set in 2012-13.

7. Dallas Mavericks (29-13) (6)

Knocked off Memphis on Monday when Tyson Chandler recorded his 18th double-double of the season (Mavs are 13-5 in those games). Knicks, as a team, have 13 double-doubles.

8. Los Angeles Clippers (28-14) (9)

It had to be strange for Doc Rivers on Monday: He was coaching his son, Austin, off the Clippers bench against the Celtics, the franchise with which he won a title. Too bad Mike Fratello wasn’t coaching Boston.

9. Washington Wizards (29-13) (11)

Get a pass for gosh-awful loss at home to Nets by beating Brooklyn following night, dumping the Bulls twice in a week and also beating the Spurs.

10. Phoenix Suns (25-18) (12)

After starting 6-7 at home, the Suns have won six straight in Phoenix, making the Kobe Bryant-less Lakers their latest victim Monday. They are overcoming 28th worst scoring defence (104.7) with the NBA’s third most potent scoring offence (107.0).

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-20) (13)

In his second return from injury, Kevin Durant is averaging 28.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists. The Thunder are 5-3 in that span.

12. Chicago Bulls (27-16) (8)

The Bulls, battling injuries (Joakim Noah missed his third straight game in Monday’s loss to the Cavaliers), have lost four of five and six of eight. “We’ve got to decide when enough is enough,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Irritating,” Derrick Rose said.

13. Toronto Raptors (27-14) (10)

Have struggled terribly on defensive end but put a temporary bandage on with a win Monday in Milwaukee. Still, the Raptors have lost seven of their last 10, including four of last six at home.

14. Detroit Pistons (16-26) (16)

A Monday loss to the rampaging Hawks can’t quell the feel-good attitude around Pistons. Left for dead early, Detroit is 11-3 since throwing Josh Smith overboard, just 1 ½ games behind the eighth playoff spot in East.

15. Cleveland Cavaliers (22-20) (18)

Ended a soap-opera trip out West with a pair of wins, then came home and ripped the Bulls. “I like the way we’ve played the last week,” LeBron James said.

16. Milwaukee Bucks (21-20) (14)

Wait a minute. Giannis Antetokounmpo wants his younger brother to be called up and play for the Knicks? That’s brotherly love on par with Cain and Abel. The Bucks, meanwhile, signed Kenyon Martin to a second 10-day contract.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (20-21) (15)

They lost to the Knicks. Doesn’t matter if Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday sat. They lost to the Knicks.

18. Miami Heat (18-22) (19)

The Heat are 1-16 when their opponent scores 100 points. Dwyane Wade has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Tuesday’s matchup against the Thunder.

19. Charlotte Hornets (17-25) (22)

Got Al Jefferson back from a groin injury and brought him off the bench, the first time in 544 games (since December 2006) he didn’t start. The Hornets are playing well — even with Lance Stephenson. They’ve won seven of eight.

20. Sacramento Kings (16-25) (20)

DeMarcus Cousins averages a double-double (24.0 ppg, 12.4 rpg). He grabbed 19 rebounds Monday in a loss at Portland. He will he make the All-Star team in the West, though he was eighth in frontcourt voting.

21. Denver Nuggets (18-23) (17)

Danilo Gallinari missed his 14th straight game Monday with a right knee tear, but could return this week. Like it would matter. Denver lost by 43 on Monday at Golden State. “We didn’t compete,” said coach Brian Shaw.

22. Brooklyn Nets (17-24) (23)

If the Nets look ahead, they see a brutal schedule. If they look behind, they see the Pistons charging toward the eighth playoff spot. And if they look at the present, they still see Brook Lopez, whom they’ve been trying to move.

23. Utah Jazz (14-27) (24)

Rudy Gobert is putting up career bests across the board. Derrick Favors has averaged 20.7 points and 10.2 rebounds over his last six games and looks like a young power forward a team like, say, the Nets would love.

24. Indiana Pacers (15-28) (21)

Pacers have lost five straight, finding different ways to lose. They got blasted by James Harden’s Rockets on Monday. They scored 71 points, even with OT, and lost to Charlotte on Saturday. Detroit’s Andre Drummond beat them with a tip-in on Friday. Minnesota’s Mo Williams (yep) lit them up for 52 on Tuesday.

25. Orlando Magic (15-29) (27)

Magic are showing the step-forward, step-back approach of a young team. But they are building toward something. Got cracked by Thunder and Grizzlies — after they drilled Rockets and Bulls behind 32- and 33-point games by Victor Oladipo.

26. Boston Celtics (13-26) (25)

Celtics are 4-12 on the road, with three of those wins against Atlantic teams (Philadelphia twice, Brooklyn once). Right, they haven’t played in the Garden yet.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (12-30) (26)

Their latest skid is five straight games. They played the last two without Kobe Bryant. Lakers are 2-6 when Bryant sits. Big whoop, they’re 10-24 when he doesn’t.

28. Philadelphia 76ers (8-33)

The Sixers no doubt are feeling the pressure for Wednesday, when they entertain Knicks, out for blood and a two-game winning streak. Guard Tony Wroten has missed four straight for the Sixers because of a right knee injury.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-33) (29)

Rookie Andrew Wiggins scored 12 points Monday, his 14th straight game in double figures. But he shot 3-of-13. None of it ultimately mattered because Minny got crushed in Charlotte. “They mauled us, really,” said coach Flip Saunders.

30. New York Knicks (6-36) (30)

The Knicks, winners of one in a row, are now breathing down the Nets’ necks for the eighth spot, a mere 11 ½ games behind.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post

Originally published as NBA power rankings: The brilliance of the number one Atlanta Hawks explained