Atlanta Hawks Tickets

The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the NBA's biggest surprises this season, and I mean that in the best way possible.

The Hawks have always had plenty of talent, but it seems like the inexperienced group is finally coming of age.

They sit just behind the Orlando Magic for first place in the Southeast Division and could make a run at the title before all is said and done.

Veteran Joe Johnson continues to pace the team by averaging over 21 points per game and more than five assists per contest.

One of the most difficult things about playing against Atlanta is the number of players that can hurt you on the offensive end. They seem to have an unlimited number of young guys who just have a knack for scoring.

Jamal Crawford, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams are all a part of that young group that can score in a number of ways and will only get better with more experience. They really create matchup problems all over the floor.

Smith, Horford and Williams are also all very good defenders. Their long arms can really give opposing players fits when driving to the basket or trying to shoot over the top.

If there is one concern with the Hawks, it's probably the play at the point guard. Veteran Mike Bibby used to be one of the best in the business, but his play has slipped substantially since his glory days with the Sacremento Kings.

When the player that leads your team in assists is a small forward at barely five per game, something is wrong. The Hawks need a point guard that is going to facilitate the offense and get the ball to his players in a position to score.

It's also not good that the Hawks have so few quality three-point shooters on their team. Outside of Johnson and Bibby, the team really doesn't have any quality outside shooters.

The Hawks took the Celtics to seven games last year and that shouldn't be soon forgotten. They are lying in the weeds in the Eastern Conference and could be that sleeper team that surprises everyone come playoff time.