NBA Playoff Picture: Can bottom four seeds cause chaos in East?

Atlanta is healthy, well rested and hungry for the playoffs. The team that everyone counted out before the 2015 season began sits atop the Eastern Conference and is ready to ball out in the playoffs. Unfortunately for them they go up against a Brooklyn Nets team.

That’s right. Unfortunately for them.

Most people are counting out the Nets to begin with just because of their inconsistency this year and attempt to blow up their team. But they have a few weapons who could prove to be pretty dangerous in the post season.

For one, Deron Williams has averaged nearly 20 points and 9 assists in the playoffs in his career. He has had his struggles this year. I blame that more on the supporting cast and the fluctuating roster and uncertainty who was going to be there the next day pre-trade deadline. Williams is a top notch point guard though. Especially with all these talks about blowing up the Nets roster because of the giant contracts they have acquired over the past two seasons.

Additionally, Joe Johnson is back in the playoffs. I know Nets fans are probably rolling their eyes at me right now but hear me out. I remember a time where Johnson shot over 55% from 3-point range in the playoffs. Where, with Atlanta, he averaged 25 points per game on almost 50% shooting from the field. Those are outrageous numbers. Of course those numbers came when Johnson was in his twenties. The 33 year old has probably seen his best years come and go. However, as he goes up against his former team, I could legitimately see Johnson go off in the first round.

Also, while the Hawks did have an incredible regular season, is their roster really built for the playoffs? It’s obvious that their bench was one of the best in the NBA this year and they really started clicking as a team. In the playoffs, none of that matters. If the Hawks suffer one injury or someone has an off night they are completely screwed. Their whole strategy is based off of 8 guys contributing night in and night out. They were able to sustain that success over the regular season because they had such a deep roster, but on any given night I think the Hawks are just above average.

I think Atlanta is in for a surprise in the first round. While it is a long shot, I could seriously see Brooklyn stealing a game away, then Brooklyn turning up the heat at home and forcing a game seven. From there, anything can happen.

PREDICTION

Next: 7. Boston Celtics