NBA: 8 players to surprise in the playoffs

The best player in the Hawks/Nets series will not be Al Horford or Jeff Teague, but Paul Millsap.

The first-seeded Atlanta Hawks do not exactly face a steep challenge when they face off against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Nets ended the season at 3-4 following a six-game winning streak, and were able to fall into the playoffs following the Indiana Pacers’ Wednesday night loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. If the regular season is any indication of the way these two teams match up, then the series should be a short and sweet exhibition; Atlanta swept the season series of four games, including two victories within the last month that saw the Hawks average over 122 points.

All of that being said, the Hawks have struggled as the season came to a close, dropping their last three games, including a 112-108 loss to the lowly New York Knicks. The offense hasn’t kept up its torrent pace from midseason. There may not be any cause for concern if you are a Hawks fan, as the team had no urgency due to having already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference long ago. But once the Hawks enter a seven-game series, they will need an offensive centerpiece.

It would be difficult to clearly identify the face of the Atlanta Hawks.

The team’s best player at least during this regular season has been center Al Horford, and for good reason. Horford has established himself as the best multi-purpose center in the NBA, demonstrating an ability to do work from the post, face up, rebound, and pass from the interior. Jeff Teague has been essential to the growth of the Hawks, and his facilitation has been the key to their varied offensive success. Kyle Korver’s historic shooting season made him the poster boy for the Atlanta Hawks’ success within coach Mike Budenholzer’s offense, as he is able to utilize his one magnificent skill to tectonically shift the way defenses play the squad.

Paul Millsap becomes the forgotten man within the Hawks’ offensive machine, but against the Nets he will be the team’s most important weapon. Despite recent soreness in his shoulder, Millsap’s crafty game will take him to a more physical style in this series, as he goes up against the more slender Thaddeus Young at power forward. Brook Lopez’ length will limit Horford’s production, and with Millsap gaining the physical edge against Young, he will thrive.

Next: Nicolas Batum