5 reasons the Atlanta Hawks will win the NBA Finals

By John Buhler | Apr 11, 2016

Jan 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) goes after a ball with Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the third quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) is forced into a jump ball by Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Deep bench rotation

While depth was a crucial part to the team’s success last season, when it came to playoff time head coach Mike Budenholzer had difficulty determining his 10-man bench rotation. Budenholzer had used all 15 members of his 2014-15 roster respectably during the regular season. However narrowing it down to eight, nine, and 10-man rotations made the first two rounds of the Eastern Conference Playoffs a bit harder for the up-and-coming Hawks team.

Conceivably, Budenholzer could feature a 12-man rotation if he wanted to, but seems to have a better feel for the 10 guys he regularly plays in 2015-16. His starters one through five of point guard Jeff Teague, shooting guard Kyle Korver, small forward Kent Bazemore, power forward Paul Millsap, and center Al Horford.

Off the bench, Budenholzer likes to use these five players: point guard Dennis Schroder, wing Thabo Sefolosha, wing Tim Hardaway, Jr., forward Mike Scott, and power forward Kris Humphries.

Occasionally, Budenholzer will use forward Mike Muscala over Humphries depending on matchups, Muscala versus finesse front courts and Humphries as the low-post bruiser.

Budenholzer if he absolutely has to will play third-string point guard and NBA veteran Kirk Hinrich over Schroder when Schroder’s growing pains as an NBA point guard get in the way of running a competent second-team offense.

Essentially, Budenholzer has refined his rotation so much this season that it won’t be a probably come playoff time, where he was basically making it up as he went in the first two rounds. That allowed both the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards to force then top-seeded Atlanta to six games despite being the obviously superior team in those series.

In short, Atlanta has a terrifically deep bench and will know how to use it accordingly in the 2016 Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Next: 4. Paul Millsap is All-NBA worthy.

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