Fansided

5 reasons the Atlanta Hawks will win the NBA Finals

By John Buhler

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
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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Oct 27, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer (center) talks with guard Kyle Korver (26), guard Thabo Sefolosha (25) and guard Jeff Teague (0) during a break from their game against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Pistons won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer (center) talks with guard Kyle Korver (26), guard Thabo Sefolosha (25) and guard Jeff Teague (0) during a break from their game against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Pistons won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Health is on their side

Though backup center Tiago Splitter had his season cut short by a nagging hip he elected to have surgery on, the Hawks for the most part have had a clean bill of health for the 2015-16 NBA season. Outside of a few bumps and bruises to Teague and Bazemore, as well as a slow start to Korver’s season, Atlanta should be at full strength come playoff time.

While last year’s team went on to win an unprecedented 60 games, Atlanta didn’t have health on their side. Sefolosha had his leg broken in a nightclub incident involving the New York Police Department. Sefolosha and former teammate Pero Antic are planning to sue the NYPD for police brutality.

Sefolosha’s injury limited what Budenholzer could use defensively out on the wing last postseason. Things went from bad to worse when then starting small forward DeMarre Carroll nearly tore his ACL in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. It became nightmarish when Cavaliers point guard Matthew Dellavedova dove at Korver’s ankle, breaking it at mid-court in Game 2.

Though not having Splitter hurts in terms of rebounding, the Hawks have adjusted by bringing Humphries into the fold and a strong concerted effort defensively by Scott. Big and bruising front courts may still prove troublesome for this mediocre rebounding team, but few teams are as close to full strength as Atlanta is entering the NBA Playoffs. In the NBA Playoffs, health is everything.

Next: 2. Least pressure felt by an Eastern contender.

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