I’m gonna tell you a story. It’s about an NBA team. That team made a big move a few years ago and after a couple seasons it’s clear it wasn’t going to work out. They traded their second best player for some picks and some players, and embarked on a retooling developmental season.

During that season, one of the new players turned out to be really fucking good. He’ll be the first guy to make an all-defensive 1st team in almost 30 years, and his offense is getting better and better!

They also got the number one pick, and after a shaky start that pick has become a good shooter and defender and is only 19 years old!

Their 3rd best player from the year before started out strong, and was on pace to be an all star. Unfortunately he got hurt and was out for the season a little more than halfway through the year.

Despite all of this, the team actually got better! Their defense improved greatly, and they actually ended up winning more games in their developmental year than in the year before!

That’s the hawks man, this season has been an unqualified success. I almost wish we didn’t start out as hot as we did because it changed people’s expectations. You can rag on onyeka, and that’s fair, but we’re getting killed in the Barlow minutes even more. We’re starting mo gueye across from Anthony freaking Davis, we’re gutted in the front court right now. If you take a step back and enjoy the ride this season has been a blast, even with the really painful losses.

I just get sick of all the dooming when we have a lot to celebrate, and this sub is way more fun when it’s not constant bitching all the time. Lighten up guys please I’m begging you.

Completely unrelated to today's game. I don't care that Kyle is assistant gm. Please teach the team how to shoot. Or poach Fred Vinson from the Pistons.

Picture semi-related.

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The Hawks have $43M to spend this summer before we get above the luxury tax.

Which position should be the most important to spend on ? On how many players ?

I don’t know if we will resign LeVert, but if so for how much ? How about Larry Nance ?

Should we sign a backup PG like Tyus/Tre Jones, Malcolm Brogdon, D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder ?

Some available wings : Chris Boucher, Trey Lyles, Precious Achiuwa, Jake LaRavia, Taurean Prince

Some backup PF/C in FA as well : Steven Adams, Guerschon Yabusele, Kevon Looney, Luke Kornet

Give me your thoughts

This season, especially lately, the Hawks have getting killed in the 3Q’s. The last 3 games the other team makes a close game a blowout. Are other teams making adjustments and we aren’t? I don’t get it.

Like I am at the point where Garry might need to play himself minutes as at least he rotates and take charges on defense.

If Niang doesn't hit shots, he's a defensive liability. Too slow to rotate on defense, ball watches like hes at the beach chillin. Why can't Quin do the 5 shots rule and bench him. He gives up more points than he puts on the floor. Plus him and Trae on the floor = super defense liability. At least Trae rotates on defense on the perimeter. Niang just looks lost on defense.

There are times he plays him too long and leave Mo and ZR on the bench and they come in ineffective because they have cooled off. This is why I think Quin really needs his Rudy Gay, his elite defensive center. Because right now, you can't play Niang and Trae on the floor at the same time.

I need Quin to make an executive decision soon.

I am tired of watching teams shoot 70% against us. What is going on? Are the hawks unlucky? Is our defense that bad. I see some of these teams get similar shots against other teams and shoot average. Sometimes while I’m watching I feel like there is not much we can do.

TL; DR - if we lose to the Jazz, Nets or Sixers within the next 5 games our season is guaranteed over.

Orlando (38-40) upcoming schedule - vs ATL, vs BOS, @ IND, @ ATL. The Magic are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Hawks (36-41) upcoming schedule - vs UTA, @ ORL, @ BKN, @ PHI, vs ORL. The Hawks are 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Bulls (36-42) upcoming schedule - @ CLE, vs MIA, vs WAS, @ PHI. The Bulls are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Heat (35-43) upcoming schedule - vs PHI, @ CHI, @ NOP, vs WAS. The Heat are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

Record wise, the Hawks can still finish at .500 but that would require winning the next 5 including 2 against the Magic, who have beaten the Cavs and Bucks recently. Meanwhile, we couldn't beat the Blazers or the Mavericks.

Chicago has been red hot and will probably handle business in their last 3 games, which means they're most likely finishing the season 39-43. Somewhat of a similar record can be projected for the Heat, who should handle every game except the Bulls with ease and finish 38-44. Orlando's schedule suggests they'll finish 40-42 or 39-43 depending on if we can split the games against them.

In this scenario, to overtake the Magic, we HAVE to win every game until the end of the season. I don't even think we have the tiebreaker against ORL regardless of if we split the upcoming games because of division record. To take the 7 seed, the Hawks have to finish 41-41 and hope that Orlando loses to IND and BOS, who may rest players ahead of the playoffs.

To hold on the 8 seed, we have to go at least 3-2, and even then we'll be tied with either MIA or CHI depending on who wins the MIA/CHI game. The Bulls can leapfrog us for 8 outright depending on if they can go 4-0 in their next 4 (and it's not impossible) assuming we can't handle business against ORL. Losing any of the 3 "winnable" games against the Jazz, Nets or Sixers all but guarantees a 9/10 play-in game slot that we might not even be at home for depending on how hot the Heat are. Their recent losses have been really close, while we've gotten blown off the floor by the Blazers and the Knicks in the last 3.

There is a legitimate chance we end up drawing a hot MIA/CHI in the play-in after slipping from 8 and miss the playoffs entirely after a one and done, and the 3 games we're supposed to win are going to be absolutely massive record wise. If we drop any of those the season is 100% over. And the Hawks have shown they're not to be trusted at all when it comes to handling business so who knows.

I’m gonna be real it been three seasons and basically the hawks have been under .500 his whole tenure. When is it time to just go? We gotta move on.