Ken Blaze-USA Today Sports
The Atlanta Hawks storybook season is over.
I mean, what else is there to say? Yes, the Hawks fought hard in Game 3, and they played desperate basketball. But the Cleveland Cavaliers have the best player in the world in their corner, and the Hawks had Shelvin Mack with their season on the line.
That last play was the prime example as to why Atlanta would have no chance in this series. Although the Hawks play beautiful team basketball, in order to take the next step and be an elite team, you have to have that one player who is not afraid to take over a game.
The Hawks just don’t have that player.
Contrary to popular belief, Jeff Teague is not that guy. Sure, he’s one of the top point guards in the game, but he is not a player that you build a team around. He is a “Robin” type of star; a player who is more comfortable playing behind a player who can take over a game.
Paul Millsap could be that guy, but he has struggled mightily in this series, and his offense has suffered a blow. Al Hortford? He wasn’t available for the second half because of a boneheaded flagrant foul that cost the Hawks their most productive offensive player.
The Hawks fought valiantly tonight. They really did. But their season is about to come to a close on Tuesday night. This was a season-crushing loss for Atlanta, and instead of preparing for Game 4 on Tuesday, they should start planning their summer vacations.
The Atlanta Hawks season is over.
Kareem Gantt covers the NBA and the rest of the sports world for Rant Sports. For more from this author, follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google.
