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The 2015-16 Atlanta Hawks have saved their best for last. Over the team’s past 18 contests, the Hawks sport an impressive 14-4 record. This success is due in no small part to a stingy defense that is near the top of the league in all categories. The majority of Atlanta’s five biggest positives this season have come during the campaign’s latter stages. The old idiom “better late than never” could be this unit’s mantra heading into its ninth-consecutive playoff appearance.
5. Paul Millsap's All-Star Trifecta
Credit: Photo by Elsa/Getty Images5. Paul Millsap's All-Star Trifecta
At age 30, in his 10th NBA season, Paul Millsap's ceiling just keeps rising. The three-time All-Star has cemented his status as Atlanta's best all-around player; more impressively, "the anchorman" is averaging career-bests in assists (3.3) and blocks (1.6).
4. Kent Bazemore's Emergence
Credit: Photo By Kevin Cox/Getty Images4. Kent Bazemore's Emergence
After losing solid cog DeMarre Carroll to Toronto, Bazemore has filled the "junkyard dog's" absence admirably. The second-year Hawk is posting career-bests across the board. "Baze" is averaging 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals, while shooting a respectable 43/35/81 on the year. Whether it be from Atlanta or another suitor, the impending free-agent will be rewarded handsomely this offseason.
3. Dennis Schroder Becomes The East's Top Sixth-Man
Credit: Photo By Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images3. Dennis Schroder Becomes The East's Top Sixth-Man
Another Hawk having a career-year, the precocious 22-year-old German is gracefully wresting the reins from former All-Star Jeff Teague as Atlanta's leading-guard. Schroder's efficiency (and raw stats) are at an all-time high. His PER is a full point above last season's 16.7. Schroder's 11.3 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals have the third-year man poised as a leading sixth-man of the year candidate.
2. Acquisition Of Kris Humphries
Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images2. Acquisition Of Kris Humphries
Following Atlanta's late-season loss of underachieving third big-man Tiago Splitter, the Hawks were in desperate need up front. The timely signing of rugged Kris Humphries was a major boon for Atlanta's record (12-4) and defensive prowess. Since the acquisition, Atlanta has righted the ship en route to claiming a ninth-consecutive playoff appearance. The Hawks' defense is also at an elite level.
1. Kyle Korver Finds His Shot
Credit: Kevin Cox/Getty Images1. Kyle Korver Finds His Shot
After struggling for the lion's share of the season, Atlanta has received a major shot in the arm recently from three-point ace Kyle Korver. Over the Hawks' past 18 contests, Korver has posted a robust shooting-line of 45/42/85. In that span Atlanta's record is a stellar 14-4. Good things tend to happen for the Hawks when Korver is spreading the floor as an ever-present three-point threat.
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