How The Bucks Compare: An Early Eastern Conference Primer

Mar 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center

(15) drives against Milwaukee Bucks center

(31) in the second quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks

Last Season: 60-22 (1st – Conference Finals)

Player Additions: Tiago Splitter, Tim Hardaway Jr., Justin Holiday, Walter Tavares, Lamar Patterson (non-guaranteed), Terran Petteway (non-guaranteed)

Player Subtractions: DeMarre Carroll, Pero Antic, Elton Brand, Austin Daye

2015-16 Outlook

The Hawks have had an offseason of sneakily disruptive change, and are undoubtedly going to return to action with a slightly different and younger look and feel to their squad.

Losing DeMarre Carroll is their most notable subtraction, and it remains to be seen how much that will hurt them, but the team prioritized re-signing their back to back All-Star and leading scorer Paul Millsap instead, who was successfully retained.

The Hawks may also turn out to be one of the biggest winners of LaMarcus Aldridge‘s move to San Antonio, as they were the lucky team to oblige the Spurs in taking back skilled forward Tiago Splitter for virtually nothing.

The addition of Splitter, as well as the decision to sign 7’3″ former second round draft pick Walter Tavares, gives Atlanta the type of real size and rebounding up front that they lacked at crunch time last season.

Watch out for guys like Hardaway Jr. and Holliday to come on in leaps and bounds too, as the Hawks will try to mold their DeMarre Carroll replacement behind strong in-house development.

In spite of all of that change, Atlanta return with four All-Stars, the Coach of the Year, and a world’s more experience than they had at this time last year. Even if they don’t match their incredible 60 win tally of last year, expect them to be better when push comes to shove in the Playoffs.

How The Bucks Compare

The addition of Greg Monroe should instantly make the Bucks more competitive on paper in this matchup, as they are better prepared to compete with the skill of Atlanta’s two marquee big men Al Horford and Paul Millsap. Those two are so dynamic and versatile that it will still cause defensive problems though.

When the two teams meet look for Milwaukee to target Atlanta’s wings. Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo are going to be younger and more athletic than almost any duo the Hawks trot out at the two and three, and they have the necessary skills to trouble them on both sides of the ball.

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