Where Does the Miami Heat’s Starting Five Rank in the East?

5. Atlanta Hawks

May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Five: Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Thabo Sefolosha, Paul Millsap, Al Harford

The Hawks made the list, but not by much. This team does not have a single star, but the Hawks are hoping their group of above-average players can band together and make another deep run.

Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver and Paul Millsap made big leaps last year, and Al Harford may be one of the most underrated centers in the league. Harford ranked eighth among all centers last year in Wins Above Replacement. I don’t think this team is great, but they definitely have enough to crack the top five in a weak Eastern Conference.

Many will bring up the loss of DeMarre Carroll, but I don’t really see a big drop off between him and Thabo Sefolosha (assuming he’s fully healthy). According to ESPN, Carroll recording a -0.38 defensive real plus or minus, which had him ranked 36 among all NBA small forwards.

Basically, the Hawks are a poor man’s San Antonio Spurs.

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