The Atlanta Hawks have seen many versions of this team throughout the season. Through injuries and trades, it's safe to say there have been about three or four different iterations of this roster. Despite the changes, the Hawks have managed to stay in things and are in contention for a playoff spot with just over a month remaining in the regular season.
This current version of the team is playing some good basketball, as they are currently on a seven-game winning streak. Jalen Johnson, a player who has been a constant on the team this season, recently shared what he likes about this version of the roster.
"Communication has been huge for us," Johnson told reporters. "From the locker room to practice to halftime, the way we're communicating with each other and everyone just speaking their mind. I think that's really huge for us. At the end of the day, we're the guys on the court, so for us to be communicating at that point and on a string, I think it's been really good."
Communication goes a long way in any profession, but strictly speaking basketball, it can have a big impact on sports. It helps that the Hawks have a good mix of young players and experienced guys on the team, so they can get different perspectives from different sides.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker said the Hawks have matured throughout the season, which is one reason why they are playing the way they have at this point in the season.
"The focus, how hard we're playing, even down to the technical foul, something so small, I don't think we would have done that in the first half of the season," Alexander-Walker said. "Now we're really starting to do that, and it's a credit to everyone. I think this group is really starting to come together."
The Hawks are getting hot at the right time, as they try to climb up the standings in the Eastern Conference. The thing is, the teams above them are also like Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. The Philadelphia 76ers have started battling injuries at the wrong time, so there's a good chance the Hawks will pass them in the standings.
At the end of the day, they can only worry about what they can control and keep winning the game.
