Hawksbeat Podcast - A Podcast on all things Atlanta Hawks

Hawks are headed for the playoffs!

·20 min·1 clip

The Atlanta Hawks are headed to the playoffs for the first time since their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run.

The episode opens with host E-Dub announcing the Atlanta Hawks' playoff berth, their first since the 2020-21 season when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. He explains the Hawks guaranteed at least the sixth seed with a win tonight and could move to fifth if they beat Miami. E-Dub notes he didn't attend the game due to returning from spring break but summarizes it as a second and third-quarter separation by the Hawks. He urges fans to enjoy the moment, recalling the 2021 run and contrasting it with recent play-in struggles. Key player performances are highlighted, including C.J. McCollum's 29 points in 24 minutes and Dyson Daniels' triple-double. The host then shifts to giving 'flowers' or praise to contributors, starting with GM Ansi Saleh, whom he credits for trading Trae Young without causing a fall-off, managing contracts well, and making effective deadline moves like acquiring Jonathan Kaminga. Next, coach Quinn Snyder is praised for coaching three different team iterations—pre-Trae trade, post-Trae trade, and post-deadline—and for bold lineup changes like benching Zachary Reese for C.J. McCollum. Snyder's ability to gain player buy-in, with examples from Alexander Walker and C.J. McCollum, is emphasized. Finally, E-Dub highlights the 'trifecta' of Dyson Daniels, Alexander Walker, and Jalen Johnson as a championship core, detailing their defensive skills, offensive roles, and unselfish play. The episode concludes with social media prompts and a religious sign-off. Throughout, E-Dub mixes analysis with personal reflections, such as admitting he was wrong about the Hawks' playoff chances after their 19-5 post-All-Star break record.

As heard by us

A Hawks playoff moment becomes a grounded case for crediting the decisions behind the turnaround.

The Hawks' playoff push gives the episode its emotional center, but E-Dub is more interested in the choices that made the moment possible. He treats the celebration as a case for patience, giving Ansi Saleh credit for moving Trae Young without the team losing its shape, keeping…

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You get a Hawks playoff celebration built around the flowers the host wants to hand out after Atlanta's climb back into the postseason.

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