I'm glad to see the voting is tight and competitive in this division, as it should be.

The Hawks' starting wing players aren't notable defenders (although they're not dogs, either), so we're going to have trouble especially with Bird/McGrady but also with Drexler and Barry. But St. Louis does have exceptional defense in the post and at the point (or wherever Payton is guarding at the moment). And Jefferson and Toney are both strong defenders off the bench.

The Hawks can give a variety of looks on offense. The bread and butter is a grind-it-out half-court scheme, with the offense flowing through the PG and C positions (since both Duncan and Daugherty are excellent passers). Duncan can step out and hit the jumper when needed, which gives Payton plenty of room to post up smaller opponents inside. The bigs are all effective pick-setters, creating opportunities for shooters like Richmond and Toney. Passers can look for both cutters and shooters. With Daugherty on board, Duncan can log significant minutes at PF against bigger opposing lineups.

But the Hawks can run the break well in this league, off of outlet passes from any of the bigs or steals in the lane by Payton or Williams. Payton can push the pace well when needed, and several Hawks--including Buck, Richmond, and Jefferson--can fly on the break. King at his peak is arguably the most explosive scorer on the break among SFs.

I wish I could watch these games, or sim them somehow...

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Favorite players: Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Bill Russell, Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe, Sidney Moncrief, Lafayette Lever, Dan Issel, Bobby Jones, Julius Erving, Rick Barry, John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West...and Brooks Thompson