Hawks

A look back at the 2011-12 season for the Atlanta Hawks.

A look back at the 2011-12 season for the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks closed the season strong with five home games at the Highlight Factory.

The Hawks closed the season strong with five home games at the Highlight Factory.

Josh Smith took his game to a new level in March, carrying the team to victories early in the month. Joe Johnson returned to the line-up and delivered late game heroics.

Josh Smith took his game to a new level in March, carrying the team to victories early in the month. Joe Johnson returned to the line-up and delivered late game heroics.

Atlanta battled injuries and a brutal schedule in the month of February.

Atlanta battled injuries and a brutal schedule in the month of February.

The Hawks lost Al Horford to a torn pectoral injury in January, but immediately showed that his absence would not derail their plans for the season.

The Hawks lost Al Horford to a torn pectoral injury in January, but immediately showed that his absence would not derail their plans for the season.

The Hawks signed a group of veteran reserves and prepared for a brutal stretch of nine games in 12 days to begin the season.

The Hawks signed a group of veteran reserves and prepared for a brutal stretch of nine games in 12 days to begin the season.

Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson has been fined for directing an obscene gesture toward fans following the conclusion of the Hawks 83-80 loss to the Celtics on May 10 at TD Garden.

Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson has been fined for directing an obscene gesture toward fans following the conclusion of the Hawks 83-80 loss to the Celtics on May 10 at TD Garden.

Michael Gearon, an owner of the Atlanta Hawks, has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officiating and making negative comments about an opposing player.

Michael Gearon, an owner of the Atlanta Hawks, has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officiating and making negative comments about an opposing player.

You’d think by now that people might reconsider predictions of sweeps when Atlanta and Boston meet. They tried it in 2008 and that series went the distance. The Hawks remember and are determined to prove that a lot can and has changed in that time.

You’d think by now that people might reconsider predictions of sweeps when Atlanta and Boston meet. They tried it in 2008 and that series went the distance. The Hawks remember and are determined to prove that a lot can and has changed in that time.

Ivan Johnson has been named the NBA's Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. Johnson led all rookies in steals (1.45 spg) and paced Eastern Conference first-year players in field goal percentage (.582).

Ivan Johnson has been named the NBA's Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. Johnson led all rookies in steals (1.45 spg) and paced Eastern Conference first-year players in field goal percentage (.582).