Hawks 'have to have it' as they look for series win vs Knicks

The Dukes & Bell podcast discusses the Atlanta Hawks' playoff readiness as they prepare to face the New York Knicks in a first-round series. Hosts Mike and Dukes analyze the Hawks' decision to rest key players in their final regular-season game, emphasizing it was not tanking but a strategic move to protect star players ahead of the postseason. They contrast this with broader NBA concerns about tanking, highlighting Charles Barkley’s controversial proposal to give every non-playoff team just one draft pick to eliminate incentives for losing. The conversation shifts to the Los Angeles Lakers, where the absence of Luka Dončić—recovering from a grade-two hamstring injury in Spain—casts serious doubt on their playoff viability, even with LeBron James. The hosts argue LeBron cannot carry the team alone at this stage of his career and question whether Luka’s return will be meaningful. They also reflect on the Hawks’ successful season, crediting leadership changes, coaching evolution, and roster adjustments as key to their leap from a projected fifth seed to a playoff contender. The episode closes with speculation about Trey Young’s future, particularly whether he’ll opt out and join the Wizards, and the evolving value of point guards in today’s NBA.