To gear up for the NBA playoffs, the For the Win staff is sharing our favorite things about all of the teams that made the postseason. Up next, the Atlanta Hawks.

8 awesome things about other NBA playoff teams: Heat | Pacers | Raptors | Nets | Hawks | Warriors | Trail Blazers | Rockets

1. The team got rid of a ton of contracts, and got in a better situation as a result

So long Joe Johnson. Goodbye Josh Smith.

The Atlanta Hawks went into this season a lot lighter in the contract department after taking the last two offseasons to offload Johnson and Smith for expiring contracts and draft picks. Everyone thought their team would take a tumble. They did…but still managed to stay relevant.

They added Paul Millsap at a very friendly contract, picked up some shooters and cap-friendly veterans, and somehow this team managed to make the playoffs. They got nice contributions from Jeff Teague and Elton Brand, they’ve got a ton of cap flexibility and picks moving forward, and they are primed to get very good very quickly.

2. Paul Millsap is awesome at basketball

When Paul Millsap came over from Utah, many people knew he was a nice low-post player who could step out and hit a jumper, along with being a solid rebounder.

But he’d always played with Al Jefferson, and people didn’t know if he could carry a team. He would have a similar low-post partner in Al Horford, though, and the two showed nice chemistry before Horford went down with an injury. After that happened…Millsap didn’t miss a beat. He averaged 17.9 and 8.5 rebounds a game AND posted a career-best 3.1 assists a game, proving you could run an offense through him. He’s a great player on an even better contract.

Plus, Atlanta finally gave the nickname Millsap has been needing all these years: Trillsap.

3. Kyle Korver doesn’t miss

Kyle Korver broke an NBA record after hit a 3-pointer in 127 consecutive games, beating the old record of 89 set by Dana Barros. Korver shot a ridiculous 47% from behind the arc on 392 attempts, and often the entire Hawks offense revolved around getting him open looks. They still need to add some pieces, but put some good players with the Millsap-Horford-Korver combination, it could be enough to do a lot of damage moving forward.

4. They recorded covers of Wrecking Ball and Blurred Lines that are delightfully terrible

The “delightfully” part is up for debate.

5. New GM Danny Ferry is refreshingly candid

Toward the end of the season, Ferry was realistic when he talked about his team making the playoffs. Instead of paying lip service to working hard for the fans and making a playoff run, he was honest, saying that he was more focused on building a team for the future.

“We’re not focused on trying to be the eighth seed in the playoffs because that’s not our goal. We’re trying to build something that’s good, sustainable and the components are in place for us to do so.”

6. Harry the Hawk is a totally sweet mascot

Look at him D up Brandon Knight. All over him.

7. Pero Antic is easily the best NBA player from Macedonia

The Macedonian Marauder, which is a nickname I just made up, has been a force for the Hawks this year, offering a strong interior presence and filling in admirably when Al Horford went down with an injury.

8. Lou Williams’ rap career

This isn’t new or anything, but it’s still wonderful.