How They Got Here Atlanta : Well, in 2012, the Atlanta Hawks traded Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets for … If you think that's a bit of snark, you're right, but Atlanta's startling turnaround began then. It needed a season in purgatory under Larry Drew in 2012-13 to expire a few contracts, a meet and greet session with then-rookie coach Mike Budenholzer in 2013-14 to iron out the kinks, and the franchise had to withstand the ( ongoing ) controversy regarding current general manager Danny Ferry's pointless relaying of insensitive comments about potential Hawk Luol Deng over the 2014 offseason. Deng didn't sign with Atlanta, and Ferry is on paid leave, and the lack of major additions left most considering the Hawks to be just another solid enough team in the so-so East entering 2014-15. Budenholzer was respected enough, the return of Al Horford from a separated shoulder was to be acknowledged, and the team's 2014 playoff showing was certainly impressive, but this squad screamed (well, muttered, probably) "mid-tier." A 7-6 start to the season seemed to confirm as much. [ Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball ] Then the team started winning...