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I am not a Hawks "fan." I root for the team that puts money in my bank account to do well, but I'm originally from the Chicago area and grew up ignoring the Hawks, as most who aren't from Atlanta probably did. I had no allegiance to this team prior to taking a job with them in late 2012. But man, does this team have me hooked.
And yes, that's present tense.
I can't symathize with those who have suffered through decades of disappointment with the Hawks, though I've been briefed. Franchise history has certainly backed up that sentiment.