NFL
By: Monte Perez
Two years ago the Atlanta Hawks shocked the world by making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in 6 games. Last season the Hawks underachieved. They were dominated in the first round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat, and lost the series 4-1. If this team wanted to make a deep playoff run they had to make changes this off-season and they did.
Atlanta acquired one of the best two-way guards in the NBA. Dejounte Murray averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists with the San Antonio Spurs last season. Trae Young became the first player in 49 years to lead the NBA in both total points and assists. The last player to do that was Nate Archibald in 1973. Young averaged 28 points and 9 assists per contest. He continues to be one of the best point guards in the NBA and he is only 24 years old.
The Hawks starting lineup could be one of the most productive units in the NBA:
PG: Trae Young
SG: Dejounte Murray
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: John Collins
C: Clint Capela
The biggest question mark for the Hawks this season will be their bench productivity.
Aaron Holiday, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Onyeka Okogngwu should all be able to provide quality minutes filling in for the starters. Jalen Johnson and AJ Griffin (both out of Duke ) were the Hawks first-round picks in 2021 and 2022. If these two young players can offer some offense and develop quickly this team could have one of the best benches in the NBA. Johnson is a 6’8 swingman and Griffin is 6’6 small forward.
Prediction:
I have been very critical of head coach Nate Mcmillan over the past few years. He must evolve offensively and play Young off the ball like the Golden State Warriors do with Steph Curry. This team has the talent to compete in the tough Eastern Conference. If McMillian can not get this team to 50 wins he should be fired. No more excuses…
Hawks record 50-32
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