NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Atlanta Hawks are an enigma. Talented team but talent can only get you so far. They have one of the best backcourts in the NBA with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. A rebounding machine in Clint Capela and two stretch forwards in Saddiq Bey and De’Andre Hunter. So why the struggles?
That’s an answer no one knows. The defense is shabby. Young is a playmaker as you can see from his 11.0 assists per game but he’s also a gunner which is evident by his 20.2 shots per game. Murray is a do-it-all player but he doesn’t fit with Young. Both are playmakers and need the ball in their hands. Season averages will show that while productive, Murray (20.0 points, 5.4 assists), could and should be doing more.
Capela is a bit undersized at his position but he gets the job done. He doesn’t offer much on the offensive end of the court and that’s in large part due to the Hawks perimeter players. If they were to throw the ball inside more, maybe, just maybe the offense of the Atlanta Hawks would be more fluid.
In an earlier piece, I spoke about the unknown of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Atlanta Hawks are in the same boat. This team is loaded with talent but still, it’s not coming together as it should. Every year, they look ready to contend and then the season starts and we’re reminded just how little we understand about this team.
What Is Stopping The Atlanta Hawks
1-5, they have everyone a coach, owner, and fans could want. A dynamic scorer. A do-it-all player, good perimeter players, a defensive and rebounding big, and a second unit who can play both ends of the court. And yet, here they are treading water and being mentioned in every trade deadline rumor possible. What gives?
The finger-pointing began with Lloyd Pierce. He was fired and Nate McMillian inherited the struggle. With the same talent and fewer expectations, he didn’t fare any better. He was let go and now they’re being led by Quin Snyder. Too much in-house turnover for a team to succeed, right?
No, they still have talent on the floor. John Collins was made to be a scapegoat but that has not been the case. He’s gone and the same issues are still there. They lost Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings and he was replaced and yet, the same issues are still present.
Adding Murray was supposed to put them over the top in the Eastern Conference and since his arrival, they have taken a step backwards. No wonder Young’s name keeps coming up in trade rumors. Is he the leader they need him to be or is he just out to get his numbers?
The Atlanta Hawks have it all. They just can’t seem to tie it all together no matter who is standing on the sideline barking orders. A change needs to happen but this time, it needs to be a tsunami instead of a small tidal wave.
