[Previews 2020/21] Will the Hawks finally take flight?

After three failed seasons, without ever reaching the 30-win mark, the Hawks had the money and the ambition to turn the tide. Over the years, the franchise has managed to assemble a hard core of young talent with great potential, like a stunning offensively Trae Young, but she is impatient.

These young people need executives and strong players to supervise them and accelerate their progress. And with their handful of dollars, the leaders have, on paper, been totally successful in strengthening this group. The arrivals are attractive and fill in the gaps.

REINFORCEMENTS TO RELIEVE TRAE YOUNG

The best way forward for the Hawks was to support Trae Young, offensively but also defensively. In attack, the leader cannot do everything, especially since he is the target of opposing defenses.

With Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic by his side now, the former Oklahoma NCAA player will be relieved. These two shooters will fix the defenses and limit the assists. In addition, with Rajon Rondo to replace him, the All-Star will also be able to blow or let go of the controls, to make his game without the ball speak and his outside shot.

Not to mention that with Clint Capela, who did not play in his new colors last season due to an injury, Trae Young has an excellent screen setter and a perfect player, like John Collins, to catch the alley. -Oops. Clearly, the leader will no longer feel alone and he will be able to share the weight of the attack with his teammates. It relieves and it brings variety to the Atlanta game.

Finally, the support is also defensive, because Trae Young is very often put in difficulty on this plan. With Clint Capela in the pick-and-roll situations to compensate for his delays and protect the circle or Kris Dunn, also a newcomer, or even Rajon Rondo, to take care of the leader or the best opposing outside scorer, he will be able to breathe and hide more. Then again, it’s precious for Lloyd Pierce even if Trae Young is going to have to make progress at one point or another on this side of the field.

DEFEND ABOVE ALL

If the balance between Trae Young, his shooters and interiors is quickly struck, the Hawks’ progress on offense will be significant. Nevertheless, the big downside of Atlanta for two seasons, it is the defense.

The past two years, Georgia players have finished 28th defensively (in efficiency, or points collected out of 100 possessions) in the league. It is therefore the main work site for the coach, Lloyd Pierce. In this sense, the reinforcements of Tony Snell and Solomon Hill will not be negligible.

With leaders like Trae Young and Rajon Rondo, the Hawks will be able to run and rule the game with their wingers Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic. But for these races to be effective and to make a difference, and the Lakers proved it last season with the same Rondo and LeBron James, you have to defend, so steal balls or make stops and secure the rebound.

The Hawks are already used to playing fast (fifth at pace per game last season) and making the most of transitions. Except that they take too many points for the scales to tip in the right direction.

While the new offensive weapons will undoubtedly do some damage, and perhaps even offer a particularly attractive and spectacular game over the weeks, it is in defense that the Hawks must take a notch higher if they are to succeed. invite to the playoffs and then fully exist there.

THE SUMMER MOVEMENTS

Arrivals : Onyeka Okongwu, Tony Snell (Pistons), Danilo Gallinari (Thunder), Kris Dunn (Bulls), Rajon Rondo (Lakers), Solomon Hill (Heat), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Kings)

Departures : Dewayne Dedmon (Pistons), Jeff Teague (Celtics), Damian Jones (Suns), Alex Len (Raptors)

PLAYER TO WATCH: Trae Young

With 29.3 points and 9.3 assists on average last season, Trae Young has established himself among the best forwards in the league. The leader knows how to make statistics, stack boxes or 3-point shoots and provide highlights to the various Top 10. Now he must start to win, to behave like a leader, like Luka Doncic – to whom he is constantly compared. – did it last year. With his talent, we can ask him for this requirement.

Even if experienced players will surround him, he remains the face of the franchise. It is therefore he who has the keys to the truck and who will be responsible for the proper maintenance of the vehicle. By being more efficient on offense and more involved in defense, he can finally make the Hawks grow. And change dimension at the same time.

AVERAGE AGE: 25.2 years

SALARY MASS: 114.6 million (26th out of 30)