Atlanta Hawks
The 2019-20 Atlanta Hawks season can be defined by the fact that they were not the young surprise team that we hoped and advocated they would be.
What did we learn?
These Hawks were just too young to fully spread their wings and fly.
We do, however, heavily blame the beginning of the season John Collins 25-game PED suspension for not giving the Hawks a fair chance. Collins is imperative to what the Hawks do. You can’t exactly run a Trae Young and John Collins pick-and-roll without John Collins.
Speaking of Trae Young… Ice Trae, bombs away! No really, we tried to tell you that Young pulls up from 30 feet no problem. In fact, the further out, the better. From 35 to 39 feet out, Ice Trae shot 43.5 percent! Yes, you read that correctly. Trae made 10-of-23 three-pointers from 35 to 39 feet from the hoop. Fucking bombs, yo.
Trae Young averaged 29.6 points and 9.3 assists per game, numbers so good that the 21-year-old was a starter in the All-Star game in just his second year in the NBA. That might seem like a stretch to some, but Ice Trae is definitely a star capable of stretching the limits of the game. His shooting and passing prowess stresses opposing defenses to the max. Young finished with the fourth highest Usage Rate in the NBA and was 12th in Player Efficiency Rating. Despite Young’s stats and accolades, the Hawks did not win many games, tying the Pistons for second fewest wins in the Eastern Conference. Trae Young is going to need some help — especially on defense where he is still a liability.
Kevin Huerter posted almost identical numbers in 2019-20 as he did in 2018-19. No progression, but he dealt with a nagging shoulder injury for most of the season. The Red Velvet still managed to shoot 38 percent from three.
In addition to the Collins suspension, it was the lottery-pick rookies here that really let us down. De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish were not nearly as polished as we anticipated their games might be coming out of college. But there were some moments!
Our baby Hawks were actually gaining some serious traction in the second half of the season. Coach Lloyd Pierce even began sprinkling in starting lineups with all five of our youngin’s together.
The 5-man lineup of Young, Collins, Huerter, Hunter and Reddish that we raved about in our season preview played a total of 205 minutes together and finished with a +6.1 net rating and an Offensive Rating of 117.9. For context, the Dallas Mavericks finished with the highest Offensive Rating in the NBA this season at 115.9. For further context, out of all 5-man lineups that played at least 200 minutes together during the 2019-20 season, our baby Hawks finished with the fourth highest Offensive Rating. Are your eyebrows raised yet!?
The seasoned veterans here also underwhelmed considerably. It is rather perplexing why we were so bullish (hawkish?) in the preseason on Evan Turner, Alex Len, Chandler Parsons and Allen Crabbe. All were traded except Parsons who played just five games all season. De’Andre Bembry was somebody we actually enjoyed. Except for Bembry’s 23.1 three-point percentage. That we did not enjoy.
43-year-old Vince Carter had to log more than 20 minutes per game ten different times this season for the Hawks if that tells you anything. VC, we love you and we miss you already!
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What are the answers to our Season Preview Final Questions?
There WILL be growing pains, so are we a year too early on this hot Hawks take? We would rather be early than late. And shit, there is nothing but rookie deals and clear cap space ahead. The future is so damn bright.
Yes, we were a year too early on this hot Hawks take. The cap sheet here is still so clean. The future is still so damn bright!
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Would our preseason Over/Under prediction have hit?
We are wagering a substantial bag on OVER 32.5 wins (39.6% winning pct) and laughing all the way to the bank.
Also, +375 on the Hawks to make the playoffs? YES PLEASE!
Hawks 2019-20 final record: (20-47) 29.8% winning pct
Nope, our preseason Over/Under prediction would not have hit. And our bet for the Hawks to make the playoffs did not pan out either. That’s okay, chances are almost certain we’ll double down next year.
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What’s Next?
Continue to develop the young talent together and surround them with veterans that can contribute more than the sub-par supporting cast did this year.
Figure out how to incorporate Clint Capela who was acquired just before the trade deadline but never donned a Hawks jersey due to an ankle injury and the premature ending to the season. The Trae Young and Capela pick-and-rolls certainly have some potential a la Harden to Capela. The Swiss Bank should also offer some much needed rim protection.
The Hawks also traded for their old boy Dewayne Dedmon which means that we get more Dedmon “Call me” 3-point celebrations next year.
No suspension for John Collins, please!
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Favorite Hawks Highlight from the 2019-20 Season:
Ice Trae, bombs away!!!
