Though it was just one preseason recreation, it was onerous to think about that it might go any higher for the Atlanta Hawks. Their No. 1 decide, Zaccharie Risacher, regarded nice, scoring 18 factors on 7-9 taking pictures and taking part in a stable recreation throughout the board. Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Vit Krejci have been different gamers who had good nights, however one man had an underrated night time and that was second-year guard Kobe Bufkin.
One of many largest questions for the Hawks getting into the season was backup level guard and ball handler. Each time Trae Younger went to the bench over the previous two seasons, Dejounte Murray would be capable to run the offense, however with Murray traded this offseason, that turned a query mark.
Though it was just one recreation, Bufkin appeared comfy within the function and appeared greater than able to main the second unit. Bufkin completed with 9 factors on 3-8 taking pictures, together with 4 assists and three rebounds in practically 22 minutes of play. He ran the offense properly and particularly had good chemistry with new addition Larry Nance within the pick-and-roll. However Bufkin confirmed extra than simply offense. He performed properly defensively and even discovered himself in conditions the place he was guarding greater gamers, the place he greater than held his personal.
After the sport, head coach Quin Snyder praised the best way Bufkin performed:
“You recognize, there have been just a few possessions. You recognize the place we actually moved the ball and he was concerned in initiating the possession and giving us a bonus after which we saved taking part in, you realize and it was good to see, I imply, it is, for us, when we’ve got totally different guys, we are able to have a essential mass of men on the sector that cross the ball, area out and preserve taking part in, the probability that everybody. does enhance. you realize, two, three guys that do not do this, it makes it very tough for the remainder of the group to try this. So when Kobe is available in and he passes the ball in entrance and does a few of these issues offensively. , you realize, he actually cannot entry And possibly the very best factor I assumed he did tonight was rise up for himself, you realize, see him rise up and present up. courtroom, you realize, we might be. I obtained to see that on movie tomorrow the place we simply had breakdowns They put lots of stress on you. It’s important to preserve your man in area a number of instances. However the instances you’ll be able to assist, it’s essential to be there. It’s important to be there, and we have not all the time been there, however I feel Kobe’s ball stress specifically actually gave us a lift.”
Bufkin might be one of many Hawks’ most necessary gamers this season and if he can present he might be the backup level guard when Younger is not on the courtroom, it might increase the ceiling for this staff.
