The Atlanta Hawks have been one of many hottest groups within the NBA and reached the semifinals of the NBA Cup. Winners of seven of their final 9 video games, the Hawks appear to be a staff that may very well be on the rise and one to observe till the top. One purpose for that is the collection of No. 1 rookie Zacharie Risacher. Risacher began nearly each recreation for the Hawks and confirmed flashes of big upside on the defensive finish. Risacher brings size and athleticism and helps the Hawks on that finish of the courtroom, however there was a deadly flaw in his recreation to start out his rookie yr.
Risacher was thought of an excellent (albeit constant) three-point shooter when he got here into the league from France, however that has but to translate constantly. Risacher is simply taking pictures 27% from three and that’s one of many causes he’s not enjoying main minutes but. The primary purpose being that De’Andre Hunter is enjoying the most effective stretch of basketball of his profession and is taking pictures 45% from three and averaging shut to twenty PPG. Ought to Risacher be part of the bench and Hunter transfer into the beginning lineup? Cash launderers report Grant Hughes says this could be the hardest query for the Hawks proper now:
“In a weak Japanese Convention, the Atlanta Hawks have an opportunity to earn their highest seeding since 2021, after they have been a No. 5 seed and superior all the best way to the convention finals.
To attain this, you’ll have to get your greatest gamers on the sector as usually as potential, and rookie Zacharie Risacher is just not considered one of them.
De’Andre Hunter’s minutes on the courtroom coincide with a plus-5.1 enhance in Atlanta’s internet ranking (Risacher’s is minus-3.9), and the 2 have basically changed one another all yr. Risacher began with Hunter coming off the bench.
The 19-year-old was the No. 1 decide within the draft and is extra essential to Atlanta’s long-term plans, however Hunter is averaging a career-high 19.6 factors per recreation and taking pictures 44.6 p.c. in depth.
Higher to take him out with the starters and permit Risacher to coach his abilities towards the reserves.”
I do not agree with the concept of Risacher being benched and whereas it is necessary, the beginning eleven is just not a very powerful factor. Hunter is much forward of Risacher, there is no doubt about that, however he is nonetheless enjoying starter-level minutes and shutting out video games. Risacher does plenty of little issues for the Hawks and sooner or later the shot goes to start out falling. The Hawks could also be a shock staff and appear to be a professional playoff staff, however they continue to be a franchise serious about the long run. Risacher is an integral a part of that future and wishes to start out and attempt to earn extra minutes. His growth is important to the Hawks’ future and a part of that may rely on his potential to take his lumps as a starter and determine issues out on offense. Plus, Atlanta wins when Hunter comes off the bench. Why destroy the whole lot?
Extra hyperlinks:
Key takeaways from the Atlanta Hawks’ NBA Cup run
RECAP: Atlanta’s NBA Cup run ends in 110-102 semifinal loss to Milwaukee
