From November 12 to December 17, it will likely be NBA Cup season.
The season match begins with group play, the place 30 groups are divided into six teams (three from every convention). Every crew performs 4 matches: two at dwelling and two away. The highest groups from every group, plus two wild playing cards, advance to the spherical of 16, culminating in a closing hosted in Las Vegas.
The Atlanta Hawks are in Group C of the Japanese Convention teams and play the next group stage matches:
a) Boston Celtics on November 12
b) Washington Wizards on November 15
c) Chicago Bulls on November 22
d) Cleveland Cavaliers on November 29
Presently, it’s unattainable to foretell who the Hawks will play within the Spherical of 16 or assume they may make it that far. Nevertheless, Atlanta has one of many hardest attracts within the group stage. The Celtics and Cavaliers stand out for notably imposing matchups, whereas the Bulls and Wizards can’t be dominated out. The undefeated Cavaliers presently lead the East with an 11-0 file. On offense, they’ve a wonderful score of 123.6 factors per 100 possessions (2nd within the NBA) and lead the NBA in efficient discipline objective proportion per Clear the glass. On protection, they’re equally spectacular, permitting simply 109.8 factors per 100 possessions (fifth finest within the NBA) and rating third in compelled turnover proportion. The Celtics are the reigning NBA champions and sit in second place within the Japanese Convention with an 8-2 file. The stats and video games again up the concept that they’re well-positioned for an additional title run. The Hawks noticed precisely how dominant Boston was of their final assembly, the place the Celtics ran them off the court docket in a 123-93 loss.
The Bulls are coming off a 125-113 victory over Atlanta. Though a lot of that was as a result of Hawks’ errors in a botched fourth quarter, it is exhausting to depend on Chicago. They’re a strong taking pictures crew and may knock groups out of matches in any given matchup. Washington is among the worst groups within the league, however Bilal Coulibaly propelled them to an inconceivable victory in opposition to the Hawks as not too long ago as October 30. Atlanta can seemingly be overwhelmed within the group stage, however that does not imply they don’t have any probability of advancing to the knockout stage. In the event that they handle to qualify for the knockout stage, listed here are three the reason why it should not come as a shock.
Except in any other case famous, all statistics are courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Trae Younger *ought to* introduce himself as a famous person
Younger is clearly probably the most essential participant to the Hawks’ possibilities of success, however he is been by fairly a little bit of bother to open the season. He is presently taking pictures a career-worst 39% from the sector and a dismal 33% from three-point vary. It is value noting that he shoots the second-most threes per sport of his profession at 9.3, which definitely hurts his effectivity. Nevertheless, it can’t be dominated out that Younger’s shot won’t fall at the moment.
Let’s be clear, he is nonetheless an awesome playmaker. He is averaging a career-high 11.5 assists – albeit off 4.5 turnovers per sport – and performed an important position in taking Jalen Johnson to the subsequent stage This yr. That will not be sufficient to propel the Hawks in opposition to groups just like the Cavaliers and Celtics. Each protection tries exhausting to cease Younger, however he hasn’t been capable of set these coverages on hearth as a scorer. If the Hawks can get Bogdan Bogdanovic or Kobe Bufkin again to alleviate Younger, it could definitely be higher for his numbers, as he’s on tempo to log a career-high 36.5 minutes per sport. But as issues stand, Younger’s effectiveness as a scorer has largely not manifested for the Hawks.
I’d anticipate issues to enhance within the group stage matches. In stress conditions, Younger has proven the flexibility to raise his sport when wholesome. Risacher’s continued improvement also needs to take some stress off Younger.
Rise on the rise
It is exhausting to look at Zaccharie Risacher’s first few video games and never be enthusiastic about what his future may maintain. Though he hasn’t been completely constant up to now, Risacher confirmed a flash of his potential along with his 33 factors, seven rebounds, three rebounds and three steals in opposition to the Knicks. He has additionally made good progress as a defender and his free throw numbers point out a strong taking pictures base. He is solely taking pictures 65.7 % from the charity stripe, however nearer inspection reveals he is largely carried out nicely on the line outdoors of his sport in opposition to the Knicks. He missed 4 free throws on this sport, which lowers his numbers considerably.
Groups will largely ignore Risacher in favor of channeling their protection towards Johnson and Younger. The Knicks had loads of competent defenders to throw at Risacher and it did not matter. He normalized after that outburst, but when he can lengthen that into one or two encore performances throughout this a part of the season, he’ll be a significant component for the Hawks.
Onyeka Okongwu – Clint Capela Combo
A lot of the offseason discuss in regards to the Hawks was in regards to the heart place. Capela and Okongwu are each succesful gamers, however there is a cheap argument that it could make good sense for Atlanta to maneuver on and begin Okongwu full time. Within the absence of this resolution, it’s best for each gamers to show their worth to the crew. Thus far, that’s what’s occurred in Atlanta.
Capela’s offense is restricted, however he converts on alternatives that current themselves. On pictures from 0-3 ft from the rim, he transformed on 71.4% of these makes an attempt. That is after a career-worst rating of 63.6% on the identical distance final season. He is rather more consistent with his profession averages and that provides him utility as a play-finisher for the Hawks. With their rotation so difficult proper now, Atlanta is missing dependable choices and Capela suits that invoice. His rebounding numbers aren’t as spectacular as earlier seasons, however he stays a pressure on the boards.
Okongwu has improved as a passer, recording a career-high 12.2% help proportion thus far to begin the season. He additionally confirmed up in opposition to robust opponents, recording 18 factors and 10 rebounds in opposition to the Celtics largely as an inside scorer. His three-point shot remains to be creating, however most of these makes an attempt are robust makes an attempt from the nook. Moreover, he’s taking pictures a career-best 84% from the charity stripe on a career-high variety of makes an attempt per night time (5.7). He additionally appears to foul at the next fee when he’s on offense, indicating an elevated stage of aggression as a scorer. That is to say nothing of his versatility on protection as an athletic possibility to protect on the perimeter and down low within the put up.
I believe the facilities have each largely performed a helpful position for the Hawks and may counter loads of what they may see. Okongwu ought to play a much bigger position in opposition to Boston and Chicago to compete with their taking pictures whereas Capela will feast in opposition to groups just like the Wizards, who’ve non-shooters at their heart spot.
