19. Atlanta Hawks
Starters – Dennis Schroder, Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard
Bench – Jarrett Jack, Tim Hardaway Jr., Thabo Sefolosha, Mike Scott, Tiago Splitter
This unit was probably the hardest to rank. This unit at first glance you would think should be rated higher, and then you take a closer look like I did and are left with a splitting headache after spending almost 20 minutes trying to figure out where they should land on this list. Or maybe that last part was just me….
Dennis Schroder was blatantly given the starting job after Atlanta traded Jeff Teague to Indiana. Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore may switch starting positions, but they are both lock-ins in the starting 5.
Millsap is in no danger of losing his starting job despite Al Horford‘s departure, and Howard was signed to replace Horford. (I could go on all day about how dumb that move was, but moving on).
The Hawks’ bench unit isn’t as bright as the neon yellow-green on their jerseys, more like one of those grey diamonds.
Jarrett Jack is coming off an ACL tear, but can facilitate an offense and is a fine backup PG. More than fine actually, as he has shown he’s a capable starter.
Tim Hardaway Jr. fell off the map after his scoring explosions off the bench in NY, but if he can start to regain his form and if the basket’s a little more kind to him, this unit could move up a few spots by season’s end.
Thabo Sefolosha is a 3-and-D player who has a temper but is a competitor. He brings that extra flare this bench unit needs.
Mike Scott is consistently inconsistent, but is fine off the bench in limited minutes. Budenholzer will use him correctly.
Finally, Tiago Splitter will most likely be the backup 5 unless Bud opts for Muscala, which is equally as likely to happen. Whoever gets the gig remains TBD, but here’s the main difference between the two – Muscala has more range, Splitter is the smarter basketball player.
This bench could prove me wrong, but I’m not sold on their reliability so I’ll keep them here in the low ‘teens.
Next: No. 18