Sir Charles in Charge
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2017 NBA Christmas wish list: What every team ask for this holiday season

By Mason McFee

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a three point shot against the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a three point shot against the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 09: Bismack Biyombo
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 09: Bismack Biyombo /

Atlanta Hawks: Healthy Big Men

Atlanta is currently 7-23, ‘good’ for 15th in the Eastern Conference. While no one expected the Hawks to be vying for a playoff spot with the departures of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, it’s ironically those two players that they’re missing the most. While they’ve been able to find a diamond in the rough like Tyler Cavanaugh, and have seen the emergence of their recent first round picks (Taurean Prince and John Collins), at the end of the day they’re still a rebuilding squad. Here are some deflating stats:

  • Miles Plumlee has played a total of 181 minutes and is getting paid $12.5 mil. this season – roughly $69,060,773.48 a minute – in 11 games
  • Their 4th AND 5th leading scorers are players that come off the bench and have made 4 combined starts between them (Marco Belinelli and John Collins)
  • Their 9th leading scorer is a guy that’s been out since November 4th (Mike Muscala)

Speaking of Muscala, his absence highlights the glaring problem Atlanta has faced all year – a healthy big man. While it makes sense why the Hawks traded Howard (despite Millsap not officially departing for Denver prior), he played and started in 74 games last season; his highest season total since he donned the purple and gold in the 2012-13 season, and Dwight has played and started in all 30 of Charlotte’s games this season.

‘Big’ free agent signing Dewayne Dedmon has been out since the 29th of November, and is still a few weeks away from returning. While John Collins looks like a building block, and veterans like Ersan Ilyasova and Luke Babbitt have stepped up in his absence, Budenholzer is likely asking for Santa to give his players a clean bill of health to see what he (and the Hawks) are working with.

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