Atlanta Hawks: Unlikely deep playoff run shows glimpse of bright future
An unlikely deep playoff run shows a glimpse of what could be for the Atlanta Hawks.
At the midway point of the season, the Atlanta Hawks were considered one of the most disappointing teams in the Eastern Conference.
After making splash moves during the offseason, the expectation was that the Hawks were going to make a significant move up to East standings this season. And midway through the season, that’s simply wasn’t happening.
At the end of February, the Hawks were 14-20, 11th in the East standings, and two games out of the 8th and final playoff spot. Things were looking great and the Hawks were looking square in the eye at possibly another lost season.
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Then, everything changed. And clicked. All at once. The Hawks elected to part ways with head coach Lloyd Piece (and replaced him with Nate McMillan). While all that was happening, the Hawks also seemed to be getting healthy at the right time.
How it all changed for the Atlanta Hawks
Since March, the Hawks were 27-11 and snagged the fifth seed heading into the postseason. Still, not many were expecting Atlanta to win a playoff series, much less make a deep run.
Although, what transpired over the second half of the season and into the playoffs was something special. Specifically, just the start of it.
The Hawks not only got a chance to see what the future could look like, but they got some valued experience after an unlikely playoff run on the back of Trae Young, who officially announced himself to the rest of the league on the grandest of stages.
During the playoffs, Young averaged 29 points and 10 assists per game on 42 percent shooting from the field. He had several pop moments throughout the playoffs and if it wasn’t for an injury, who knows how this season would’ve ended for the Hawks.
Either way, even though there will be a big “what if” attached to the Hawks this season, you have to feel good about the run that Atlanta went on this postseason.
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You can make the argument that the Hawks have one of the brightest futures in the league, especially in the East. Young is a superstar, the Hawks have a myriad of bright young players, and they’re just getting started.