Is it fair to label the Atlanta Hawks as a disappointment?
After making a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and falling just two wins short of making the NBA Finals, the Atlanta Hawks were viewed as the “next team” in the Eastern Conference.
Rightfully so. The Hawks were young, had two budding superstars in Trae Young and John Collins, and one of the deepest rosters in the East. The stars were aligning for the Hawks to be perennial powers in the East and, at the very least, this was a team that was going to be a top 4 team in the conference for years to come.
However, at least through roughly the first 30 games of the season, that hasn’t held true. At this point in the season, the Hawks are 14-15, sitting in 11th place in the East standings and 3.5 games out of a top 4 spot.
The question has to be asked, have the Hawks been a disappointment this season?
I think it wouldn’t be fair if the answer to that question was no. After all, the Hawks have been relatively healthy through the first 30-some odd games. What’s the most confusing about their rough patch is the fact that their two top players are actually on par or playing better than they did in the regular season last year.
It’s just an odd story all-around. The Hawks have a third-ranked offense and even though they have a bottom 10 defense, it’s not like they were especially special on that end of the floor last season. Still, there’s no question they have to improve on that end of the floor to make a move up the East standings.
But you can’t help but feel as if it’s the supporting cast around Young and Collins that have been a letdown. If there’s any silver lining for the Hawks, it’s that despite their 14-15 record, they still have a top 10 net rating.
I’m not sure if a trade to reshuffle the roster is what’s needed for the Hawks, but it’s clear that the Hawks are not playing at the level many thought they would be heading into this season. They’ve been quite the disappointment in the East.