The Atlanta Hawks are coming off a great season in which they made the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
It was an unexpectedly deep playoff run for the Hawks led by rising star Trae Young.
The Hawks entered the postseason as the five seed and beat the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, who were the one seed. They ended up losing to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
The Hawks have one of if not the best young core in the NBA and are primed to have another great season. With that said, here are four bold predictions for the 2021-22 NBA season.
4. Hawks win a playoff series again
Heading into the season, the Hawks have a team that is loaded with depth. They have a great young core of players paired with a few veteran role players. The Hawks are hard for opposing teams to beat as a different player can take over the game on a nightly basis.
Young is the star, and he does the most damage, but they have built a perfect team around him. Bogdan Bogdanovic is a great shooter alongside Young in the backcourt and an excellent young wing in De'Andre Hunter. The Hawks also have a lethal frontcourt pairing with John Collins and Clint Capella.
Last season, Collins averaged 17.6 points per game along with 7.4 rebounds. He also shot an efficient 39.9 percent from behind the arc (Basketball Reference). Capella also had a great season averaging 15.2 points per game and 14.3 rebounds (Basketball Reference). They both made a significant impact for the Hawks and were vital in their run to the Conference Finals.
Look for this talent to lead the Hawks to have another great playoff run.
3. De'Andre Hunter has a breakout campaign
De'Andre Hunter was playing well for the Hawks last season before going down with an injury. He offers defensive value as well as a good scoring ability. His fit in the Hawks system is undeniable, which allows him to play his game. Hunter was on the verge of a breakout campaign before his injury and will get the shot to do so this season.
Last season, Hunter averaged 15 points per game with 4.8 rebounds (Basketball Reference). His versatility defensively at wing is part of what makes him such a great player. Hunter will continue to get a lot of looks this season as Young is a phenomenal playmaker.
He can score at any level, which keeps defenses guessing. If Hunter is able to improve his three point percentage, he will become an even better player.
2. Hawks get a top 5 seed
The Hawks have put themselves in a fantastic position to succeed for now and in the future. It will be a challenging journey to get a top 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, as there are many talented teams. The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are projected to be the top two teams in the East, and for good reason.
After that, there is a multitude of teams that could finish in the top 5. The Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and the Hawks all look ready to have a great regular season. Even with all this competition, the Hawks should be able to solidify a top 5 seed due to the depth and being led by Young.
1. Trae Young finishes top 5 in MVP voting
After an astonishing playoff performance, Trae Young is set to have a career year. He is an elite offensive player as he can score at will and is a great playmaker. Last season, Young averaged 25.3 points per game along with 9.4 assists (Basketball Reference). He then was able to step up his game in the playoffs, averaging 28.8 points per game and 9.5 assists (Statmuse).
Young will likely ride this momentum and continue to play at a high level. Many fans know him for his three point shooting ability, but he can score at any level. His floater and ability to draw fouls make him a nightmare for opposing players to defend him. Young has to be picked up at halfcourt due to his ability to pull logo threes.
Look for Young to have his best season and compete for the MVP award.
The NBA season starts next week, and the Hawks are a legitimate contender in the East. It will be hard to get past the Bucks and Nets, but the Hawks have the depth and rising talent to get there. Young's elite play is expected, but if the young talent rises up, the Hawks will be a problem.
Hawks fans should be excited as they have a bright season and future ahead.
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