The Atlanta Hawks came into this 2023-24 NBA season with high hopes of building on their impressive playoff run last year. After taking the eventual Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics to six games in the first round, there was optimism that new head coach Quin Snyder could take this Hawks team to the next level. In this article we talk about Why the Hawks Might Not Soar This Season? Challenges They Face to ‘Take Flight’.
However, as the Hawks prepare for the play-in tournament, this season has not gone according to plan. With a plethora of injuries and inconsistent play, Atlanta limps into the postseason needing to win two play-in games just to make the playoffs as a low seed.
So what happened to the Hawks this year and what challenges do they face as they try to “take flight” in the playoffs? Let’s take a closer look.
Injuries Have Crippled Continuity
The biggest challenge facing the Hawks is simply staying healthy. Atlanta has dealt with injuries up and down the roster all season long. Key contributors like De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin, and Onyeka Okongwu have missed significant time. Most recently, breakout rookie Jalen Johnson suffered a concussion and is out indefinitely.
The lack of continuity has prevented the Hawks from developing consistency and chemistry. Guys are playing with different lineups every night, which disrupts any effort to build cohesion. Developing an identity has proven impossible amidst all the injuries.
Atlanta hoped coach Quin Snyder could maximize the Trae Young/Dejounte Murray backcourt pairing. But with so many missing pieces around them, Young and Murray have yet to meet expectations. Lack of familiarity appears to be the key factor.
Rookies Are Being Force-Fed Minutes
Another challenge stemming from the injury issues is Atlanta’s over-reliance on rookies for major minutes. Players like AJ Griffin, Jalen Johnson, and Tyrese Martin have shown promise but lack experience. Griffin and Johnson were lottery picks but aren’t ready to shoulder heavy burdens on a playoff team.
Yet with the Hawks so shorthanded, these rookies are being force-fed minutes. It’s trial by fire for the youngsters out of necessity rather than by design. This makes it tough for Atlanta to find consistency on a night-to-night basis.
Defense Remains a Glaring Weakness
When previewing the Hawks season, most analysts targeted defense as the major weakness. The numbers have unfortunately backed up those concerns. Atlanta ranks 25th in the NBA in defensive rating, giving up 114.3 points per 100 possessions.
The Hawks lack rim protection and physicality inside. They also struggle containing dynamic perimeter scorers. This shows up repeatedly against the league’s top offenses.
In order for the Hawks to make noise in the playoffs, they must get stops consistently. But with the current personnel, defense remains the team’s Achilles heel. Until Atlanta upgrades its defense, they will remain limited in terms of postseason upside.
Play-In Tournament Poses Major Test
As the 9-seed in the East, Atlanta must win two play-in games to make the playoffs. This poses a significant challenge for the Hawks. First up is a scrappy Bulls team, followed by the winner of Nets/Cavaliers for the 8-seed.
Considering all the issues detailed above, successfully navigating the play-in tournament seems unlikely for the Hawks. The roster is depleted by injuries, overly reliant on inexperienced players, and struggles preventing points. Those flaws figure to be exposed in the high stakes of the play-in atmosphere.
Even if Atlanta defies odds and clinches the 8-seed, a first-round sweep at the hands of the Celtics feels imminent. Boston is on a different level talent and continuity-wise.
Front Office Has Crucial Offseason Ahead
The Hawks front office believed they built a contender entering this season. Those expectations now seem premature and unrealistic given how the year has played out.
GM Landry Fields must take a long look in the mirror and determine what changes are necessary this offseason. Atlanta lacks an identity and has clear roster weaknesses to address. Player development should also become more of a priority after being forced to rely so heavily on raw rookies.
Injuries provide some cover and excuse the Hawks’ struggles to a degree. But the front office can’t ignore the deeper rooted issues that have hindered this group from taking flight. How they respond this offseason will determine whether Atlanta remains stuck in the middle or can truly emerge as a contender going forward.
The Hawks enter the play-in tournament hoping to keep their season alive. But based on the challenges explored above, Atlanta seems destined for disappointment. An early offseason and critical self-reflection may ultimately serve the Hawks best long-term. The foundation shows promise, but more work lies ahead to construct a championship caliber roster. I sincerely hope you find this “Why the Hawks Might Not Soar This Season? Challenges They Face to ‘Take Flight” article helpful.
