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Atlanta Hawks 2016-17 Season Preview

 

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Over the past decade, the Atlanta Hawks have been known for their consistency. The franchise heads into training camp in the midst of a playoff streak that has spanned nine consecutive seasons, with the driving forces of their success being the continuity that stemmed from the front office all the way to the core members of the roster.

However, the 2016-17 campaign marks a new beginning in Atlanta after an offseason full of revisions to the standard script. In many ways, the summer of 2016 was an abrupt change of pace after years of undeviating roster transition. For starters, the last remaining member of the team that started the current playoff run, four-time All-Star center Al Horford, opted to join the Boston Celtics in free agency. A few weeks before Horford’s surprising departure, the franchise traded former All-Star guard Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a lottery pick.

Teague’s departure wasn’t much of a shock to followers of the team after witnessing head coach Mike Budenholzer’s growing penchant for using fourth-year guard Dennis Schröder in pivotal situations and the veteran’s looming free agency in 2017. Horford’s defection will sting, but Atlanta did secure arguably the biggest free agent “name” in franchise history by bringing in hometown product and former three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard.

The team’s playoff streak doesn’t appear to be in any serious jeopardy, but most are hesitant to consider the current unit title contenders.

Basketball Insiders previews the 2016-17 season for the Atlanta Hawks.

FIVE GUYS THINK

Even though this will be a new-look Hawks team, I trust head coach Mike Budenholzer to coach the hell out of this group and I think enough core pieces are returning for them win a ton of regular season games. I’m curious to see how Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard can co-exist in the frontcourt. I don’t expect Howard to completely return to form in his hometown, but I do expect him to be more engaged and impactful after the change of scenery. He was clearly upset in Houston and it’s best for all involved that the marriage with the Rockets ended. We’ll see if Howard can avoid clashing with any of his new teammates or coaches. I love Millsap, Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schröder among others on this roster, which is why I have the Hawks winning the Southeast Division (with the Charlotte Hornets coming in second). However, there are too many question marks surrounding this squad (particularly Howard) to view Atlanta as a legitimate contender. The Cleveland Cavaliers are obviously the best team in the conference, with the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors one notch below the Cavs (in my opinion). After that is where I have the Hawks projected, which honestly isn’t bad after losing Al Horford in free agency and trading away Jeff Teague this summer.

1st Place – Southeast Division

– Alex Kennedy

It’s not often that you see a team overachieve for a few years and then return without two of their top players, but that’s exactly what’s happening with Mike Budenholzer’s squad. By effectively swapping Jeff Teague and Al Horford for Dennis Schröder and Dwight Howard, you could argue that the Hawks downgraded their two most valuable positions. You could also argue, though, that they had plateaued with Horford, so while I don’t like the moves, I do understand them. Howard will turn 31 years old in December, so unless returning home to Atlanta rejuvenates him in a major way, it’s safe to say the Hawks will take a step back this coming season. I’ve chosen the Washington Wizards as my favorite in the Southeast Division and I think the Hawks will be battling the Charlotte Hornets for the second seed out there. It’s tough to make the call between those two, but because Howard hasn’t left me much reason to believe in him and Schröder will have to adjust to life as a starter, I think I slightly favor the Hornets.

3rd Place – Southeast Division

– Moke Hamilton

It’s hard to see this Hawks group being a better team without Al Horford. Obviously Dwight Howard was the team’s high-profile free agency acquisition this summer and he’ll give them the “true” center they’ve desired for quite some time, but Horford and Paul Millsap had such a nice chemistry and symbiosis the last couple of years that it’s impossible to imagine Howard replicating it. Trading away Jeff Teague is less of a concern because Dennis Schröder really does look ready to run the show, but otherwise the changes with this roster weren’t drastic enough to inspire confidence in them to come back as the contender they were a couple of seasons ago. There’s nothing to hate here, just not enough to love.

3rd Place – Southeast Division

– Joel Brigham

For starters, the Hawks lost two All-Star caliber performers this summer in center Al Horford and guard Jeff Teague. Normally these types of losses would indicate a drastic decline in wins is on the horizon, but Atlanta was able to sign center Dwight Howard in free agency and homegrown fourth-year guard Dennis Schröder looks ready to emerge from Teague’s shadow. The rest of Atlanta’s core group stayed intact for the most part, but the additions of veteran guard Jarrett Jack and rookie wings Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry give the club much needed depth. The Hawks’ current streak of nine straight playoff appearances isn’t in jeopardy of ending this season, barring any major injuries.

1st Place – Southeast Division

– Lang Greene

Losing Al Horford and Jeff Teague won’t destroy the Hawks since they signed Dwight Howard in free agency and have Dennis Schröder filling in for Teague. However, Horford and Paul Millsap had such great chemistry together on offense and, in particular, on defense. The Hawks’ defensive schemes were heavily based on how Horford and Millsap were able to work together and make crisp rotations, so Howard will have to get up to speed quickly to preserve that defensive efficiency. I did like what the Hawks did in the draft by bringing in Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry. Prince and Bembry are some of the most NBA-ready players in this draft and should be able to contribute at least periodically. The Hawks have the talent to make some noise in the Eastern Conference, but I don’t think they took a significant step forward this offseason, which is what they needed to do to become real contenders, in my opinion.

2nd Place – Southeast Division

– Jesse Blancarte

TOP OF THE LIST

Top Offensive Player: Paul Millsap

The Hawks struck gold back in 2013 by luring the underrated forward away from the Utah Jazz in free agency. Although Millsap put together multiple quality seasons in Utah, the veteran forward was largely unnoticed by the mainstream. Fast forward three seasons and three well deserved All-Star selections later, Millsap has developed into one of the best power forwards in the game today. With Horford and Teague now in different zip codes, the pressure on Millsap to deliver the goods offensively will increase – every single night. Millsap scored in double figures in 75 out of 81 appearances last season, but there are a few areas of concern as he transitions into the team’s true offensive focal point. Millsap’s road production (15.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists) significantly paled in comparison to the stat lines he posted at Philips Arena (18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists). Millsap also showed signs of decline post All-Star break, dropping from 17.7 to 15.8 points per game and his shooting efficiency declined from 49 to 44 percent from the field. This may just be a blip on the radar, but Millsap turns 32 years old during the season so it’s definitely a trend worth watching.

Top Defensive Player: Paul Millsap

The case can be made here for veteran forward Thabo Sefolosha as the team’s leading perimeter defender. Howard will undoubtedly get a few votes for consideration as well because of his past dominance as a defensive force. However, Millsap is the team’s top defensive player present day. The veteran posted an impressive defensive real plus-minus of 3.2 in 2016, finishing 12th in the league, and also posted the best defensive rating (96.2) on the roster.

Top Playmaker: Dennis Schröder

Whether the fourth-year guard is truly ready to assume the full-time starting point guard role is still up for debate as we head into training camp. But Schröder will be the unquestioned starter on opening night, barring a major injury or abysmal camp. Schröder hasn’t been shy about publicly stating his goal of becoming a full-time starter and now he’ll get his shot. While Schröder has become slightly known as a chucker in some circles, the guard ranked ninth in the league in assists per 48 minutes (10.3) and ninth in overall assist percentage (36.4). Those are two quality metrics to evaluate a point guard’s ability to distribute the rock and the youngster notched top 10 finishes in both categories. Schröder could become a free agent next summer, but the Hawks can sign him to an early contract extension to get a jump on the market. The club could also allow Schröder to enter next summer as a restricted free agent so the market sets the price of their floor general. There are risks associated with either road the franchise pursues.

Top Clutch Player: Committee Approach

While the most expected answer in this space would be Millsap considering how much the Hawks will lean on his offensive talents this season, digging deeper into the metrics shows that the Hawks are in desperate need for someone to step up and assume the go-to role. With five minutes remaining and with the team ahead or behind by five points or less, Millsap shot just 32 percent from the floor and 14 percent from three-point range last season. This is where the loss of Horford will hurt the team, as the departed center connected on 53 percent of his field goals in this same situation. Surprisingly, forward Kent Bazemore was fourth on the team in points in this situation and shot 50 percent from the floor, 71 percent from three-point range and 89 percent from the free throw line in the clutch. Millsap will obviously get the most looks based on his skill set and standing on the team, but his performance in the clutch last season indicates this designation is up for grabs.

The Unheralded Player: Kent Bazemore

Bazemore signed a four-year, $70 million deal in free agency this past summer, so the Hawks organization clearly values their starting small forward. However, for those who casually follow the team, Bazemore’s value is occasionally questioned. Bazemore struggled down the stretch, specifically post All-Star break, which saw his three-point accuracy decline from 39 to 29 percent to end the season. Overall, Bazemore shot 36 percent from downtown en route to a career high 109 three-pointers made. The club will be expecting another significant leap from Bazemore during the 2016-17 campaign.

Top New Addition: Taurean Prince

Prince, the No.12 pick of the 2016 draft, was the prize the Hawks received from the Utah Jazz in the three-team Jeff Teague trade. After missing the start of Summer League awaiting on his trade to become finalized, Prince led the Hawks in scoring – contributing 13.7 points and six rebounds. Like most rookies, Prince struggled with his shot, connecting on just 38 percent of his attempts from the floor and 25 percent from three-point range, but defensively he managed to walk away with three steals per contest. It’s rare for a playoff team to rely on a rookie for production, but the 22-year-old Prince is more NBA-ready than most first-year players and could carve out a role in the rotation before season’s end.

– Lang Greene

WHO WE LIKE

1. Mike Budenholzer

Budenholzer has amassed a 146-100 (.593) record in Atlanta since taking control of the team before the start of the 2013-14 season. Immediately after his arrival, the Hawks – once considered a bland offensive unit – developed into one of the most polished scoring teams in the league. But Budenholzer’s impact also extends to the defensive side of the ball, where the team finished sixth in points allowed (99.2) in 2016. The squad also ranked second in defensive rating (98.8), trailing only the San Antonio Spurs (Budenholzer’s former squad). Budenholzer’s fingerprints are all over the Hawks organization and that’s more evident than ever after witnessing the team sign Howard and have the confidence to trade Teague over the summer to make way for Schröder.

2. Dwight Howard

Atlanta has a long history of polarizing sports figures. From John Rocker to Michael Vick to Josh Smith, there’s been no shortage of players who have divided fans in the city over the years. Howard is the biggest “name” the Hawks have ever secured on the dotted line in free agency. A former three-time Defensive Player of the Year and future Hall of Famer, Howard comes back home slightly past his prime and replacing an All-Star performer in Horford. Conversations regarding Howard’s impact have varied wildly since his signing was announced. Seemingly everyone has drawn their line in the sand. Some believe Howard’s presence will translate into net negative wins for the franchise. Others believe Howard is ready to resume his dominance on the league after flame-outs in Los Angeles and Houston. As always, the truth is somewhere in between. Peak Howard, circa 2009-10, isn’t walking through those Philips Arena doors. But naysayers are foolish to dismiss a player who has never averaged less than 10 rebounds over 12 seasons. Mind you, rebounding was a huge area of need for Atlanta in recent years. Howard performed his best under a hard charging coach in a defined system during his days in Orlando playing for Stan Van Gundy. The Hawks have a defined system and Budenholzer is well respected, so we’re expecting a slight bounce-back season from Howard in 2016-17.

3. Jarrett Jack

Jack is coming off a torn ACL and appeared in just 32 games for Brooklyn last season. But the veteran floor general is the perfect insurance policy for the Hawks, who have entrusted Schröder to take command at the point. If the youngster falters, Jack can step in – as he has averaged 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists over his career when starting. Obviously the team’s goal for Jack is to assume the backup point guard role and serve as a mentor for Schröder, but the Hawks are fully aware the veteran can absorb a larger role if needed (and assuming he’s fully healthy).

4. The Hawks’ assortment of wings

The Hawks’ wing depth over the years has been questionable. But entering the 2016-17 campaign, the Hawks have an intriguing unit of forwards that will give Budenholzer plenty of lineup flexibility. Bazemore is the starter at small forward, and Sefolosha figures to get extended minutes in the rotation too. However, the question is can the Hawks’ duo of young forwards, Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry, break the rotation in year one? This is the most talent the team has had on the wing in quite some time.

– Lang Greene

SALARY CAP 101

The Hawks went under the NBA’s $94.1 million salary cap, signing Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore, Kris Humphries and Malcolm Delaney. Now over the cap, Atlanta still has their $2.9 million Room Exception, but have a full roster with 15 guaranteed contracts. The team may look to shed one guaranteed player in trade (or by waiver) to make room for Mike Muscala, who has $507,848 of his $1 million deal guaranteed.

Looking ahead to next summer, Atlanta could have $31 million in space under a $102 million projected salary cap, although that assumes Paul Millsap opts out of his final season at $21.5 million. Both Dennis Schröder and Tim Hardaway Jr. are eligible for contract extensions by the end of October. Both Kyle Korver and Tiago Splitter are eligible to have their contracts restructured and extended, but the Hawks no longer have the cap room to do so.

– Eric Pincus

STRENGTHS

Offense gets the headlines, but the Hawks will continue leading with their defense. The team won 48 games last season and were primarily driven by their ability to negate opposing offenses. But the unit does enter the season with a few question marks. Howard, in his prime, was one of the better defenders the league has seen over the last 25 years. However, at this point in his career, he’s likely a downgrade from the departed Horford. But one area Howard excels where Horford doesn’t is providing elite rebounding. The Hawks allowed the third most offensive rebounds in the league last season and this should immediately be improved by the glass cleaning Howard. Schröder is an upgrade over Teague defensively, on paper, but the youngster will have to be consistent and truly lock in. Expect the Hawks to remain an elite defensive unit in 2017.

– Lang Greene

WEAKNESSES

Atlanta’s depth at shooting guard is a bit concerning. When the Hawks rollicked to 60 victories during the 2014-15 season, the team ranked second in three-point percentage (38 percent), trailing only the Golden State Warriors. Last season, the Hawks connected on just 35 percent of their attempts behind the arc. A significant portion of the team’s decline from distance can be traced to veteran guard Kyle Korver’s struggles to find a consistent rhythm. Korver shot 49 percent from three-point rage in 2015, but just 40 percent in 2016. It marked the first time in three seasons Korver didn’t finish in the top 10 for three-point accuracy. Korver will turn 36 years old before season’s end and the team’s primary depth behind him is Sefolosha and Tim Hardaway Jr. Some believe Korver’s decline is Father Time beginning his work, while others point to the fact the veteran entered training camp less than 100 percent after suffering an injury in the playoffs the prior season. Wherever the truth falls, the Hawks must start a succession plan for their starting shooting guard sooner rather than later.

– Lang Greene

THE BURNING QUESTION

Will the new additions, after a summer of defections, negatively impact the team’s chemistry?

As stated earlier, the Hawks have made their bones over the years by being consistent in their approach. It hasn’t always been what the team’s fan base has wanted, but attempting to dispute the success year in and year out would be hard to do. The core group has mostly remained the same with a carousel of revolving role players keeping the team perennially in the playoff mix. However, the Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague crew responsible for so much of the team’s success over the past decade are now all wearing different uniforms. This means the locker room culture will shift. The arrival of Howard, after some internal turmoil in Houston, is a dynamic to watch. The big question is can the Hawks continue their winning ways with new guys manning pivotal roles, previously reserved for the old guard? Only time will tell.

– Lang Green

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/atlanta-hawks-2016-17-season-preview/

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Atlanta Hawks Complete 2016-17 NBA Season Preview (Bleacher Report)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2664743-atlanta-hawks-complete-2016-17-nba-season-preview?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-bot-186

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"My goal is to start as point guard. If this doesn't happen, I will look for other opportunities," Dennis Schröder told German paper Bild during an October 2015 interview (as translated bySportando). "The [Atlanta] Hawks are a great team, the city is nice and everything is perfect now. [Jeff] Teague? He was an All-Star, and he helped me a lot. I must be patient and work hard, and eventually I'll have my opportunities."

Sometimes, dreams really do come true. 

Following the Hawks' decision to trade Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers, the franchise's hopes are inextricably tethered to the growth of Dennis Schröder—the new, unquestioned starter. Even though this Atlanta roster features plenty of holdovers from the previous season (48-34, which earned the Eastern Conference's No. 4 seed) and the record-setting bunch that won 60 games in 2014-15, Schröder's presence in the starting lineup ushers in a new era. 

Head coach Mike Budenholzer will still emphasize his ball-sharing philosophy, but having a point guard who thrives through individual creation forces offensive change. So too does the departure of longtime centerpiece Al Horford and the nearly simultaneous addition of Dwight Howard. 

           

Biggest Offseason Move

 

 

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

 

The Teague trade opened up a chance for Schröder to grow in a starting role. The first-round additions of Taurean Prince (No. 12) andDeAndre' Bembry (No. 21) in the 2016 NBA draft were also part of the haul that earned the Hawks a "B" on our draft-day report card. 

But nothing matters more than the decision to let Al Horford walk to the Boston Celtics and replace him with a big man who's failed to meet lofty expectations in Los Angeles and Houston. Howard is still a future Hall of Famer*, but the Hawks now need him to experience a career resurgence as he returns home.

According to NBA Math's Total Points Added, Howard was far less effective than Horford in 2015-16. Frankly, it wasn't particularly close on either end of the court:

 

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But Howard has the upside the Hawks desire at the 5. If his back is healthy and he's fully motivated, he can protect the rim with aplomb and carry this defense back into the upper echelon. And while he'll never be a dominant post-up player, his pick-and-roll skills alone make him a threatening offensive presence. 

Plus, the Hawks are already trying to expand his game. It didn't take long for respected shooting coach Chris Matthews to post this on Twitter:

 

 

 

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Lethal Shooter 

 

✔@LethalShooter__

Will the jump shot be Dwight's first option?.. Absolutely NOT. But he must be able to make the mid range shot.#NBA

10:58 PM - 5 Aug 2016

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If Howard can add to his range and replicate some of Horford's pick-and-pop action, it would be a tremendous boon to the Atlanta offense. But even if he sticks to his old tricks, he's talented enough to ensure there's not a huge drop-off in the wake of Horford's departure.

*Seriously, the Orlando Magic portion of his resume alone should shepherd him into Springfield. He won Defensive Player of the Year three times (joining Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as one of only three to do so), finished top-five in MVP voting during four different seasons and carried his team to the 2009 NBA Finals. Basketball-Reference.com's Hall of Fame Probability gives him a 99 percent chance of entry—No. 9 among active players—and his career isn't even close to finished.

              

Rotation Breakdown

 

 

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

 

The starting lineup isn't up for debate: Schröder and Howard are locks, as is the team's best player, Paul Millsap. Joining those three will be Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore, especially since the latter is now operating on a four-year deal worth $70 million. 

We don't yet know how well all five will function together, butnbawowy.com does show that the Schröder-Korver-Bazemore-Millsap quartet produced an offensive rating of 112.3 (would've ranked No. 3in the season-long standings) and a defensive rating of 99.5 (No. 2) in its 109 shared minutes. That's great news, even if the vast majority of those minutes also featured Horford. 

It's only when we begin to look at the backups that things get tricky:

 

Atlanta Hawks' Projected 2016-17 Rotation

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Dennis Schröder	Kyle Korver	Kent Bazemore	Paul Millsap	Dwight Howard
Jarrett Jack	Tim Hardaway Jr.	Thabo Sefolosha	Mike Scott	Tiago Splitter
Malcolm Delaney	DeAndre' Bembry	Taurean Prince	Kris Humphries	Walter Tavares

 

 

The primary reserves should be the veterans, as long as they've all healed up from last year's injuries.

Jarrett Jack was having a solid season for the Brooklyn Nets before tearing his ACL—his shooting percentages are misleadingly low, given his ability to control an offense and create for himself. But he should be ready by the start of the new campaign.

Tiago Splitter is in a similar boat after offseason hip surgery, but he should now have a chance to redeem himself after a lackluster initial go-round in Atlanta. Throw in Tim Hardaway Jr., Thabo Sefolosha and Mike Scott, and you have a solid second unit. Of course, the Hawks will still hope the likely third-stringers develop quickly and begin maximizing their potential in bigger roles by the time the season's opening salvo is behind them. 

           

Reasons for Confidence

 

 

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

 

Everything begins with Budenholzer, who Bleacher Report's DanFavale recently ranked as the No. 4 head coach in the NBA: 

Budenholzer's stock might seem like it's due to dip after the Hawks dropped from sixth to 18th in offensive efficiency and bowed out in the second round without much resistance. But it's not.

Atlanta is in better shape than when Budenholzer first arrived. The offense lagged last season for a number of reasons, including three-point shooting regression, but only the Warriors posted a higher assist rate. And most of its drop-off on that end was made up on defense, where Atlanta finished second in points allowed per 100 possessions.

The system Budenholzer has implemented since leaving the San Antonio Spurs is the lifeblood of the Hawks, on both ends of the floor.

His ball-sharing ideology maximize the talents of wings who previously filled smaller roles (see: Carroll, DeMarre and Bazemore, Kent), and that offers hope for immediate impact from the many young 2s and 3s on this roster. His defensive schemes have even facilitated Korver's growth into a defensive asset (No. 6 among shooting guards inESPN.com's Defensive Real Plus/Minus last year), helping the Hawks look impregnable when everyone is filling the proper lanes.

At least during the regular season, everything he's done seems to work. But he's not the only massive positive, since Millsap is still present. 

Though the 31-year-old power forward could soon begin slipping down the NBA's ranks, he played well enough in 2015-16 that he enters the upcoming season ranked No. 10 in the B/R NBA 200. That's by no means a ridiculous placement for a true Defensive Player of the Year candidate who also sparked the offense on a nightly basis. According to NBA Math's TPA, his spot in the countdown is perfect:

 

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As long as Millsap keeps playing at an All-Star level and the schemes remain similar, the Hawks will be able to stave off declines as they fight through the departures of Teague and Horford.

           

Reasons for Concern

 

 

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

 

Even if we assume the age of core rotation members won't yet hamper the Hawks' success—Howard, Millsap, Korver, Sefolosha, Splitter, Jack and Kris Humphries are all in their 30s—schematic alterations might.

Atlanta simply can't play the same type of basketball with Howard replacing Horford and Schröder filling in for Teague. It trailed only the Spurs in defensive rating last season, but that preventing prowess was predicated upon the starting bigs. The Hawks loved funneling everything toward Millsap and Horford, then collapsing around the ball-handler and cutting off the lanes for every outlet pass.

As ESPN.com's Zach Lowe explained: 

They have perhaps the best power forward-center duo in the league in Al Horford and Paul Millsap, and Budenholzer reconfigured hisPopovichian defensive system around their speed. Atlanta unleashes its big men to trap ball handlers around the 3-point arc on the pick-and-roll, confident Horford and Millsap can corral those little guys -- and then scamper back toward their original assignments.

That system doesn't work without Horford's dual ability to protect the hoop and play away from the basket, and Howard has never performed in such a role. He's a force on the interior, but coaches have rarely asked him to step away from his preferred zones in favor of pestering ball-handlers around the three-point arc. 

And the concerns don't end there. Not only does Howard lack the passing and shooting skills necessary to replace Horford as an offensive hub from the elbows, but Teague and Schröder have never played the same game. 

The old starter preferred to operate in a pick-and-roll setting where he could either swing the ball around or get to the hoop and finish plays for himself with a vast array of touch shots. His replacement tends to commandeer possessions, thriving when he's allowed to dribble and probe for an opportunity to use his rocket-fueled bursts to the hoop. 

That leaves the Hawks with two options: ask Schröder to play more likeTeague and hope the results are beneficial, or fundamentally change the offensive schemes that have granted Atlanta its distinct identity under Budenholzer. 

          

Player to Watch

 

 

Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images

 

The Hawks have bet their future on Schröder's development, and they'll ultimately rise or fall with his play. Especially following an ACLinjury, Jack is nothing more than a solid backup, and Malcolm Delaney hasn't proved anything at the NBA level. 

Fortunately for Atlanta, it's not hard to see why the front office was tempted into this gamble.

For all the over-dribbling and ill-advised defensive gambles, he's flashed potential as a game-changing presence. During his first three NBA seasons, he's taken over contests as a scoring threat and forced the coaching staff to play the hot hand over the established starter down the stretch. His quickness also bodes well for his stopping ability, as long as he can become more disciplined. 

Even with Teague on the roster in 2015-16, the Hawks were better withSchröder on the floor: 

 

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He's also become a per-minute stud, joining Stephen Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul, John Wall and Russell Westbrook as one of onlysix qualified players to average more than 19 points, four rebounds and seven assists per 36 minutes. How's that for good company?

But Schröder has experienced this success in limited doses. He's never lead a team from start to finish or played much more than 20 minutes per contest. Thriving as the unquestioned starter is an entirely different proposition, particularly with the inevitable give-and-take between his preferred style and the Hawks' success operating with their own schemes. 

Atlanta is opening the box and looking at Schröder's cat for itself. No longer will it remain uncertain about whether its future features deathlottery finishes or life championship-caliber play with him as the leading 1-guard.

                           

Predictions

 

 

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

 

According to B/R Insights, only the Spurs have made the playoffs in more consecutive seasons (19) than the Hawks (nine). Neither streak is ending quite yet, but these Hawks admittedly aren't as dangerous as the previous two iterations. 

The 60-win squad from 2014-15 was the best unit in this franchise's modern history, and last year's 48-win bunch stood out as a dominant defensive group that could knock down enough jumpers to hang in there.

Though this version is still strong, it won't be nearly as threatening unless Howard experiences a career resurgence and Schrödervalidates Atlanta's decision to promote him.

Even as the Eastern Conference's lower half improves, the Hawks remain a tier above. They have too much talent, too much quality coaching and too much depth to miss out on the playoffs, though they'll struggle to decisively earn home-court advantage in the postseason's opening round this time. 

Final Record: 45-37
Division Standing: 2nd
Playoff Berth: Yes
B/R League-Wide Power Rankings Prediction: No. 1

[AHF]

Strange to see that much detail and info in an article focusing on changes to the team and not one word mentioning rebounding.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, AHF said:

Strange to see that much detail and info in an article focusing on changes to the team and not one word mentioning rebounding.

Exactly, which was by far our glaring  weakness, particularly in the playoffs.

[RandomFan]

On 9/13/2016 at 1:03 PM, JayBirdHawk said:

This is not a ranking but a Fantasy PodCast regarding all our players.

It's long...but a good listen, the most interesting thing:

Horford does not think he will be booed when he returns to Philips........

 

Brad Rowland aptly pointed out that Joe was traded and got booed, how does Horford who signed with our biggest rival think he will not.

Proof positive that Whorefart has gone off the deep end and has now reached full-on delusional.

[Thomas]

1 hour ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Exactly, which was by far our glaring  weakness, particularly in the playoffs.

Perfect. When a journeyman who the coach would not play more than twenty minutes in a game in the playoffs against the Cavs substantially outperforms our starting center on the boards and by PER by a great deal something is truly amiss. 

[Dnice]

Dwight comes in at 35 in the Slamonline player season preview... they stopped posting the ones already ranked.

 

http://www.slamonline.com/nba/slam-top-50/dwight-howard-35/#34mDALY9oXULSWUM.97

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, Dnice said:

Dwight comes in at 35 in the Slamonline player season preview... they stopped posting the ones already ranked.

 

http://www.slamonline.com/nba/slam-top-50/dwight-howard-35/#34mDALY9oXULSWUM.97

@Dnice  Here are 50-36.

http://www.slamonline.com/tag/2016-slam-top-50/

[Dnice]

Thanks for looking Jay, they used to have them in the same post.