Early Season thoughts

[NBASupes]

Trae is playing like shit. His Dallas game was fine, he didn't have it going but his playmaking was great. Cleveland was bad all around. On offense and defense. He is playing like he's watching Ja and others. He just needs to focus on avg 20/15 and leading us to wins and he will be All NBA. 

Hunter and Bogi are having a hard time around each other so far. It's like both are trying to figure out who's the #2/#3 option. 

Collins has been perfect this year. Foul trouble due to crap refs is the only issue and that's not his fault in my opinion. 

Capela been Capela. He needs to improve from the FT line

Kevin been pretty damn good. His 3s aren't falling but they will. 

Cam been tremendous offensively. Defensively, he was great game 1, game 2, Sexton adjusted from getting locked down by Cam and busted his ass with screens v. CLE. He has to improve on that end v. DET. 

Delon, I've enjoyed Delon. Probably the best PG we have had off the bench ever. He does a lot of things good, nothing special, but good. His shooting is off but his mins are so freaking low. We need to get him more tick. 

Solo been worse than usual but his defense and positioning as well as BBIQ is as high as always. Needs to make open shots. Love when he's aggressive even if it doesn't work. 

Dieng has been a gem for us. It's gonna be hard when we gotta move him to the 3rd unit when Big O is back. 

As for the reserves, they just haven't played much. JJ shot well in his debut. 

 

Nate been fine, his gameplan has us in the top 5 of total defense but bottom 10 of offense and PACE. We will pick it up on that end when Trae starts to get his mind right. Our defense should be top 5 all year. Offensively, I am hoping for top 10. Likely top 13-15. 

 

 

So far, we are an terrible transition team on both ends, a below average open court offense and elite open court defense, and we are an elite half court offense and very good half court defense. I want to end the season at: 

Transition - below average on both ends which I doubt, we suck ass in transition. 

Open Court - Solid open court offense with a generational open court defense. Both are possible. We just gotta be better. Trae is a pretty headed and decent open court defender and we have a lot of tremendous open court defenders like Hunter, Capela, JC, and Cam. Bogi and Hureter are pretty good open court defenders as well as Dieng and Wright. Nate scheme is extremely based in open court defensive fundamentals which is why Indy, Seattle, and Portland have always had good open court principles. When he played for Seattle, they were lethal as an open court defensive team. 

Half Court - Generational half court offense with an elite half court defense. An elite half court defense might be a reach due to Trae. 

 

Remember, the NBA regular season is an open court game with a lot of transition and half court play. The playoffs is a half court game with limited transition opportunities and just decent open court chances.

Trae is the best half court player I've ever seen offensively in my life but he's not that good in the open court like most elite true PGs are and his transition offense is pretty good but nothing special like Ja or Derrick Rose. 

Cam is terrible in open court and transition offense but he's pretty good in the half court when he's set and healthy. He has the potential to be a generational half court player. 

JC is our most versatile scheme fit, he's good at everything on both ends. 

Edited October 25, 2021 by NBASupes

[marco102]

10 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Trae is playing like shit. His Dallas game was fine, he didn't have it going but his playmaking was great. Cleveland was bad all around. On offense and defense. He is playing like he's watching Ja and others. He just needs to focus on avg 20/15 and leading us to wins and he will be All NBA. 

Nate been fine, his gameplan has us in the top 5 of total defense but bottom 10 of offense and PACE. We will pick it up on that end when Trae starts to get his mind right. Our defense should be top 5 all year. Offensively, I am hoping for top 10. Likely top 13-15. 

Cam is terrible in open court and transition offense but he's pretty good in the half court when he's set and healthy. He has the potential to be a generational half court player. 

JC is our most versatile scheme fit, he's good at everything on both ends. 

Great post Supes. 

I think Trae just needs to get his rhythm.  Don't really think he's focusing on Ja or anything like that. Ja came out blazing last season too until he hurt his ankle. 

I think once the Hawks get rolling they'll be a top 8 offensive team and I"m hoping for a top 10 defense. If Dre, Cam, Collins, and Capela stay healthy throughout the season, I see potential for top 5 defense.

To me, Cam is much better in the open court and transition than half court.  He was too sped up in the half court in previous years.  When he was running and not thinking he was fine.  Other than the fumbling and bumbling every now and again. 

 

[macdaddy]

I think back to early season last year and it's still night and day.   We didn't lose to the cavs because of 'lack of energy' or looking lost out there.   We just got beat because no one could score and Rubio and Love took their Nugenix before the game.   

Agree about Bogi and Hunter but i think they figure it out.   Having Solo (or Hunter) as the backup 4 isn't' ideal.  I could see playing OO and Dieng together eventually.  

To me the challenge for these young guys has always been that when they play with the intensity they need to be it often gets them rushing things on the offensive end and missing shots.   I think they'll settle in starting tonight. 

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, marco102 said:

Great post Supes. 

I think Trae just needs to get his rhythm.  Don't really think he's focusing on Ja or anything like that. Ja came out blazing last season too until he hurt his ankle. 

I think once the Hawks get rolling they'll be a top 8 offensive team and I"m hoping for a top 10 defense. If Dre, Cam, Collins, and Capela stay healthy throughout the season, I see potential for top 5 defense.

To me, Cam is much better in the open court and transition than half court.  He was too sped up in the half court in previous years.  When he was running and not thinking he was fine.  Other than the fumbling and bumbling every now and again. 

 

Thanks! With Cam, he's great if he gets a steal and he finishes and that transition play where Trae passed it to him and he dunked it was amazing but overall, it's really bad when Cam is in transition. Remember that charge on Bane or the charge on Tucker in the preseason they drew v. Cam off a 1v1 in transition. He generally does all of his damage v. set defenses. Cam is turnover prone in general. Regardless if he's in the half court, transition, or the open court. 

[LucastheThird]

I agree with almost every point Supes.

 

• Trae is pressing, probably trying to show the world that he isn't a fluke and can score without the foul baiting. He will settle down.
• Bogi and Dre need to look at how GS used Klay and KD together. (Not saying Dre is KD level) but I see us functioning best with a clear offensive function for Bogi (sharpshooter from crazy offball screens) and Dre operating as the second ball handler. Bogi shouldn't be dribbling more than 3 times before shooting or passing.
• JC is the second option on the team and I feel like Nate has realized it. I like seeing JC get more touches
• Cam is going to win 6th man of the year if he keeps averaging 20PPG
• Delon has been steady, I don't worry about the offensive flow with him in and that is an improvement on the backup PG spot
• Dieng has been a gem as you said. His defense is a lot better than I gave him credit for.
• I understand Solo has blackmail on Nate, but I would really prefer to see JJ getting those minutes. I doubt we lose much production if any

[NBASupes]

11 minutes ago, LucastheThird said:

I agree with almost every point Supes.

 

• Trae is pressing, probably trying to show the world that he isn't a fluke and can score without the foul baiting. He will settle down.
• Bogi and Dre need to look at how GS used Klay and KD together. (Not saying Dre is KD level) but I see us functioning best with a clear offensive function for Bogi (sharpshooter from crazy offball screens) and Dre operating as the second ball handler. Bogi shouldn't be dribbling more than 3 times before shooting or passing.
• JC is the second option on the team and I feel like Nate has realized it. I like seeing JC get more touches
• Cam is going to win 6th man of the year if he keeps averaging 20PPG
• Delon has been steady, I don't worry about the offensive flow with him in and that is an improvement on the backup PG spot
• Dieng has been a gem as you said. His defense is a lot better than I gave him credit for.
• I understand Solo has blackmail on Nate, but I would really prefer to see JJ getting those minutes. I doubt we lose much production if any

The JJ part is the only one I take exception to. Solo does the little things, I really haven't seen JJ do the little things ever. He will get there but he's not there yet. 

[kg01]

2 hours ago, NBASupes said:

Collins has been perfect this year.....

[LucastheThird]

20 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

The JJ part is the only one I take exception to. Solo does the little things, I really haven't seen JJ do the little things ever. He will get there but he's not there yet. 

Understandable. I'm just of the opinion that Solo shouldn't be our main PF backup. When is Gallo coming back again?

[JeffS17]

Cam has 6th man of the year potential and MIP potential.  If he settles down and understands every time he touches the ball WILL NOT be the last time he touches the rock, he can do great things.  He's just very excitable right now.  He also needs to get better playing team defense and know when to gamble in the passing lanes or trying to poke a steal.  Dre is miles ahead of him there even though Cam has more talent imo

[NBASupes]

34 minutes ago, LucastheThird said:

Understandable. I'm just of the opinion that Solo shouldn't be our main PF backup. When is Gallo coming back again?

Hopefully soon. 

[MarylandHawk]

“Trae is playing like shit.” 
 

Lol at that statement. Averaging 25 and 10. After everyone in the league is gunning for him and referees changed the rules on him. 
 

How soon we forget. 
 

Most of your other observations I can get behind. 

[swanlee]

I think we are fine and just need to iron out some minor things. Our depth is really awesome this year and it just may take a little bit for the different unit's to gel. This team has 2 different starting quality lineups.

I'm confident Nate will iron out our issues

[hazer]

Too soon to draw any conclusions yet.

[Spud2nique]

41 minutes ago, hazer said:

Too soon to draw any conclusions yet.

Nostrahazer it’s your dawg!  
 

Yes.. agreed.

[swanlee]

That was a pretty ugly win. Seems pur shooting is pretty cold right niw as a team

[benhillboy]

I’m also puzzled as to why Wright ain’t getting more run.  +30 now.  14 minutes should easily be 18; you help preserve Trae’s shaky durability while not losing much if anything in point differential. 
 

Transition both ways during the regular season will always be a grind with Trae’s size and explosiveness, or lack therof.  That’s why he busted out in the playoffs with much less open floor play.

The offense isn’t the prettiest with a 28th ranked pace.  But I have nothing to complain about when we’re Top 10 in 5 of the 8 4-factors, fueled by Trae’s 3:1 assist to turn, elite rebounding from Cap and Johnny Bap, and Dre’s low-fouling on-ball defense on #1 options.  If we still have a Top 5 defense 20 games in I’ll be ecstatic out this bit.

Edited October 28, 2021 by benhillboy

[Gray Mule]

Hawks are not great because:

1- Team missing too many shots.

2- Collins alone knows how to get fouls called on him!

Correct these two flaws and we will be much finer!

[terrell]

We need Alot more from the 2 guard position.................

Bogi and Kev Good Lord is all Ima say..lol

Edited October 28, 2021 by terrell

[NBASupes]

This team looks like the one that ended the season. Little chemistry in the 1st unit. Hunter still don't know his role on offense. The PnR has been hit or miss. Too many open misses. Not finishing bunnies. Clint bricked a wide open layup. Winning just because we outrebounded the opponent and Trae is Trae.

I will say the 2nd unit is a revelation. Offensively, they aren't that good, which is why Cam has the green light outside of last night which is good because we need Cam to develop.

Defensively, its night and day. Our 2nd is the best defensive unit in the NBA and no one is coming close. Dieng who was one of the best backup defensive bigs is having another elite year defensively in the 2nd unit. Cam is tremendous defensively. Delon as well. Kevin is good enough and Gallo and Solo both have had good defensive runs while struggling to move some due to their age. 

While our starting lineup has still been pretty good, it's not top 5 good, yet. Our bench as well as Washington have been elite. Washington is a bottom 5 starting five paired with an elite bench. This will be fun. 

[terrell]

3 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

This team looks like the one that ended the season. Little chemistry in the 1st unit. Hunter still don't know his role on offense. The PnR has been hit or miss. Too many open misses. Not finishing bunnies. Clint bricked a wide open layup. Winning just because we outrebounded the opponent and Trae is Trae.

I will say the 2nd unit is a revelation. Offensively, they aren't that good, which is why Cam has the green light outside of last night which is good because we need Cam to develop.

Defensively, its night and day. Our 2nd is the best defensive unit in the NBA and no one is coming close. Dieng who was one of the best backup defensive bigs is having another elite year defensively in the 2nd unit. Cam is tremendous defensively. Delon as well. Kevin is good enough and Gallo and Solo both have had good defensive runs while struggling to move some due to their age. 

While our starting lineup has still been pretty good, it's not top 5 good, yet. Our bench as well as Washington have been elite. Washington is a bottom 5 starting five paired with an elite bench. This will be fun. 

Wiz are much improved with Dinwiddie instead of Westbrook..

The former Lakers are playing well too..Trez feasted vs Boston last night...