Quarter Mark

[benhillboy]

Overall Team Grade: B

Well it isn’t technically until halftime tonight so we’ll go with the .243 mark.

Team-wise I’m simple.  Hawks are Top 10 in three point percentage, FT percentage, got back into the Top 10 in rebounding after a slight dip, commit the second fewest turns, and have shot up in assists from below average to 9th.  So what did the Hawks accomplish after their steamroll of Memphis last night?  Jumped from 4th in O Rating to Number 1 on the rest of the NBA’s asses!  GS be damned lol.

I have nothing to complain about.  Had OO and Dre been healthy since the start of the season there’s no way the Defensive Rating would be less than mediocre (currently 24th). I expect them to restore order to our team metrics.  Still Kevin and Cam need to get their deflections/ steals up while Capela slowly should get his blocks back to his career average.
 

Wanted to get Delon out the way first.  It’s en Vogue to trash his scoring: with good reason because it’s horrible.  But please remember he LEADS THE LEAGUE in defensive plays per foul and is 6th in assist to turn ratio.  Not the East.  THE WHOLE NBA.  Put some respect on dudes name his floor game is brilliant.  I’d be playing him 22 minutes easy but I ain’t the coach.  My only major gripe with Nate Dogg, tighten up.

Now for the Big Dog.  Trae is working on his best career defensive rating, on pace for the most steals and offensive fouls drawn in his career.  All of his other raw stats are eerily identical to last season except for his eFG, now a very respectable .531 after being around .500 for most of his career.  He’s found something in his three point stroke and I can’t say enough about a young player whose FT % goes up to 90 while the attempts decrease.  That’s Chauncey Billups like focus at the line.

The Baptist is the Baptist.  He and Clint battling for advanced stat supremacy on the team, both net ratings through the roof. The fact they both can post such great efficiency with under 20% usage just shows how well they fit and do the little things.  The game is slowing for John as he develops more skills.  259 games in he’s looking like a True Vet the way he’s using corporate knowledge now.  Dudes who used to have a leg up on him head to head don’t anymore.

I didn’t worry about Kevin’s early struggles.  With the offense flowing more smoothly hell get in right where he fits.

Bogi and Cam have been playing better as of late so their advanced metrics should improve.  They’re shooting too well from 3 for it not to.  Bogi needs to take more mid range jumpers and they both need to cut a little more to improve their looks at the rim where they both shoot poorly trying to  dribble drive.

I’m going to chalk Dre’s poor play and results on him being injured of course.  He was our best 2 way player last season before he went down.  I expect OO to start where he left off in the playoffs with the excellent positioning and making sure that glass is spic and span.

Not worried about Gallo until the playoffs. Hopefully we see the 2K version.  It seems like he’s just coasting through the regular season, still has a healthy .123 win share per 48 being an even 0 box player.  The stats love how he grabs traffic rebounds, never turns over, and kills it at the line.

Lou and Dieng don’t have the minutes (under 200) nor the shooting percentages (under .400) to be evaluated.

I never worried about the early West Coast trip or the feeling out period for the officiating.  This team can overcome those minor obstacles over the course of 82 and be better for it.  We only play 4 contenders in our last 20.

It took some time but the team is starting to round into late ‘20-‘21 form.  Long as Trae is playing off some, our Bigs keep laying tough screens, and John’s passing develops we good money.  The wings will find their roles.  Sometimes players who can play multiple positions and roles as Kevin, Bogi, and Cam can get lost in the sauce so to speak.  When this team hits their stride I like their chances versus anyone in a one or multiple game series.

Lets Go and start this second quarter off like some Gs.  Time to make Stephen A go viral tonight trashing his team lol.

Edited November 27, 2021 by benhillboy

[Gray Mule]

Thanks!  Two things:  If any Hawks are here, I gripe and complain about missed free throws.  Wonderful to see the team take care of this.  Way to go!  2- I keep saying, "Wright is all right!"  Great!  Stats agree with this old man.  

Horrible thought:  Some posters continue to want another 2 guard.  They don't like my man Wright.  Since Hunter is out and we're winning, swap next season's 1st draft pick, Bogi, Wright and Hunter for a 2 guard and your want for back up PG.

  He He!  I told a funny!

[AUhawksfan]

It has been Jekyl and Hyde to this point but we have momentum going the right direction now.  If we can keep this going and move up the east ranks I think a 1 or 2 seed could definitely be in reach and would do wonders for us in the playoffs. 

[NBASupes]

Does someone want to tell the idiot on RealGM hating on Trae that he's having the best stretch of his career so far

[marco102]

1 minute ago, NBASupes said:

Does someone want to tell the idiot on RealGM hating on Trae that he's having the best stretch of his career so far

Give me a moment!

[Spud2nique]

1 minute ago, NBASupes said:

Does someone want to tell the idiot on RealGM hating on Trae that he's having the best stretch of his career so far

I made a Trae MVP thread at the beginning of last year, I gotta find it. Although I bet the Mav mods stepped on it and try to burn it. 

[NBASupes]

Just now, marco102 said:

Give me a moment!

My man 

[Spud2nique]

Just now, NBASupes said:

My man 

Are you on the general thread? 

[NBASupes]

3 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Are you on the general thread? 

Yeah but I am banned. I can't ether that clown for hating on Trae 

Edited November 27, 2021 by NBASupes

[marco102]

Just now, Spud2nique said:

Are you on the general thread? 

Yup.  I think I see who Supes is referring too.

[NBASupes]

Love to Marco and buzz for cleaning house in that thread 

[bird_dirt]

1 hour ago, benhillboy said:

The wings will find their roles.  Sometimes players who can play multiple positions and roles as Kevin, Bogi, and Cam can get lost in the sauce so to speak.

This. 

I really believe all the injuries last year allowed our depth to shine. We have the talent, the players just need the time and space to understand what they're supposed to be doing. Starting the year mostly healthy pushed a reset button, making roles a little fuzzier. 

They're getting it better now. I think by the end of the regular season, we could be one of the most feared matchups in the post season. 

This will also likely expedite a push to consolidate talent in the off-season so our guys can all get more playing time here or elsewhere, while we get veteran upgrades at one or two positions (sg/sf).

[Spud2nique]

33 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Love to Marco and buzz for cleaning house in that thread 

I went through high five our reps. So much hatorade on there it’s downright toxic. People are mad at Trae. 

ps Reminds me of that one dude on the playground who starts changing the rules and saying he didn’t travel cuz he can’t keep up 

I LOVE TRAE! 
 

I’ll scream it from the rooftops I don’t care! I’m in my 40’s so it could be a bit awkward but I still don’t care! He’s our superstar and I love watching that lil general get after  it.