Even if the Nets are off to a decent start to the season, and the Magic are doing better than defending themselves without Paolo Banchero, the Hawks are perhaps the real surprise team in the Eastern Conference with a nice 6th place, and a positive record since that time. night: 12 victories for 11 defeats. Last night, Quin Snyder's players signed a 5th victory in a row, winning in Milwaukee, and beyond Jalen Johnson's 23 points and 13 rebounds, or Clint Capela's 17 rebounds, we had confirmation that the “second unit” brought a lot.
It's no coincidence that this season the Hawks are winning games even when Trae Young is struggling. Like last night with his 6 out of 19 on shots, and a terrible 0 out of 9 from 3-point range.
To compensate, there is De'Andre Hunter, author of 20 points including two important baskets in the 4th quarter. There is also Bogdan Bogdanovic, interesting in defense, and always capable of catching fire, like in the second quarter. And then there is Onyeka Okongwu, author of 13 points and 6 rebounds.
The 3rd most effective bench in the NBA
“I feel good. I'm trying to find my rhythm with the others.” he confides. “When we’re all here, I feel like we have one of the best benches in the NBA. Frankly, I think so.”
Against the Bucks, this bench accumulates 50 points, compared to 30 for the Bucks. Atlanta ranks 3rd in the entire NBA with more than 40 points per game contributed by his bench, almost half of which came from Hunter. “ De'Andre is aggressive » likes Trae Young. “We ask him to be. We need him to be, and as soon as he takes a shot, we all have confidence in him. He doesn't force anything, and he plays as he should. »
This collective confidence translates into the search for the open shot, and Quin Snyder really appreciated the first half against the Bucks. “We distributed 21 assists in the first half. Sometimes you go from a 'good' shot to an 'excellent' shot, and the guys shoot these shots with great skill because they feel that their teammates have confidence in them. »
An altruistic group
With this rotation of nine players, Quin Snyder can vary the five without the level dropping, and he appreciates integrating Jalen Johnson as a “playmaker”.
“I think he plays multiple roles: playmaker and… what we try to do is use him everywhere,” reports Bogdan Bogdanovic. “When he gets the ball and accelerates, he creates an imbalance because no one can defend on him in those situations. I feel like he's just starting to realize how effective he can be and where his sweet spots are in the game.”
For their coach, this confidence in Jalen Johnson as attacking leader, but also in the substitutes, transforms the group. “Collectively, we have guys who continue to make the right decision, play unselfishly, and that stabilizes the game” concludes the technician.
