2024 NBA Schedule Released
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:09 pm
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The Hawks' net rating was worse with Collins on the floor in each of his last two seasons, and his departure should mean more minutes for up-and-comers Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson. A more positionless starting forward tandem with De'Andre Hunter and Saddiq Bey should help too.
Ultimately, though, the success or failure of this team will once again depend on Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
Last season, the Hawks were a ho-hum plus-1.6 points per 100 possessions when both were on the floor. They'll have to much more thoroughly dominate those minutes if they're going to push closer to 50 wins.
Last Word on SportsThe Atlanta Hawks’ Most Interesting Matchups of the Season
New York Knicks
Since Young’s “villain” arch in the 2021 NBA playoffs, particularly against the New York Knicks, you never know what could happen. It would be no surprise that fans only watch Hawks-Knicks games to see what he’ll do. From the masterpiece performances Young is known for to the electricity Knicks fans possess at Madison Square Garden, it’s impossible for this not to be an exciting game. Unfortunately, the Hawks have won just three out of the last eight meetings against the Knicks. This game is exciting because Atlanta and New York have opportunities to win through offseason additions. Led by Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett, the Knicks are poised to make noise in the Eastern Conference, just as much as Atlanta.
Boston Celtics
In six games, the Boston Celtics eliminated the Hawks in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. At the time, Boston clinched the second seed in the East. With the offensive/defensive firepower the Celtics possessed, they knew the series should not go as long as it needed to with the Hawks. The last thing Boston needed was for Young to take over. Atlanta looks to get revenge on the team that ousted them from the playoffs. This season, the Celtics will be without their best defenders in Marcus Smart and Grant Williams, who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies (Smart) and Dallas Mavericks (Williams).
Memphis Grizzlies
The NBA suspended Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the season. Fans from all over know that Morant is a superstar in this league. Hawks and Grizzlies fans will be happy to know that he should be able to play against Atlanta on December 23. The distance between Memphis and Atlanta won’t stop the people from coming to see great basketball. Plus, there is no better way to celebrate Christmas than watching a matchup between two NBA’s biggest stars in Morant and Young.
San Antonio Spurs
Outside of the Hawks being at home and playing on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, one name will have fans hyped: Victor Wembanyama. While he hasn’t played his first official NBA game, that doesn’t give Hawks fans a reason not to be excited. All eyes will be on him throughout the game, if not the entire season.
Dallas Mavericks
Since being drafted in 2018, both Luka Doncic (third overall pick) and Young (fifth overall pick) have exceeded expectations. Cornerstones for their respective franchises, both stars have played each other eight times. Each team has won four games apiece. You can’t blame someone for wanting this regular-season matchup as an NBA Finals matchup. Although this will be a regular season game, the electricity from Hawks fans will be alive at State Farm Arena as Doncic’s co-star Kyrie Irving will also be in town.
Jamaaliver wrote: