Welcome to the HAWKS - Jalen Johnson

[Jamaaliver]

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Hawks third-year forward Jalen Johnson’s versatile game has taken the team’s preseason by storm. Through the first three exhibition games, Johnson has looked confident and like he belongs among the starting five.

The 21-year-old spent his summer traveling between Los Angeles and Atlanta, sharpening his skills ahead of what could be a big year. Johnson’s progress on the defensive end last season already instilled some hope in the Hawks that they could pull the trigger on a deal that would eventually move forward John Collins to the Jazz. “But really like the progression of Jalen, especially defensively in the last season really gave us a lot of hope this year where it’s like, ‘okay, can you put him into the more four lineups whether he’s starting or not, and add into those elements defensively, as well as his playing making ability,’” Hawks general manager Landry Fields said at media day earlier this month. “I think for him like, we’re excited for his growth this year.”

For the Hawks, the versatility that Johnson adds, of course opens up so much for them on the offensive end. Through the first three exhibition games, Johnson has averaged 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals. He’s made nearly 62% of his overall shots and 60% of his attempts from 3-point range all in a shorter amount of time. He averaged the same amount of points per game last season but did so in 27 minutes per game, while this preseason he has needed 18 minutes.

With his penchant for getting above the rim, some have wondered if Johnson could become a threat in the pick and roll. Ahead of the Hawks exhibition game against the Grizzlies last Thursday, Hawks coach Quin Snyder was asked when Johnson may learn the art of setting a screen. The Hawks coach initially joked that it’s hard to get reps to set screens as a point forward but he went on to highlight how Johnson’s versatility made a positive impact on the team. Snyder also pointed to where Johnson can continue to improve.

“Jalen is someone that as you mentioned, there’s a versatility to his game that I think allows you to use him a number of different ways,” Snyder said last Thursday. “One of the things that, as you mentioned with the point (forward), you know, when he gets a rebound, you know, let’s run and he and he can push the ball and pass the ball. You know, if he doesn’t have numbers in the break or can attack the rim, I’d like to see him get the ball to the sideline more, so he has no better angles to pass that’s new to him. I don’t think anybody’s told him to break the ball to the sideline and why.” Snyder added that Johnson may operate in the pick and roll at times this season because it offers a different matchup versus what they have with centers Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. “But in pick and roll situations, you know, he’ll be in pick and rolls,” he said. “Some of that is our execution in situations. We’ve got a couple of guys that are pretty good at pick and roll, too. But he is different. You know, it’s a different matchup having Jalen in pick and roll than it would be Clint or Onyeka. So, it’s a good question. And I think you’ll see that over the course of the season we’ll try to use him in a lot of different ways because he’s a versatile player.” Whenever that does happen, Johnson will be ready.

AJC

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

This is a great finish at the rim, but the screen he sets is negligible. He barely comes into contact with Trae's defender.

Limits Trae's ability to get a switch onto Julius Randle come off the pick with space to shoot.

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The league at large is beginning to take notice.

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[CP War Hawks]

Shout out to Schlenk for taking JJ with that later 1st rd pick. Could've gone a number of different ways that draft, but he left us in good hands with most of these selections.

Only worry I have about JJ these days is injury. Everything is coming along for him with this staff and backcourt.

[luciano-davidwesley]

We had two bites of the cherry before your pick and we took Bouknight and Kai Jones lol. It was obvious JJ was going to be better than them before the draft.