Washington PostRole players have the Hawks flying a little higher
The Hawks are 9-4 and second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavs and are outscoring opponents by 8.2 points per 100 possessions, the second-best margin behind the Los Angeles Clippers (plus-13.8).
the biggest contributions are coming from the bench who are outscoring opponents by a league-high 16 points per 100 possessions, more than double the league’s next best set of reserves.
Offensively, the Hawks bench is scoring 107.9 points per 100 possessions with a 53.5 effective field goal percentage, an improvement over the starting rotation (101.7 and 51.9 percent, respectively).
Defensively, Coach Mike Budenholzer’s reserve unit is operating better than expected. Atlanta’s bench is holding opponents to a league-low 91.9 points per 100 possessions and keeping them to 4.3 second-chance points per game, the fifth-lowest total in the NBA this year.
Muscala is grabbing a career-high 4.5 rebounds per game. In addition to cleaning the glass, opponents are shooting a mere 39.7 percent at the rim against him. He is also 5 for 7 on put backs and 16 for 26 when the roll man during the pick and roll.
Tim Hardaway Jr., who was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks early with a head abrasion, is averaging a career-high 12.3 points per game and is dominating opponents in the Hawks’ half-court sets (1.08 points per possession).
Thabo Sefolosha is leading the team in deflections (4.1 per game, third-most in NBA) and boasts a 28.6 percent turnover ratio when the primary defender in iso situations. He’s also contesting a team-high three 3-point shots per game, which helps explain why spot-up shooters are just 2 for 19 against him this season. Overall, the team’s defensive rating with Sefolosha on the court is 90.5, almost nine points per 100 possessions better than when he is on the bench (99.3)
“Thabo had a stretch (against Chicago) that was unbelievable,” Humphries told NBA.com’s K.L. Chouinard. “Tim has been an explosive scorer off the bench and bringing energy as well. Guys are just being hungry and ready to contribute.”
Even opposing fan bases have taken note:
Fear the Sword...the Atlanta Hawks are the biggest threat to end LeBron’s run of dominance. It is not just Dwight Howard that can cause the Cavs issues though. The Hawks are deep in the front court with Kris Humphries and Mike Muscala to compliment Howard and Millsap. The Hawks will be able to throw multiple looks and fresh bodies at the Cavs in a seven game series...
Thoughts? Predictions?
Can the bench keep up this type of efficiency once the schedule gets tougher?
Any of the bench players warrant a look in the starting lineup?
Any chance we can keep this bench crew together for future season, or are they destined to head out in search greater opportunities?
