Roundtable: Who will be Hawks best offensive player this season?

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:46 am

Taking a cue from my best buddy over at Peachtree Hoops.

Spoiler:

I figured we could start our own roundtable discussion to pass the time until training camp.

Taurean Prince

In year two, Prince really started making strides towards becoming a solid NBA starter. He started in all 82 games and became a reliable scorer from the wing, averaging 14.1 points on 42.6% shooting. The most exciting part is his development from behind the arc, which was a question mark after his rookie season. He adds that three-point shot to a long, athletic build that can finish around the rim.

Jeremy Lin

The biggest questions for Lin surround his health, but Lin has produced offensively everywhere he has gone. On a Hawks team with limited scoring options, a healthy Lin could prove to be the most explosive scorer. He has always been reliable from the three-point line, making them at a 35% clip for his career. The Hawks are going to want to give Trae Young a lot of minutes as a rookie, but Lin’s ability to play the two-guard will allow him to stay on the floor. He should be a major contributor with the ball in his hands for Atlanta.

Trae Young

This guy was a living highlight reel in high-school and did not miss a beat when he went to college, leading the nation in scoring and assists.

...if there is one thing this guy can do, it is create offense, and he is going do that from the start in the NBA. His rookie season will still come with some growing pains. They can be seen in the poor shooting numbers.

He is a high-volume scorer, and with the Hawks having very little to lose the season, they should be open to letting Young pull the trigger as much as he wants. His assists numbers could be even higher than predicted, but I expect them to come with a fair amount of turnovers.

John Collins

John Collins is the Hawks’ best player. His most noticeable attribute remains his athleticism, and his overall offensive development is what should have Hawks fans giddy.

At 6’10”, he has already proven to have a terrific mid-range game and will stretch out to more of a three-point shooter from this year on. On 47 attempts as a rookie, Collins shot 34% from behind the arc. The Wake Forest product was dominant in summer league, working primarily on his jump shot.

He is poised for a magnificent season as the Hawks go-to scorer. As he becomes a starter in his second season, the Hawks will be looking for him to score early and often.

macd-gm · Post #2 » by **macd-gm** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 1:43 pm

I'll shock everyone and say Trae will be the Hawks best offensive player. I don't know if we are talking specific stats but by the end of the year everything will be running through Trae. I don't see Prince becoming a big time scorer because we'll have so many other guys who can look to score too.

We just arent' used to talent like Trae has on the offensive end. There is no reason to sit him on the bench. Obviously he has to learn the system and learn his teammates but he really has two difficult goals to accomplish this year. Cut down on mistakes (bad passes, bad shots, turnovers) and learn how to play respectable D.

I think Collins will be the biggest beneficiary of playing with Trae. It wouldn't surprise me if they are 1 and 2 in scoring. If not this year then next.

Post #3 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 2:16 pm

macd-gm wrote:I'll shock everyone and say Trae will be the Hawks best offensive player.

Coming from you...I don't think that's a shock to anyone. 8-)

macd-gm · Post #4 » by **macd-gm** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 3:47 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
macd-gm wrote:I'll shock everyone and say Trae will be the Hawks best offensive player.

Coming from you...I don't think that's a shock to anyone.

Roy Tarpley · Post #5 » by **Roy Tarpley** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:53 pm

It depends on how you define "best". I feel like it's a combination of absolute counting stats, efficiency stats, centrality to the offense, diversity of offensive capabilities, and clutchness in 4Q.

Prince is the frontrunner now. Collins, depending on his 3pt shot improvement, could overtake him. Trae is the future leader but I suspect his efficiency will be terrible. Lin, if healthy, would be the natural best offensive player but I don't think he'll be 100% like preinjury.

I'm going with Collins for now, with Prince and Lin close behind.

Post #6 » by **HMFFL** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:21 am

It should be John Collins and if it's not there's a problem.
That problem will be John himself to blame or Coaching.

ChokeFasncists · Post #7 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 9:13 pm

macd-gm wrote:I'll shock everyone and say Trae will be the Hawks best offensive player. I don't know if we are talking specific stats but by the end of the year everything will be running through Trae. I don't see Prince becoming a big time scorer because we'll have so many other guys who can look to score too.

We just arent' used to talent like Trae has on the offensive end. There is no reason to sit him on the bench. Obviously he has to learn the system and learn his teammates but he really has two difficult goals to accomplish this year. Cut down on mistakes (bad passes, bad shots, turnovers) and learn how to play respectable D.

I think Collins will be the biggest beneficiary of playing with Trae. It wouldn't surprise me if they are 1 and 2 in scoring. If not this year then next.

So looks like you haven't voted... 8-)

OP: Collins and Prince are gonna benefit big time from having TraeLin.

Sophomore Collins would most likely be the main PnR big but the third year man Prince should still get ample opportunities to show whether he could continue where he left off and progress towards being a 20 points scorer.

Lin's probably gonna be rusty and take it easy in terms of scoring in the first half of the season. Trae's gonna be green and overmatched at first. I'd say Trae will be the best offensive player by the end of the season. If Lin's miraculously it, this team's gonna be good, cuz it's got talents and Lin makes everyone around him better.

Tough choice, but I'll go with Prince since he's the oldest and Lin's most likely gonna be rusty.

macd-gm · Post #8 » by **macd-gm** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 2:56 pm

ChokeFasncists wrote:
macd-gm wrote:I'll shock everyone and say Trae will be the Hawks best offensive player. I don't know if we are talking specific stats but by the end of the year everything will be running through Trae. I don't see Prince becoming a big time scorer because we'll have so many other guys who can look to score too.

We just arent' used to talent like Trae has on the offensive end. There is no reason to sit him on the bench. Obviously he has to learn the system and learn his teammates but he really has two difficult goals to accomplish this year. Cut down on mistakes (bad passes, bad shots, turnovers) and learn how to play respectable D.

I think Collins will be the biggest beneficiary of playing with Trae. It wouldn't surprise me if they are 1 and 2 in scoring. If not this year then next.

So looks like you haven't voted...

OP: Collins and Prince are gonna benefit big time from having TraeLin.

Sophomore Collins would most likely be the main PnR big but the third year man Prince should still get ample opportunities to show whether he could continue where he left off and progress towards being a 20 points scorer.

Lin's probably gonna be rusty and take it easy in terms of scoring in the first half of the season. Trae's gonna be green and overmatched at first. I'd say Trae will be the best offensive player by the end of the season. If Lin's miraculously it, this team's gonna be good, cuz it's got talents and Lin makes everyone around him better.

Tough choice, but I'll go with Prince since he's the oldest and Lin's most likely gonna be rusty.

Ha! Thanks. I'm too dumb to realize there was a poll so not sure about my prediction now.

graymule · Post #9 » by **graymule** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 4:28 pm

Now, I ask, which Hawk will be the most improved? Since rookies don't count because they haven't played.

I say Alex Len. People forget he's here, I believe.

Robo_Claw · Post #10 » by **Robo_Claw** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 9:10 pm

graymule wrote::D

Now, I ask, which Hawk will be the most improved? Since rookies don't count because they haven't played.

I say Alex Len. People forget he's here, I believe.

Saw him around town the other day, dude is huuuuuge. I'm 6'5'' and was like damn that is a huge man.

I'll throw Tyler Dorsey in on most improved, this could be a good year for him.

sprost · Post #11 » by **sprost** » Mon Sep 3, 2018 12:51 pm

Lin clearly for the season, but won't seem like it until he takes his clear place as healthy trusted leader (and scorer) of the team around mid-December.

~Wretch~ · Post #12 » by **~Wretch~** » Mon Sep 3, 2018 4:13 pm

I want to pick someone other than Trae, but I just can't. He has the most potential. His range and his ability to break down the defense should open some opportunities for him. It'll take time to adjust to the speed of the NBA game, but once he finds his stroke...he'll be our leading scorer. Really excited to see him the p/r with Len and Collins.

ChokeFasncists · Post #13 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Tue Sep 4, 2018 12:26 am

graymule wrote::D

Now, I ask, which Hawk will be the most improved? Since rookies don't count because they haven't played.

I say Alex Len. People forget he's here, I believe.

If Len is the most improved, it'd be a great signing.

I imagine Collins would be the most improved.

hawkmanreturns · Post #14 » by **hawkmanreturns** » Tue Sep 4, 2018 11:38 am

It'll be between Trae and Collins. I'm looking forward to next season. At the very least, it's going to be exciting.

Post #15 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 12:33 pm

Basketball Insiders gives their two-cents on the subject:

Top Offensive Player: Trae Young

In 32 collegiate games for Oklahoma, Young averaged a whopping 27.4 points per outing on 42 percent shooting from the floor, 36 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the charity stripe. The dynamic guard was chosen with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft and then traded to Atlanta. There are legitimate questions on whether Young’s scoring prowess will translate at the next level and how much time he will need to develop. But since the Hawks shipped Schroder to Oklahoma City during the offseason, playing time won’t be an issue in Atlanta’s backcourt.

Young was up and down during summer league play and its clear opponents’ game plan will be geared toward being physical and not letting him reach his sweet spots. Despite the offensive shakiness, Young still managed to snag second-team All-NBA Summer League honors in Las Vegas.

There are a couple of veterans on the Hawks’ roster with a more refined offensive arsenal, but none possess the immense upside Young has when it comes to putting the ball into the hoop.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/atlanta-hawks-2018-19-nba-season-preview/

Post #16 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 12:35 pm

Top Playmaker: Jeremy Lin

Lin, entering his ninth season, has experienced almost all the game has to offer. From being an undrafted afterthought to a taste of superstardom (Linsanity), to becoming a full-time starter and playoff contributor. Lin is in the final year of his current deal and will presumably be asked to be a veteran presence with Schroder now in Oklahoma City and while Young navigates treacherous rookie campaign terrain. Lin will never be a high volume assist guy but for this young Hawks team and rookie head coach, he just may become a calming influence in the midst of the rebuilding project.

Top Clutch Player: Jeremy Lin

Eventually, the team hopes Young will be the go-to guy down the stretch. But until that time comes to fruition, you can expect the ball to be in the hands of Lin in late game situations. The Hawks are an extremely young team filled of players with less than three years of experience. Veterans such as Lin, Kent Bazemore and to a smaller degree Vince Carter, will be counted on to help cultivate Atlanta’s youth movement.

Basketball Insiders