What's wrong with the Hawks?
The Atlanta Hawks are blowing fourth quarter leads left and right. Why?
Only a few weeks ago I wrote about the Atlanta Hawks and their maddening inconsistency. Unfortunately, in the month since I wrote that newsletter, things have only gotten worse for the Hawks.
I also wrote about the Hawks in this past Sunday’s newsletter. They did win against a strong Denver Nuggets team, but this is what I had to say about their recent run of games before Sunday’s win:
“The Hawks, like Tottenham, have been struggling lately. DeAndre Hunter is missing due to injury and it’s been difficult for the team to cope with his absence. Newcomer free agents like Danilo Gallinari and Rajon Rondo have underwhelmed. Fellow free agents Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic have yet to appear in a game and have only played in five games, respectively, because of injuries.
First and fourth quarters have been brutal as well. The Hawks were outscored in the first quarter in their last 11 games, including Sunday night against the Nuggets. They’ve also led their opponents at the end of the 3rd quarter in 19 games this season, but only won 11 of them. To top it all off, head coach Lloyd Pierce, whose seat is getting warmer, has missed the last three games due to the birth of his new daughter.”
Sunday’s win was good and a much needed confidence booster for a young and struggling squad. But if Sunday was a confidence booster, then it’s hard to describe what Tuesday night’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers was.
Once again the Hawks got outscored in the first quarter, bringing that streak to 12 straight games. But a one-point first quarter deficit quickly spiraled into a 13 point deficit midway through the second quarter. Things were looking bleak for Atlanta, but they battled back to within three points heading into halftime.
Later, the Hawks and Cavs entered the fourth quarter tied at 84. For much of the fourth quarter, Atlanta was in control, all the way down to the final few seconds. I won’t bore you with the details, but some boneheaded decision making and miscommunication on the floor allowed Cleveland to score a game winning dunk with four seconds left.
It was a jaw dropping experience but for fans watching closely, it was more of the same. This is the Hawks team fans have become accustomed to over the last few weeks: they play well for large portions of the game, then they blow it (maybe the Hawks are consistent after all).
A performance like Tuesday night’s left fans wondering: why is this happening so often? Personally I think it’s because of a lack of leadership and accountability across both the roster and the coaching staff. Head coach Lloyd Pierce often lays blame at the lack of execution from the players. It never sounds like he’s calling anyone out so there isn’t a feeling of tension, but maybe being called out is what this team needs.
There also isn’t a clear leader in the locker room. In recent seasons it was veteran Vince Carter providing the voice of reason for so many young and inexperienced players. Rajon Rondo was seemingly signed in free agency to become that veteran presence, but he appears more focused on learning how to be a coach. And while there isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, it leaves a void in the team.
Trae Young is a likely candidate to step and be a leader, but for right now Young is still maturing on his own as a player, let alone as a leader. Clint Capela looks like a leader at times, but he’s only 26 and doesn’t necessarily show the leadership qualities this teams needs right now.
Unfortunately for Atlanta, they had to play a back to back the very next night on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. Before Wednesday the Hawks were winless on the second night of these back to back games. But, in true chaotic fashion, the Hawks flat out dominated the Celtics thanks to some historic play from the aforementioned struggling Gallinari.
Talk about a stunning turnaround! Gallinari’s ten 3-pointers set a new Hawks record. He was clearly feeling himself on Wednesday night though:
Dude couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn last week, but something obviously changed on Wednesday night. If Gallo plays even half this good the rest of the season, then the Hawks might actually stand a chance to make the playoffs.
I guess all of this is to say: being a Hawks fan is really hard. One night they can be utterly infuriating, and on literally the next night they can be pleasantly surprising.
Get on your bike!
Last week in European soccer the continent’s biggest club competitions, the Champions League and Europa League, returned to action. As is becoming customary, numerous Americans (mostly 25 or younger) participated in these matches.
But the highlights of this week came from two spectacular goals. Even if you don’t know much about soccer, you probably know what a bicycle kick is. Fortunately for us, we were blessed with two outstanding bicycle kick goals, the first courtesy of Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud:
Giroud’s bike came on Tuesday in Chelsea’s match against Atletico Madrid. It proved to be the only goal in a 1-0 win for Chelsea.
The second bicycle kick goal, and arguably the more spectacular one, came on Wednesday in Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Wolfsberger, this time from Spurs midfielder Dele Alli. Take it away, Dele:
Traemendous
Sorry for all the Hawks content, but they’ve had a really interesting week. On top of their roller coaster performances, news was made when the All-Star Game rosters were unveiled. Missing from the Eastern conference roster: Trae Young.
Despite being third in the league in assists and eighth in the league in scoring, Young did not make the team. Objectively it’s a perplexing move, especially when you realize that every player in the top 16 in scoring made it except Young. So what did Trae do? He proceeded to show us exactly why he should be in the game.
Young scored 33 points and 7 assists in the loss to Cleveland, then followed that up with 28 points and 12 assists against the Celtics. Against Cleveland he did this:
And if that doesn’t prove tp you just how amazing Young’s vision is on the court, maybe this inbounds pass against Boston will change your mind:
Trae Young is out here playing 3D chess while everyone else is playing checkers, obviously.
That’s all for today, have a great weekend and I’ll see you guys on Thursday!