Knicks Face Tough Challenges
The Atlanta Hawks have become one of the standout teams in the NBA, particularly in the latter part of this season.
Many believe the Knicks drew a tougher opponent in the first round by facing the Hawks instead of the Raptors. Post-All-Star break, the Hawks recorded an impressive .769 winning percentage, ranking third in the league.
So, what’s responsible for this surge from such a youthful and dynamic team?
It all traces back to the trade involving Trae Young. Since joining the league, he has symbolized the franchise. For Knicks supporters who recall Young’s formidable impact during their 2021 playoff matchup, it’s puzzling to see how the Hawks improved. However, they decided mid-season that a shift was necessary.
Surprisingly, before his trade, the Hawks were actually more successful without him, with a record of 15-12 compared to 2-8 when he played.
His move to the Wizards, exchanged for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, marked the beginning of a new era focused on younger talents like Jalen Johnson and Nickell-Alexander-Walker, alongside Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels.
With Young no longer monopolizing the ball, the Hawks developed a more fluid offense, allowing players like Johnson and Alexander-Walker to shine. They both achieved personal scoring highs, averaging 22.5 and 20.8 points per game, respectively. It’s notable that Alexander-Walker had never averaged more than 11 points per game in an entire season before this.
Additionally, Young’s absence addressed a significant defensive weakness. He ranked 16th in defensive rating before the trade but improved drastically to 7th thereafter.
McCollum appeared to be a mere salary filler during the trade, yet he proved to be an essential component, supporting the younger players. Coach Quin Snyder remarked that McCollum “fixed” the team’s dynamics, as he averaged 18.7 points over 41 games without taking over the game like Young did.
Furthermore, Jonathan Kuminga’s addition provided another layer of strength off the bench.
It’s worth mentioning that some of these enhancements coincided with an easier schedule.
The Hawks’ impressive run began on February 22, showcasing a remarkable 19 wins in their last 24 games.
However, it’s crucial to note that only three victories were against genuine playoff contenders: the Pistons, Celtics, and Cavaliers—teams that were missing key players like Cade Cunningham, Jayson Tatum, and Donovan Mitchell.
Thus, while the team has shown significant transformations post-trade, a considerable part of their success can be attributed to a favorable schedule. The Knicks will soon find out just how formidable their opponents have become.
