The NBA season is just around the corner – time for the annual Division Previews! We introduce all teams, look at the respective Best and Worst Case and venture a prognosis. Today: The Southeast Division.
Expectations in Atlanta? Very low. Actually, this is an ideal breeding ground for young players and the season also shows that. Led by Jeremy Lin, Rookie Trae Young acclimatizes to the league and disproves any bust potential. On top of that, the playmaker also sets a new triple record for freshmen.
But that’s not all. The new coach Llyod Pierce lets defend hard and the young players accept this fully. Even the otherwise reserved fans in Atlanta can identify with this troupe. The spectacular John Collins Taurean Prince is the secret leader and darling of the public. As the second playmaker on the grand piano, it also becomes a reliable scorer and building block for the future.
But the playoffs are still far away in Georgia, which is why General Manager Travis Schlenk is hoarding some important assets. Kent Bazemore can be exchanged for a first round pick on the trade deadline. With the Doncic draft deal (the Mavs are not among the worst five teams in the league), the Hawks will be able to draw three times in the first round in 2019. So the rebuilding is progressing.
The trade with the Dallas Mavericks turns out to be a disaster. Luka Doncic is unanimously voted Rookie of the Year, while Young shoots one ticket after the other and often seems completely overtaxed. There is no market for the remaining veterans either, so Bazemore is simply released out of gratitude so that he can hunt a ring.
Atlanta is becoming a laughing stock in the Association, offering a better G-League selection evening after evening. Trust the Process” echoes scornfully through the Philips Arena, a circumstance with which ex-Sixers Assistant Pierce is very familiar.
It quickly becomes clear that you can’t build a team around Young, Prince or Collins. In short, it hooks at all corners and ends, what also the fans notice. The atmosphere in Atlanta is spooky, only the long “for threeeeeee” of the hall speaker wakes the participants up from deep sleep several times.
Forecast: 5th place in Southeast Division
Page 1: Atlanta Hawks
Page 2: Charlotte Hornets
Page 3: Miami Heat
Page 4: Orlando Magic
Page 5: Washington Wizards