[Saba Sports News] The Atlanta Hawks, led by Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, had a setback against the Boston Celtics in the 2023 NBA season. While they’ve made some rotational changes, their core remains intact, in contrast to other Eastern Conference teams adding stars like Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard. However, optimism remains high, considering their past success in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago. Addressing their roster and tactics during the preseason is crucial to turning a potential flaw into a championship strength.
Having a strong backcourt can make defenses formidable in the NBA, as seen with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray have faced challenges against these defensive schemes, which could jeopardize their 2024 NBA championship aspirations.
The Hawks have already shown vulnerabilities during the preseason, particularly in their game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Young and Murray struggled to find passing lanes, resulting in rushed passes, interceptions, and hasty shots. This pattern, if not corrected, could hinder their championship hopes. Their assist-to-turnover ratio suffers significantly when they fall into these traps, leading to a high number of turnovers.
Similar issues emerged in other preseason matchups against teams like the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans, where turnovers plagued their otherwise strong assist numbers. Addressing these concerns is crucial for the Hawks to become serious contenders for the 2024 NBA championship.