Atlanta Hawks: Most Underrated Bench In The NBA

By Adam McGee | Feb 8, 2015

Feb 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) celebrates a dunk as Washington Wizards forward Kris Humphries (43) is shown after the play in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Hawks won 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Atlanta Hawks had their starters on the floor on Friday night against the Golden State Warriors, the two teams played each other to a near dead heat, with Atlanta’s starters just edging it 85-84. How did the game finish 124-116 then? Thanks to Atlanta’s underrated bench unit, of course.

The Warriors would be a team often mentioned in the mix for best bench, as they’re a team who’s roster is stacked with established NBA talent. Atlanta may not have the likes of Andre Iguodala, David Lee, Shaun Livingston, Mareese Speights and Leandro Barbosa in reserve, but the truth is they might have found something entirely better.

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Through a combination of second-round picks, raw young talent, undrafted free agents and a couple of supporting veterans, the Hawks have built a bench that completely mirrors the philosophy of their starting five. There’s no go-to guy, but rest assured, as a group they’re going to beat you.

Perhaps, that was the reason they traded away Atlanta native Louis Williams for next to nothing during the summer. Williams is one of the best role players in the league, and a perennial Sixth Man contender, but for him to be effective, he needs to have the ball and feel out the pace of the game.

That’s not how this new Hawks squad does things though. The ball gets shared, zips around, and when the chance does present, it’s up to that player to take it. It characterizes a belief in their methods, and perhaps more importantly a level of complete trust in their roster from top to bottom.

Why shouldn’t the Hawks trust their bench after all?

Mike Scott has proven time and again to have a willingness and a confidence to step up at the biggest of moments and when his team needs him most. He did it on Friday against Golden State, and he put on a show in the playoffs against Indiana last year too. Shooting 37.9 percent from deep also helps.

Dennis Schröder may have been a precocious, unreliable and rash player as a rookie, but this year he’s playing like a seasoned veteran. He has a change of pace and an intensity that tends to go unmatched on both ends of the floor, and once he gets to the rim there’s only one outcome.

Having added a new and improved step-back jumper to his arsenal, Schröder really should be a candidate for Most Improved Player.

He may not always pass the eye test, but Pero Antic does so much unseen and valuable work for this Hawks team. Even when he doesn’t make them, his willingness to shoot three-pointers helps to space the floor. It’s his defense though that’s truly significant, and the Hawks often go into lock-down mode once Antic comes on to the court.

Then there’s Kent Bazemore, and the currently injured Thabo Sefolosha. Both players have made a big impact with their length and defense on the wings, but it’s their all-around energy that’s really noticeable. Having struggled early in the season, both men have improved their shooting also to make themselves genuine offensive threats.

Big contributions also come up from the ever-reliable Shelvin Mack and Elton Brand, while Mike Muscala and John Jenkins have always shown a willingness to step up when called upon too.

One of the questions that people have constantly thrown at Atlanta this year is, who’s going to score for them in the playoffs? How will they cope then without a true superstar?

All of these people are still missing the point though.

These Hawks neither need nor want a superstar. It’s a lot harder to stop a team when you don’t know who the ball is going to, and who’s going to try to beat you. As the Golden State Warriors learned on Friday, the problem the Atlanta Hawks give you is that it could be anyone from one to 15.

They win as a unit.

Next: Kyle Korver: From Journeyman To History Maker

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