Atlanta Hawks: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day

5. A focus on ball movement

The main staple Budenholzer has instilled in the franchise since he was hired in 2013 was a passion for finding a better shot. During each of his first three seasons with the team, Atlanta finished with the second-highest assist total in the league.

When the Hawks swapped out point guards, allowing Jeff Teague to walk in free agency to pave the way for Dennis Schroder to inherit the starting role, ball movement remained a priority.

In his first season not only as a stater, but playing more than 21 minutes a game, Schroder thrived in the expanded role, dishing out 6.3 assists per game, enough to give the team the 10th-highest assist total in the league.

The Hawks anticipate the ball darting all over around the court, creating easier scoring opportunities for the team.

"“This year I would say there is going to be a slight shift to even greater pace, even greater space and even more pick-and-rolls,” Budenholzer told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “But not losing the movement we have away from the ball and the cutting and screening and opportunities for everyone to participate in the offense, much like you’ve seen for the last four years.”"

Even with a primarily new cast of players, Atlanta expects the offense to flow, with the team once again ranking near the top of the league in assists.