Atlanta Hawks: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

Strength No. 2: Passing

Ever since the Atlanta Hawks tabbed Mike Budenholzer as head coach, the team has placed an emphasis on creating easy scoring opportunities.

Throughout his four-year tenure with the Hawks, Budenholzer has prompted the Hawks to move the ball with great frequency. Atlanta passed the ball 309.2 times a game, the 10th-most in the NBA, creating 45.8 assist opportunities a night.

Despite posting the eighth-lowest scoring average in the league, the Hawks ranked 10th in the league in assists, dishing out 23.6 a game. The 1,938 assists totaled by the team was the lowest since Budenholzer was hired.

During Budenholzer’s first three seasons with the team, Atlanta finished second in the league in assists each year, averaging 2,084 assists per year during that span.

Dennis Schroder is entering his second season as the starter and with a better understanding of the offense, he could dramatically increase the 6.3 assists per game he averaged in 2016-17.

The Hawks don’t have any players capable of consistently creating their own shot, so much of the offense will have to stem from ball movement.