24. Atlanta Hawks 2010s all-decade starting lineup
- Trae Young
- Joe Johnson
- Paul Millsap
- Josh Smith
- Al Horford
A frontcourt of Paul Millsap, Josh Smith and Al Horford raises some serious questions at the offensive end for the Atlanta Hawks.
As athletic as he was, Smith was never better than a 33.1 percent outside shooter while Millsap’s career-best mark in Atlanta stands at just 35.8 percent.
This trio does bring some intrigue in the passing department, where each has proven capable of operating as an initiator at one point or another. It’s defensively where they’d thrive, able to switch every screen and smother opponents with size and mobility at every turn.
Trae Young has proven in a relatively short amount of time in the NBA that his size serves as a small hindrance towards his ability to dominate. With the Hawks playing small, he’ll certainly have room to operate and watch out below the rim if he and J-Smoove develop chemistry either in the pick-and-roll game or in transition.
Joe Johnson is the x-factor for Atlanta here. Whether he and Young can co-exist is a legitimate question, especially given neither’s ability to defend at a high level.
He once averaged 25.0 points per game and has come up clutch on numerous occasions with the well-earned nickname of Iso-Joe.
Should the frontcourt cover up the inevitable lapses by the backcourt defensively, the potent offensive duo — with the prerequisite cohesion — could be enough to serve as a scary two-way force down in the ATL.