Atlanta Hawks: 3 things the Hawks have been doing right this season
By Malik Brown
2. Young wings have stepped up for the Atlanta Hawks
Surprisingly, Capela is not the only one rebounding at a high rate on the Hawks, as the young wings have shown a commitment on that side of the ball.
Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter have been tremendous on defense this season. With them both in the starting lineup, Coach Llyod Pierce usually puts them on the opposing team’s best players. We’ve seen them guard Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and hold their own while doing so.
Hunter has taken a big leap from last season to now, especially on offense. He’s looking to be more aggressive, his three-point shot is falling more, and his finishing at the rim has been exceptional. The Hawks traded up to get Hunter in last year’s draft, and it looks like it’s paid off.
Another player that has looked impressive this season is Kevin Huerter. Huerter looked like the odd man out coming into this year because of the addition of Bogdan Bogdanovic and the ascension of Hunter and Reddish. So far, Huerter could be in the running for sixth man of the year.
Huerter has always shown the ability to be a playmaker and with him coming off the bench, he, Rondo, and Brandon Goodwin have controlled the second unit. His perimeter shooting has always been good, but his improvement has come from his mid-range game and shots close to the rim.
With his 6’7 body frame, Huerter has been able to take advantage of smaller defenders and shoot over the top. He’s slowly but surely coming into his own as a player that can score on all three levels, and also be an exceptional playmaker.