The Atlanta Hawks failed to fly this season although there were many factors behind it. First was that they did not have the right personnel and the right ones fell to injuries. To sum it all up, the Hawks only had Trae Young as their lone bright spot. Frustrating as it may seem, head coach Lloyd Pierce is fully aware that there is nowhere to go but up moving forward.
Quietly, the Hawks were able to get some needed players this season. Though some felt it was too late, the fact remains that when guys like Clint Capela and Dewayne Dedom came on board were really plans of rebuilding as early as now. The two have yet to show their real potential but the story is expected to be different next NBA season.
In a report by The Athletic, Pierce revealed that it is all about progressing. Aware that he has the proper players in place, it may be a totally different outlook for the Hawks. For him, setting goals as early as now is a must. And one decent goal is to make the playoffs. With the current lineup and more improvements this summer, there is no reason for the Hawks not to do better and make the playoffs in the 2020-21 NBA season.
“We are a playoff team. The guys in that room who will be back here understand that. Now it’s about understanding what that means. I’m not an excuse guy; I’m not making excuses. We’re nine games back with 19 to go. Slim chances. It doesn’t mean that we can’t start processing: What does it take for us to become a playoff team? We have to be grittier. We have to be more about team. We have to be more about the commitment to making each other better. We have a ton of talent in that room," Pierce said.
The Hawks have 19 games remaining this season and blending their mix is a goal. The summer could bring in new faces from free agency and the NBA Draft, additions that should be easy to adjust by then.
Capela has yet to suit up so Pierce will have to mesh Young, Dedmon, Kevin Huerter and John Collins for starters. There are some players who may be let go but all that may depend on the Hawks coaching staff's evaluation once their current campaign ends. Young and Collins have bright spots and Pierce does have big men now. Adding some more shooters could help, not to mention a role player who won't mind doing the dirty work.
