Hawks News: Takeaways From The Preseason
The NBA Preseason is now over and for the Atlanta Hawks, they can now turn their attention to facing the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday in the season opener. The Hawks are hoping to avoid the play-in tournament this season and clinch a top-six spot and that quest will start Wednesday in Charlotte.
For the preseason, the Hawks went 3-2 and most importantly, this team avoided any major injuries and will be healthy entering this season.
So what are the key takeaways from this preseason for the Hawks?
1. Jalen Johnson is the breakout candidate that nobody is talking about
Jalen Johnson blocks a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers
Hawks fans have recognized what Johnson could bring to this team, but not many in the national media are pegging him to be a breakout candidate around the league.
Johnson showed during the preseason that he can be one of the better perimeter defenders on the Hawks and he also flashed his playmaking capability. In the victory against the Pelicans, Johnson led the Hawks in assists with seven and displayed a great ability to run the floor in transition. I still think that he is likely to come off the bench to start the season with Saddiq Bey getting the start at the four, but Johnson is going to push for major minutes and be a sneaky most improved player of the year candidate in the NBA this season.
2. Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu are still a great center tandem
I would argue that this is the top center tandem in the entire NBA and I don't think I would get a lot of pushback. One element that Okongwu showed in the preseason, especially in last night's loss to the 76ers, is that he might be willing to shoot three-pointers this season, which I think is something that Hawks fans have been wanting to see. I don't think Okongwu is going to become a stretch five overnight, but his ability to knock down outside shots is going to open up this offense even more.
Capela is still a defensive force in the paint and a good rebounder, giving the Hawks two centers with different capabilities. I think Okongwu should shoot three or four three-pointers each game and grow that ability to make the Hawks a more dangerous offense.
3. This team is going to shoot a lot more three-pointers on offense than they have in previous years
Atlanta averaged 38 three-point attempts in each preseason game this season compared to the offense that Nate McMillan ran as the head coach. Last season, Atlanta averaged only 31 three-point attempts per game, but it looks like head coach Quin Snyder is going to put a bigger emphasis on the three-ball this year. Atlanta has capable shooters in Trae Young, Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, A.J. Griffin, and Johnson. This offense should look a lot smoother this season than it did under McMillan and I am expecting the Hawks to have one of the most efficient offenses in the NBA, led by one of the best playmaking guards in the NBA.
Atlanta tips-off the 2023 season against Charlotte on Wednesday.
Be sure to tune into AllHawks.com for the latest coverage from tonight's preseason finale.
Follow Jackson on Twitter: @jacksoncaudell
More Atlanta Hawks Related Content:
Hawks fall to 76ers in Preseason Finale 120-106
Atlanta Hawks News: Hawks Rank Near the Bottom of ESPN's Future Power Rankings
Atlanta Hawks News: Starting Lineup for Preseason Finale against 76ers
Report: James Harden Will not Play in Preseason Finale Against Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks vs Philadelphia 76ers preview: Start time, where to watch, betting odds
