Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup For 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (left) and forward Paul Millsap (middle) and guard Dennis Schroder (right) look on from the bench during the game against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Magic 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (left) and forward Paul Millsap (middle) and guard Dennis Schroder (right) look on from the bench during the game against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Magic 98-81. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Dec 10, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the game against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the game against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Paul Millsap

The power forward position is the easiest position to predict with this Hawks team, as it belongs to no one else besides Paul Millsap. It’s hard to say a player is underrated when he is a three-time NBA All-Star, but Millsap doesn’t get the notoriety that others do because he isn’t freakishly athletic or an elite shooter. But one thing is for sure: he gets the job done and is a match-up nightmare for anyone who matches up with him.

He will be the No. 1 option offensively for this year’s team as he has been for the last couple of seasons. But with Teague and Horford out of the picture, much of the scoring load will immediately fall on his shoulders until those around him can prove otherwise.

There were a number of trade rumors including Millsap’s name in early July so the Hawks could create cap-space to re-sign Horford, but those talks died down and in all honesty, it will benefit them more that they kept Millsap.

His versatility will be perfect alongside the team’s new starting center because Millsap can play inside and out while his froncourt mate is more of a paint presence. Bazemore might have been the team’s top priority in free agency this summer, but Millsap leaving would’ve had the most impact production-wise.

Next: C

Home/Hawks News