Atlanta Hawks 2016-17 Season Review: Mike Muscala
The Atlanta Hawks had a solid center rotation this season. How well did their backup center play?
Atlanta Hawks center Mike Muscala is an interesting NBA success story. Muscala played four years of college basketball at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, before beginning his NBA journey.
“Moose” racked up plenty of accolades while in college. His senior season he was named Patriot League Player of the Year and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.
In June 2013, the Dallas Mavericks selected him 44th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. His rights were then traded to the Atlanta Hawks. However, Muscala would begin his professional career elsewhere.
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Muscala spent the beginning of the 2013-14 season with Rio Natura Monbus in Spain’s Liga ACB, before finally signing with the Hawks in February 2014.
Muscala has played in Atlanta ever since, serving as a backup to Al Horford and now Dwight Howard.
He’s not a starter in the league. He’s often not an impact player. Still, Muscala is a solid contributor on a team that regularly makes the playoffs.
He’s a Patriot League success story and his journey from Bucknell to Atlanta is impressive.
What’s more impressive is his performance during the 2016-17 season. Muscala undoubtedly had the best season of his career this season. How did he do it?