Atlanta Hawks: Paul Millsap on Pace for a Career Best Season

Entering the summer of 2015 the Atlanta Hawks had one very important decision to make. Two members of their otherworldly starting five became unrestricted free agents. DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap both hit the open market after spectacular seasons in which they experienced great personal and team success. Both wanted to get paid and deservedly so.

More from Hawks News

• Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
• Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
• When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
• Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
• Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic makes special dedication after FIBA win

The Hawks had enough money to keep one of them, but it wasn’t clear which player would take priority. In Carroll you had a lockdown perimeter defender that perfectly carved out a niche as a “3 and D” role player after years as a fringe rotation guy. With Millsap you had the perfect representation of the modernization of the NBA game. A power forward that was perhaps a bit undersized, but one that could defend, knock down three-pointers, and share the ball.

It was the NBA’s version of Sophie’s Choice. Well, maybe it was a little bit easier than that. Okay, a lot easier. In the end the Hawks went with Paul Millsap, signing him to three-year, $59 million contract. Carroll took his talents up north to Toronto on a four-year, $60 million deal. The Hawks chose Millsap over Carroll, it’s as simple as that. Was it the right move?

I’d say that most fans strongly agreed with Atlanta’s decision they made it and even more so now. So far it looks like the Hawks chose correctly. Millsap has been their best player this season, carrying the team as they fight through injuries to Jeff Teague and Kent Bazemore.

Through 14 games Millsap is averaging 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game with a PER of 22.35. He’s shooting 48.9 percent from the field and is Atlanta’s leading scorer by a full point over Al Horford. Millsap is also continuing to improve from outside. He’s currently shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range, on 3.5 three-point attempts per game.

Millsap is on pace for career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, three-point percentage, and three-point attempts. In his age 30 season Millsap is finally tapping into his full potential as an NBA player. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for the Hawks and without is scoring I’m not sure they’d be 9-5 this season.

His 23 point 16 rebound effort against Wednesday night against DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings helped Atlanta put an end to a three game losing streak, getting their season back on track.

Saturday night pits Millsap against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be interesting to see how Millsap responds to the versatility the Cavs can throw at him. Over the course of the game he will likely see himself matched up against Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and even LeBron James. The Eastern Conference Finals rematch is must see television.

While it’s not exactly an apples to apples comparison, Millsap has been much better for Atlanta than Carroll has been for Toronto. Carroll is averaging 12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 37.4 percent shooting. To be fair, Carroll has been solid from deep, connecting on 36.5 percent of his three-pointers while attempting 5.2 per game. Also, the aforementioned Kent Bazemore has adequately replaced Carroll in Atlanta’s starting five. Millsap would not have been as easily replaced.

More from Soaring Down South

• Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
• Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
• When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
• Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
• Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal

I think both teams are happy with the way things turned out over the summer, but the belle of the ball is clearly Millsap. He has come into his own as a scorer and is on pace to have the best season of his career.

Once Atlanta has a completely healthy roster Jeff Teague’s playmaking could make Millsap even better, or at least take some of the pressure off of him to frequently create shots for himself and his teammates.

There’s always the chance that his numbers dip slightly as the season wears on. The Hawks play a team-based brand of basketball and that means spreading the wealth. But, come crunch time who do you expect to make the big play that wins game? Who is the player on this team that can take over the fourth quarter and drag the Hawks to victory?

With the game on the line the ball belongs in Millsap’s hands. This is the season he proves that to the rest of the NBA.

Next: Hawks-Cavs: 5 Things to Know

Vistit www.soaringdownsouth.com for all things Atlanta Hawks!