Atlanta Hawks: Dennis Schroder Is The Present And The Future

Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat won 116-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat won 116-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat won 116-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat won 116-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks have had an inconsistent season. At least they have Dennis Schroder and his immense potential to give fans hope for the future.

How rough of a start has it been to the final stretch of the regular season for this Atlanta Hawks team? The last time that I can remember the Hawks showing this level of mind boggling inconsistency was with Josh Smith and Joe Johnson taking the court for the marvelous play caller Larry Drew.

Thank goodness for a convincing win over the Boston Celtics.

To lend a fragment of support to my memory bank, basketballreference.com tells us that during the Hawks 2011 first round playoff series win against the Magic, they were blown out in game 5 with a 3- 1 series lead, at Orlando, 101-76.

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Drew actually stumped then Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy that series, by starting the little used, center Jason Collins on superstar center Dwight Howard.

Collins had a career of limited production and minimal on the court impact, but versus a heavily favored Magic team, proved to be Superman’s kryptonite and helped the Hawks prevail.  Even though he hardly got involved offensively, he was one of the few players that was effective neutralizing Howard’s presence in the paint. If that didn’t work, then he had six fouls and wasn’t afraid to use them.

During that group’s regular season campaign, the same one that resulted in 45 wins, they got annihilated in a home game versus the New Orleans Hornets, 100-59.