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Atlanta Hawks 2016-17 Season Review: Thabo Sefolosha

By Andrew Snyder

Mar 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) defends Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) defends Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (right), forward Thabo Sefolosha (center) and center Dwight Howard on the bench against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (right), forward Thabo Sefolosha (center) and center Dwight Howard on the bench against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bad

Injury luck has not been on Sefolosha’s side during his time with the Hawks. He missed 30 games in 2014-15 due to a calf strain and a broken leg. In 2015-16 he was relatively healthy, missing just seven games.

This season injuries once again marred an otherwise productive season. Sefolosha played in just 62 games in 2016-17 because of a groin injury that lingered throughout the season. Still, Sefolosha looked healthy during Atlanta’s final two games. It appeared as though he’d be ready to go in the postseason.

Apparently that wasn’t the case. Sefolosha played just nine minutes combined in Atlanta’s six playoff games against the Washington Wizards. He didn’t play at all in Games 1, 5, and 6. That all took place without him appearing on the injury report.

Why didn’t Sefolosha play in the postseason? It’s not debatable that he’s Atlanta’s best perimeter defender. In theory, he would be have been the player most capable of slowing down John Wall and Bradley Beal. I suppose Mike Budenholzer didn’t see it that way.

Was a playoff series where he barely got off the bench Sefolosha’s last stand in Atlanta?

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