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We’ll Miss You Moose: A Farewell to Mike Muscala

By Chris Guest

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 03: Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on December 3, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 03: Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on December 3, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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After a quiet start to the offseason, the Hawks finally made the much-rumored move of trading starting point guard Dennis Schroder to the Thunder for Carmelo Anthony.

Melo will be waived, but a rather shocking turn of events was the involvement of a third team. The Philadelphia 76ers – even without an actual General Manager – finagled their way into this trade. Not only did they send out players (Justin Anderson to the Hawks and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Thunder) they also took back a player.

It was not just any player, however. It is with a heavy heart that Hawks fans worldwide had to bid farewell to one of the most likable players in recent team history: the one and only Mike Muscala.

Sure, he might not have had the most spectacular counting stats in NBA history, but an NBA player is so much more than that – and that’s exactly what Muscala was.

He was a high-effort, sweet-shooting big man. He had athletic limitations to be sure, but he always competed out there – even around the rim by attempting to contest shots, which ended with him getting posterized on multiple occasions.

But those disrespectful slams atop his man bun-coiffed dome made him all the more likable. If you’re getting dunked on, it means you’re at least trying.

In terms of his actual on-court production, Muscala improved in each and every one of his seasons. His total rebounding numbers have gone up in each of the past three seasons, his three-point attempts per game (3.2 in 2017-18) have gone up every year of his career as well as his points per game (7.6 in 2017-18).

Those numbers might not exactly pop, when you’re looking at them, but Musky knew his role, and he was one of the more consistent three-point marksman the Hawks have had over the past few years – especially after Kyle Korver left via trade.

Though we’re happy that Moose is going to what will likely be an Eastern Conference Finals contender, and perhaps even an NBA Finals representative, we can’t help but be a little bit sad to see a Hawks lifer go.

With both Muscala and Schröder gone, that leaves only one member of the 2014-15 60-win Atlanta Hawks on the team: Kent Bazemore.

It’s crazy that a team that set the basketball world on fire only 4 years ago can be so swiftly dissipated, but the NBA moves quickly and remorselessly. Let us not regret what could’ve been but rather enjoy what was.

Next: Hawks Projected Starting Lineup for 18-19 Season

Thank you, Mike Muscala, and good luck in Philadelphia.

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