2018-19 Atlanta Hawks: An Attempt to Recapture the Fan Base
By Chris Guest
New Big Names in Hawks Uniforms
The most important part of the franchise’s strategy of bringing in old and new fans alike is the recent acquisition of multiple big names through three different avenues.
In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Hawks selected perhaps the most well-known college freshman of all time. Trae Young out of Oklahoma completely dominated the NCAA – leading the league in both points and assists, which makes him the only player in NCAA history to achieve that feat.
Young also turned heads with his insane three-point range and amazing passing vision, something that basketball highlight creators will certainly look forward to seeing at the NBA level.
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As perhaps the single biggest name in the 2018 Draft, a lot of new fans should be immediately invested in the 2018-19 Hawks simply because they boast one of the highest-upside offensive point guards in years in Young.
The Hawks also acquired a big name via trade. Ahead of the immense Dennis Schroder trade, the Hawks landed Jeremy Lin from the Brooklyn Nets in addition to a couple future second-round picks.
Lin’s first taste of the NBA skyrocketed him to global fame, but his NBA stardom has chilled considerably in recent years. Still an effective player, Lin’s name still commands vast amounts of attention and acclaim around the world, and his newfound role on the Hawks should, again, bring in a lot of new eyes to a team that’s starving for fans worldwide.
Most recently in free agency, the Hawks picked up one of the biggest names in team history – the one and only Vince Carter.
Not many big-name players over the years have chosen Atlanta as a destination, and if they do, it often doesn’t work out well (Dwight Howard, anyone?).
The signing of Carter to a veteran’s minimum one-year deal, however, looks to be an excellent choice both on and off the court.
Vinsanity (much like Linsanity) occurred many years ago, but the name itself of Vince Carter still brings to mind many of the greatest dunk highlights in NBA history, as well as a terrific personality on and off the court for fans to enjoy.
Not only that, but Carter can still provide plenty of in-game entertainment, and his role on the Hawks should make him a vocal locker room leader for an exceptionally young team in the 2018-19 season.
With three big-name players now on the Hawks (of different generations), the Hawks should pull in many more fans via those acquisitions alone.