Alex Len, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
As we move ever closer to the preseason, let’s take a look at the goals for each player on the Atlanta Hawks as we head into the 2018-19 regular season.
After five disappointing years in Phoenix, Alex Len is a member of the Atlanta Hawks. The Suns took Len with the fifth overall pick back in 2013 and he has yet to live up to the high expectations that come with a top-5 selection.
Despite having his best statistical season in 2017-18, the Suns decided to renounce his rights in July, allowing him to sign a 2-year, $8.5 million deal with Atlanta.
Looking ahead to this season, Len should instantly find a solid amount of minutes in the rotation, and has a chance to be a breakout player in Atlanta. Here, we’ll take a stab at setting some goals for the 25-year-old big man that would help him solidify himself as a nice signing.
Goal 1: Bounce back in blocks
Len blocked a robust 1.3 shots per game (20.3 MPG) in ‘16-17 before dipping to just 0.9 last season, all without a drastic drop in minutes per game. In total, he blocked only 61 shots, a career-worst, barring his rookie year when he played less than 400 total minutes.
He’s joining fellow centers Dewayne Dedmon and Miles Plumlee who aren’t exactly big time shot blockers, as Dedmon swatted just 51 last year and Plumlee a sad 30. John Collins figures to be a nice rim protector at the 4, but Len should be counted on to improve his block total.
He has the ability, and was prolific as a shot blocker in college, leading the ACC in BPG with 2.1 in his final season at Maryland. He’s also 7’1 and an above-average athlete for his size, which should lead him to many more blocks than his total from last year.
Len deflected 105 shots in his sophomore season, and 100 seems like a nice goal for Len to set his sights on.
If he’s able to get his blocks back into triple digits, Len would already be the best shot blocker on the Hawks and help them get their defense back into shape.
Goal 2: Lead the team in rebounds
Len’s measurements make him the tallest player on the Hawks, a full inch taller than Dewayne Dedmon. While height isn’t everything in terms of rebounding, Len joins the team as the favorite to lead the team in boards per game.
Len grabbed 7.5 rebounds a contest last year, just ticks under Dedmon’s 7.9. The latter did play nearly five more minutes a game, and the per-36 numbers favor Len. It’s also possible that Len’s rebounding was stunted by Tyson Chandler, who impressively pulled down over 9 a game last year at age 35 .
The real potential here is for a massive improvement in the offensive rebound category. Len’s 2.5 OREB per game would have led the Atlanta Hawks last year and his OREB% ranked 7th in the league last year (minimum 15 MPG).
This might be the most easily attainable challenge for Alex, and while he’ll get some opposition from John Collins, Dewayne Dedmon and Miles Plumlee, Len should be able to lead the team in rebounds with relative ease.