Atlanta Hawks: 5 Team Impressions After 15 Games
By Chris Guest
Rough Stats
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Atlanta Hawks are dead last in efficiency differential, which compares points scored per 100 possessions against points allowed. The Hawks currently sit at a -13.1 in that category – more than 1.5 points lower than their closest “competitor” (the Phoenix Suns).
While that is an ugly stat, the Atlanta Hawks’ most recent 45-point drubbing at the hands of the Nuggets is definitely skewing many of these stats in a negative direction for the Hawks, though their recent games have not been particularly scintillating (Lakers game notwithstanding).
Beyond that, according to Basketball Reference, the Hawks have the 30th-ranked offense (a 102.4 offensive rating) and the 26th-ranked defense (a 113.1 defensive rating). That’s not a good combination, unless, of course, you’re trying to lose games (which the Hawks are).
In terms of win-loss projection, FiveThirtyEight pegs the Hawks for a final record of 21-61, good for worst record in the league – tied with the Knicks.
Based on some of the Atlanta Hawks’ early stats, Cleaning the Glass gives them a laughably low win projection of 12.5. While a number that low is almost impossible, it actually doesn’t sound that far out of the realm of possibility for this team. Is that bad?