Atlanta Hawks: Takeaways from Friday’s Exciting Win in Philadelphia

Kevin Huerter (aka Red Pepper) Strikes Again

For the first time, this season Huerter grabbed the headlines over Collins and Young for all the right reasons. Contrary to belief, Huerter can be more than a role player for this franchise and tonight’s performance proved just that.

Huerter finished the game with 29 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists while shooting 11 of 17 (64.7) from the floor. After being inserted in the starting lineup because of Kent Bazemore‘s ankle injury the Maryland product is continuing to evolve.

Tonight, Huerter was able to play solid defense, space the floor on offense and run the wing on break. The former Maryland Terrapin helped relieve the pressure off of his backcourt mate in Young by knocking down open shots.

Huerter did an outstanding job moving without the basketball, scoring off the dribble and using his 6-foot-7 frame to shoot over smaller defenders. He always seems to make the correct basketball play and never forces the issue.

Red pepper hit the game-tying three over Mike Muscala (former Hawk) with 53.6 seconds left in the game. It may be safe to say that Bazemore may be coming off of the bench for the rest of the season due to Huerter’s play.