Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks: 3 Things to Be Thankful for Despite Rough Start

By Dallin Duffy

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 2: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates with DeAndre' Bembry #95 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 2, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 2: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates with DeAndre' Bembry #95 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 2, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 25, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3 – The Schedule

The Hawks are 4-13 and are riding a 7-game losing streak. This is thanks in large part to the overwhelming schedule they’ve faced so far.

They’ve played 10 games against opponents who made the playoffs last season, and Basketball Reference has their strength of schedule thus far as the hardest.

Not ideal for a young team missing two of their top 3 players.

Luckily, things start to turn for Atlanta, specifically after this upcoming road trip that will find them in Milwaukee, Indiana, and Houston.

They won’t be shooting up to the easiest or anything (Tankathon has them 20th on remaining SOS), but things will get much more manageable down the stretch.

Add in the expected returns of Kev Huerter (mid-December), and John Collins (eligible to return on December 23rd), and the 2nd half of the season doesn’t look so deary.

Specifically they’ll get to play the Knicks and Warriors (the lone two teams under Atlanta in the standings currently) a combined 5 times, and the very end of their schedule is perhaps the easiest part of the whole thing.

5 out of their last 7 games will be against teams who didn’t make the playoffs last season, and if the Hawks do rally and get within striking distance of the playoffs in April, they’re set up nicely.

Related. Biggest things the Hawks miss sans John Collins. light

Regardless of the turnout, the rest of this season should be fun, and we’re thankful for the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club in general.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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