Soaring Down South
Fansided

3 Reasons why the Atlanta Hawks will make the playoffs in 2021

By Nate Friesen

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after drawing a foul on a three-point basket in the final minutes of their 122-117 loss to the Toronto Raptors with John Collins #20 and Cam Reddish #22 at State Farm Arena on January 20, 2020 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after drawing a foul on a three-point basket in the final minutes of their 122-117 loss to the Toronto Raptors with John Collins #20 and Cam Reddish #22 at State Farm Arena on January 20, 2020 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images /

2. Clint Capela’s impact defensively

Clint Capela has made a living in the NBA by being an elite rim protector and pick and roll screener. Both of these skillsets will be much appreciated by the Atlanta Hawks.

The Atlanta Hawks had the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA this year at 114.4 so they can’t get any worse. Capela had the Houston Rockets defense performing at an average level with a defensive rating of 109.9. Considering the poor perimeter defensive talent on the Houston Rockets, it’s pretty impressive that Capela was able to keep that team afloat defensively.

The Atlanta Hawks have much better perimeter defenders all-around than the Houston Rockets, with the exception of Trae Young, so this should help Capela even more. If the Hawks can have even just an average defense like the Rockets, that will greatly improve their playoff chances.

Related Story. 3 Reasons Why Clint Capela Will Fit In Perfectly With The Hawks. light

Not only does Capela’s defensive impact help the Atlanta Hawks as a whole, but it also helps John Collins specifically. Without Capela, Collins is relied on heavily to protect the rim for the Atlanta Hawks, but with Capela on the floor that won’t be necessary.

While Collins does a serviceable job protecting the rim (1.6 blocks per game) he’s not elite. Clint Capela is simply one of the best rim protectors in the NBA and as mentioned, it goes far beyond his 1.8 blocks per game (9th in the NBA).

Home/Hawks News