Atlanta Hawks: 4 biggest surprises for the first full month of the season

Atlanta Hawks surprise No. 1) How Clint Capela has fit in.

When Clint Capela first came to the Hawks, they had to wait until this season to see him play due to injury. When he did hit the court, Capela simply changed the way that the Hawks have played, especially on the defensive end of the court.

The Swiss pivot is leading the NBA  in rebounds and also leading the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage. These two numbers have had a profound impact on the Hawks as he is a presence that needs to be planned for not named Trae Young or John Collins.

Capela is also third in the NBA in blocked shots which has changed the way that teams attack the Hawks on offense. They are no longer able to get past the perimeter defense for a relatively easy bucket in the paint. Capela simply challenges everything that comes his way.

This has led to the Hawks having the second-best perimeter defense in the entire league. The team can defend the line harder, knowing that they have one of the best rim-protectors in the game behind them.  It is a big part of the reason they are going to be in the hunt for the post-season.