Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu showcases his biggest growth area
The Atlanta Hawks are going through a difficult season full of injury. Despite this, they sit in the fifth position in the Eastern Conference with less than a month remaining in the season. This is such an impressive feat, one which can be attributed largely to interim head coach, Nate McMillan.
Since he took over as head coach, McMillan has changed the way the Hawks have played. He has developed the second unit into one of the best in the NBA. He has also started the development of rookie Onyeka Okongwu in earnest.
The rookie struggled for court time under coach Lloyd Pierce. In the games leading up to Pierce’s sacking, he would use the rookie one game and then Bruno Fernando the next. Okongwu also struggled to develop at the start of the season due to a lack of a system under Pierce.
The Atlanta Hawks second unit chemistry has helped Onyeka Okongwu.
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When the Hawks traded for Lou Williams, they started unlocking Okongwu’s potential. As both of these players are highly proficient in pick and roll offense, Okongwu has been able to stay on the court as he is more of a threat offensively.
This is turn has allowed him to find the pace of the NBA, meaning that he is also finding his stride defensively, which is where the Hawks are seeing the most growth. This was evident in the game against the Miami Heat, where he took that confidence into the starting role.
The Heat have two main stars, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, who they have surrounded with some really good ancillary pieces. Hill played a really good game on Butler meaning that it was up to Adebayo to produce. Fortunately for the Hawks, Okongwu showed up defensively.
John Collins said during his half-time interview that he stepped up to be the voice of the defense. Okongwu certainly listened, breaking up lob plays, blocking a shot, and altering countless others. He also was active on the rebounds in a manner reminiscent of Clint Capela
Next. There is light at the end of the injury tunnel. dark
If the Hawks can continue to get development from Okongwu defensively, then they are going to be a force in the playoffs. This is especially true if they can get their team healthy again.