Atlanta Hawks: 5 secret weapons for the NBA playoffs

Atlanta Hawks secret weapon No. 4) Solomon Hill

One thing about the Hawks this season is that they have had such a flexible forward in Solomon Hill. He has stepped into the starting lineup when required and came off the bench when not required to start.

While Hill has been known as a 3-and-D player throughout his career, he is still a solid 3-point shooter. His defense is what has continued to get him playing time this season. It has gone up a level this season.

It became obvious during the bubble when he helped the Miami Heat get to the Finals last season how Hill can impact a game. However, it is unlikely that teams will gameplan down to the level of Hill’s defense.

He is getting into passing lanes, forcing turnovers, and contesting shots in a way that usually means he leaves the court with a positive plus/minus. His impact on the game is always greater than the box score says it is.

He is able to fit with both the starting unit and the second unit such is his versatility. He is rarely going to beat you by himself but is a key piece of the team and will help them beat you.