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Atlanta Hawks: What about ‘Mr. 50/50/100’ Tony Snell?

By Joshua Buckhalter

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Tony Snell #19 of the Atlanta Hawks walks on the court before the start of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Tony Snell #19 of the Atlanta Hawks walks on the court before the start of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena on March 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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As the Atlanta Hawks get set to try closing out the Philadelphia 76ers in six games, they have lacked perimeter shooting at times. Two of their best shooters, starting wings Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter combined for six points in the Hawks come-from-behind Game 5 victory. But if they are to complete the series win, they’ll need those two and then some.

That’s where fellow swingman Tony Snell could make his mark on this postseason.

You may recall, Snell received plenty of attention at the conclusion of the regular season. That’s because the former Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks sniper finished the campaign with the NBA’s first-ever 50/50/100 season. That is, he averaged 50 percent or better from both the floor and three-point range and he hit all of his free throws.

A player once known for only recording two field-goal attempts and a personal foul in 28 minutes was now the first in NBA history for a good reason after slashing .515/.569/1.000 for the season.

Could Tony Snell see the floor more for the Atlanta Hawks in the postseason?

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The thing is, the fawning over Snell’s accomplishment was always at least slightly overblown. No one can deny that he made history. But Snell tied his 2016 season for the lowest scoring average in his career. The only season where he scored fewer points per game was as a rookie.

Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater, though.

We can squabble over Snell’s volume. He played over 20 minutes per game, the fourth-most in his career. But his minutes have come down drastically in the postseason as rotations have shrunk.

As efficient as Snell was this past season, no one can make much of an impact playing just 7.7 minutes per game. Snell has played fewer than 10 minutes in four of the Hawks 10 playoff games and was a DNP – Coach’s Decision in three others.

The Hawks are on the precipice of the Eastern Conference Finals so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Nate McMillan stick with what has worked the last two games.

But if at any point he sees that his usual snipers aren’t knocking down shots, he shouldn’t hesitate to send Snell in even if just for short spurts. As we saw in Game 5 with Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams, this team has players ready to step up when called upon.

Gallinari scored nine of his 16 points in the first half and Williams scored 13 points in the fourth quarter including 11 straight Hawks buckets at one point.

Next. Atlanta Hawks: 3 players to step up with Hunter and Reddish out. dark

Mr. 50/50/100 himself, Tony Snell, could be another of those players. If he sees the floor, that is.

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