Atlanta Hawks : 3 Improvement De’Andre Hunter must make
By Brice Lewis
Atlanta Hawks improvements for De’Andre Hunter No. 2) Staying healthy
Hunter only played in 27 games total last year including the playoffs. This year we are back to an 82 game season and back to a regular season in terms of days off and everything in between. This should help everyone including Hunter stay healthy.
Ideally, Hunter should aim for playing atleast 85-90 percent of the games this season. His health is important to the Hawks and what they want to do on the defensive side of the court. The Hawks missed him especially in the playoffs last year after the New York Knicks series.
He would have been great to have when the Hawks had to deal with Tobias Harris against the Philadelphia 76ers and Khris Middleton against the Milwaukee Bucks. When he played against the Knicks you saw the impact on the defensive end against Julius Randle which led to his struggling in the series. Their are a lot of strong wings in the Eastern Conference and Hunter will be tasked with them.
The Hawks I wouldn’t be surprised are careful at times with Hunter just so they can get him to the playoffs. If he is fully healthy by seasons end this is going to be huge for the Hawks. Then, as they say, the best player is an available player. Hunter is looking to show he is durable and can be counted on this season.