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Atlanta Hawks : 3 Improvements Onyeka Okongwu must make this season

By Brice Lewis

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 06: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference second round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 06: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference second round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu’s offseason improvement No.1) Free throw shooting

Okongwu only shot 63 percent from the line in the regular season and 66.7 percent in the post-season. This is not terrible but sometimes he went cold from the line. Since Okongwu is a physical player he will draw contact and get to the line when he is aggressive offensively.

If he can get that percenage up and above 70% percent now he is a guy that teams won’t target with fouls if they are trying to halt a Hawks run. Okongwu could be good enough to get those extra few points when going to the line.

This becomes huge as if Capela continues to have free throw line struggles, would coach McMillian consider giving Okongwu more minutes late in games knowing he can hit free throws if needed? This is just one of the many things McMillian has to keep under consideration. Okongwu is sure to have been working, when able, on his shooting form as well.

While Okongu is out for the start of the season, he seems to be someone who definitely going to find any possible way he can improve. That way he can see more playing time this year, especially as he will be battling for minutes in the loaded frontcourt the Hawks have this season.

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