Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks: 3 keys to a successful season in 2021-22

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 14: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks attempts a shot against KZ Okpala #11 of the Miami Heat during the first half as there was a malfunction with the shot clock at State Farm Arena on October 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 14: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks attempts a shot against KZ Okpala #11 of the Miami Heat during the first half as there was a malfunction with the shot clock at State Farm Arena on October 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Hawks have locked in four key players over the last three months. What started with Trae Young receiving an extension, ended with draft-mate Kevin Huerter following suit on Monday, just ahead of the NBA’s deadline to do so. The process will avoid the stress the Hawks went through with John Collins before he re-signed.

This season looks to be a big one for Atlanta for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is the heightened expectations following their improbable run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

They caught teams off guard last season and, even more likely, won’t have that luxury again.

Almost every outlet surprisingly pegged the Hawks to be the eight-seed ahead of last season coming off of a 20-win season the year prior. They would go on to surprise everyone, especially after falling to 14-20 with inner turmoil threatening to break up the group that will now be together until at least 2025 barring an unforeseen trade.

The Atlanta Hawks could have a simple formula for success this coming season

Their 27-11 record from Mar 1 on (when they fired Lloyd Pierce) was tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for third-best over that span.

This season, most outlets have them finishing somewhere between the four and six-seed.

We have been on the more bullish side of things, routinely pushing back on rankings that have the 76ers and Miami Heat inherently above them. There is really no reason a healthy Hawks team shouldn’t threaten for a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.

Of course, that last line is actually a mouthful.

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