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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 (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks key to a successful ‘21-22 No. 1: Staying healthy has to be job number one for this deep roster

The Hawks run to the Eastern Conference Finals came as a surprise simply because of the in-season turnaround, but they also broke a three-year streak of missing the playoffs. The biggest surprise of it all, however, was that they managed to do so despite a slew of injuries to critical players.

Young would miss multiple games, mostly with leg injuries. He also missed two games in the ECF after stepping on a referee’s foot.

Collins, Clint Capela, and De’Andre Hunter (among many others) all missed significant time, with the latter only making 23 regular-season games and five more during the postseason. He teased his ceiling with a 22-point-per-game stretch before getting hurt but two knee surgeries withing a year are cause for concern.

Health plays a key factor for every team. Injuries are a part of the game and every champion has gotten lucky along the way.

That the Hawks were able to go as far as they did despite being so banged up bodes well for them entering the new campaign. They had so many injuries last season the this year’s projected starters were all on the roster last season and only played just 16 minutes together.

They’re expecting to have everyone but Onyeka Okongwu (shoulder surgery) available for the opener, though there is some concern around Danilo Gallinari.

Facing an improved Eastern Conference, they’ll need all hands on deck to be even better to get just as far this coming season; much more so to reach their first NBA Finals since 1961, before they even moved to Atlanta.

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