The Atlanta Hawks injury crisis is starting to abate meaning that head coach Nate McMillan is starting to get some options back. Onyeka Okongwu was assigned to the Hawks G League team the College Park Skyhawks, playing a tremendous game after coming back early from injury.
Cam Reddish has also returned from his wrist sprain and a case of the flu. He did not play overly well against the Brooklyn Nets, not making a field goal in six attempts. Reddish did score four points though, all from the free-throw line.
His current competition for the starting spot is Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot. The Frenchman has started to make himself comfortable within the Hawks system. However, after his tremendous game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he came back to earth with a fair thud, missing all eight of his field goals and being totally outplayed by his opponent Kevin Durant.
The Atlanta Hawks bench is playing well enough for Cam Reddish to start.
The Duke product has been the surprise of the season for the Hawks according to many NBA pundits. His play from the bench has been stellar most nights and his defensive ability has led him to be part of the Hawks closing lineup most nights.
While he has been a key piece for the Hawks off the bench when Reddish was out players like Delon Wright and Danilo Gallinari stepped up in an effort to keep the Hawks winning. Unfortunately, the Hawks have had a really tough schedule during the injury crisis, meaning they have lost a little more than they have won.
However, the Hawks would be better served with the defensive acumen of Reddish as a starter than as a bench player. He can take the opposition’s best wing every night and will be more effective than Luwawu-Cabarrot.
His offensive struggles are not an issue as Reddish is showing greater maturity than in the previous two seasons, knowing when to pass more. He can also get on a role that makes him and the Hawks unstoppable at times.