Trae Young and the middy lead Atlanta Hawks mid-season progress report
Atlanta Hawks progress report No. 4: Have coaching changes in the offseason paid off?
The Hawks added Joe Prunty and Jemelle McMillan to the staff this offseason to replace a couple of departures. It was just two coaches but players have noted how much different the way they do things has been this season. Some may point to Young’s increased usage and that of previous top players on Nate McMillan-coached teams.
But Young is behind Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in usage and has been vocal about the scheme playing a part in the team’s struggles this season.
Interestingly, the Hawks played 39 regular-season games under McMillan last season going 27-11 and tying for the second-best record in that time. This season, they were 17-21 through that many games and have lost their last four.
At the same time, this staff has navigated unprecedented circumstances.
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The number of players they had to shuffle in made McMillan note how he had to show guys around the facility. They were conducting walkthroughs via Zoom with players just signed.
Meanwhile trying to keep a locker room together when one guy made it clear he no longer wanted to be there and players essentially calling out the team’s effort (not by name) in the media.
They even had to deal with McMillan and assistant Chris Jent being in health and safety protocols, leaving Prunty to head coach.
Handshakes and hugs may seem inconsequential when they occur on the floor after a play. But people notice even more when they don’t occur. It speaks volumes that we haven’t seen the same kind of in-house disputes we saw last season that ultimately resulted in the dismissal of Lloyd Pierce.
Next. Which players should the Hawks look to move on from next?. dark
They’ve earned the benefit of the doubt (for now). With the improved effort that we saw against Miami for most of Friday’s contest, another second-half surge could happen.