Soaring Down South
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What type of shooting guard is best for the Atlanta Hawks going forward?

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts with Trae Young #11 and Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on April 6, 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts with Trae Young #11 and Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on April 6, 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Just a day after seeing a former Atlanta Hawks guard off into retirement, our attention turns to a current group of twos that have taken turns starting and/or simply playing next to Trae Young. The Hawks take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday following a 117-112 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday that snapped a seven-game home winning streak.

They now sit 1.5 games back of the Charlotte Hornets – who beat them just over a week ago – for the nine-seed and 2.5 games back of the Brooklyn Nets for the eight-seed.

Bogdan Bogdanovic popped up on the injury report with a quad contusion. His is just the latest injury for the Hawks who will be without John Collins for the sixth consecutive game on Tuesday.

The possibility that he could miss this game offers a nice segue to a pivotal question.

Which Atlanta Hawks guard’s style makes for the best backcourt pairing with Trae Young?

Bogdanovic got the first crack at starting at the two-guard spot this season. As such, he has logged more possessions in the backcourt next to Young than anyone else on the team. This despite starting just one game since returning from an injury of his own on Jan 26 against the Sacramento Kings.

They are still a poor defensive pairing, allowing 1.15 points per play, per Cleaning the Glass.

As one might expect, however, they get by on advanced offensive prowess.

The backcourt carries a plus-2.0 net rating on the season thanks to a 116.9 offensive rating. One of the Hawks most efficient lineups features this pairing and generates 1.13 points per play in the halfcourt.

Related Story. The Hawks trio of Bogdanovic, Capela, and Gallinari has been huge. light

Bogdanovic has been great in the fourth quarter and is the best out of the complementary backcourt options at creating his offense. That allows the Hawks to get Young off of the ball and keep the defense’s attention elsewhere. This play from the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss brought the Hawks to within one point.

The attention Bogdanovic draws under the basket leaves the defender, rookie Herbert Jones, late getting out to Young who drove for a floater.

Still, some of Bogdanovic’s best work has often come without Young on the floor with the swingman posting a plus-4.8 net rating in those situations compared to plus-2.3 alongside the superstar point guard.

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