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Atlanta Hawks Big 3 ‘just missing the cut’ among NBA’s best

By Joshua Buckhalter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 17: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Atlanta Hawks reacts against the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 17: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Atlanta Hawks reacts against the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks don’t have the best “Big Three” in the NBA. That distinction belongs to the Milwaukee Bucks trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton. The Hawks got a first-hand taste of them during the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Now, the Hawks are waiting to see how their new iteration stacks up.

We have already seen a shift in who the core players of this team are since that run to the Conference Finals.

And we got a blockbuster trade for a second star and playmaker.

That will lead to a new philosophy on the court, particularly on offense. For one, the arrival of Dejounte Murray will mean more time off the ball for Trae Young. Perhaps that is why Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes omits the Hawks from his top five Big Threes in the NBA.

The Atlanta Hawks ‘Big Three’ some early respect in power ranking

Hughes’ list included the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Phoenix Suns behind the Bucks to round out his top five. That’s the 2021 and 2022 champions, the 2021 NBA Finals runners-up, and the 2021 pre-season favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Philly is also a perennially popular choice with Joel Embiid.

It is a tough list to crack and shows just what the Hawks are up against in their own conference let alone the entire league.

There was a sixth slot that Hughes dedicated to the “honorable mentions”.

The Hawks failed to qualify for that group – which included the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers – as well.

Atlanta joined the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies in “just missing the cut”. That is still not a bad group of teams to be included in and points to a potential silver lining.

The Hawks’ new Big Three, sight unseen, is still good enough to make a list of the top 13 teams while others such as the Chicago Bulls finished higher than the Hawks last season only to find themselves absent from the list entirely.

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There is still plenty of time between now and the start of the 2022-23 NBA season. It will be interesting to see how many opinions change and to what extent.

We also have to see if the Hawks will make any other moves that could change the math.

Until then, Hawks fans should feel encouraged that Young, John Collins, and Dejounte Murray could form a formidable trio.

Young led the NBA in total assists and total points last season. Murray was the regular-season steals champ. And Collins was one of seven players to average at least 16.0 points, and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 36.0% or better from beyond the arc last season.

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This is a talented group. If they can stay healthy. They could finish next season much closer to the top of the list.

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