3 goals for Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela

The Atlanta Hawks started slowly last season with the exception of the first game against the Dallas Mavericks. Part of the reason for this was the offseason surgery that Clint Capela had. He barely participated in training camp and then struggled for the preseason thanks to rehabilitating his Achilles after the PRP injection.

This was not going to give the Hawks the chemistry that they needed and then injuries took hold of the squad. In fact, the injury crisis at the start of the season was reminiscent of the season before. These two factors, plus the Hawks expecting to be able to get straight back into a top seed really derailed their season.

However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. This particular light came in the form of the 2022 offseason when the Hawks traded for Dejounte Murray, Maurice Harkless, and Justin Holiday and then signed Aaron Holiday and Frank Kaminsky in free agency.

The Atlanta Hawks are on the right path for next season.

The Hawks’ biggest issue last season was their perimeter defense. There were too many periods of games where their offense was stagnant and their defense was porous. This is not a good combination in terms of winning. The addition of Murray alone is going to have a massive impact on that end of the floor.

With the additional perimeter defense which has been added to the Hawks lineup, Capela is going to be a much more effective defender. Remember when he got his triple-double in the 2020-21 season? Expect those 10 blocks in that incredible feat to be repeated this season as the likes of Murray, Holiday, and Harkless get their players into the right position for Capela to pounce.