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.
Goals for Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela No. 1) Make the All-Defensive team
Capela is a much-underrated defender in this league. He has never really been in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. Nor has he received a nod for an All-Defensive team ever in his career and this is something that really needs to change.
He has always been a good rim protector, but he is also a true defensive anchor as well. The Hawks’ defense went from being one of the worst in the league prior to his arrival to being able to make the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season playing with the team.
Last season the Hawks lacked chemistry on the defensive end and too much was left to Capela. This is not fair for one player and naturally, he struggled to contain the opposition. When the Hawks’ defense is clicking, there are very few teams that can beat them, te one exception is a healthy Philadelphia 76ers who have Joel Embiid, one of the hardest assignments in the NBA.
Still, with the additional troops that the Hawks have gathered over the offseason, Capela will again anchor an elite defense. If he can do this then he deserves to garner an All-Defensive nod and that will mean that the Hawks will have a better chance at a deep playoff run.
Goals for Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela No. 2) Be top-5 in blocks per game
In his first season with the Hawks, Capela was fourth in the NBA in blocks, averaging 2.0 per game. However, last season this number dropped alarmingly to 1.3 per game, which was only good for 14th in the league. While this was not entirely Capela’s fault, it still reflects on him.
The thing is that Capela has a career average of 1.5 blocks per game. This is good for ninth active and 67th all-time which shows just how good he can be. However, for the Hawks to be an elite team they need their big man to be in the top five in the league this season.
In order for this to be the case, the team requires defensive chemistry of a similar nature to two seasons ago. They had the likes of Tony Snell, Solomon Hill, and De’Andre Hunter when healthy and confident. These players knew where to move their direct opponent on the court to give Capela the best chance of blocking these shots.
It is not that Capela blocking shots is the key to the defense. It is everyone being on the same page and Capela knowing that his perimeter defenders know their assignment and can push their players a certain way. The additions that the Hawks have secured this offseason will be well equipped to make this happen.
Goals for Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela No. 3) Lead the league in rebounds.
Again, when Capela led the league in rebounds, the Hawks were a much better team. Last season he dropped off and was fourth in the league, averaging 11.9 per game. This was 2.4 rebounds less than the previous season and this was not just on the defensive end.
He averaged 3.8 per game last season compared to 4.7 per game the season before. While 0.9 rebounds per game do not appear to be too much, the Hawks missed the extra shot attempt per game that Capela was able to provide them.
If Capela can lead the league in rebounds, he will be ably supported by John Collins. However, they also have the rebounding acumen of Murray. He has averaged 6.0 rebounds per game for his career, 8.3 per game last season.
The thing is that the defensive possession does not end until the defensive rebound has been secured. If Capela is leading the league in rebounds, then he is playing close to the hoop which is where he can alter and blocks shots. The thing for the Hawks is if Capela can do one or all of these goals then it is a good sign for their defense and that is huge for their postseason chances.