The Hawks may be feeling like Icarus in the midst of their shocking 1-3 fall from grace; a season once burning with hope after a sensational summer threatens to immolate before it can even begin.
While the trip to Brooklyn may have seemed like a welcome respite in an otherwise treacherous schedule, the losses to Toronto and Chicago prove that no night can be taken off in the NBA. While some teams are certainly larger powerhouses than others, any given team can win on any given night.
To some extent, as an unbiased observer, that parity is beautiful, but not if you're the Hawks, desperately clawing for proof that they're worthy of a spot atop the East. With established teams mocked lower that have superseded expectations (Milwaukee, Philadelphia) in combination with young, hungry teams looking to prove they're worth of more than a play-in spot (Toronto, Charlotte, Chicago), the East appears to be far more contentious than imagined.
To make matters worse, Trae Young went down early in the game against Brooklyn. If he misses ample time, the Hawks must employ a next-man-up mentality or face dire consequences.
Amidst all the chaos and upheaval early on in what was expected to be smooth sailing for Atlanta, the Hawks’ key to shoring up their early-season woes is painfully clear: Dyson Daniels.
Brooklyn was a colossal test for Dyson Daniels as a defensive stopper
Those familiar with Brooklyn's current state of affairs know that the Nets live and the Nets die by the hand of Cameron Thomas. Without an emphatic night from Cam, the Nets lacked that scoring punch against Atlanta and ultimately fell flat as Daniels was able to contain Thomas as much as can be expected.
Dyson Daniels is the heir apparent to the title Jrue Holiday has long held in the league: most feared perimeter defender, worthy of an All-Defensive 1st Team selection year after year.
This early test against Thomas tested Daniels’ ability on both ends. Continuing his trend of elite containing defense against one of the league's premier offensive dynamos while also putting together a respectable offensive performance (contrary to the dismal start he's had), the Hawks were able to stifle the Nets and emerge victorious 117 to 112. This brings their record on the season to 2-3, not ideal but manageable.
The model for future success for the Hawks is clear, especially if Trae misses significant time. Dyson Daniels must be the elite defensive playmaker that he proved himself to be last year, while keeping the offensive flow going in small ways.