Hawks' hidden defensive gem gave them the biggest boost they never expected

It's hard to pinpoint just how effective the Atlanta Hawks have been on the defensive end this season. They had a slow start, dealt with injuries, got hot, cooled down, made some trades, and got hot again. Onyeka Okongwu, their controversial starting center, has played a key part in this late-season surge.

Despite the narratives, OO17 has prevailed. His game truly has no limits, even with the fact that he's undersized for a big man. The league is starting to take real notice of his dominance, not just on the offensive end, but in his defensive abilities.

Onyeka Okongwu is in some elite defensive company...

They simply weren't going to see sustained success if they weren't getting reliable defense from their anchor. In the modern NBA, size is prioritized, but versatility is proving to be just as important. As long as a smaller player doesn't let their stature limit them, they'll be fine.

Okongwu hasn't just been fine, either. He's been killing it. Not only has he been holding down the paint, but he's been effective in certain instances where he's forced to switch onto a guard. That's when he can use his size and speed to his advantage.

The best defensive player in the NBA is Victor Wembanyama. It's no secret. Other elite defenders often come close to matching his impact, but overall, his case is undeniable.

It's also not often that Okongwu is mentioned in the same breath as him, but a recent look at their overall defensive impact places the two scarily close to each other. According to BBall Index, over the month of March, Onyeka Okongwu had the second-most defensive points saved (+36.37), trailing only Victor Wembanyama (+38.65).

The names Okongwu's directly ahead of: Donovan Clingan, Kris Dunn, and Marcus Smart. Everyone else mentioned is known as an elite defender, and rightfully so, but Okongwu's still viewed as a liability. Why?

Preset narratives are a killer. Until the Hawks go on a deep playoff run, and Onyeka Okongwu anchors the stretch with his play on the defensive end, the national media won't give him the respect he deserves.

This isn't the only metric that proves Okongwu is a strong defender

He's tied with Alperen Sengun and Derrick White for the fourth-most games this season with at least two blocks and two steals. He's trailing just Scottie Barnes, Ausar Thompson, and, of course, Victor Wembanyama.

His defensive resurgence, coinciding with the team making a legitimate push for postseason contention, is slowly but surely shifting the narratives surrounding his name. Onyeka Okongwu still has a way to go, but his maturity and growth on that end should tell everyone exactly what they need to know about his long-term trajectory.