The Atlanta Hawks, despite dominating the summer league in its entirety up to this point, decided to take a bold gamble by sitting their three most impactful players on Monday night against the Boston Celtics.
Kingston Flemings, Asa Newell and standout big Zuby Ejiofor were all listed as out ahead of their third Las Vegas Summer League matchup.
At the time of the initial listing, many expected the Hawks to finally fall. They had seen what they needed to see, and any further play would just be inviting risk. Clearly, their top guys are meant to pursue a summer ring and not sit, as Atlanta didn't take any sort of step back.
Hawks winning despite many absences should change mentality
The Hawks are 3-0 in Las Vegas, and 5-1 overall when counting their additional games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
There's no need to have some of their top guys suit up once more, as they've clearly proven enough, but the shot of them emerging victorious in the summer league playoffs is very realistic. This squad is legit, regardless of if the starters play or not.
Maybe, they're genuinely considering sitting Flemings, Newell and Ejiofor the rest of the way. At the time they ruled them out, it wouldn't be a crazy guess to assume that was the plan. Them defeating the Celtics in dominant fashion, however, could give them some confidence in letting them all finish it out.
While Kobe Johnson was incredible in his one-game sample size of a major offensive role - recording 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists on quality efficiency - the Hawks could benefit from putting him back in his original role, and using what he learned in his lone action as a top option to the team's advantage.
Summer league doesn't slow down, and the Hawks will have plenty to weigh.
All three of those who sat have had great summer showings
They've struggled in certain aspects - most notably Flemings with efficiency - but overall, they've been incredibly impactful in different ways.
Newell had a slower start, but after his first game woes, he quickly improved his intensity and was the best player on the court in his second outing.
Ejiofor has been the most consistently impactful player on both ends of the floor. The 23rd-overall selection has quickly emerged as one of the best rebounders of the summer league, and is earning himself a shot at a rotation spot with the main ball club in year one.
The Hawks could go after a summer championship, or they could choose to sit their top guys the rest of the way, but regardless - they're in a quality spot.
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