The Atlanta Hawks have operated with a very strict rotation through five games. They've gone with nine players in the nightly rotation, only going past the number when leading by a significant amount.
The only time Asa Newell or Zuby Ejiofor have seen the floor this season was in the final minutes of Atlanta's 47-point victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Other than that, there's been no sign of them.
After a promising rookie season, maybe it's time to give Newell a look. Atlanta's suffering on the glass, and if nothing else, he'll give them a boost in that department.
Whatever move they make, they need to act fast, as their schedule isn't getting any easier.
Hawks have been carved up down low in three straight outings
It's far from their only early-season problem, but it's real.
They didn't do themselves any favor in their consecutive losses to the Houston Rockets, shooting under 30% from deep in each contest. Their outside shooting improved against the Miami Heat, without a doubt, but potentially their biggest weakness was on full display.
Miami dominated Atlanta on the glass. Going small - often playing Lu Dort at the backup power forward - this is going to be a consistent issue unless they make a key lineup alteration.
They shouldn't break up the proven starting group, and they certainly shouldn't eliminate anyone currently playing from the nightly rotation, but maybe they'd be smart to extend it. An early-season ten-man rotation never hurt anybody.
It won't give them an immediate boost into contention, but at the very least, it'll help solve their obvious disadvantage on the glass. Newell and Ejiofor are excellent rebounders, and would give the team much more size to combat the pressure teams are applying down low.
The bigger picture, of course, is to have an effective nine-man group. It's just not cutting it at the moment.
Both Newell and Ejiofor were first-round picks for a reason
Atlants seriously considered selecting Newell where they were originally slated, but were able to land him after moving back.
They didn't have to move anywhere to take Ejiofor - a more experienced frontcourt addition coming out of college.
Newell's offensive game is more developed than Ejiofor's, but Ejiofor has an undeniable advantage defensively. If they don't want to immediately throw both of them into the rotation, they'll have weigh their priorities.
Atlanta could use all the help they can get down low.
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