Last year, the Hawks had a problem creating additional opportunities for themselves - they weren't getting active on the offensive boards.
In fact, Atlanta ranked in the bottom ten teams in the league at such a metric, dropping significantly from the year prior where they found themselves in the top ten.
This season, the Hawks look to be swinging the glass pendulum back in the correct direction, but the cause remains uncertain - will Atlanta be leaning on one new rebounding rotation player, or establish themselves as a top-to-bottom glass-eating crew?
Asa Newell's instant impact on the glass
Through four preseason outings, the Hawks have out-offensive-rebounded all four opponents on each occasion.
Atlanta's preseason opener saw Asa Newell snag a whopping five offensive rebounds as he led the charge for the Hawks in what was ultimately a narrow loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Newell exhibited exactly the effort that was so commonplace as a Bulldog during his one-and-done college tenure with Georgia. If Asa is to carve out the rotational role that is expected of him this season, it's almost certain to be a result of his abilities on the boards.
Conversely, against the Spurs and the Pacers, it wasn't only Newell who was giving his squad extra opportunities to put the ball through the hoop.
Rebounding team effort vs. Indiana - a sign of things to come?
On Saturday's match against the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta was able to out-rebound the Pacers on the offensive glass at an impressive 10-0 rate.
Surprisingly, unlike Asa's big night against the Grizzlies, the difference wasn't made by any one player - rather, eight different Hawks pulled in at least one offensive board.
Often, crashing the glass stems from one of two factors.
First, the coaching staff could emphasize offensive rebounding as a team goal - after all, winning the possession battle has become more and more emphasized as a turning point in today's NBA that continues to put heavier weight on the numbers game.
Second, more offensive rebounds often stem from a simple increase in effort. While a team that plays their heart out may or may not find more success from long range, securing the ball against wild turnovers, or even preventing their opponents from scoring the most efficiently, they're often going to win - and even dominate - the offensive glass.
Time will tell if Quin Snyder's Hawks will continue to eat up additional possessions on the offensive glass. If they do, look out, Eastern Conference - Atlanta might just obliterate preseason expectations of yet another play-in berth.
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