Hawks witness first-hand why Darryn Peterson is the perfect fit in Atlanta

The Atlanta Hawks sent five executives, including owner Tony Ressler, to watch Darryn Peterson take on fellow projected top pick AJ Dybantsa and BYU in the biggest game of his life. Peterson answered the call.

It didn’t take long for Peterson to hijack control over this game. In the first five minutes of action, the Kansas star had already scored 9 points on a perfect 3/3 from the field and 2/2 from the line. At the end of this stretch, Peterson tipped a ball headed to Dybantsa. The two fought for position down the court, with Peterson ultimately winning the ball in the corner. When a trailing teammate came to set a screen, the shooting guard called an iso – he wanted Dybantsa.

Dybantsa played good defense, and when Peterson rose up with his feet crooked and torso contorted, it looked like the BYU prospect won this battle. But the shot cashed in beautifully off the back of the rim. This play served as a prophecy for Peterson’s night: nobody was going to be able to stop him.

Peterson would be perfect alongside Jalen Johnson

Peterson would finish the night with 18 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals on 6/8 from the field and 3-5 from deep in just 20 minutes of action, staying true to his controversial minutes restriction. 

While this is an already dominant box score, Peterson’s impact stretched far beyond the measurable on Saturday afternoon. After getting into an early scoring groove, BYU began to swarm the Canton, Ohio, native with aggressive help defense. In these situations, Peterson handled himself with a beautiful balance of poise and aggression, using his live dribble when he had one and hitting absurd jump passes after picking up the ball.

Jalen Johnson, for all his strengths, is the opposite of Peterson. He thrives in transition, with momentum, and surrounded by shooters. When the game slows down and teams begin to key in on his abilities, Johnson can struggle. He’s never been an iso scorer in the NBA, and his handle prevents him from dribbling around players. If his matchup is strong enough to absorb contact with Johnson, there’s no guarantee he’s scoring.

Peterson could be the yin to Johnson’s yang. Johnson, high-flying and electric, can lead the transition game and attack mismatches. Peterson, cool and calculated, can clean up the scraps and handle the difficult possessions.

If the Hawks must choose between Peterson and Dybantsa, Peterson made their decision much easier. Don’t overcomplicate it – you take the guy who can control a high-stakes matchup like Saturday’s showdown.