A quick look at the final scores of Atlanta's last two games wouldn't point to there being much to celebrate about. Of course, there really isn't. Jalen Johnson would say it himself.
However, it's difficult to turn a blind eye to elite individual play. Johnson wasn't perfect in either of these two matchups with the Houston Rockets - both of which were lost - but in certain situations during each night, he looked like the most complete version of the player everyone know he can be.
In the first quarter of their most recent defeat - Johnson was dominant on both ends of the floor.
A full game of his two-way excellence would send Atlanta to the next level
There's hardly ever a doubt when it comes to Johnson's ability to contribute offensively.
Coming off of a season where he earned All-NBA honors, his production has never been a question. He's developed into a reliable scorer, playmaker, rebounder and perhaps the most important aspect of stardom - a leader.
Numbers aren't everything, and Johnson knows that. He's been vocal about not caring about his statistical output if his team is unable to secure a victory.
In the first quarter of their second meeting with Houston, Johnson saw a new level of defensive impact. He was heavily disrupting the Rockets' attack. Even with an addd ball-handler and cohesive unit, Houston didn't have an answer for Johnson's excellence on either end of the floor.
In the initial frame alone, he recorded nine quick points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. It was a masterful quarter.
If he and the team were able to keep up a similar impact the entire night, however, Atlanta would be walking away with a sweet revenge victory over the opponent that gave them their first loss of the new season.
Houston is a well-coached, experienced group, and Atlanta couldn't match their intensity
So far this season, the Hawks have been a team of runs.
They have spurts where they're unable to be contained, but some where they appear incapable of reliable connection. That type of inconsistency is preventing them from being great, and it's something the Rockets absolutely do not have.
They're able to stay the course, even after Johnson and the Hawks apply pressure. That takes a certain level of preparedness, and it all stems from group-wide buy-in. Experience helps, too, and Johnson's group is still undoubtedly youthful.
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