The Atlanta Hawks dominated the Orlando Magic last season. It became embarrassing, to be quite honest. Orlando was arguably the biggest disappointment in the basketball world over the last year, getting lapped by several of their familiar Eastern Conference foes.
Them firing Jamahl Mosley felt inevitable as the year progressed. There wasn't any sort of playoff run that could've saved what transpired in the regular season. Many around the league predicted them to be a true contender, but they ultimately fell to the Play-In Tournament.
Sure, their problems run deeper than just a head coach, but firing Mosley and hiring San Antonio's Sean Sweeney is an incredible start. It may not yet propel them to the Hawks' level, but they need to look out, as they're now finally heading in the right direction.
Atlanta out-coached Orlando in every matchup last season
Fans can thank Quin Snyder for his consistently-brilliant manipulation of Orlando's many weaknesses. Each meeting between the two squads brought them closer to firing Mosley, as the way the teams were led was truly incomparable.
Orlando's offensive attack became predictable. Each game felt more and more uneven, simply because Atlanta was adjusting, and Orlando was not. At least, that's what it seemed like. The Hawks completed a 4-0 sweep of the Magic, something they hadn't done since the 2012-13 season.
With Sweeney at the helm now, though, the chance of them doing it again feels much less likely. That's not to say the Hawks aren't a better squad, because they are, but the talent Orlando possesses is undeniable. If he's the right guy, he'll almost certainly be able to utilize their impressive mix of young weapons and proven veterans.
There's not much reason to believe he won't be the right hire, either. In his previous tenures, he's quickly carved out a role as one of the league's most impressive young assistants.
Sweeney's defensive excellence makes him a perfect fit in Orlando
He's got quite the defensive unit to work with. The backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane is one of the league's most dangerous at stopping the ball. Leading San Antonio's defense from the bottom to the top of the league is no small feat, and Magic fans should be thrilled to now have him in charge.
It's his first NBA head coaching gig, so the early matchups may still feel a bit more lopsided in Atlanta's favor. They need to watch out, though, as this Orlando squad could be real dangerous by the season's conclusion.
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