The Atlanta Hawks have built a defensive unit unlike any other in the NBA this season.
In the midst of a league-wide trend that embraces positional size as a means to leverage defensive advantages, the Hawks find themselves on the road less traveled.
While Atlanta doesn't roster any towering titans to protect the rim like Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, or Donovan Clingan, they've selectively stitched together the perfect perimeter to refute all attacks against their lesser interior defense.
The best part? Coach Quin Snyder - just two games into the regular season - has fully embraced the atypical defensive identity with his Hawks.
Snyder's perfect encapsulation of this year's Hawks
Quin had a fantastic quote after the Hawks' first victory of the season, in which he recognized the strength of the squad. He stated:
"Our best rim protection is paint prevention."
While Onyeka Okongwu may not be the most vertically gifted center in the league (standing only 6'8, 6'9 on a good day), Atlanta has surrounded their small-ball five with a truly elite core of perimeter defenders.
In addition to rostering Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luguentz Dort, and Kingston Flemings, the Hawks' crown jewel has shone brightest early in the season - Dyson Daniels is poised to break his own records in the steal column with another sensational season on the defensive end of the floor.
If the Hawks continue to dominate opposing offenses, don't be surprised if Dyson makes some noise in the DPOY conversation - after all, he's been a consistent threat to join All-Defensive teams during his tenure as a Hawk.
Quin's polar opposite defensive identity coaching the Utah Jazz
Remember Rudy Gobert?
Quin Snyder was his coach during the entire duration the Jazz found themselves near, or at the very peak, of a loaded Western Conference in the late 2010's.
The Jazz had a completely different approach to defending opposing attacks - they'd funnel drivers to the rim, where they'd be met staunchly by the Stifle Tower each and every time. That's what makes Quin's change in scheme so impressive - he's proven to be flexible to his personnel, a quality not shared by all coaches in the NBA.
Should the Hawks continue to stimy offenses on the perimeter through the rest of the regular season, the idea that Atlanta could find themselves in a very similar - if not higher - seed in the Eastern Conference of the NBA Playoffs isn't ridiculous at all.
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