Quin Snyder’s deployment of rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher has been questioned over the last two games. The Hawks snapped a two-game skid with a win over the Charlotte Hornets, but those questions persisted.
Risacher played 22 minutes in the Hawks’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
On Tuesday, he finished with 23 minutes after seeing nine in the first half. He also played the fourth quarter after Snyder held him out against the Nets, further raising eyebrows.
“That’s not uncommon when you have a deep rotation. We’ve got a lot of good wings, and there’s also games when he has [closed]. So as I’ve said, I would answer the question the same way if Zacch didn’t start and there was questions about why isn’t he starting. I think the biggest thing for Zacch is to embrace the minutes that he’s in the game, and he’s done that. He played a pretty good game tonight,” Snyder told reporters on March 18.
“His development is going to be fun to watch. And again, I think a lot of it – it’s not just his talent, but it’s his approach and his mentality. And if he continues to do that, he’s just gonna continue to get better. And they say, a lot of times, people refer to a ‘ceiling.’ And Zacch’s someone that we feel has a high ceiling.
“That’s related to his competitiveness, his passion, and his hard work. And I’m going to keep saying this as you guys keep asking me these questions, and I’m going to get a sign and say, ‘Zacch’s tough, Zacch competes, and Zacch loves to play – and Zacch loves to work.”
Risacher tallied 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block with 1 turnover. He shot 46.7% from the field and was 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Risacher scored 16 points in the third quarter. He was 0-for-4 from the floor in the fourth.
“That’s the thing: I don’t want us to get hung up on Zacch making shots and saying he played well and him missing shots and saying he didn’t,” Snyder said in response to Risacher’s third quarter. “The only way Zacch doesn’t play well in those situations is if he passes up shots.”
Zaccharie Risacher passes the eye test for Hawks
Risacher has long displayed the advanced traits Snyer touted, even in his shot selection despite a slow start from deep.
Since his last absence, Risacher is sporting a 14.4/4.1/1.3 line and slashing .517/.454/.744
“There was a game earlier in the year – I can’t remember which one it was – where he had a really tough game in the first half and immediately came back and bam, bam, bam, [he] had a huge third quarter. And that’s significant; more than what the stat sheet says; your ability to handle adversity.,” Snyder said.
“Used to say, ‘Adversity is opportunity in disguise.’ You need adversity to get better, and that’s one of the things that I think I talk about as competitiveness. That he’s able to play through those things.
“I’m less concerned about whether his shot goes in, as i said, as whether he takes it. And I think one of the things he’s been doing, defensively, he’s very consistent. It doesn’t mean he’s perfect. But that’s been something that he’s given us night in and night out, and that also doesn’t show up on the box score. So it’s – Zacch’s a complete player, and that’s not common at his age, especially when you have a player that attacks the rim, can finish, can shoot, can defend, and can rebound, that’s a pretty good thing.”
Risacher remains a longshot to win Rookie of the Year, per FanDuel as of March 18. However, his production is meeting what the eye test has said for months.