The Atlanta Hawks are soaring to
new heights this season, and their resurgence is turning heads on
the national NBA scene. Long being a team stuck in the middle of
the pack, Atlanta now appears poised to make a run as a potential
darkhorse team in the East. This transformation is powered by
franchise cornerstone Trae Young, the emergence of key players like
Jalen Johnson, and a roster loaded with dynamic contributors who
can defend, shoot, and thrive in high-stakes moments.

The Hawks’ recent performance is breaking their cycle
of being ‘mid’ 

Over the past five seasons, the
Atlanta Hawks have epitomized being stuck in the middle, compiling
a cumulative record of 175-169, which translates to a winning
percentage of approximately .509. This period includes a standout
2020-21 season where the team finished 41-31, achieving a .569
winning percentage and making a notable playoff run to the Eastern
Conference Finals. However, this success was bookended by seasons
of underperformance, such as the 2017-18 campaign with a dismal
24-58 record (.293 winning percentage). Atlanta has hovered around
7th-10th seed in the East, and these fluctuations underscore the
team’s struggle to maintain consistent success, often finding
themselves hovering around the .500 mark and failing to secure a
strong foothold in the Eastern Conference.

This pattern of inconsistency
has kept the Hawks in the league’s middle tier, preventing them
from breaking through as a formidable contender. The team’s
inability to string together consecutive winning seasons has been a
significant barrier to establishing a lasting presence in the
postseason. The 2020-21 season’s deep playoff run appeared to
signal a turning point, but subsequent seasons did not build upon
that momentum, highlighting the challenges of sustaining high-level
performance in the NBA.

In the context of the
franchise’s history, this recent stretch reflects a broader trend
of fluctuating success. The Hawks have experienced periods of
competitiveness interspersed with seasons of rebuilding,
contributing to an all-time record that hovers around
.500. 

However, this historical
backdrop sets the stage for the current season’s resurgence, as the
team aims to break free from past patterns and establish itself as
a consistent force in the league.

The Hawks’ turnaround: Trae Young and capable pieces
behind him 

At the heart of Atlanta’s recent
success is Trae Young, a player whose brilliance has often been
overshadowed by debates about his defensive limitations or the
team’s overall performance. Yet, this season, Young’s play is
demanding the league’s attention. Averaging over 12 assists per
game, Young is on pace to join John Stockton as the only players in
NBA history to average that many assists across an entire season.
His ability to orchestrate the offense with precision has not only
elevated his teammates but also reintroduced him as one of the
league’s most watchable entertainers.

Young’s court vision and flair
for the dramatic have become must-watch television. Whether it’s a
no-look lob to teammates or a deep three from well beyond the arc,
his highlight reel is a nightly reminder of his offensive genius.
Yet, it’s not just the flashy plays; it’s the consistency with
which he’s delivering them. His recent performances in the NBA Cup
have been a showcase of his ability to command the stage on a
national level, further solidifying his reputation as a star built
for big moments.

The Hawks’ deep run in the NBA
Cup has been a perfect platform for the team to announce itself to
a wider audience. In their quarterfinal victory over the New York
Knicks, Young’s 22-point, 11-assist performance was a masterclass
in controlling tempo and exploiting defensive weaknesses. Atlanta’s
ability to thrive in this high-stakes environment speaks to the
growth of its roster and the leadership of its star
player.

More importantly, the NBA Cup
has offered Young a chance to dispel lingering doubts about him
being able to lead a team. Critics have often pointed to his
inconsistency or questioned his ability of being a franchise
cornerstone to lead a team to sustained success. But this year,
Young’s play has been a decisive rebuttal, showcasing a level of
maturity and poise that suggests he’s ready to take the Hawks to
the next level.

The Hawks’ best roster in the Trae Young
era

While Trae Young remains the
centerpiece, the emergence of Jalen Johnson as a secondary star has
been equally critical to Atlanta’s resurgence. Johnson’s unique
skill set as a jumbo forward who can score, playmake, and shoot has
added a new dimension to the Hawks’ offense. His ability to
initiate plays and create mismatches has relieved pressure on Young
and diversified the team’s attack.

Players like Johnson, who can
impact the game in multiple ways, are increasingly valuable in
today’s NBA. In many ways, Johnson’s breakout is reminiscent of the
rise of other versatile forwards who have become cornerstones for
championship-caliber teams. For Atlanta, his development represents
a critical step toward building a roster that can compete with the
league’s elite.

Another key to the Hawks’
success has been their improved defensive identity. Dyson Daniels,
acquired in the offseason, has emerged as one of the league’s
premier point-of-attack defenders. His ability to rack up
deflections and disrupt opposing offenses has provided Atlanta with
a defensive anchor on the perimeter.

The frontcourt rotation of Clint
Capela and Onyeka Okongwu has also been instrumental. Both players
excel as rim protectors and lob threats, perfectly complementing
Young’s playmaking. Meanwhile, rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the 2024
No. 1 overall pick, is beginning to find his footing, contributing
as a 6’10” forward with shooting range and defensive
versatility.

Veterans like De’Andre Hunter
and Bogdan Bogdanović round out the roster, providing stability and
experience off the bench. Hunter’s ability to guard multiple
positions and Bogdanović’s scoring touch have been invaluable in
close games, giving Atlanta a level of depth that’s been lacking in
recent years.

Introducing Atlanta on the national stage

The Hawks’ resurgence isn’t just
about winning games; it’s about reestablishing themselves as a team
to be reckoned with on the national stage. For years, Atlanta’s
potential has been a tantalizing but unrealized promise. This
season, that promise is finally being fulfilled. With Trae Young
leading the way, the Hawks have become one of the league’s most
exciting teams to watch, blending highlight-reel offense with a
gritty, competitive edge.

This season presents a pivotal
opportunity for Trae Young to reshape the narrative of his career,
shifting from being viewed solely as a high-scoring guard with
defensive flaws to a true leader who elevates those around him. For
the Hawks, it’s a chance to prove that their 2021 Eastern
Conference Finals run wasn’t a one-time fluke but the beginning of
a larger, sustained success. With Young guiding a rejuvenated
roster, the Hawks aim to break free from their recent history of
inconsistency and establish themselves as a legitimate contender in
the Eastern Conference, securing a more prominent position on the
national NBA stage.

As the NBA Cup and the regular
season progresses, the Hawks’ ability to maintain their current
level of play will be pivotal in determining whether they can
overcome the inconsistencies of the past and solidify their status
as a rising power in the league. The journey toward consistent
excellence is not without challenges, but the foundation being laid
this season offers a promising glimpse into a brighter future for
the franchise.