Author: Monojit Mandal
The Atlanta Hawks ended the 2022 NBA season with a 128-120 loss to the Boston Celtics, giving Boston a 4-2 win in the playoff series. This defeat has raised serious concerns about the Hawks’ future. The Hawks had high aspirations of being title contenders after an excellent run to the conference finals two years ago. Unfortunately, they didn’t live up to expectations and fell in the playoffs. The Hawks finished the season with a 41-41 record and must now make critical decisions about the future of the team.
Questions about the Hawks’ future
As the season draws to a close, many questions remain about the Hawks’ future. One of the biggest unknowns is whether John Collins will return after his worst performance since his debut year. Another concern is whether Atlanta’s long-term intentions include forward Clint Capela. Fans also want to know if Trae Young and DeJounte Murray can live up to expectations.
Hawks’ season under Snyder
The Hawks have made little significant progress under Snyder, finishing 10-11 in their last 21 official season games to finish 41-41. They clinched seventh place with a play-in win in Miami, which saw them lose to the second-placed Celtics and miss out on the playoffs.
Hawks’ disappointing playoffs
Despite playing well in the playoffs against a talented team like Boston, the Hawks failed to make a significant impact. They even recovered to win match 5, but it wasn’t enough. However, Atlanta finished the season in practically the same position as the year before – a mid-table team that made the playoffs.
Dramas at the Hawks
The Hawks were plagued by a lot of turbulence off the court during the season, which certainly didn’t help their play on the court. Former general manager Travis Schlenk looked tense, Young understandably had a strained relationship with former coach McMillan, and there were also plenty of questions about owner Tony Ressler’s 27-year-old son Nick, all adding up to a season of disappointment.
Looking ahead
With Snyder firmly in charge and entering his first full season, Young believes the Hawks can repeat the form they showed during their spectacular playoff run in 2021. The team’s fans are also optimistic that they will be able to field a competitive team next year. However, it remains to be seen whether the Hawks will be able to reach their full potential until the main off-court issues are resolved.