Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Hawks are 20-7 since Nate McMillan took over.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Derick Hingle/AP.)
We expected the Hawks to, at least, challenge for a postseason spot this year. Maybe because Trae Young is in his third season. Maybe because the Hawks made moves that looked to position themselves for the playoffs (Rajon Rondo, Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, etc. all went to the Hawks in the offseason). Maybe because even head coach (at the time) Lloyd Pierce declared that the team would make the postseason.
It looked promising after a 4-1 start. But then injuries mounted and the Hawks were 14-20 by February 28. They weren’t that far back for a postseason berth even when they were 11th but Pierce got axed by management and had Nate McMillan (who was hesitant to take over that spot) take over.
More reports came out that Trae Young and Pierce weren’t exactly seeing eye-to-eye. And that player support was declining as the season went on. Pierce was said to be tough on his players and he’s even made comments out in public criticizing them. While it was a bit unfair that Pierce didn’t have a healthy squad when his team wasn’t doing well, he couldn’t stay if the players didn’t want him around.
McMillan took over and the Hawks promptly won 8 straight. It’s one thing for a team to have momentum with a new coach for a few games but 8 in a row was something to see. While they did go on an immediate swoon after that, the Hawks have gone 11-3 in their last 14 games. They beat the Heat on Friday and the Bucks on Sunday. By the way, Cam Reddish had been out the last couple of weeks, Young has missed the last few games because of a bad ankle, and DeAndre Hunter has been out most of April because of an injured knee. Basically, the excuses for Pierce about not having a full team went out the window when McMillan was winning games without a fully healthy squad himself.
Young was said to be a fan of McMillan’s coaching style. Sometimes, it could just be hearing a new voice for the players. The team has played better defense since Nate became the coach. And if the players are happy, they’re more likely to put forth more of an effort. That’s how it is in all walks of life, really, and that includes basketball.
The Hawks are currently sitting in the 5th seed in the East. Perhaps Lloyd Pierce is going to be right, after all.
Bullet Passes
Okay. So maybe Boston hasn’t turned the corner yet. They got blasted by the Charlotte Hornets on a Sunday matinee. The Celtics have lost 3 of 4 games. They do currenly hold the tiebreaker over Miami so they occupy the 6th spot. But we’ve talked about the dangers of playing in the play-in series.
Portland is 2-9 in their last 11 games. But I’m not going to be a fool and count Damian Lillard out. If anything, they would be at their most dangerous like that.
The Wizards have won 8 straight games and they are the hottest team outside of the Knicks. I don’t know what I just typed.
Stephen Curry scored another 37 points as he helped bring the Warriors to one game above .500. Also, Curry has made 85 three-pointers in April. That’s a lot of threes.
Kevin Durant returned and came off the bench to score 33 points. Big win by the Nets over the scorching Suns. But it’s imperative for the Nets to have everyone healthy come playoff time.
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 25, 2021
Watch This Play
Jeff Green does it again.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
A consistent highlight. I love it.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.