Opponent Scouting: Atlanta Hawks (2-1)
Tonight at 7:00pm EST the Detroit Pistons will be back at home to host the Hawks of Atlanta. The Pistons are on the second night of a back-to-back after getting smoked by the Wizards while the Hawks are on two days of rest after losing to the Hornets.
The Them:
The Hawks have a new look from the last couple of seasons. Trae Young still dominates much of their offensive play to the tune of 25 points and 11.7 assists per game with a usage rate of 35%. Young is a brilliant passer who will shoot from anywhere, he uses his passing and the threat of a deadly floater to make space for himself to still be effective in the paint. He has shot poorly from three so far and his overall efficiency is in the tank but that won’t last.
After Young is where things look a bit different. Dejounte Murray, acquired in a blockbuster trade this offseason, Murray is a rangy defender who can slash into defenses and at least somewhat competent as a shooter, Murray brings an element of genuine ball-handling and shot creation that the Hawks were lacking beyond Young before. The ever-in-trade talks John Collins is still bouncy and skilled. He can do big-man stuff inside but has genuine ball skills to operate on the perimeter and is currently averaging 19 points on great efficiency with 10.3 boards per game.
The freshly paid De’Andre Hunger is athletic, can shoot, and is growing as a defender. Clint Capela is more of a bit player than before but he’s still big, athletic, and fundamentally sound enough to do all the stuff you want your center to do.
Onyeka Okongwu comes off the bench, he’s a little undersized as a center but he’s strong and athletic and more than one person has suggested he may supplant Capela in the starting lineup at some point this season. Justin Holiday isn’t remarkable but checks the basic boxes for a backup guard, ditto for brother Aaron Holiday but Aaron is a point guard. Jalen Johnson has decent size but isn’t a shooter.
How high this team can go will likely depend on how Young and Murray fit together in the long run. They both want the ball which makes it a bit awkward but if they can figure out how to play effectively together they combine for a formidable backcourt combination that could take this squad to genuine contention. The supporting cast is mostly solid as well. Capela and Okongwu give solid center play for all 48 minutes, John Collins is great as a 3rd option when the first two options are good passers, and De’Andre Hunter is already a good complimentary wing player and could get better. The bench is a little thin but they are not a disaster. It is clear that teammates have not always loved playing with Trae Young so maybe this will never gel well enough to be effective, but it could.
Matchups to watch:
The Backcourts: My guess is Ivey and Trae spend the majority of time on each other and the same for Cade against Murray. This is where most of the firepower is for each team. Cade and Ivey won’t likely match the production of the Hawks front-court but it is possible they outplay them. The Pistons backcourt also needs to play both ways.
Pistons vs. John Collins: Collins is huge, athletic and skilled. He’s big and athletic enough that I’d be worried about him if he was playing center but the Pistons will need either Bey or Bojan to match up with him. The lack of athleticism on the inside for Detroit means this could become an Alley-Oop fest for Collins.
Stew vs. Risking it all: This is just going to be in each preview for a while. Defenses are ignoring Stewart offensively to a degree that is not sustainable. It is to a point that the Pistons don’t really have a choice. They have to feed him and pray he comes through. If he can come through then the Pistons offense is suddenly cooking with gasoline, if he can’t come through in these circumstances then he cannot start. That simple.
Cade vs. Busting out: Cade hasn’t been bad so far but still pretty underwhelming. He needs a game where he goes off to put some of the hand-wringing to rest.
Pistons vs. Tired legs: Never ideal to be on a back to back when the other team has 2 days of rest. If the Hawks are smart they will come out running to try and take advantage. Given that the Pistons have been miserable defending transition even when they’re rested this could be a huge problem. On that note.
Pistons vs. Effort: I rarely lean on effort. NBA players today largely play hard and when teams lose it’s largely because they are not as good. And to be clear, all the effort in the world won’t make the Pistons good. But the blown defensive possessions, not getting back in transition, and lack of offensive movement. There’s no other way to put it. They need to dog deep and find pride in their games as individuals.
So in conclusion…
Run for the hills if:
The Pistons look tired
Young has a mean regression by hitting 11 threes
Collins is having a dunk party
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
Isaiah Stewart is getting in fights.
The Pistons generally have a fire under their ass
Trae Young is still cold from deep
Opportunities for me to look stupid:
The Pistons come out with fire and win. (plz)