The Hawks needed a few timely plays from deeper on the roster to squeeze past the Thunder in preseason action, and they got them. With most of both teams’ main rotations sitting out, Atlanta still ended up in a tight one and pulled out the win on the back of some useful performances from players trying to carve out roles.
Jock Landale gave Atlanta exactly the kind of energy the Hawks want from a backup center. He put up 17 points on 7-11 shooting, knocked down 1-3 from deep, and did most of his damage around the rim while also helping on the glass.
The matchup wasn’t exactly a fair measuring stick, considering he was facing Oklahoma City’s rookies, two-way players, and exhibit 10 contracts, but Landale still handled it well. He wasn’t perfect defensively, yet he looked steadier on that end than he had at other points this preseason, which mattered after some uneven stretches.
Atlanta needs consistency from him this season, especially with him slotted in as the backup center.
Corey Kispert had the opposite kind of night. Quin Snyder has kept giving him chances to show he can be part of the rotation, and the appeal is obvious: he can shoot, and this Hawks team could use that.
But the shot wasn’t there. Kispert started and went 2-11 from the floor, including 2-9 from three.
When the jumper isn’t falling, there just isn’t much else to lean on, especially with the defensive issues already known.
Ejiofor also got an opportunity with Atlanta missing most of its regular group, and he made the most of backup center minutes. He finished with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting, added nine rebounds, and chipped in three assists.
Of the two rookies expected to see the floor this season, he’s the one without a clearly defined role yet. Kingston Flemings is set as the backup point guard, but Ejiofor’s path is still murky - whether he gets real minutes with the Hawks or spends the year developing in the G League remains an open question.
Asa Newell had the kind of preseason game he has too often had: flashes, but not enough consistency. He started and logged more than 27 minutes, but the results were rough.
Newell shot 3-14 overall and 1-9 from three, though he did grab 10 rebounds. The bigger problem was that the shooting struggles came with another shaky defensive outing.
He’s had chances over these four games to grab hold of the backup power forward spot, and he hasn’t done enough to lock it down. That points to Mouhamed Gueye once he returns from his foot injury.
Kobe Johnson may have played fewer than 10 minutes, but he made them count. He finished with 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals, and his late work on the glass and a steal helped Atlanta finish the job.
He looks like a player with enough talent to stick on a two-way deal for plenty of NBA teams, and this preseason has been a strong showcase. He should get plenty of chances in College Park this season as he keeps building his game.
In Other News...
Aaron Wiggins Is Showing Why The Hawks Needed Him This Summer
Aaron Wiggins has wasted little time giving the Hawks a preview of why they wanted him in the first place. Added this summer, he has looked comfortable as a perimeter threat in preseason action, the kind of player who can help bend a defense and create the floor spacing Atlanta needs around its key pieces.
The shot profile is what makes Wiggins worth watching as the regular season gets closer. Atlanta has been looking for reliable help from the outside, and Wiggins has shown enough touch to suggest he can matter in the rotation right away. If that carries over, the Hawks may have found a useful piece for a roster that needs more shooting than most teams can afford to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Quin Snyders Final Preseason Choices Could Say A Lot About The Hawks
The Hawks close out the preseason Thursday at State Farm Arena against an Oklahoma City group that will look much different than a typical NBA opponent. The Thunder are leaving their veteran rotation players at home and plan to use rookies, two-way players and Exhibit 10 guys, which gives Atlanta a final tune-up that is less about the scoreboard and more about the last bits of evaluation before the games start to count.
For Quin Snyder, the bigger question is how he wants to handle his own rotation. Atlanta could go the cautious route and sit its main pieces, or use the matchup to stretch the minutes of players who have not seen much run so far. However Snyder handles it, this is the kind of preseason decision that can hint at which fringe players are closest to earning trust once the regular season begins. [Read more 🡒]