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3 Offensive Improvements Current Hawks Can Make For 2016

By John Buhler

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The Atlanta Hawks had the sixth best offense in the NBA according to Team Offensive Rating in 2014-15 (108.9).  Atlanta was a top five shooting team from all parts of the floor and its high-octane offense helped get the Hawks to its first Eastern Conference Finals.  But there’s always places where this team can improve, even on the offensive end of the court.  Here are three players that can make minor adjustments in 2015-16 offensively than could yield big dividends as the Atlanta Hawks look to win an NBA Championship next season.

May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots past Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the third quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Teague could shoot for a higher field goal percentage.

Though Jeff Teague became an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2015, I still think there is a little room for improvement in his shooting game.  I’m okay with him shooting .460 from the field, .343 from three-point land, and I love his free throw shooting percentage at .862.  But I’d prefer to see Teague shoot for a higher percentage from two (.496).

I know it looks like I’m nitpicking but it seemed like every game there would be at least a layup or two Teague would somehow miss.  And they weren’t highly contested looks like Dennis Schroder would sometimes force up either.  I’m talking about what should come as easy twos for Teague.  And if you add in a slightly more consistent three-point game, then Jeff Teague becomes a serious MVP contender in 2016.

Teague’s improvement under Coach Bud’s guidance has been wonderful to see as a fan.  I think he could average 18-20 PPG in 2016 if Teague makes these minor adjustments.  If DeMarre Carroll, who is best known for his defensive tenacity, can become a 40% 3-point shooter in Bud’s system, so can Jeff Teague.

Kent Bazemore needs to shoot better from the free throw line.

When wing Kent Bazemore takes the floor for the Atlanta Hawks, you know that he will make an impact play on either end of the court as the team’s most athletic player.  In his first season in Atlanta, Baze began to play a more cerebral game of basketball as opposed to relying solely on his physical abilities.  He became a great outside shooter and a decent secondary ball handler for the Hawks in addition to solidifying himself as a premier perimeter defender.  But man, does Kent Bazemore need to work on his free throws.

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Baze is a career .605 free throw shooter and he’s a guard by trade.  That’s like Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard range.  It’s especially a problem when Kent attacks the paint for a posterizing jam, only to get fouled hard and miss both free throw attempts.  For a rotational NBA wing, Bazemore needs to shoot around 75% from the line to avoid being an offensive liability in crunch time situations.

Kent did improve at the line a bit in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, shooting .677 from the charity stripe.  If he can shoot .364 from three, why is it so difficult for him to shoot .750 from the foul line?  I think it’s all a focus thing with Kent and he should work on this part of his game this summer.  His improved free throw shooting will only make him and his team better in 2016.

Feb 27, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Al Horford needs to start getting to the free throw line.

Al Horford is one of the best players in the NBA now, without question.  Offensively he is incredibly versatile for a big man, playing the stretch five at times for Atlanta.  Defensively he can anchor a unit with the best of them.  But if there is one aspect of The Boss’ game that leaves me a little underwhelmed, it’s that he doesn’t go to the foul line often enough.

Though I do love his mid-to-long-range finesse game, Al’s strong enough to draw contact and get easy looks at the free throw line.  Horford shot .759 from the charity stripe this past season, a great average for a low post player.  But Al only averaged 2.2 free throw attempts per game.  I get that Paul Millsap does a better job of getting to the line that Horford (4.6 FTA/G), but what if Millsap signs elsewhere in 2016?  Who is going to get the Hawks to the foul line inside?

Al needs to step up regardless of if Paul Millsap re-signs with the Hawks and start attacking the paint more.  When Horford gets in the air, no one is stopping him.  There is so much untapped potential in this part of Al Horford’s game and I think it could make him a Top 15 player perennially if he makes this offensive adjustment.

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