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Atlanta Hawks 2018-19 Schedule Release: Seven Intriguing Matchups

By Jordan Jackson

Atlanta Hawks Kent Bazemore (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks Kent Bazemore (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks Trae Young (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

Battle For Rookie Point Guard Supremacy

@ Cleveland Sunday October 21st, at 6:00 PM EST

Early in the 2018 Draft process, Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk said he was strongly considering eight players. Obviously Trae Young was among that group. However it is widely believed that former Alabama PG Collin Sexton, was also among the elite eight. Sexton was eventually selected three spots lower than Young, at number eight overall, by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Typically when the Cavaliers come to town, Lebron James has been the focal point for the Atlanta Hawks team, as well as the fans. This time all eyes will be on the matchup between the draft’s top 2 Point Guards, Trae Young versus Collin Sexton. The narrative told by many fans on social media, is that Colin Sexton shut Trae Young down, when Oklahoma met Alabama on January 27th of this year.

If you watched the game, you know otherwise. A closer look at the box score, proves that the battle was a lot closer that the narrative states. Trae Young finished the game with 17 points, three rebounds, and eight assists. Young was 6-17 shooting, and 4-9 from behind the arch. Colin Sexton notched 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was an efficient 8-14 from the field, but made just 1-4 three-point attempts.

Alabama won the game 80-73, so I guess you can say advantage Sexton, but certainly not by the shellacking that many suggest. When the Atlanta Hawks square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sexton also won’t have Forward Donta Hall. Hall blocked eight shots in the contest to protect the rim. For that reason, and others, I will step out on a limb and project that Trae Young will win the rematch, at “The Q” decisively.

Young phenom John Collins, versus perennial All Star Kevin Love, is certainly a battle to witness as well. Taurean Prince against Rodney Hood will be entertaining as well, should Hood agree to teams with Cleveland. These two teams will meet twice more during the regular season. The Atlanta Hawks will travel to Cleveland again on Tuesday October 30th 2018 at 7:00 PM EST. The final meeting will take place in the ATL, at the new and improved Phillips Arena on Saturday December 29th 2018, at 7:30 PM EST.

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