Atlanta Hawks Hit New Low After Knicks Loss, Lloyd Pierce Report

The Atlanta Hawks were embarrassed by the mediocre New York Knicks. It would be the third time this season the Hawks have surrendered more than 140 points in a game.

After the blowout loss to the New York Knicks, Chris Haynes, of Yahoo Sports, reported that there was “frustration” in the locker room over “teammates complaining of selfishness and not putting necessary work to turn things around”. Haynes also reported that Coach Lloyd Pierce is “not currently on the hot seat”. It was a damaging report to come out with the Hawks in the middle of a major slump. Since November 14th, the Hawks have lost 16 of their 18 games.

Lloyd Pierce has been very forthright when it comes to claiming responsibility for how bad the Atlanta Hawks have looked for the last month. The report of a disjointed locked room is one of the more troubling pieces of this development. The Hawks are made up of mostly young guys, except for Vince Carter, Alan Crabbe, and Evan Turner. It is up to Coach Pierce to work on the chemistry of his team, especially one this young. It sounds like Lloyd Pierce is safe, for now, but if the Hawks keep nosediving, he might not stay safe.

The one-piece of this situation that can’t be ignored is John Collins. Since being suspended for 25 games, the Hawks have hit rock bottom. Luckily, for the Hawks, Collins’s suspension is coming to an end next Monday. Coach Pierce stated, on 92.9 The Game, that Collins will be back on Monday without a minutes restriction. Collins will be a huge boost for this Hawks team.

Even with John Collins returning to the lineup, there are still major issues with this Atlanta Hawks team. Any hope of this team finding their way to the 8th seed is long gone. Now, the Hawks will be looking to not be the worst team in the league, which they’re close to bottom after the Knicks game. With so many young players playing meaningful roles, the Hawks are going to have to go through the growing pains of the NBA. So far, this season has been more pain than anything else.

The Atlanta Hawks will return home tonight to face the Utah Jazz. Once again, the Hawks will have their hands full with trying to slow down the Jazz tonight. Maybe being at home will boost the Hawks to get back to some winning ways tonight. The Hawks and Jazz will tipoff tonight at 7:30.