It is difficult to be one of the top teams in the league. It is even more difficult to do this twice in three days.
On Friday, the Atlanta Hawks shocked the league’s record holder in the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-101 thanks to a great offensive and defensive performance. The Hawks also gave Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell his worst performance of the season by shooting 5-of-23 in field goals and 2-of-10 in three-pointers for 12 points.
If it seems like déjà vu, it’s because it is. On Wednesday, the Hawks took down the Cavaliers on the road 135-124. Before they knew it, the Cavaliers got their second and third loss of the season and were eliminated from the NBA Cup.
Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and DeAndre Hunter are three players who had two games to give Atlanta wins over Cleveland. While fans loved their performances, they are ecstatic from the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft in power forward Zaccharie Risacher.
At one point in Friday’s game, Risacher showed how special he was as a smart playmaker. Late in the game, he cut inside to take a pass. He pumped once to get his defender, Mitchell off him. He then pump faked again to get the center in the paint off-balance to where Risacher could make an easy jump shot.
“Zaccharie Risacher has given the Hawks great minutes tonight on both end! His patience for a rookie is incredible,” one Hawks fan group said.
Another fan said, “I’m investing into Risacher stock now lol even tho he missed that snatchback was crazy for someone his height lol.”
One fan talked about his incredible shot at the basket, “That move by Risacher… wow. 2 defenders left in the dust.”
“Risacher’s footwork is next-level! Two defenders fooled in an instant,” another fan mentioned.
Finally, one excited is pleased with defensive and off-ball abilities as well as the potential he brings, “Risacher is so good off-ball. And a great defender. I see the vision with that draft pick man.”
Risacher finished the game accounting for 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, one block, one steal and only one turnover. He combined for 28 points shooting for 10-of-18 in field goals, 5-of-10 in three-point shots and 3-of-4 in free throws as well as five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Hawks have consistently this season for the lack of production in the win column despite the number of highly drafted players.
This team has become worse since making the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. The Hawks are trying to be more efficient in the second full season under head coach Quinn Snyder.
The Hawks (9-11) are in ninth place in a bad Eastern Conference. There is hope for the Hawks this season as long as they keep their core happy and find ways to close games.
Their two early losses to the Washington Wizards (2-15) still haunt the team. It always seems that Young is always on the trade block to the Lakers rumors. The time is now for the Hawks to return to their conference-contending form as long as some elite young players are on their roster.
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