The Atlanta Hawks surprised almost everyone by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and they entered this year with expectations that they haven't been able to meet.
While most of the team that had a deep playoff run was brought back, there were a few guys that weren't. And despite their on-court role being minimal, their impact is severely missed according to former NBA coach Rex Walters.
"They did bring the majority of the team back, but they also got a little bit younger. Solomon Hill, Tony Snell, Rajon Rondo, now you're talking about some younger guys on the bench," says Walters. "Those things make a difference defensively in terms of NBA defense. That's the one area they are getting killed.
"Last year they had an innocent rise, nobody expected it or saw it coming. But not a whole lot has changed except for the fact that they don't have that defensive commitment to really guard."
One could argue that the Hawks were the darlings of the league during the playoffs last year, underestimated by the Knicks and Sixers before ultimately dropping out to the eventual champion Bucks. But that feeling isn't there anymore.
The Hawks have been in position multiple times this season where it looks like they could cruise to a victory by halftime only to watch their lead dissipate, as evidenced by the 14-point halftime lead gone Tuesday night by the start of the fourth quarter.
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To listen to the entire interview with Rex Walters, click here.
