The Atlanta Hawks closed 2018 with a hard-fought loss on the road to the Indiana Pacers, 116-108.

THREE OBSERVATIONS

1. 2019 is going to be fun

Coming into the season not much was expected out of the Atlanta Hawks. Most prognosticators had them selected to finish with the worst record in the league. With 2018 in the rearview, one thing that has really stood out about this season is that this group is fun to watch. At the end of the day, the NBA is about entertainment and regardless of what the scoreboard may read during any Hawks game you are getting your money’s worth in terms of entertainment value.

John Collins has continued to improve in his second season (adding a competent outside shot to his repertoire), all three first-round picks have shown flashes and promise of what could come down the line in the future, and above all, the pace that this team plays at means points are going to be put up on the board.

As December reached its end, you could see that this team was starting to turn the corner. It might not result in many wins, but they are going to be an irritant for opposing teams night-in and night-out.

2. K3VIN HU3RT3R

The rookie out of Maryland has showcased steady improvements throughout the duration of his first NBA season. In the final game of 2018, Kevin Huerter put it on display for everyone to see firsthand.

Huerter finished the game with a career-high 22 points and connected on six of his nine three-point attempts. In the first half, Huerter nailed three triples from the left-side corner near the Hawks bench. His teammates were up celebrating the makes as soon as the pass to Huerter hit his hands. His ability to bury three-pointers also led to this spectacular highlight dunk in the fourth quarter, which almost sparked a late comeback by Atlanta.

If Huerter can continue to be a lights-out shooter from deep, it’ll help to open the floor for the rest of the team going forward.

3. Foul trouble stopped what was likely a big Trae Young game

Trae Young became a national treasure at Oklahoma for his ability to get hot early. In the first half of the first quarter, it looked as if Young was on pace to have an explosive game. Young had eight of the first 20 Atlanta points, and confidently drilled his first two three-pointers of the game–both of which were well beyond the 24-foot arc.

Young exited the game with the Hawks ahead 20-16 as part of his normal rotation schedule, but he would tally up three fouls in the first half and would end up sitting for over 10 minutes in the second quarter. The foul trouble doused any momentum that Young had built early. He ended the game with 16 points and seven assists. If there are still any questions about the November shooting slump Young experienced his play of late has clearly shown that it is a thing of the past.

TWO QUESTIONS

1. Does Daniel Hamilton stick?

With Kent Bazemore and Taurean Prince both out, the Hawks turned to Daniel Hamilton to start on the wing. Hamilton made noise in the NBA G-League with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he operated in more of a point-forward role. With Trae Young being the primary facilitator, Hamilton would have to operate off-the-ball in this new role with Atlanta.

Hamilton looked the part of a quintessential role player in his first start. He was the primary defender against Victor Oladipo and did all he could to nag and hound the All-Star guard on the perimeter. He also brought hustle and intensity to the floor. Oftentimes keeping plays alive by aggressively crashing the offensive glass–he finished the game with six rebounds, which tied for third-most on the team.

Hamilton signed a one-year $1.4 million deal this summer and has spent just four games with the Erie Bayhawks (the Hawks G-League affiliate) this season. Hamilton has been great in those contests averaging 18.3 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, and 7.3 assists per game with Erie.

Hamilton is still young, 23 years old, and he could fit in-line with the team’s long-term plans. It’s likely Bazemore and Prince will still be out for a game or two and Hamilton’s audition will continue in their absence.

2. Is there a more resilient team than the Hawks?

After a 15-1 run in the first quarter, it seemed as if the Indiana Pacers had found their groove and would cruise to an easy home win. Atlanta wasn’t having it and they fought back and closed the half within three points of the Pacers.

Then, in the third quarter, Indiana outscored the Hawks 34-21 to take a 16-point lead into the fourth. Once again, the game looked well out of reach for the young Atlanta team. However, in the final stanza, the Hawks once again cut into the deficit–dropping the Pacers’ lead to as low as six with 1:49 left to play. Young and Huerter both missed three-pointers that could’ve cut the lead to three and Indiana was able to hold on for a win in the end.

Time after time this season, the Hawks have found a way to respond when their backs look completely pinned to the wall. No matter who the opponent is or how big an opposing team’s lead may be, Atlanta always finds a way to make noise.

ONE PREDICTION

1. January is going to be rough

This 5-2 record in their final seven games of 2018 was a great culmination of hope to end the year, but 2019 doesn’t start off favorably for the Hawks. If you count Orlando and Brooklyn (who sit ninth and 10th in the East respectively) 12 of Atlanta’s 14 games in the upcoming month are against potential playoff teams. The two non-playoff teams? The John Wall-less Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls (both teams have wins over the Hawks already this season). For the hope that a new year usually brings, January is going to be one swift kick in the butt.