The Atlanta Hawks are in the middle of a rebuild after pushing some key assets off their boat over the past couple of seasons. While they play each game to win, it’s clear that reaching the playoffs is something of a pipe dream for the Hawks, whose current 2-12 record is tied with the Dallas Mavericks’ slate for worst in the NBA. However, that doesn’t mean a star can’t shine in Atlanta in this trying season for the team.
There have been a few notable players in Atlanta. Dennis Schroder is evolving into an All-Star quality point guard right in head coach Mike Budenholzer’s eyes while rookie big man John Collins is having quite a success so far this year. One player Budenholzer particularly has praised of late is 10-year veteran and journeyman Marco Belinelli.
Budenholzer is high on Belinelli, especially on the type of leadership and the great experience he’s gotten over his many years of playing professional and international hoops — qualities that Hawks’ mentor thinks is essential in helping Atlanta’s youngsters mature, per KL Chouinard of NBA.com.
“I'd like for him to share his experiences whether it be from his years in the NBA or his international experiences,” Budenholzer said. “He kind of does it a little bit on the sly. He's not super vocal. But I think that he is someone that we all respect, and I think he has good insight for young players.”
Belinelli wasn’t handpicked by Budenholzer to play for his team but has been playing well enough to get some early season praises from the head coach. Belinelli arrived in Atlanta via a trade last June that sent Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets.
Perhaps aided by the reduced pressure in Atlanta, the 31-year-old swingman is averaging career-high numbers of 12.3 points and 2.3 assists per game. Whether he could sustain that for the duration of this season remains to be seen, but Belinelli is making a strong case for Atlanta to consider bringing him back, as his contract expires at the end of this season.
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