Hawks Embarrass Themselves To Start The Season

After finishing below .500 last year and failing to make it out of the play-in, the Hawks decided they needed to make big changes over the summer.

The Hawks then went out and got several big name role players and starters from Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Luke Kennard and Kristaps Porzingis.

Many reporters and executives around the league said the Hawks had won the offseason and could be a true contender in the East.

They must not have let the Hawks players know the season started tonight.

The Hawks defense, which was supposed to have been massively improved this offseason, gave up a whopping 86 points in the paint tonight.

The Hawks kept the game within ten points until the Raptors went on a 14-0 run in the 3rd quarter. The Raptors would go on to win by 20.

Dyson Daniels, a key defensive contributor (amicably referred to as the great barrier thief) was in foul trouble all night and was subbed off several times.

The Hawks had six different players score double digit points, and still could not keep up with the Toronto Raptors relentless offense.

To be fair, this is not the Raptors team that went 30-52 last year. They made multiple additions themselves, including Brandon Ingram from New Orleans.

Thankfully this is only the first game of an 82 game season, so no overarching conclusions should be made about the team.

BUT - to come out so flat for the season opener after an offseason full of pomp and circumstance can only be categorized as extremely disappointing.

Now the Hawks will travel to play a well constructed Orlando Magic team in two days time who had a good offseason of their own.

Let’s hope for a different result.