Atlanta Hawks Enter a New Era With Jalen Johnson

The Atlanta Hawks have been entering a new era with their new star, Jalen Johnson. Hawks Vice President of Basketball Operations, Dominique Wilkins, has positively commented on Johnson, 24, in an exclusive interview with Casino.org.

Atlanta Hawks Enter a New Era

If you’ve attracted the attention of Wilkins, then you know that you’re doing something right. Wilkins, also known as “the Human Highlight Film,” was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He’s often dubbed as one of the greatest NBA players of all time and in the Atlanta Hawks’ history. His career scoring, points per game, and minutes played can speak for themselves.

He went to nine straight NBA All-Star Games spanning from 1986 to 1994. He was a seven-time All-NBA selection. He also led the league in scoring, with 30.3 points per game during the 1985-86 NBA season.

The team is now led by Johnson in a post-Trae Young era. He went to his first NBA All-Star Game this season. He’s in the middle of a breakout season. A former first-round pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Johnson was selected with the 20th overall pick by the Hawks.

Johnson has been averaging 23 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, while shooting 49.4% from the field, 34.3% from the three-point range, and 78.3% from the free-throw line, this season. Johnson’s stellar performances have helped put the Hawks in a position to obtain an NBA Play-In Tournament spot in the upcoming postseason.

High Praise For the Hawks

Wilkins, who faced the Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, compared Johnson to Pippen, 60. Wilkins told Casino.org, “Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward. Pippen was a point forward and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night.”

More Praise For the Hawks

Wilkins didn’t stop with his initial praise of Johnson. Wilkins had more praise for him and even constructive criticism. Wilkins said of Johnson’s ascension, “I saw the growth in him two years ago, and I said to his parents, ‘Don’t worry, he’s gonna do very well in this league, and he’s gonna be a great player in this league. Just be patient.’ And now look where he’s at.”

Wilkins offered constructive criticism for Johnson, “He will get better defensively. He will get better as far as different ways he can score. As a young guy, you can always get better. You can always add new things to your game to make you an even more lethal player. Being 24 years old, he’s still learning right now.”

Hawks’ Next Steps

The Atlanta Hawks’ next steps include enjoying and perhaps training during this much-needed day off, which happens to be on a Wednesday.

The Hawks face the Washington Wizards in the second of a back-to-back set between the two teams on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Atlanta could beat Washington again by capitalizing on their offensive skills, taking advantage of their rebounding, maintaining their possession, utilizing their bench, and making successful free throws.

The Hawks should strive to build chemistry with the younger players like Johnson and Jonathan Kuminga, who finished with a season-high 27 points in the Hawks’ 119-89 rout of the Washington Wizards after a messy split with the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga, 23, also recorded seven rebounds and four assists.

The Eastern Conference is quite competitive at the moment, but the Hawks’ retooled roster has the power to make a playoff run and potentially resemble the same Hawks squad’s success achieved during Wilkins’ prime.