Atlanta Hawks’ Coach Lloyd Pierce Makes a Bold Prediction Ahead of 2020-21 NBA Season

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the busiest teams this offseason. They have brought in some much needed veteran experience in Danilo Gallinari and Rajon Rondo. They also brought in 2 exciting guards in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn.

The Hawks already had a great core of young players like John Collins, Kevin Huerter, and a superstar in Trae Young. These veteran additions will help them elevate their game to the next level.

With a solid off-season, the Hawks who haven’t made it to the Playoffs last three seasons will be determined to make it to do so.

Head Coach Lloyd Pierce determined to make it to the Playoffs

Atlanta Hawks’ Head Coach Lloyd Pierce recently spoke with SiriusXM NBA Radio. Pierce said that he is confident that his team can make it to the Playoffs.

He said, “My job is to really position our guys for success. I want them playing with confidence, I want them playing together. I want them to believe that we have an opportunity to win every game and in sports, you go into it thinking that way so naturally everyone wants to get to the Playoffs.”

He added, “We should be in a position where we are a playoff team. We should be at a position where we are a top team in the East.

“That’s the belief we need to have or else we are in a world of trouble. The next step is to make that, and what that level is, I don’t know. But we have to get there.”

He continued, “I got a bunch of veteran guys coming in. We are trying to mesh the two worlds of guys who have been there, done that and guys that have never been there and trying to figure it out.

“So that’s the expectation I have is to mesh the two worlds together so that we can maximize what we are doing on the court and we could do it together.”

Can the Hawks make it to the Playoffs?

The Hawks have made 4 great additions in Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn. Three of these new additions are all about attack, but add a little to their defense.

The Hawks last season were lackluster in attack and had the worst defense in the league. These new additions will be a boost to the offense, but that won’t be the same for their defense.

There are some encouraging signs, though. Clint Capela who is yet to make his debut for the team is finally fit and will most probably start for them.

Their new draft pick Onyeka Okongwu is a more than capable backup center. Kris Dunn is a great defensive guard and will certainly bolster their perimeter defense.

Apart from Dunn, the team lacks a solid wing defender. Pierce will hope that any of the young starlets in Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter can develop into a decent perimeter defender.

Offensively the Hawks will be one of the best sides; however, their playoff hopes solely depend on their defense.