NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break

FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings W17
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings W17: Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after scoring in the second half against the Orlando Magic (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks:

Offense: (105.6) tied 25th
Defense: (114.0) 28th
Net: (minus -8.3) 28th

Results Week 17: (0-2)  Lost vs Magic: 126-135, Cavaliers: 105-127
Games Week 18: (2 games) Thurs vs Heat | Sat vs Mavericks

The NBA featured Trae Young repeatedly this past weekend. He appears to be a favorite of the head office who sent the youngster out for TV interviews and special segments. Fans saw more of Young than they did Zach LaVine or even Chicago native Dwyane Wade (and he was front and center for much of the weekend).

In terms of where his Hawks stand the new additions have resulted in only one getting serviceable minutes. Dewayne Dedmon played in three games posting averages of 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and shot 36.4 percent from deep on 3.6 shots per game.

Clint Capela and Skal Labissiere have yet to make their Hawks debuts. Atlanta hopes Capela will make his inaugural appearance versus the Heat on Thursday while Skal isn’t expected back until the end of the month.

With the Hawks making these changes presumably the club will attempt to see how everyone meshes through their final 26 games.

John Collins will be under scrutiny during this period especially from the perimeter since the trio added are primarily stay at home bigs. Their presence should create space for Collins and the freedom to shoot more deep balls.  Through three seasons Collins has improved each year and is shooting 35.5 percent in 2019-20 while taking 3.5 perimeter attempts per game.