Buddy Gizzard of Hawks Hoop: “As you might have read by now, Dennis Schröder is leading the NBA with a 36.76 PER. He’s enjoying the best stretch of his young career. Meanwhile Thabo Sefolosha, a career 44% shooter from the field (34.6% from three), who shot better than 40% from 3-point range in two of the preceding three seasons, is shooting 22% from the field and has missed all six of his 3-point attempts this season. Early-season statistical anomalies are always a source of talking points until the new season ages enough to spot real trends. In this case, however, the early contrast between Schröder and Sefolosha gives me an opportunity to point out why I place so much emphasis on plus-minus. For the season, despite his horrid shooting, Sefolosha is an aggregate plus-6 (click the “team” column and the Hawks will be sorted at the top). Despite spectacular per-minute numbers that currently have Schröder sitting atop the PER rankings, looking down on players such as Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry, the Hawks have been outscored by a total of nine points during his time on the floor.”
Brad Rowland of Peachtree Hoops: “It is Quin Snyder Day in Atlanta, as the former Atlanta Hawks assistant leads the Utah Jazz in his triumphant return to Philips Arena. In fairness, this game is likely more about the Hawks attempting to build off back-to-back victories over the New York Knicks on Saturday and Monday, but with the well-liked nature of Snyder in these parts, it seems appropriate to reference his new gig. The Utah Jazz enter Wednesday night’s game with a 3-5 record on the season, but there are real signs of life for the club under Snyder’s direction. The Hawks will be contending with a Utah offense that is scoring 105.5 points per 100 possessions (a top-10 mark in the NBA), and because of the ball movement implemented by Snyder coinciding with some real talent on the Jazz roster, Coach Bud and company will have their hands full defensively.”
Danny Knobler of the AJC: “A brief look at the Hawks’ 91-85 victory against the New York Knicks on Monday night in New York’s Madison Square Garden: How the game was won: With Jeff Teague on the bench down the stretch, Dennis Schroder calmly steered the Hawks to a second consecutive victory against the New York Knicks. Schroder scored 12 fourth-quarter points, while Paul Millsap led with 19 points overall, as the Hawks evened their record at 3-3. It was their first road victory of the season after three losses away from Philips Arena. The Knicks fell to 2-6.”
