Inside the NBA: Do the Magic and Hawks Shine Without Their Stars?

The Rise of the New Players: A Shift in Team Dynamics

With injuries starting to pile up for star players, an interesting trend has begun: teams have played just as well, if not better, without their franchise cornerstones. This phenomenon is prompting a closer look at how teams adapt when their top performers are sidelined.

Atlanta Hawks: A New Style of Play

The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the most intriguing cases this season. After starting the season 2-3 with Trae Young in the lineup, the team has gone 11-6 in his absence. On/off numbers comparing Atlanta this season without Trae and last year with him show that when he sits, the team is worse on offense (117.4 with Trae, 116.2 without) but better on defense (116.8 with Trae, 112.6 without). Overall, the Hawks have a better net rating without him (+3.6 vs +0.6), though this doesn't factor in the offseason upgrades.

The team's style of play has shifted significantly. Atlanta has moved from running the 11th most pick-and-rolls per game last year to the 26th most this season, indicating a more egalitarian approach. Both passes and assists per game have slightly increased in Trae’s absence, suggesting a more balanced offensive strategy.

Jalen Johnson has shown remarkable improvement, averaging 23/10/7 on 54/40/78 shooting, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker has emerged as a key player. NAW’s role in bringing the ball up and setting up the offense has been crucial. His playmaking isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s effective given the Hawks’ strong off-ball movement.

Despite these improvements, Trae Young remains a critical piece for the Hawks. His ability to break down defenses when needed is something the team currently lacks. The question remains whether he can integrate into a more off-ball role while still being a key player.

Orlando Magic: Balancing the System

Orlando's situation with Paolo Bagic is different. While he's younger than Trae and fits into the team's system, the Magic have shown signs of improvement without him. They've gone 6-2 without Paolo after starting 6-6 with him, with a similar net rating. The biggest change has been an elevated role for Desmond Bane, whose usage has increased from 22.5% to 26.1%.

Bane's abilities as both a playmaker and shooter have been instrumental in improving the Magic's offensive rating. However, the issue lies in how the team uses Paolo. When they run two-man actions involving both players, the offense becomes more dangerous. The problem arises when the ball stops moving, leading to inefficient plays.

Paolo's shot selection has been a concern, with a low field goal percentage and a high reliance on mid-range shots. The Magic's offense often lacks creativity, with possessions mostly involving isolations or two-man actions. This has led to an offense that underperforms its potential.

Conclusion

Both the Hawks and the Magic demonstrate how teams can adapt when their star players are sidelined. For the Hawks, the emergence of new players like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been key. For the Magic, the challenge lies in finding the right balance between Paolo Bagic and Desmond Bane.

This trend highlights the importance of team dynamics and the need for coaches to adjust strategies based on the available talent. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these teams continue to evolve.