When the Atlanta Hawks traded back in the draft so that they could take Trae Young rather than Luka Doncic, plenty of people around the NBA starting writing negative column inches. Then, Doncic started performing at an incredible level, collecting triple-doubles as a rookie in a way unseen in the NBA previously.
Doncic led his Dallas Mavericks to the playoffs last season, losing to the LA Clippers in six games. The Hawks were still down the bottom of the NBA, they did not get invited to the bubble last season.
This season, the Hawks were tremendous to start the season and then fell off a cliff.