The Atlanta Hawks Media Days took place today and the players well as the back office took the opportunity to speak their minds.
The team’s head coach Quinn Snyder, who’s in his first full year of leading the team, and Hawks General Manager Landry Fields joined team stars Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and more to meet with the Atlanta media to talk about the coming season, what they expect to happen, and more.
Among the most interesting items discussed today:
Fields said communication, on and off-court development, and a “commitment to sacrifice” were the key goals for this upcoming Hawks season. He said he wanted the team to key in on “positioning” and “being unified.” Fields commented on the departure of John Collins, who he said helped the team on defense, and that new team member Jalen Johnson is helping to take up the slack.
Delving further into team personnel matters, Fields said some rookies on the team were playing rotational minutes, and he would have to see where they fit in the future. He added that new team member Patty Mills could provide point guard coverage behind Young, and Murray if needed.
Coach Snyder told the press that he liked the in-season tournament. “It’s another bite at the apple,” he said. “That’s fun. It’s fun for fans. It’s a learning experience for players and for coaches.”
Snyder said his office at the Hawks training facility was too big and he was unable to see the court. He had the walls eliminated so assistants could work closer together.
Snyder told the press that the pick-and-roll play works for the team, especially Young and Dejounte Murray, who’s been honing his P n’ R skills this past summer. He noted that improving the Hawks defensive standing is paramount this season.
Trae Young says that fatherhood has made him consider what’s essential in life. He has a son and is expecting another child soon. He also is in a hurry to get back on the court and show he’s ready to win a championship. He had high hopes for the Hawks with Coach Snyder in complete control of the team and thinks this young squad should produce this season.
Bogi Bogdanovich says he is feeling better these days, recognizing that injuries hindered his practices at training camp.
D’Andre Hunter is leading the team this year and he plans to be more vocal in that team role.
Seth Lundy let Mills wear his #8 jersey, the number he has worn his entire NBA career. He told 929 The Game’s Caleb Johnson he thought the decision was a “no brainer” and that he hoped wearing the #3 jersey this year meant Lundy would be throwing more triple-pointers this season.
Johnson said he was glad that Coach Snyder is now fully in control of the Hawks. He says there’s a “sense of relief” now that there’s stability in the coache’s office.
After the interviews, the players then got behind the cameras for a photo shoot session.
Happy Media Day!
Throwing it back to some classics pic.twitter.com/itaWzSP90O
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 2, 2023
Double O Seventeen pic.twitter.com/i4aqTdsd6g
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 2, 2023
CC is instant energy pic.twitter.com/rb2nByj6EY
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 2, 2023
Bogi making shadow puppets pic.twitter.com/W76WS8dDrx
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 2, 2023
pic.twitter.com/uLXNGcnZCf
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 2, 2023
Here comes DM5 pic.twitter.com/GeEdtiJSFz
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 2, 2023
