How Quin Snyder Saved the Hawks’ Season – And Possibly His Job

When the Atlanta Hawks was staring at a 27-31 record after an embarrassing loss to the Miami Heat, it looked like another coaching change was inevitable and Quin Snyder would be the next victim. Now, today, Snyder is here to stay after overseeing an 18-4 run.

Notably, first-year general manager Onsi Saleh did not hire Snyder, so there was no built-in loyalty, especially given that Snyder had just one year remaining on his current deal after this season.

After trading four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young, arguably the second-best player in Atlanta Hawks history, the Hawks held a pedestrian 9–10 win-loss record, suggesting that despite the move, not much had changed.

However, Snyder made important changes to the rotation and the team’s overall approach, which led to an 11-game winning streak after the All-Star break. The changes were evident by the 18-point average differential during that streak.

The Hawks are now controlling the tempo offensively and dominating down low in the paint. Defensively, they are playing better as a team, particularly on the perimeter, led by Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Yet still, there were two crucial changes that have turned the Hawks’ season around and likely guaranteed him another full season in Atlanta at the least.

 

Inserting C.J. McCollum into the starting lineup

Acquired alongside Corey Kispert in the Young trade from the Washington Wizards, McCollum’s initial performance left much to be desired from his new fanbase, particularly during the team’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, where a miscue on the final possession spoiled Atlanta’s comeback attempt.

Since Snyder inserted him into the starting lineup in place of the second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher, he has provided offensive stability for the Hawks after Young’s departure.

McCollum has averaged approximately 18.5 points per game, providing a spark when the team stalls offensively and hitting clutch shots during Atlanta’s post–All-Star break run. His signature moment as a Hawk came last month during a pivotal game against the Detroit Pistons on the road.

After the Hawks squandered a 21-point halftime lead and trailed by five in the fourth quarter, McCollum took over, scoring 11 straight points to carry Atlanta to an eventual overtime win.

“CJ has been a huge part of our turnaround since the trade. His scoring, playmaking, and leadership have been invaluable,” Snyder said, a quote that reflects the trust he has in the 34-year-old former Most Improved Player recipient.

 

Shift in offensive philosophy

With Young no longer in the picture, a shift in the offensive philosophy was inevitable. Under Snyder, the Hawks have moved away from a heliocentric pick-and-roll heavy offense towards a scheme that’s built on ball movement, spacing, and multiple scoring threats.

Alongside McCollum, the Hawks feature 24-year-old first-time All-Star Jalen Johnson, Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu, who has made strides offensively each year. With four starters capable of scoring at least 20 points on any given night, Atlanta’s offense has become far more dynamic and difficult to defend.

Snyder’s offensive vision has finally come to fruition, as the Hawks led the NBA in assists per game (30.5) and set a single-season franchise record with 2,427 total assists. Also, an astounding 65 percent of their made field goals have come off of assists.

Alexander-Walker’s offensive game took a drastic leap from his previous career high average of 11.0 (2020-21) to this year’s 20.8 under Snyder.

“He saw a ceiling higher for myself than I did,” Alexander-Walker mentioned. “I felt like in my career, I’ve never had that before.”

For all the criticism Snyder has faced during his Hawks’ tenure, he deserves credit for the team’s sudden, and quite frankly, unexpected turnaround. He is among the league’s well-respected coaches, and the Hawks’ patience with him is proving worthwhile.

Snyder received Coach of the Month honors for March and guided Atlanta to a 46-36 record, their most regular-season wins since 2016.

All in all, Things can change on a dime in professional sports and Snyder’s Hawks are a crystal clear example of that.

Three months ago, this team moved on from its franchise player, with most of its players and the head coach facing an uncertain future. Now, they’re locked into arguably the most entertaining first-round series in the Eastern Conference.