The Atlanta Hawks continue to get zero respect from the NBA. Despite having one of the best starting units in the NBA thanks to the addition of Dejounte Murray, the NBA has not given the Hawks a Christmas Day matchup. They have also not given them a nationally televised game in rivalry week.
The NBA has also released its schedule for the first week of nationally televised games and guess what, the NBA is not televising any Hawks games. This is just another example of where the Hawks appear to be on the receiving end of the NBA not showing them any respect.
The problem is, that without the national coverage, the national media who vote on the various awards, including the All-Star teams, then the team and players miss out on so much. The Hawks had better national coverage last season and Trae Young was named to the All-NBA third team. Is that a coincidence? I think not.
The Atlanta Hawks need the NBA to start looking after them.
For a team to win in the NBA they need star power. In order to get that star power, they need to be looked after. You see, without star power, NBA referees call players differently. There are bail-out calls, rookies don’t get the same respect as the superstars. It all makes a difference in the season.
On the defensive end, if a player has a reputation as a good defender, then they can get away with more than a player without the same reputation. Without the national media’s attention, players cannot get these reputations. So when it comes to playoff basketball, they don’t get the calls, and this can mean the difference between a championship or bust.
Looking at the national television coverage for the first week, the Hawks have no games. This is typical of how the Hawks have been treated so far this season. The Philadelphia 76ers are featured three times and multiple teams with two games, including the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.
The Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, LA Clipper, and Memphis Grizzlies all have two games. While the Atlanta Hawks are playing the Houston Rockets, the Orlando Magic, and the Charlotte Hornets, they are worth a look. The rivalry with the Magic could draw interest by itself thanks to the beef, which has since been squashed, between Murray and No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero