{"id":161896,"date":"2025-10-09T16:45:38","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=161896"},"modified":"2025-10-09T16:45:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:45:38","slug":"hawks-kristaps-porzingis-adjust-pace-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/10\/09\/hawks-kristaps-porzingis-adjust-pace-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks New Center Has To Make This Adjustment"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlanta Hawks have never had a player like Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a> in the Trae Young<\/a> era, his shot-blocking, 3-point shooting, and championship experience raising the ceiling of his new squad. He’ll likely see some of the most open looks in his career playing off Young and the Hawks many plus-passers. As the oldest player on the roster (30), Porzi\u0146\u0123is can help guide the third-youngest team in the league back to Eastern Conference contention. However, it’ll take some time for him to gel with his new team and vice-versa, particularly when it comes to pace on offense.<\/p>\n

Hawks New Center Has To Adjust To Pace Change<\/h2>\n

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder’s offense relies on pace, motion, and ball-movement to create efficient, high-quality shots. For example, Atlanta finished third in pace<\/a> and fifth in assist percentage<\/a> last season. For comparison’s sake, Porzi\u0146\u0123is spent the previous two campaigns with the Boston Celtics, which ranked 29th in pace and 20th in assist percentage. This playstyle suits Boston’s veteran-laden rotation and deadly 3-point shooting perfectly. Yet, the Hawks lack the halfcourt weapons around Young that are needed for a consistent, slow-paced offense.<\/p>\n

Porzi\u0146\u0123is’ post-ups and pick-and-pop\/roll with Young is a lethal halfcourt combination in theory. In the Young era, Atlanta hasn’t had a big man who can consistently punish smaller players in the post on face-ups or back-to-the-basket moves. However, the other three Hawks starters are still developing their offensive skills<\/a>. In fact, Dyson Daniels<\/a>, Zaccharie Risacher<\/a>, and Jalen Johnson<\/a> all play better when Atlanta outruns its opponents.<\/p>\n

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Jalen Johnson bodying up Amen like its nothing, phew pic.twitter.com\/ezlVY2p4Ek<\/a><\/p>\n

— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n