Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks
Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

The Atlanta Hawks Still Can't Challenge The Knicks

September 24, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Atlanta Hawks won two games against the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the first round of last year’s playoffs, then lost Game 5 by halftime in what host Brad Rowland described as “that weird numb feeling.” But that series was never as lopsided as the final blowout suggested, and the Hawks have spent the offseason doubling down on what made the Knicks uncomfortable in the first place.

The Hawks’ Strategic Patience

The Hawks entered the summer with a clear-eyed assessment of where they stood. They were a young team that finished the regular season with one of the league’s best net ratings over the final 15 games, but they also knew they were not one move away from contention. As Rowland put it, the Hawks looked around the Eastern Conference and saw the Knicks, Celtics, 76ers, Cavaliers, and Heat all in various states of “all in.” Rather than trade for a player like Jalen Brown — a move that was reportedly available but would have cost them flexibility for a player past his prime — Atlanta chose to keep its powder dry.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (01:11) **The Hawks Doubled Down** - Gavin introduces the episode: re-examining the Knicks-Hawks playoff matchup and whether Atlanta has solved the Knicks' challenge.
  • 2 (02:56) **Series Aftermath & Measuring Stick** - Brad describes the mixed feelings after losing to the eventual champions.
  • 3 (04:54) **Why Atlanta Didn't Go All-In** - Brad explains the Hawks' patient, self-aware off-season strategy.
  • 4 (07:13) **The "Treadmill" vs. Responsible Rebuilding** - Brad defends the Hawks' middle-of-the-road position as a calculated strategy.
  • 5 (11:04) **Jalen Johnson as the Litmus Test** - Gavin asks if Jalen Johnson's development is the trigger for the Hawks to go all-in.
  • 6 (16:50) **The Missed Opportunity on Jaylen Brown** - Brad reveals the Hawks could have traded for Jaylen Brown but passed.
  • 7 (18:48) **The Size Problem vs. The Knicks** - Gavin highlights the Hawks' inability to counter the Knicks' size advantage when playing through KAT.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Gavin Shaw

Show Notes

The Atlanta Hawks double down on fierce perimeter defense—can they finally crack the East’s elite, or will size concerns haunt them again? Gavin Schall and Brad Rowland break down Atlanta’s post-playoff identity after their hard-fought series loss to the New York Knicks, spotlighting Jalen Johnson’s rise, the impact of new additions like Lou Dort and Aaron Wiggins, and the calculated decision not to make a blockbuster splash this offseason.

Key topics include the Hawks’ offseason strategy, concerns about rim protection after struggles containing Karl-Anthony Towns, and whether self-awareness and patience will pay off in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference. The hosts debate Atlanta’s best paths forward, how the Knicks match up after their championship run, and which young players could be the difference-makers in a future playoff push. Can the Hawks’ defensive upgrades make them a nightmare matchup, or do roster limitations still loom large?

Timestamps

00:00 Discussing Knicks vs. Hawks series

05:02 Atlanta Hawks' playoff potential

07:07 Hawks' realistic team assessment

13:02 Evaluating Jalen Johnson's Potential

17:49 Atlanta's size issues vs. Knicks

21:14 Team defense strategy and trade-offs

23:41 Knicks vs. Hawks playoff struggles

29:28 Knicks' playoff defense vs. Hawks

31:38 Mike Brown's underrated impact

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