Lose now and win the future! The future potential of the Eagles?

On the playoff stage of the 2024-25 season, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Miami Heat 114-123 and missed the playoffs and was eliminated early. This loss means they lost two consecutive games and completely lost the opportunity to advance, and the season came to an end.

However, for this young and in a critical stage of reconstruction, the ending, although regrettable, is not entirely tragic. Instead, the Hawks may have found something more valuable than the playoffs.

Although there are two opportunities to advance before the end of the season, the Hawks failed to grasp the door of fate. Even so, the team can still walk out of the arena with their heads held high because in this fierce battle, they saw the explosion of potential and hope for growth. The incarnation of this hope is the center: Oneka Okonggu.

The play-off against the Heat is the brightest night in Okonggu's career so far. The 50 minutes of the game played in the entire game set a record for the highest single-game playing time in the playoffs. He made 12 goals in 19 shots, plus 4 of 8 three-pointers, scoring 28 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block.

These numbers are not empty scores, but real and efficient output. Not only did he not suffer any losses in the inside confrontation, but he also showed unexpected ability to open up space on the outside. A few key three-pointers almost made the Heat's defense line in chaos. His existence makes the Hawks no longer rely on Trae Young's solo fighting in positional battles, and also makes the Heat's defensive strategy more passive. Although Hero scored the highest 30 points on the field, if we turn our attention from scoring data to influence and on-field value, Okonggu is undoubtedly the real best player that night. The individual's plus-minus value of the entire game is as high as +28.3, far higher than the other 17 players on the court. He can still contribute such a positive impact in the high-intensity play-offs, which shows that he is no longer just a blue-collar insider, but a core player who truly has the core player to change the trend of the game.

Of course, Okonggu did not become famous overnight, and the No. 6 pick at the 2020 draft has been on the verge of growth over the past few seasons. As a backup to Clint Capela, he can only wait on the bench for opportunities most of the time. And now, he finally waited for his own moment and firmly grasped it.

In the 2024-25 season, in 40 starting games, he averaged 15 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of up to 58.1%. In terms of three most popular shooting indicators among modern centers: three-point shooting percentage, three-point shooting volume and free throw shooting percentage, he also delivered an extremely impressive answer:

three-point shooting percentage is 36.2%, 2.4 shots per game, and 76.2% free throw shooting percentage.

This transcript is enough to show that he is not a surprise player who occasionally makes a three-pointer, but has a reliable threat point to stabilize the threat from the outside. More importantly, such progress is continuity, and his three-pointer feel is not just a flash of inspiration at a certain stage of the season, but the results accumulated after long-term training. For the Hawks, this means they have a space-type inside line that matches the trend of contemporary basketball, while also maintaining mobility and basket protection on the defensive end.

Okonggu's growth is just a microcosm of the Hawks' reshaping their lineup. Beside him, there is also the same young and amazing talent. The 2024 No. 1 pick Rissache performed better than expected in his rookie season, not only showing excellent outside shooting and defensive sense, but also showing the usual sophistication of European players in terms of game reading and team cooperation.

Another player that must be mentioned is forward star Jaylen Johnson. He ushered in an explosion this season. His comprehensive skills, strong ending ability at the basket and gradually mature ball quotient have made him an indispensable part of the Hawks' offense and defense. The young frontcourt composed of Okonggu and Rissache, with a balance of speed, height and skills, is one of the most promising trio in the league.

In addition, the Hawks' backcourt also has many highlights. Although Trae Young's performance has always been controversial, his organizational skills and key ball handling are still among the top in the league. His existence is still the engine in the Eagles offensive system. His passing vision, ball-handling ability and chemistry with the pick-and-roll partner creates a large number of open shots and easy scoring opportunities for the team.

And one of the biggest surprises this season is the rapid growth of young defender Dyson Daniels. From a dynamic player on the defensive end to a defender with certain ball-holding ability, Daniels' multi-faceted nature has brought new backcourt changes to the Hawks. His round-rotation judgment on the defensive end, his pass-through choice after breakthrough, and even his shooting outside the three-point line are steadily improving in almost every aspect.

Although he missed the playoffs in the end, for the Atlanta Hawks, this season is not a memory of failure, but more like the eve of rebirth after breaking out of his cocoon. They found Okonggu, strengthened the growth path of Rissache and Johnson, and also saw the diverse possibilities of dual cores in the backcourt.

This young eagle is quietly transforming. They have the prototype of a tactical system, and they also have a group of young people who are willing to trust each other and grow together. Perhaps the end of this season is a pity, but they have taken the most critical step on the road to rejuvenation.

The future is no longer an out of reach fantasy, but a reality built by the young army represented by Okonggu, with sweat and resilience bit by bit.