Highlighting 3 things Atlanta Hawks fans can be thankful for despite sluggish start to the season.

Once Again, the Atlanta Hawks are off to a less-than-desirable start.

The 4-13 start is just a tick better than the 3-14 record they carried each of the last two seasons through 17 games.

It is more disappointing however, as before the year – and especially after the 2-0 start – the Hawks had some buzz surrounding them about potentially sneaking into the playoffs.

The rough start is going to make the next 65 games a whole lot tougher if they still want to compete for the 7th or 8th seed out East.

Still, it is the beginning of the Holiday season, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, We’d thought it’d be nice to highlight some things to be thankful for, even with the sluggish first slate of games.

Let’s begin.

1 – Trae Young is an All-Star

We’re still quite a ways from the February All-Star break, but best believe, if the team were picked today, Trae Young would be on the roster.

As of 11/26, Trae is averaging 26.6 points per game, which is good for 7th in the league. He’s done so by making 43% of his attempts and while being doubled almost every time up the court.

Young has continued to play like a star throughout the absence of arguably the Hawks’ 2nd and 3rd best player.

John Collins, who nearly averaged 20/10 last season is still suspended for violating the league’s drug policy, while fellow sophomore and 3-point assassin Kevin Huerter is out nursing a shoulder injury.

Despite, Trae has continued to excel at finding the open man, dishing out 8.7 assists per contest, 3rd in the NBA.

His defense, while still not great, has improved from his rookie campaign. He’s stealing 1.5 balls per game and is staying in front of shifty players better.

Enough time has past where you can certainly say the Hawks hit big with the Young draft pick, and while the future is ever brighter, the point guard is playing like an All-Star right now.