Oct 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) looks to attempt a shot against Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) and forward Paul Millsap (4) in the second quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans Need To Let Anthony Davis Anchor The Defense

New Orleans Pelicans Need To Let Anthony Davis Anchor The Defense by Maxwell Ogden

The Atlanta Hawks opened the season on a high note. The dynamic interior duo of Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap could help Atlanta build upon that success.

12 years into a Hall of Fame career, Dwight Howard is finally where he’s meant to be. After mercurial tenures with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets, Howard has joined an organization that’s providing him the structure he’s been seeking.

Just one game into his Atlanta Hawks career, Howard has already begun restoring the faith of the skeptical masses.

Paul Millsap hasn’t received the same accolades as Howard, but he’s become one of the most respected players of the modern era. After being criminally underrated as a member of the Utah Jazz, Millsap has become a three-time All-Star in Atlanta.

Together, Howard and Millsap could be the duo that helps Atlanta achieve an elusive sense of legitimacy.

Millsap and Al Horford formed one of the most balanced and dynamic interior duos in the NBA. Both contributed in every phase of the game—literally, there was nothing they couldn’t do at an at least acceptable level—but their chemistry wasn’t enough to keep Horford in Atlanta.

Though some have labeled this as a downgrade for the Hawks, it’s actually the shakeup that Atlanta has needed.

The results of Howard and Millsap’s first regular season game together created reason for intrigue. Millsap finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists, a block and three 3-point field goals made, and Howard tallied 11 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks, and a steal.

Though it was only the season opener, Howard and Millsap displayed the upside of a dominant interior duo.

Offensive Balance

There’s no rational way to argue that Dwight Howard has a more complete offensive skill set than Al Horford. Howard may be more effective as a scorer from a pure production standpoint, but Horford is the more versatile of the two.

True as that all may be, Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap complement each other better than Horford and Millsap did.

Horford and Millsap may have been able to do more, but their skill sets were relatively redundant. Both were capable shooters who could go to the post and work the pick and roll, which inevitably created an overwhelming offensive attack.

What Howard brings to the table, however, is a true interior presence—something Atlanta has been without during the Budenholzer era.

Howard can work the pick and roll or pound it inside from the post to collapse the opposing defense. That works well for Millsap, who can attack off the bounce, pull up from distance or midrange, or work off-ball to space the floor.

Skilled as Horford and Millsap may be, having a genuine low-high balance can often be more valuable than having two players who operate outside of the paint.

Defensive Balance

Al Horford is a plus defender, but Dwight Howard has proven capable of legitimate dominance on that end. Horford is a quality rebounder, but Howard is one of the best rebounders in the NBA—healthy or otherwise.

On both ends of the floor, the Atlanta Hawks have found superior balance between Howard and Paul Millsap than they had with Horford and Millsap.

Howard’s ability to redirect shots may not signal elite defense, but it’s an intimidation factor that Atlanta has lacked in previous seasons. Howard’s production as a shot-blocker has dipped in recent seasons, but his aura remains somewhat intact.

During the Hawks’ season opener, Howard’s athleticism and general motion appeared to be as fluid as it’s been since his Orlando days.

Millsap, meanwhile, is one of the most versatile defensive players in the NBA. He can defend players at multiple positions, maintains a solid base against post players, switches well against the pick and roll, and rebounds at a respectable level.

The Hawks need a true defensive anchor for the NBA Playoffs. Howard and Millsap fit the bill.

Fixing The Fatal Flaw

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the most balanced teams in the NBA. The fatal flaw over the past two seasons, however, has been the absence of a player who can control the pace of games by dominating the boards.

Paul Millsap and Al Horford are capable rebounders, but they don’t hold a candle to Howard’s proficiency on the boards.

Over the past three seasons, Howard accumulated averages of 13.0 rebounds and 3.5 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. By comparison, Horford compiled averages of 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 offensive boards during that same timeframe.

Millsap checked in at 10.0 rebounds and 2.7 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes in 2015-16, which implies that he and Howard can collectively fix this fatal flaw.

During the 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Atlanta averaged 39.5 rebounds and 9.5 offensive boards to marks of 45.8 and 13.5 by the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, Atlanta posted marks of 39.3 rebounds and 6.8 offensive rebounds to Cleveland’s 52.0 and 13.8.

Howard’s arrival couldn’t have come at a more desperate or necessary time.

Though Horford may have been the better player in 2015-16, Howard and Millsap are the duo that Atlanta has needed in order to create the proper interior balance.