Jun 25, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks during game two of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone keeps talking about this being the Atlanta Hawks first Conference Finals appearance since 2015. In doing so we ignore the more intriguing underlying story of how quick their turnaround actually was. The reason Hawks fans get to see Trae Young in their favorite jersey is that this team tied for the third-worst record in the NBA in 2018.