The Atlanta Hawks have gradually secured the sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-20 record. Jalen Johnson is one of the players who has contributed to the team’s record. Johnson has shown remarkable growth in the 2024–25 NBA season, particularly in the area of scoring.
According to 2016 champion Channing Frye, the 23-year-old is the clear-cut winner of the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Additionally, Frye believes he deserves a spot in the All-Star team this season with the way that he’s played.
The former member of the Cleveland Cavaliers was given 30 seconds to talk about the positives for the Atlanta team. During the 30 seconds, Frye focused on how the high-flying forward has played.
“Jalen Johnson is going to get Most Improved and I think he should be an All-Star,” Frye said. “Johnson is one of the best, young, new stars that doesn’t get enough attention. He’s my style of player, bigger guy, athletic. He’s had some of the best dunks this year.
“I think offensively, he has a big ceiling. I also think, what they’ve done, what Quin [Snyder] has done is establish them as a defensive-minded team.”
“Jalen Johnson is going to get Most Improved and I think he should be an All-Star” @channingfrye tells @TaylorRooks something great about the @ATLHawks for over 30 seconds 🤣 #NBAXLive
➡ https://t.co/AF4qZllQUI pic.twitter.com/aAGgj3V9jK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 21, 2025
Johnson has played 33 games, averaging 19.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 50.9% shooting from the field. In all three categories. the starting forward for the team has improved. The 6-foot-9 forward has played 56 games, averaging 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Former NBA star thinks the Hawks are a ‘sleeper team’ in the Eastern Conference
After missing the playoffs in 2023–24, the Hawks have an opportunity to do so this season. The team showed promise and progress following the offseason trade of standout player Dejounte Murray.
The season isn’t over and there are still games left to be played to determine the final look of the standings of each conference. However, former star Charles Barkley believes the Atlanta team can potentially surprise other teams in the East.
“I will tell you the team that’s dangerous, believe it or not,” Barkley said. “The Atlanta Hawks. I think the Hawks, they’re a sleeper in the Eastern Conference.”
"The Atlanta Hawks.. They're a sleeper in the Eastern Conference" 👀
The guys debate on who the actual contenders are in the East 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/FSsjI3uYag
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 21, 2025
Atlanta has been a surprise for most teams, especially teams that have a better roster and record than them. Their most recent win was on Saturday, against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics. The Trae Young-led team outperformed the Celtics with a 119-115 win.
Before that, the Hawks beat the Phoenix Suns, a team that had three-prolific scorers in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. They’ve also defeated their East rival, the New York Knicks, a team considered by many to be a title contender.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
