Atlanta Hawks 2023-24 Player Review: Vít Krejčí

On August 16, 2023, the Atlanta Hawks waived Vít Krejčí. He spent about a month with the Timberwolves before being waived again. In late December, the Hawks resigned him to a two-way contract in place of Miles Norris.

Krejčí quickly turned the spotlight on the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League. After spending time with the Skyhawks, running point guard and perfecting the defense, he was able to fill a need for the big club.

As you may have seen, heard, or read a multitude of times, the College Park Skyhawks played incredible defense last season. Quin Snyder called the team a “defensive incubator” and the results with Vít Krejčí were undeniable. He went out there and focused heavily on two things: defense and decision-making. He was part of a strong defensive system, so it was only natural that he would develop good habits.

He also ran the point guard position to help with his decision-making, and as he said himself, it helped him when he returned to play with the Hawks to finish the season. He mentioned in an interview that he knows he won’t play many minutes, so every decision he makes during those minutes has to be the right one. He averaged 8.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists in College Park, thriving as a passer.

On March 1, he finished with 10 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds and three steals in a victory with College Park. Later that month, he was tasked with guarding Jayson Tatum in one of the best wins of the regular season, as they beat the Celtics twice in the same week. Krejčí even picked up Tatum all over the court at times, and Snyder had nothing but praise for him after the game. He said it was something Krejčí did on his own, not on orders from Snyder.

With Johnson aggravating his ankle and Saddiq Bey missing the rest of the season after an injury on March 10, Krejčí filled a huge void. He excelled at defensive intensity and became a connective winger, very adept at making the right pass and attacking when needed. He scored 16 points against the Celtics, then 18 against the Bulls, followed by his now career-high 19 points against the Hornets.

In those three games, he made 13 three-pointers, including a perfect 6 of 6 in the Chicago game. This is quite ironic, considering this is the team that would ultimately end the Atlanta Hawks’ season. It was clear he was a huge push for the Hawks toward multiple pieces at seemingly every point of the year. Especially when his three-point shot fell, he was a very valuable asset. Finishing with averages of 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists, it was his 41.2 three-point percentage on 3.1 attempts per game that was a pleasant surprise. He knew he would find his way on the court playing defense, and I think the confidence that was instilled in him at College Park perhaps deserves some of the credit for his improvement in making shots.

Rather than having a two-way contract, Krejčí should have a traditional contract, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to play in the playoffs. For some reason, he and the organization did not come to an agreement and he did not participate in the play-in game against the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks therefore still have the decision to make this offseason.

In his exit interview, Krejčí was asked about his ability to play regularly and contribute during the final two months of the season.

Considering where I started the season, where I had to have surgery, and where I was waived and all that, I was just really happy to have had the opportunity to play, you know, it’s is all I really wanted to do, just come back. out there and show that I can play basketball…I’m really happy for the opportunity that was presented to me and I just enjoyed every moment on the court.

He was then asked about the Hawks’ decision not to give him a standard contract to play in the playoffs.

There’s a lot of tough decisions to make and we knew that, we both agreed that the coaches love me and I love it here, so I’m just really excited for the future. . I’m happy where we are. right now, where I am right now.

To end his interview, he gave a pretty comprehensive reflection on his season, as well as the transition from the Skyhawks to the Hawks.

I was definitely rusty for the first couple of games, even with the Skyhawks and then with the Hawks, but after a few games you’ll (game after game) get more and more comfortable…it just started to click and I think We showed everyone that when we play together like that, we can beat anyone. Those three wins that we kind of had, you know it was a tough time. We showed that we can play against anyone.

I think it was just to be more comfortable there… I didn’t play a lot of matches just because of my injuries or I just didn’t play a lot so for me it He was just getting more and more comfortable. , and as I said with each match, I felt better and better and more and more comfortable. I wasn’t, I mean nervous, just more comfortable on the course, so that was the main thing for me.

Would it be wrong to call Vít Krejčí the most pleasant surprise of the 2023-24 season?