Pierce is no stranger to rebuilds
After recording the franchise’s lowest win total (24) in 12 years, the Hawks enter this season in rebuild mode. The team traded down in the 2018 draft to select dynamic point guard Trae Young with the fifth overall selection and add a future first-round pick. Atlanta is expected to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference as the build around young players like the former Oklahoma guard, along with athletic four-man John Collins and two-way forward Taurean Prince.
But Pierce should be up to the task in helping rebuild the Hawks. He joined the Sixers coaching staff during the “Trust the Process” era under former general manager Sam Hinkie. Philadelphia failed to win more than 20 games Pierce’s his first three seasons with the Sixers.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Brown said of Pierce’s hiring. “I would hire Lloyd Pierce yesterday. Think about this: If a team came in and said, ‘We want to rebuild.’ I can’t think of a more appropriate program that has gone from where we were to where we are that has a true story to tell.”
Some Hawks players say they’re ready to follow Pierce on this new journey.
“I’m excited,” said veteran forward Kent Bazemore. “Bringing in a defensive-minded guy is important because that’s where championships are won. If we start there, I believe everything else will fall into place.”
