De’Andre Hunter is playing some of the best basketball of his career in the role of sixth man for the Atlanta Hawks. Hunter has started every season since his time with the team, but an injury earlier this season saw him come off the bench. He is now averaging 20.3 points per game and is on pace to be named Sixth Man of the Year.

Snyder has been very vocal about Hunter’s play this season, and he was recently asked what the difference was between him starting and coming off the bench.

“I feel like the way he played, whether he was starting or coming off the bench, he was focused on running in transition and attacking the rim,” Snyder said. “And he was the more aggressive of the three. We’re talking about how contested threes really aren’t bad shots for him because of his ability to raise.

“When he comes off the bench, he has the opportunity to jump straight into the game, knowing that our team needs it too. His offensive aggression was great. The three-point shot put him in a corner and he also made some great mid-range shots for us.

Not only was Hunter solid on offense, but he continued to be a force on defense as well.

“He’s a warrior,” Snyder said. “All I say about him on offense is he’s just a trooper on defense. Whether he’s wrestling someone in the post or playing on the floor in pick-and-roll defense. His versatility on both ends of the floor was huge for us.”

Earlier in the season, Quin Snyder spoke highly of De’Andre Hunter and what worked for him this season in his new role.

“He believes in what we’re doing,” Snyder said. “Shooting transition threes was something special. He can shoot, and he’s always been able to shoot, but I think his recognition of where those places are, at what points in the game he can be even more aggressive. He’s not hesitating right now and I think his willingness to shoot threes, sometimes contested threes, because of his size and then the aggressiveness with which he attacks the rim. Those two things I think really set up the other part of this game where he has the ability to stand up and hit a contested mid-range shot.

Hunter makes quicker decisions with the ball and knocks down threes at a high rate of speed. If Hunter continues his strong play, it will be a tight race between him and Payton Pritchard for Sixth Man of the Year.