The second team going fishing this postseason is the Hawks, who were sent packing by the Jimmy Butler-and-Kyle Lowry-less Heat on Tuesday. Atlanta struggled mightily in its first-round series, as the Heat grounded its once high-flying offense. Trae Young had one of the worst stretches of his career, and the Hawks didn’t do a great job of defending either. (Atlanta’s minus-11.8 net rating in the playoffs is second worst only to the Bulls.) So where do the Hawks go from here? Here are three offseason questions for the franchise.
What does Trae Young do About his Defense?
Young had a rough series on both ends of the floor against Miami. Offensively, he was stifled, finishing with more turnovers than field goals made over the course of five games. Defensively, the Heat constantly involved him in actions on and off the ball. And because Atlanta tries its hardest to keep Young from getting switched (remember when P.J. Tucker caught him in the post?), the Hawks often give up open looks elsewhere while trying to help Young. During the regular season, Atlanta finished with the fifth-worst defense in the league, though it was a little better on that end of the floor after the All-Star break. All of the team’s struggles can’t be placed on Young. At the same time, in a playoff series in which opposing coaches can zero in on him—and have the players to do so—it becomes a tricky situation for the Hawks.
