RealGM

The Hawks held another extended video session Monday.

Unlike the fiery early-season session, that led to the team winning 35 of its next 38 games after a 5-5 start, this one wasn’t all heated words from coach Mike Budenholzer. Instead, it was a give-and-take discussion as the Hawks look to return to the defensive form that has been the hallmark of their record-breaking season.

Much of the discussion involved the defensive coverages between the guards and the post players. If the guards get switching help from the big men, they might get caught have to defend the opposition’s big men. For example, Jeff Teague got caught several times having to guard the Spurs’ Tiago Splitter after a switch in Sunday’s 114-95 loss. If the post players aren’t going to switch as much, the guards need to be better at the point of attack. These are a few of the nuances to the Hawks defensive coverages that need to be ironed out.

Budenholzer and players readily admitted Monday that there has been slippage in the defense since the All-Star break. They insisted fatigue has not an issue and that some adversity now will help come the postseason.

Demarre Carroll wrote:It was collectively a good talk, we are going to need different defensive coverages going into the playoffs. You can’t stick with one. We’ve been sticking to one ever since the All-Star break has been over. Now, we want to throw out a couple of different schemes. It will be good for us.

Jamaaliver wrote:

Demarre Carroll wrote:It was collectively a good talk, we are going to need different defensive coverages going into the playoffs. You can’t stick with one. We’ve been sticking to one ever since the All-Star break has been over. Now, we want to throw out a couple of different schemes. It will be good for us.