Hawks 3-pt Defense a season-long concern

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks’ 3-point defense continues to be a major issue

The Hawks allowed 11 3-pointers to the Nets. Brooklyn became the sixth straight team and 16th of the past 18 opponents to have double-digit 3-pointers in a game against the Hawks.

Most glaring, the Cavalier set an NBA regular-season single-game record with 25 3-pointers in a win last week.

Over the past six games, the Hawks have allowed a total of 95 3-pointers on a .424 percentage. The Warriors hit for 20 this week.

The Hawks (35-29) woes have not come just of late. They have allowed opponents double-digit 3-pointers in 42 of the 64 games this season. That’s 66 percent of their games. The Hawks are the second-worst team in the NBA in opponent 3-pointers made (11.1) and attempted (30.1) per game.

Last season, the Hawks were tied for 13th in the league with opponents averaging 8.1 3-pointers made per game.

Thoughts?

I can't fathom what could cause such a steep decline. I don't think losing AL, Teague (and Korver) is the primary cause.

Could Dennis' perimeter defense be to blame?

[Jamaaliver]

Hawkshoop ran an article a few weeks back that focused on holes in our defense. And why we're so prone to jump-shooting teams this year.

Some opposing players have pointed out flaws in our defensive approach, perhaps providing some clarity:

We know that they are a team that likes to have their bigs play back in pick and roll coverage, so we took full advantage of it and were able to come off screens for jumpers or get in the lane and create for someone else.

They are a type of team that closes out the paint first, then closes out on shooters, so with me and Bradley being aggressive in pick and rolls, guys just have to be ready to shoot. More teams are just going to give me the shot in pick and rolls by allowing me and Gortat to play two-on-two or take us away and let the weak side score.

The pick and roll scheme -- electing to pack the paint -- seems to work well when you face teams like the Bulls or Nets that lack floor spacers. And although Howard thrives in rim protection, teams have steadily tried to force him into defending the pick and rolls more frequently, an area he may not be completely comfortable in.

While many put a lot of stock in Howard’s pure rebounding numbers, replacing Horford — who excelled in reading coverages and moving his feet well enough to disrupt ballhandlers — is not a skill you can find just anywhere in this league.

Video of Howard sagging back into the paint on PnRs.

Video of Hawks trapping the PnR and getting burned

[Jamaaliver]

So based on the videos, quotes above...our struggles this year with opposing guards' hot shooting out of the PnR (and three point shooting specifically) can be linked to Dwight (and Muscala's) inability to close out on the ball handler coming off of picks.

This leaves guards wide open for 15-20 foot jumpers. If our wings swarm the ball in an attempt to help cover, this leaves opposing players wide open at the three point line.

We over compensate to shut down the drive, leaving us scrambling to cover the shooters.

[Jamaaliver]

Peachtree Hoops also delves into this issue, coming to a similar conclusion:

The Atlanta Hawks’ Struggling Three-Point Defense


Atlanta gives up the second-most three-point attempts per game in the NBA.

The 2015-16 Hawks were an elite defense because they were quick, flexible, and able to move around the perimeter easily. This year the defense is still good, but...Dwight Howard -- for all his skills and abilities -- will never be able to move around the perimeter like [his predecessor] could. Since he can’t close out on shooters in the same way, there is more open floor space, and more open shots.


Instead of a team that can switch at will and guard nearly every angle on the floor, the Hawks are now a team anchored by a mostly-stationary center.

This is far from a bad product, and Atlanta still boasts a top-five defense. But there are marked differences from last year’s roster, and the amount of three-point shots the team allows reflects this change.

Given the roster that the Hawks field every night, there is no easy fix to allowing so many three-pointers. There may be specific strategic tweaks that Mike Budenholzer can deploy on a night-by-night basis, but the Hawks are almost certain to finish the season near the top of the leaderboard in three-point attempts allowed. For a team that prides itself on an elite defense, this is an odd statistic.

Peachtree Hoops

[Jamaaliver]

Bud indicates he's aware of the issues defending the 3-pt line. (A relief to hear.)

The Hawks have not defended the 3-point line well all season. They did Friday.

The Raptors shot just 4 of 25 from long range with DeMar DeRozan going 1 of 8. The Hawks snapped a streak of six straight – and 13 of 14 – games of an opponent making double-digit 3-pointers.

“Coach told us he was watching film yesterday,” Dennis Schroder said. “He told us going into the playoffs we have to take the 3 away. That’s what we tried to do. We did a great job with it but we still have to get better.”

The Hawks entered the game second-worst in the NBA in opponent 3-pointers made and attempted.

“Point of emphasis,” Paul Millsap said. “We are in the bottom half of giving up 3-point shots. We have to get the 3-point shooters and get them off the line. We did that tonight.”

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer and teammates credited the defensive effort of Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha on DeRozan.

After the Raptors Game

There was another film session. Budenholzer went over the team’s poor 3-point defense and then shared it during a group watch on Thursday.

So far, so good.

Over the past two games, Hawks opponents are 9 of 54 from 3-point range. That’s a meager 17 percent. The Raptors made 4 of 25 on Friday and the Grizzlies made 5 of 29 on Saturday.

“That is one of the areas where we’ve got to get better,” Budenholzer said. “Everyone is aware of it. We talked about it. We had a film session a couple days ago. I think the guys have been better.”

After the Grizzlies Game


This is indeed encouraging.