Atlanta Hawks: Prince, Young Shine As Hawks Fall vs Grizzlies

The bad news is the Atlanta Hawks fell 117 to 131 against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Grind House in Memphis. The Good news is, stars Taurean Prince and Trae Young had games that the team can build upon.

The Atlanta Hawks are still trying to find themselves with a new system, new coach, new coaching staff, and ten new players, counting two-way contract players Jaylen Adams and Alex Poythress.

The lack of acclimation has shown early in the 2018-19 NBA season, as the team fell to 0-2. The defensive end has especially been concerning. For the second straight game the Atlanta Hawks, incomprehensibly gave up 40 or more points in a quarter.

Again it was the second quarter that haunted the team. In the season opener, the Hawks allowed 49 points to the New York Knicks in quarter number two, and now 40 in the second quarter vs the Grizzlies on Friday night.

The Hawks have often looked like deer in the headlights on the defensive end this season. They haven’t particularly done a good job defending the interior or the perimeter. Atlanta allowed 52 points in the paint Friday, after allowing 50 to the Knicks on Wednesday night.

Perimeter wise, the Atlanta Hawks allowed Memphis to shoot 50 percent from beyond the arch. The Grizzlies shot a blazing 54.3 percent from the field for the game. The young birds frequently seemed confused on their defensive rotations, often getting caught in no man’s land.

Memphis starting shooting guard Garrett Temple who averages a career 5.6 points per game, exploded for 30 points on 10 of 11 shooting from the field. Kent Bazemore was the primary defender on Temple. Surprisingly Temple missed his career high by four points.

The Atlanta Hawks also fouled a lot, though many of the calls were questionable at best. Atlanta was called for 31 fouls, and sent Memphis to the free throw line 43 times.

Offensively Taurean Waller-Prince was again scalding hot, dropping 28 points in 23 minutes to lead Atlanta. He shot a very efficient 10 of 15 from the field, and 4-9 from downtown. Prince could have had a monster game, had foul trouble not limited his minutes.

Mr. Prince showed an array of moves and shots. He drained shots spotting up. He used the dribble to free up his jump shot. Drives to the basket were also in his arsenal. The most difficult shot Prince hit was an off the dribble fall away.

This gamed makes the sixth in a row that Prince has scored 20 or more points. The only knock on Taurean is that he needs to cut down on the turnovers, as he adjusts to playing at a faster pace.

Rookie and number five overall draft pick Trae Young had an encouraging game to build on for the Atlanta Hawks. He poured in 20 points and dished out a team high nine assists, in 33 minutes of action. He shot 7-18 from the field, and matched Taurean Prince shooting 4-9 from three.

Trae Young was very close to the first double-double of his career. He left the game with just under four minutes to play needing only one assist.

Young did a good job setting up his teammates, and knocking down shots in the game. He looked to set guys up early before starting to look for his own offense. He hit Alex Len and Miles Plumlee on cuts. He found opened shooter likes Taurean Prince and Alex Poythress.

There was  one thing that Trae Young could have done better besides defend, which can he said for almost all of the Hawks players. He needs to become more efficient from inside the arch as he adjusts the length and quickness of NBA rim protectors.

Trae Young and Taurean Prince were hot, but they didn’t get a lot of help from teammates. At one point the dynamic duo combined for 44 of the Atlanta Hawks 88 points.

Veteran Vince Carter chipped in 10 point and made two of six three-point attempts. Miles Plumlee added 12 points and six rebounds on five of six shooting off the bench.

Deandre Bembry was the fifth and final Hawk to reach double figures scoring 12 points off of the bench. He also added three rebounds and one assist. Bembry was inefficient however, shooting just 4-11 from the field and turning the ball over five times.

The Hawks turned the ball over 19 times as a team. The Hawks needed to be under 15 turnovers as I stated in this article, to give themselves a chance to win. They also need more rebounds out of starting center Alex Len who has just four in each game thus far.

The Hawks have shot the ball well, but they must defend better individually and as a team. Kent Bazemore (three points, five fouls) must play better as well. I personally would like to see Kevin Huerter play more. He scored his first NBA basket, logging 13 minutes of playing time.

More importantly for the Atlanta Hawks to right the ship and start winning ballgames, they need to get injured players back. Staring power forward John Collins will help in many facets. He brings length and athletic ability to aid on defense, on the boards, and finishing at the rim.

Starting center Dewayne Dedmon who is recovering from a foot injury, brings rebounding, defense, floor spacing, and a veteran presence. Rookie power forward Omari Spellman is suffering from an ankle injury and brings similar qualities minus the veteran experience.

Wing Justin Anderson a player known for his perimeter defense, is out with a tibia injury and could really be an asset on the defensive end. Third point guard Daniel Hamilton is also missed, as Jeremy Lin doesn’t look fully in game shape, and appears to be a step slow.

Most of all the Atlanta Hawks need to figure out their rotations on defense. If players aren’t playing his defensive principles correctly, Coach Lloyd Pierce may need to start benching players as a teaching tool.

If the Hawks can continue to shoot like they did Friday they will be fine offensively. If the defense increases, and the turnovers decrease, the Atlanta Hawks just might get their first victory Sunday in Cleveland.

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