Hawks vs Nets Preview: Adjustments Are Needed (Video)

Apr 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) gets fouled by Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Nets 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sp

Force Deron Williams into being a Superstar

Deron Williams isn’t the player he once was. Yes, he is still dangerous but he makes mistakes which the Hawks need to exploit. He shot 38 percent over the course of the season, including going 1-for-7 in game two. Atlanta needs to cut off the lane and force contested two’s, or three point attempts. Getting in Williams face and providing defensive pressure, will make things very tough for the 30 year old.

Williams also missed a game-tying shot in the dying moments of game two. It was the Hawks that got lucky because Williams couldn’t have gotten a cleaner look. Let’s examine what happened and how the Nets got the better of this possession.

Williams was parked on left side corner three spot off the inbounds. Lopez moved over from the right block to the left block, picking up Kent Bazemore who took his eye off Deron and got caught in a screen. He had no choice now but to elevate and challenge the shot. Deron used a freeze dribble to get that clean look. Williams knew he could use a shot fake, then take at least one dribble to get himself a clean look and a high percentage jump shot. He just missed, lucky for Atlanta.

This was acutally a bad defensive set for the Hawks, Brooklyn did a good job to give themselves a chance. Atlanta has been late getting over a few times, allowing Brooklyn shooters the opportunity to do exactly what Williams did. Check out the sequence in the video below:

Overall, Atlanta’s defense won them game two. The defense kept them in the game during the first two quarters, while they shot 39 percent from the field. The Hawks defense is flat out awesome. Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.