Game 2 Grades: Atlanta Hawks Fall Hard at Home Again
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts during the third quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Budenholzer, C-
He was already at a huge disadvantage because his best defensive player was less than his best. Add to that his players settled way too often on defense, allowing LeBron to have his way in the paint or isolation; much of the help defense was matador-like. The ball movement came to a standstill when the deficit grew and it didn’t help that the Hawks were just jacking up open looks as if they weren’t falling. I also understand that Carroll wanted to play but after sustaining that kind of injury and then leading the team in minutes, he could have re-aggravated his injury.