Atlanta Hawks Headlines: Adjustments, Rotation Changes, More

Atlanta Hawks Headlines returns with discussion on Atlanta’s loss to the Washington Wizards. What can Atlanta take away from their performance in Game 1?

Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs didn’t go like the Atlanta Hawks might have wanted. It was the expected result, but that doesn’t make the loss any easier to process. When every loss means you’re one step closer to your season ending they take on an added importance.

It wasn’t an embarrassing loss. The Hawks fought hard to keep it a close game. In the end they only fell by seven points. They lost to a better team on their home court. That was supposed to happen. This series isn’t close to over.

Of course, the Hawks will have to make some significant adjustments to make this series competitive. Playoff basketball comes down to matchups and adjustments. Right now, the Wizards have matchup advantages in several areas.

Mike Budenholzer will undoubtedly change some things as the series progresses. Naturally, bloggers, fans, and journalists around the web are going to have opinions on what those changes should be.

Let’s see what folks are saying about where this series is and where it’s headed.

From Soaring Down South 4/17/2017

Atlanta Hawks Fall to John Wall, Wizards in Game One

The thing that stood out the most about Washington’s Game 1 victory was the performance of point guard John Wall. Wall dominated the game, scoring 32 points and handing out 14 assists. The Hawks didn’t have any defender that could slow him down. Overall it was a solid performance by Atlanta, it just wasn’t enough to get the win.

More from Soaring Down South

Atlanta Hawks: Thabo Sefolosha Must Be In The Rotation

One player that didn’t get a chance to guard John Wall was Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha received the infamous DNP-CD. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer wanted to keep his rotation at 10 players, Sefolosha was the causality of that decision. It was a curious decision and a decision that I’d expect to be reversed in Game 2. Sefolosha is Atlanta’s best perimeter defender. He might be their only hope of stopping John Wall and Bradley Beal.

Atlanta Hawks: Wizards Set The Tone With Physical Game 1

Another thing that stood out from Game 1 was the physical play of Washington’s big men. Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris set the tone early, fouling often and asserting their dominance inside. Gortat clearly outplayed Dwight Howard, while Morris matched Paul Millsap. Atlanta needs to fight fire with fire by giving turning up their aggressiveness in Game 2.

From Around the Web 4/17/2017

Hawks @ Wizards Game 1 — Things of Note

At Hawks Hoop, Graham Chapple gives a detailed breakdown of Atlanta’s Game 1 defeat.

Locked on Hawks podcast: Game 1 recap

On Locked on Hawks, Brad Rowland is joined by Jeff Siegel of Peachtree Hoops to recap Atlanta’s Game 1 loss to the Washington Wizards. They discuss John Wall’s performance, turnovers, Dwight Howard’s issues, and much more.

Schroder, Howard struggle to defend Wizards pick and roll in game 1 loss

At Peachtree Hoops, Glen Willis shows how Dennis Schroder and Dwight Howard struggled to contain Washington’s pick and roll. John Wall and Marcin Gortat destroyed the Hawks, combining to score 46 points.

Hawks notes: Video shows transition defense issues were costly

At the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Chris Vivlamore writes on how poor Atlanta’s transition defense was in Game 1 against the Wizards. Mike Budenholzer says it’s something they need to get better at.

Millsap: Wall and Beal, not Morris, remain focus of Hawks

Vivlamore also reports on Paul Millsap’s comments that John Wall and Bradley Beal remain Atlanta’s primary concerns on the defensive end, rather than Wizards power forward Markieff Morris. Millsap’s comments come despite Morris’ stellar performance in Game 1.

Next: Atlanta Hawks Key To The Series: Transition Defense

That’s all for today. Atlanta Hawks Headlines will be back tomorrow.

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