Atlanta Hawks: 3 Takeaways As Blazers Complete 2nd Half Comeback
Defensive-minded guards need to be a target for the Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks, without Kent Bazemore, don’t have anyone who is a perfect matchup for quick guards on defense. Obviously Young and Lin will give a great effort against anyone they are matched up against, but there is no change-of-pace guard to provide considerable defensive resistance.
As great as Lin has been this year—10.9 PPG, 3.7 APG—the two-man lineup of Lin and Young has a -7.3 net rating through 37 games.
When matched up with McCollum, Lin was just as helpless as Young, which is obviously not helpful.
GO AHEAD & FLEX, CJ 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZxE6O3vUsU
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 27, 2019
Whether it is a different expiring contract or another prospect, seeing a more functional Hawks team will help the Atlanta front office make the best possible draft pick. And seeing the most functional Hawks team starts with a player next to Young in the backcourt who can guard on the perimeter.
When McCollum wasn’t going, Seth Curry was lighting up the Hawks’ D to he tune of 22 points on 61.5 percent shooting, including 4/8 from the 3-point line.
It's closing time! CJ and Seth are happy to help put up the barstools. STREAM https://t.co/XdLRBENPFZ #ripcity pic.twitter.com/vzAZsiRgTF
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 27, 2019
DeAndre’ Bembry and Kevin Huerter—two players who can player solid perimeter defense—combined to go 2/13 from the field, including 0/6 from the 3-point line.
The NBA trade deadline is just over a week away. Players like Lin, Taurean Prince, Dewayne Dedmon will draw increased interest, and athletic, switchable players who can guard point guards should get massive amounts of interest from the Atlanta Hawks organization.
All stats provided via NBA.com and Basketball-Reference