Atlanta Hawks: 3 key adjustments after blowout Game 2 loss

Atlanta Hawks adjustment after blowout Game 2 loss No. 1: Getting Trae Young off the ball, and on the move, could help

It got masked by his 48-points, 11 assists, and the win but Young had six turnovers in Game 1 so his nine in Game 2 under far more pressure stand to reason. The problem was letting the defense continue to get a bead on him as it started with them picking him up full court but he was harassed as soon as he touched the ball.

When he drove, the Bucks were there, making him commit to the shot. Brook Lopez, in particular, was getting criticized for remaining in his signature drop-coverage after Young torched it. But on Friday he was in Young’s face.

It would be wise to minimize his time on the ball for an extended run during a game. That was the point of saying they need a secondary facilitator in this offense.

At that time, Young’s shoulder was an issue that highlighted how little play making there is behind him. Lou Williams is an excellent scorer but no one would ever confuse him for a floor general. When Young is taken away by the defense like that it would be nice for the Hawks to have someone else who can consistently get their own shot and set others up as well.

Even when fully healthy the Hawks lack someone they can trust in those situations.

Players like Reddish, Bogdan Bogdanovic (who had his best game in quite some time), and even Huerter have shown some passing chops. But hitting the open man is one thing, setting a guy up to be open is another entirely.

Dallas’ Josh Richardson, who could become a free agent this offseason, would be perfect as someone who can handle the ball and defend.

He had a rough stretch with the Mavericks this postseason but who didn’t aside from Luka Doncic? And Richardson had always been a solid two-way player in his career before this year. There’s a good chance a change of scenery would do him some good. The Hawks will need to address this in the offseason.

For now, they can do it by emphasizing ball movement and passing up good shots for great ones. Much more in the fashion of Game 7 against Philadelphia than Game 1 in Milwaukee.