The Atlanta Hawks have laid the path to success this season: keep doing what they’re doing while adding Trae Young to the mix.
The Hawks have struggled to create a potent halfcourt offense or close games this season, but have thrived on defense, the opposite problem of what Young-led teams have dealt with in the past. As a ball-dominant scoring point, Young is an instant one-man halfcourt offense that can give the team a sense of direction at the very least. On the flip side, the Hawks have been an elite defensive team without Young, replacing his spot in the starting five with a massive upgrade on this end, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
But nothing the Hawks are doing must end upon Trae’s return. Well, that is besides their weak halfcourt offense when Jalen Johnson sees the bench. While he is still a negative defensive presence, Young’s weakness in this regard is not a death sentence to the team’s overall defense.
Young must buy into the new Hawks’ identity to avoid being left behind
The Hawks have been forced to look to a new identity in Young’s absence. After all, this squad has no chance of winning through pure individual dominance. Instead, the team has turned to an egalitarian approach on both ends of the floor, taking easy buckets and limiting those opportunities on the other end.
The Hawks have stormed to an 8-3 record since losing Young. While this has been against a relatively weak slate of opponents, Atlanta’s identity shift has made this run possible. Young must add his signature offensive output without disrupting the ball movement and defensive growth that has occurred while he’s been sidelined.
This isn’t a difficult roadmap for Young to follow. He is already the best passing point guard in the league, averaging a league-high 11.6 assists last season and spearheading Atlanta’s offense for years. Now he must continue to thrive as a passer while cutting down on his shot attempts. If he can fall back into a facilitator-first role, the rest of the team can finally capitalize on the open looks he creates.
On defense, Young simply must try his best. This isn’t to say he hasn’t ever tried; in fact, his defensive effort has been the single most critical change he has made in recent years.
Atlanta is in a great spot to make a run for the top of the East when Young returns. He solves their greatest offensive problem without introducing any truly game-breaking flaws. Now he must put his money where his mouth is and sacrifice his own role for the team's success.