Steals and good defense don’t necessarily go together.
Just ask Mike Budenholzer.
The Hawks coach has seen many players sacrifice solid play in order to pile up individual statistics. Early in the season, he doesn’t have that concern with his team although the Hawks lead the NBA in steals and are second in defensive rating.
“I’ve got all these memories of guys just trying to get steals and not being very solid or very good defensively,” Budenholzer said. “They have all these steals so they must be a great defender. I usually find it to be the opposite. But I glad our group can be very good defensively and find a way to get turnovers.”
As a team, the Hawks are first in the league with 12.2 steals per game, well ahead of the second-place Warriors at 10.7. The team had at least 10 steals in all six games this year, including a season-high 16 in Saturday’s win over the Rockets.
The Hawks are also first in creating turnovers at 19.5 per game, a full two more than the second-place Mavericks. The Hawks have forced at least 15 turnovers in all six games. They are first in the league in points off opponent turnovers at 23.7.
Individually, the Hawks have three players in the top 15 in the league. Thabo Sefolosa is second at 2.8 steals per game. Not bad for a reserve. Paul Millsap is tied for sixth at 2.3 and Kent Bazemore is tied for 12th at 2.0.
“To be honest, for me, it’s my 11th season,” Sefolosha said of his success. “I understand the game and where to position myself defensively to take space and bother the passing lane. We’ve been good. A lot of guys to be focused and get those steals.”
Both Budenholzer and Sefolosha credit the Hawks individual player ability rather than the defensive system in creating steals. They both cited instincts and quick hands.
Steals and turnovers are a part of the Hawks’ defensive success. They are second with a 94.0 defensive rating, the number of points allowed per 100 possessions. They are also sixth in points allowed at 96.8 per game.
The Hawks finished last regular season second in the league in defense. Early indications are, even with a revamped starting lineup, the Hawks are on pace to be among the league leaders in team defense again.
And that’s what Budenholzer really wants to see.
About the Author
