The Hawks’ defensive principles have not changed. However, as coach Mike Budenholzer puts it, the last line of defense sure is different.
And that would be Dwight Howard.
The Hawks’ new starting center is a difference maker as a rim protector should an opponent break down the defense. At 6-foot-11 and playing a more traditional role in the middle, Howard has already shown his ability to affect shots and pile up blocks.
“He’s had some pretty impressive blocks and is making a pretty positive impression that if they stick to our defensive principles and stick to our rules, I think he can be really, really effective back behind the defense,” Budenholzer said.
Howard had nine blocks in the five exhibition games he appeared in this preseason. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has a career average of 2.1 blocks per game. He averaged 1.6 blocks last season with the Rockets.
The Hawks other defenders are still learning to play with Howard behind them. It’s a work in progress.
Howard related a play from Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Pelicans at Philips Arena. Paul Millsap stayed with his man after he got around him going to the basket. When Howard came over, he stumbled over Millsap.
“Once we get those little things set where guys know any time a guy drives I’m coming to block the shot, hit my man and we’re out,” Howard said. “We’re learning. It’s a process for all of us. They have to know and trust that I’m going to come every time and block shots, and I’ve got to trust if I go try to block a shot and contest that the next man is going to be in the paint.
“It’s something coaches harp on every day. We watch film about it. We’ve talked about it. In practice, we’ve done a lot of drills. It’s something we are going to continue to do to get better at.”
Budenholzer has not been entirely happy with the Hawks’ defensive play this preseason. He said there have been too many fouls, a bane to the coach who closely monitors the opposition’s free throws as a key to success. Howard, in particular, has been in foul trouble. He has committed 22 personal fouls in his 123 minutes over five games. Howard fouled out of one exhibition game.
There are subtle differences in the Hawks’ system depending on the on-court players, Budenholzer said. Learning to play with Howard as the last line of defense will take some time. There is great upside.
“We’ve always preached not fouling, always preached making guys make tough shots,” Budenholzer said. “I would say we’ve done a poor job of that in the preseason. Especially the returning guys know, no matter who is back there, it could be Dwight or Edy (Tavares) or you (media) guys, that guy has to be there and can be taking a charge or blocking a shot. Those principles are ingrained in them. Now, it’s just the level of person who is behind them.”
Al Horford and Millsap blocked shots last season as part of the defensive scheme. Howard has shown an ability not just to block shots, but to alter them at the rim.
The Hawks were the second-ranked defense in the NBA last season. They rank first in the league during the preseason with a defensive rating of 91.2 and rank third in points allowed at 92.1.
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