Larry Drew has been talking about his club's need for a better defensive effort this season and on Tuesday night it appears that they finally listened. Atlanta harassed and confused the New Jersey Nets in a 106-70 rout which was the Hawks largest season opening victory ever.
Following the game, Larry Drew said that the Hawks want to mix up their defensive schemes more this season in an effort to keep opposing teams off guard.
"We have guys that are versatile and have length," Drew said. "Our defensive scheme tonight was to try to put them under as much duress as we possibly could." "Some nights we trap, some nights we don't," Drew said. "We try not to be a predictable ball club. A lot of times the game and the personnel predicate how we cover certain things."
Nets coach Avery Johnson pointed to the lack of a post presence for his offense with Brook Lopez out of action with a foot injury. The Nets relied almost exclusively with their perimeter game which played right into Atlanta's hands defensively.
Atlanta harassed New Jersey point guard Deron Williams into committing six turnovers in the game. Williams finished with 10 points and only one assist.
"Especially on pick-and-rolls, it's tough to score on pick-and-rolls because a lot of teams are doubling, forcing it out of my hand, so until we figure out some things, some other ways to get going, I don't see it stopping,"
For more on this game be sure to check out Peachtree Hoops and NetsDaily. For everything NBA basketball be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA Hub.