National Basketball Association

Coach addreses Atlanta Hawks point guard situation in radio interview

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer spoke about the team’s point guard situation yesterday in a radio interview.

Atlanta Hawks President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Mike Budenholzer made his first appearance of the season on his weekly On the Court with Coach Bud show on the home of the Hawks, 92.9 The Game yesterday.

During the show, hosts Rick Kamla and John Michaels questioned him on several topics regarding the team here in the beginning stages of the season. Some of them included the outstanding play of reserves Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mike Muscala, the unfortunate home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, how Dennis Schroder has faired as the starter, and his thoughts on the epic game seven of the World Series that resulted in the Chicago Cubs winning their first championship since 1908.

Apr 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to the media after a game against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Pacers defeated the Hawks 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

What he was asked about towards the end of the interview that many fans may have been most interested in, was why he chose to sign another front court player, Ryan Kelly this week instead of a third string point guard. In response he had this to say to Rick Kamla:

“It’s not an easy call. We’re in a spot where we have to make some tough decisions. I think we have a good team. We feel like on the front line we’re really thin. I feel like Ryan is a player that I can put in tomorrow night anytime and against elite competition. I feel like he is more ready to help us. I think Ryan has a future with us too. I hear a lot of this guy is a Hawks player or he fits the Hawks, well with Ryan Kelly that’s true.

And about a third point guard, we feel like Baze, Hardaway and even Thabo, the way we play is kind of a system or a style where the ball is moving and you’re not dependent on a traditional point guard and a guy that has to stand out in front of the whole world and direct traffic. I’ve been pleased, we’ve used it a couple of times during the four games where we’ve had neither Dennis or Malcolm on the court and we feel like we can still be good.

You know, we’re long and athletic, you got Baze kind of the point guard, Tim and either Kyle or Thabo. We can function and we just kind of chose to cover ourselves on the front line and depend on the way we play offensively. We feel like we can play without a traditional point guard, but if needed than we’ll go out and get a third point guard.”

You can listen to the full interview here. You may want to enjoy the sparkling, crystal clear sound of his voice throughout because as the season moves along it will become more raspy and strained from barking at officials, shouting instructions and so on.

His stance on the point guard position is something that I am not totally convinced in, nor do I necessarily agree with. I would obviously feel differently if DeAndre Bembry was ready for any sort of role in the rotation, but after just a week, he isn’t. The Hawks may continue to be among the league leaders in team assists and function smoothly on offense, but the guy’s he is talking about cannot guard reserve point guards, or any point guards for that matter.

As solid of a defender that Thabo is, and he’s probably the best of that group, he’s too slow to keep up with traditional point guards. They have already shown they can be exploited in the open floor with their 72-point second half defensive effort versus the Lakers. He really did not refer to the defensive side of the ball when both Schroder and Delaney are on the bench, but to actually rely on the type of lineup’s he’s suggesting and get the type of defensive performances that he demands, is a gamble that doesn’t work well in the Hawks favor.

Could you imagine Kyle Korver trying to check Brandon Jennings or Ramon Sessions? Those are just two reserve point guards that come to mind, but that’s complete and utter chaos. The Hawks already have similar forwards on their bench, and better than Ryan Kelly. The way he kind of dismissed the idea of a 3rd string point guard in the interview, to me comes off as neglect towards the games most important position.

I love Coach Budenholzer. He is an awesome coach as he has already proven in winning a coach of the year award for the Hawks. I don’t think he is nearly as skilled at being a general manager though.

Sure, the offseason he had putting together this team was nothing short of incredible. Occasionally he does make decisions like this though that are perplexing.