NBA: Off-season weakness each star should have worked on

22. Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks – Defense? Hello?

It might not be Trae Young’s fault. The fourth-year guard is 6’1″ long, with just a 6’2″ wingspan. He weighs just 180 pounds, a weight I can barely remember as someone in reasonable shape and the same height as Young. He is small, light and physically limited in his ability to affect opponents’ shots.

That being said, the talented offensive guard, one of the league’s rising stars, has to at least walk up to defense and introduce himself. The Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals last season and are a trendy favorite to finish with the third-best record in the East this season. To take the next step forward and maximize their potential, they can’t have a huge open door for opposing offenses to attack.

Working harder to avoid / climb over screens is a start, but even more-so is being attentive when he man doesn’t have the ball. Watching the play and waiting for your chance to run the other way is a poor defensive strategy, and it has led to a number of defensive breakdowns when his man gets loose.

Young will never be a plus defender, and the Hawks seem to understand that, investing in Clint Capela long-term as one of the league’s better rim protectors, and in DeAndre Hunter as a wing stopper. If Young can at least improve to passable that will help the Hawks eliminate one of their few postseason weaknesses.