One of the hallmarks of the Atlanta Hawks’ offense over the last six years has been their lack of specific set plays and emphasis on overarching offensive philosophies. Even after changing coaches this past offseason, the reliance on a system, rather than set plays, seems to remain.
The system itself has shifted under Lloyd Pierce’s stewardship, both due to Pierce’s own preferences and the roster he has, but that theme has been retained during his first season in charge. However, that doesn’t mean Pierce and Mike Budenholzer, who made way for Pierce after five years in Atlanta, didn’t also love their set plays, but rather that the Hawks don’t run quite as many of them as other NBA teams.