Jaylen Johnson backs up Dyson Daniels amid a drop shot

Atlanta The Hawks had to reinvent their offense due to the absence of Tree Young, and for the most part they’ve been able to make it work with what they have. On the other hand, teams have made adjustments to their defenses when playing the Hawks, and one of those things is centering Dyson Daniels.

Daniels is shooting 19.2% from 3 this season after shooting a career-high 34% last season. Not only is he taking fewer attempts this season, but when he does take them, they just don’t go the distance. That allows teams to focus on Daniels, and they move away from him so they can roam and guard the interior.

Sometimes he can throw off the Hawks offense, but when Daniels is aggressive and going to the rim, negates what the opposing team is doing.

Jalen Johnson he has experience with centers challenging him to shoot, and he knows Daniels will be fine.

“Obviously, it’s just about finding a way for Deason to just continue to be himself,” Johnson said. “Obviously, it can throw you off your game a little bit. I remember when they were high-fiving me and challenging me to shoot. He’ll be fine.

“Obviously it’s just a learning curve and just in that aspect for him, he’s just finding ways because you know the 5 can’t guard Dyson, so he’s just got to see it and recognize it more often. He’ll be fine. He’ll figure it out.”

In the last few games, teams have started to do that more often, which means Daniels may have to keep shooting until he returns from the perimeter.

Dyson Daniels tries to get his 3-point rhythm back

Daniels has picked up his 3-point numbers over the past few games, and he knows what he needs to do to make the defense pay off when he’s on the perimeter.

“You know there’s a lot of ways around it when they leave them like that,” Daniels said. “It’s just about taking advantage of that matchup, but, yeah, for me, it’s about getting in the gym, making sure I’m more comfortable shooting those threes, so they have to respect me more out there. But, yeah, I’ve also got to take them with confidence and knock them down.”

With Young not on the court, it’s a little difficult to use those types of coverages, but it’s a good thing the Hawks have to figure it out with him, not on the court, so they’ll be good when he returns.