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#2 His versatility on the defensive side of the ball
Apart from being a dual-threat on offense, Kevin Huerter is also a promising defender. The Atlanta Hawks are missing key wing defender De'Andre Hunter, who was ruled out for the season in the initial stages of the playoffs. That, along with Bogdan Bogdanovic's knee issue, has left Nate McMillan devoid of options to field at the 3-spot.
But Kevin Huerter has stepped up big time on defense in the Hawks' recent games. Huerter was seen guarding Milwaukee Bucks' small forward Khris Middleton on multiple possessions in Game 1. He also took the Jrue Holiday assignment at times, allowing Trae Young to focus his energy on offense.
If Huerter continues to be a dependable option on defense who can guard 1-3, he is going to be a major asset for McMillan for the series.
#1 Increased importance on offense in light of Bogdan Bogdanovic's fitness concerns
Atlanta Hawks swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic looked like a shadow of his usual self as he ended the game with four points, three rebounds and two assists. Bogdanovic is playing through right knee soreness, which has severely hampered his production.
With Bogdanovic struggling with a knee problem since Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Kevin Huerter has stepped up. As mentioned earlier, he had a brilliant outing in the closeout game against 76ers, and his teammates and head coach will expect him to assume more offensive responsibility for the remainder of the playoff games.
Kevin Huerter's ability to score the basketball has been evident throughout the playoffs. The next step would be to ramp up offensive production, especially with Bogdanovic's inability to put up numbers. Kevin Huerter's game and size closely resemble that of Bogdanovic, and it won't be shocking if the young shooting guard is able to deliver while playing the Serbian's role.
The Atlanta Hawks take on the Milwaukee Bucks tonight, and the Hawks' fate will be dependent on how well Kevin Huerter plays.
