EMIRATES NBA CUP

December 14, 2024

Quin Snyder

Atlanta Hawks

Semifinal Postgame

Milwaukee Bucks 110, Atlanta Hawks 102

Q. Coach, an important lesson for this team about generating offense, particularly down the stretch. What did you see on some of those shots late? I believe you guys were one of seven in the last five minutes.

QUIN SNYDER: Yeah, we had some good looks. I think us being able to execute during that stretch is something we need to get better at.

I can't go through all seven shots. I know there were a few that were really good shots, and we had to work for them. That said, I think we know whatever that is -- it could be on the margins -- there are certain things that we need to do better.

But I think for us to put ourselves in that situation, given we didn't really make shots during the course of the game, either. I'm proud of the team and the way we -- I think the storyline for me is just how we competed. Our consistency in that area is the most important thing because I think that's what we have to do to continue to try to build an identity.

This was an opportunity to -- this whole tournament, to play in some situations and some games against some really good teams and try to do that. You find out about yourself. You find out when you're in a game like this. You're able to look back and say, we need to do this better. And we did this pretty well.

Q. With De'Andre, did you notice them doing anything differently to make it difficult for him on the offensive end or was he just off?

QUIN SNYDER: There was a number of times that I thought they were physical with him. He can handle that and doesn't shy away from that. I think in some of his shots, that's a slightly different situation. We'll play through that. There's games where you don't make shots that other games you make. He's been terrific.

The thing about 'Dre is that even if -- and this is true of our team but especially of him. Even if maybe the ball is not going in the way it has been, he's able to impact the game in different ways, and he did that.

Q. Your defense keeping you in the game, essentially, that's been the theme the last couple weeks. What did you see are your defense on the whole?

QUIN SNYDER: I thought we competed throughout the entire possession. There were a couple situations that we struggled to guard. Obviously any time you play Giannis, it's going to be hard. But for us creating offense off our defense, I think when -- the key for us is not to have empty possessions. When we get in the lane and don't finish, it's hard to defend against that. Some of those, that's going to happen at times when Brook Lopez is down there. We have to continue to work to get in there, create help situations and play with our eyes out.

I thought we could be more consistent and better in that area. Some of the shots we're going to get will be easier. We can space better. Invariably when we turn the ball over, there is usually something you can trace it to. Those are the times when it's hard to defend.

Q. Over the last couple months, you guys have played Boston, Cleveland, Milwaukee, New York and gotten wins against all of them. Obviously didn't get this one today, but have you seen, especially the young guys on this team, really advance and grow, getting these kind of big games early in the year and having some success in them? How much will that pay dividends not just for the next few months but down the line for you guys?

QUIN SNYDER: Yeah, any time -- Dyson is, I think, 21, Zacch is 19, JJ is 22. Those guys are all starting for us. There's going to be ups and downs with young players. There's ups and downs with everybody, but particularly with young guys.

So for us to be in this type of environment and be in these types of games, I think is really important. One of the other things that's happened is -- we mentioned De'Andre -- some of our more veteran guys that are still pretty young, I think have really assumed a leadership role. You see that. You guys don't see it in the locker room and off the court, but you can really -- it's visible on the court, how those guys are not only supporting each other but trying to give each other confidence.

I think the youth helps the older, more veteran -- I don't call them veteran, but veteran guys, and I think the veteran guys in their experience in these types of situations can settle the younger guys.

I've said it before, the term I've used is long runway. Our growth is not going to be just linear. We're going to have those moments, and every time we have -- like tonight, what can we take from it? I think that's really true for Zacch and Dyson and JJ, these moments, because they are getting an opportunity at a young age to be in them. There's a lot of opportunity.

Q. You mentioned that you got the shot you wanted. Is that the biggest thing you take away from this game going forward?

QUIN SNYDER: I'd have to go back and look. I don't think we got the shots we wanted all the time. I felt like we had some that were good shots, and even a couple that we may have passed up. Sometimes you pass one up and you don't get a better one. But that's part of it for us. I liked it the fact that we have really bought in to defending, and that really helps us.

When we get out in transition, the game becomes much more instinctive, and I think for everybody, really. We're still getting to know each other as a group. I think that shows more in the halfcourt offensively, as far as us really connecting to generate shots as a team. That's really how we have to play, and I think our guys have embraced that. But that's a process, too.

Q. Looking forward, these games will matter in April. What will you tell your young players about getting prepared for the playoffs, taking what's happening right now with the NBA Cup, learning from these lessons? What do you want them to a look forward to come playoff time in April?

QUIN SNYDER: I think for our group, I've felt strongly that we can't get too high and we can't get too low, because I think both those situations, we potentially already have experienced that in the regular season. I think we were picked 10th in the East.

So when you talk about playoffs, I'm trying not to think about any -- not that I don't want to make the playoffs, but whatever it is, I think the challenge for us is to really stay focused on improving and wherever that takes us, we'll see.

But that approach for this group, to care, there's no -- you guys saw the game. There's no question we wanted to win, but at the same time, understand the things that we need to do so that winning takes place. If we keep that approach and try to continue to improve, I don't know where we end up in that regard. But if we are a better team in January than we are in December and a better team in February and a better team in March, that's the goal.