Taurean Prince wanted the playoff book – all of it – when he first met with then-recently hired Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce last summer.
The small forward didn’t want to know just where he was supposed to be on the court at all times in a new system. He wanted to know where everyone else was supposed to be as well.
“That’s the beauty of Taurean,” Pierce said. “Right from the jump he said ‘Coach, I want to be a facilitator. I want to be able to study and understand what we are doing. I want to know all the wrinkles, what you see and why you are calling certain sets.’”
Prince had a reason for his ambitious request. He saw a bigger leadership role on a young, rebuilding team as the next step in the evolution of his emerging game.
"It was something I really wanted for myself to be able to grow," Prince said after scoring 24 points in the Hawks' 111-104 comeback victory over the Mavericks Wednesday. "I know Trae (Young) is the point guard and the head of the snake for us but it's always good to have that second head coach (on the floor) along with the point guard. Just knowing what guys are doing and getting in the right (sets)."
Prince said he has some work to do in knowing all the details but he’s happy to come to the gym every day to continue the education.
Prince may not know all the intricacies of the new system but he sure knows where he is supposed to be this season offensively. He is averaging a team-best 21.8 points through the first four games of the season. The good run didn’t just start with a new season. Prince has picked up where he left off last season.
Pierce saw it then. He sees it now.
The Hawks played the 76ers, with then assistant Pierce, twice in the final two weeks of last regular season. Prince was on a run where he averaged 20.9 points over the final 16 games of the season.
“What I remember most about Taurean was his competitive side,” Pierce said. “He was matched up against Ben Simmons. He presents as being competitive. He shows his toughness. A lot of pride. I thought the shooting was just bonus. I think the shooting is legit now that I’m here. His consistency as a shooter. He ability to shoot with ease and comfort. We are trying to expand from there. I know he can defend. I know he has toughness. I know he can shoot. We are trying to get the ball in his hands a little bit and get him comfortable playing as a facilitator.”
Dating back to last season, Prince has scored 20-plus points in seven of his last eight games. He is shooting .492 from the field, including .419 from 3-point range, and averaging 5.0 rebounds this season.
That’s the offensive side. Prince knows it’s the defensive side where he can make the biggest impact. That was part of the reason the Hawks acquired Prince, a long, athletic win, after he was taken with the 12th pick in 2016.
“I want to make sure I stay aware on defense,” Prince said. “I think that’s where I can really be a problem. I haven’t really reached yet or shown people yet. It’s here and there. I’m trying to get more consistent. That’s big for me going into the season. The offense will take care of itself the way with the way we move the ball and the type of team we are.”
Prince spent a good part of his offseason looking to play against and learn from the top players in the NBA. He spent a lot of time in Los Angeles in open gyms runs with other pros. He said playing against good competition goes a long way in his development.
The biggest reason for his continued success from last season has been the mental side of the game, Prince said.
It comes back to the playbook and Prince’s desire to know it inside and out.
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