When the average basketball fan thinks of the current Atlanta Hawks, the one player that comes to mind is Trae Young. And that also happens to be the case for opposing teams. The Miami Heat have displayed a willingness to double-team the superstar point guard. The double-team has become less utilized in the NBA because of the all-around talent teams tend to possess. But it is clear that the Heat believe they can win the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs if they successfully contain Trae Young.

Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk recently discussed Miami's Trae Young plan on an Atlanta radio show entitled, “The Morning Show with John and Hugh.”

“If he's getting trapped 40-feet from the basketball (hoop), he's done his job. Any time a team commits two defenders to you, that's the ultimate sign of respect… I remember telling Trae all the way back (in) his rookie year, as soon as he gets double-teamed, he's gotta give it up, and he's got to let his teammates make plays.”

Schlenk calls the Heat's gameplan the “ultimate sign of respect.” And he's right. As aforementioned, it is not too often you see single players double-teamed in today's NBA.

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Miami's Jimmy Butler echoed the sentiment in regards to making things difficult for Trae Young.

“Just make it physical on him, challenge every shot, keep him off the free throw line, and make him pass.”

The Atlanta Hawks are going to need all hands on deck in Game 2. Young will still find a way to be productive, but he is not going to be able to get the job done on his own.