![]() That's not to discredit the impact had coach Mike Budenholzer has had, turning the Hawks into a free-flowing offense predicated on getting everybody involved with constant body and ball movement. Of course, you can't just "play team basketball" and expect to win in the NBA you've got to have a group of guys maximize their individual capabilities. It's funny, however, just how much of a difference it makes when the whole team buys in and operates as a selfless cohesive unit. They were spearheaded by a quality starting five yet their anchor had an injury history, they didn't quite have that superstar level talent to call their go-to guy and their bench appeared thinner on paper than you would like for a team eyeing a deep playoff run. The general consensus was that Atlanta would be good, but not good enough to make the jump into elite territory. Everybody knew the Atlanta Hawks would have a good squad, but you had a difficult time finding many people who considered them legitimate contenders, whether Al Horford was healthy or not. Though Antic doesn't put up big numbers off the bench, he gives the Hawks a legitimate center to match up with bigger teams.Coming into the 2014-15 NBA season, the overwhelming expectation among "experts" and fans was that Chicago and Cleveland would battle it out for the Eastern Conference crown. Pero Antic, a burly 7-footer from Macedonia, was signed in 2013 after playing several seasons in Eastern Europe. He has averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in two seasons with Atlanta. Carroll signed a cheap two-year, $5 million deal in 2013, reigniting his career after several listless seasons with Denver, Houston, and Utah. In DeMarre Carroll, the Hawks brought in a strong defender on the wing to help build their fifth-ranked defense. This season he is averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists per game. Millsap joins Horford in the Hawks' frontcourt, adding another big body who can stretch the floor, post up, rebound, and make smart passes. The Hawks quietly made one of the bigger free-agent steals in recent years by giving power forward Paul Millsap a two-year, $19 million deal in 2013. Cheap free-agent signings (Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll, Pero Antic, Mike Budenholzer) Schroeder helps lead the Hawks' bench unit with averages of eight points and three assists per game, and he has been on the court in crunch time at times.Ģ. 17 two years ago, is a candidate for most improved player this season. The Hawks ultimately made the right choice two summers ago when they decided to match a contract offer for Teague in free agency.ĭennis Schroeder, a German-born point guard whom the Hawks drafted at No. ![]() Teague is averaging a career-high 17 points, 48% shooting, 7.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals this season. Point guard Jeff Teague was taken 19th overall in the 2009 draft and has improved every year. Injuries have limited him the past two seasons, but when healthy he is one of the Hawks' best players. ![]() Though he doesn't put up superstar numbers, he is a big man worth a career 14 points and nine rebounds a night who can post up and shoot from the midrange. Horford has become the backbone of the Hawks' defense and one of their most consistent offensive players. Now he is the lone piece remaining from the Joe Johnson/Josh Smith days. ![]() The Hawks' most recognizable name is Al Horford, who is one of the most underrated big men in the NBA. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. ![]()
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