Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Boston Celtics played a role, but turning an eighth seed in the playoffs into a potential contender takes more than a seven-game series.
In Atlanta, it took key additions, an intense training camp, and an team-wide emphasis on defense. Yes, Celtics fans that should sound familiar. Except the additions in Atlanta weren’t multiple All-Stars.
“This camp was very competitive, probably the most competitive camp that I’ve had since I’ve been here as a coach,” Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson said. “When you add guys like Flip Murray and Mo (Maurice) Evans, two veteran guys who have had the opportunity to play in a number of systems, two guys who are defensive-minded guys that can both score, that for us that was a double-threat. That gives us a little more ammunition, something that we didn’t have last season coming off our bench. They’ve been great for us.”
The fact the Hawks were undefeated and came into this week without allowing a team to reach the 100-point plateau (Chicago and Boston scored 100 points this week) aren’t coincidental. It may also not be coincidental that Atlanta’s forward and inside presence (2.8 blocks per game in 2007-08) Josh Smith missed the last three games when opponents enjoyed more offensive success.
“We’ve improved defensively,” Woodson said. “Individually. As a team. Everybody’s trying to focus in on our game plan and trying to execute it.
“I don’t know if its going to always work, but I think if you give effort night-in and night-out especially on the defensive end and rebounding the ball -- that’s the ugly part of the game which players don’t like to do -- but if you get 12 or 13 guys committed to doing that, you become a good team.”
That approach helped the Hawks to their best start since 1997-98, and they’ve already recorded four victories on the road. The Hawks were 12-29 away from Atlanta last season.
Hawks point guard Mike Bibby, a 10-year veteran, sees a big difference in the effort being put forth on the defensive end, a sign that things have truly changed in Atlanta.
“We’re playing together,” Bibby said. “We’re helping each other defensively. I’ve been saying that from the start. When I first got here, it wasn’t like this defensively or offensively. We’re making rotations now. Somebody gets beat, somebody else is there making rotations. That’s turning into stops.”
Defense isn’t the lone improvement. Better continuity on offense also plays a pivotal role.
“We just make reads,” Bibby said. “We’re playing together on the offensive end too. I’m not going out there trying to score 20 a night. I don’t think everybody’s out there trying to score 20 a night. Joe (Johnson) is our scorer. He’s our leading scorer. We play off Joe. Everybody plays off Joe.”
On a personal note, Bibby said he feels a lot better having got an training camp under him and actually getting to practice with his teammates, a luxury not always afforded by the travel, nagging injuries, and the NBA schedule. He was traded to Atlanta last February.
Wednesday night’s game at the TD Banknorth Garden provided proof that the Hawks are capable of executing offense and being in position to win without relying on fast break points. Boston had nine transition points compared to just seven by Atlanta. The Hawks also took better care of the basketball, committing fewer turnovers, and had nine players score points against the Celtics.
“I think we’re better,” Woodson said of his team’s half-court offense before Wednesday‘s game. “I think we’re deeper with the additions of Mo and Flip Murray. Your good teams, they’ve got to be able to play both. You got to be able to play some half-court basketball and execute at a high level. Our team has been known over the last few years as getting out and running a little bit with all the athletes that we have. If we can mix it up a little bit and be consistent about it, it gives you a double threat I think.”
Better defense. Better offense. Better play on the road. More experience. If the Hawks keep it up, they'll make noise in the Eastern Conference. Celtics fans can be happy The Green pulled out the one-point win in last-second fashion, but you can't feel too confident about barely squeaking by a Hawks squad at less than full strength.
Post a comment below and tell us what do you think? Hawks a real threat in the East? Threat to the Celtics?
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