![]() In record time, Budenholzer has transmitted the DNA for the Spurs' success to his players in Atlanta building a team concept around great passing and three-point shooting but also around an efficient help defense with tight rotations. The best team in the East is coached by Gregg Popovich's former lead assistant, Mike Budenholzer, who was elected coach of the month for December and January, and who coached his four players at the All-Star Game. The Hawks, with basically the same roster, have gone from 38-44 (46% winning percentage) last season to 43-12 (78%) this season which is an incredible progression in such a short period of time. ![]() Now, without a doubt, the big story is the Atlanta Hawks, a team that resembles the San Antonio Spurs like two drops of water and sent four players to the All-Star Game in New York. Last season, Teague took some steps forward under the tutelage of Budenholzer, averaging 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game, but in year two under the regime, it is “now or never” time for the point guard, and he must look to improve on a sub-par 32.9% mark from 3-point range last season.PARIS ( George Eddy's International Show) - At the start of the 2014-15 NBA season, the two big surprises in the Eastern Conference were the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. The majority of the contributors are established veterans, but while 26-year-old Jeff Teague fits into that category, he seemingly presents the largest amount of upside versus his past results. This is a tough one, simply because Atlanta’s roster isn’t conducive to a single breakout player. There are certainly some valid durability concerns based on two major injuries for Horford in the past three seasons, but both ailments were of the “fluke” variety, and there is no reason to think that the former Florida star could not play 75 games of high-level basketball this season. Horford is a top-25 player in the NBA by any measure, and a front-court pairing of Horford and 2014 All-Star Paul Millsap could be quite fruitful for the Hawks in the second season under Mike Budenholzer. The Hawks finished 38-44 last season, but when their best player, Al Horford, was healthy and participating in the action, Atlanta sported a 16-13 record. Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer (38-44 career record, 2nd season) ![]() Key Departures: PG/SG Lou Williams, PF/C Gustavo Ayon Key Additions: SG/SF Thabo Sefolosha, SG Kent Bazemore ![]() ![]() The team’s high-profile pursuit of Luol Deng became front page news after the fact, but they were never a serious player for the “top-tier” free agents, simply electing to bolster their bench depth while adding a high-ceiling player through the draft process. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY SportsĪtlanta entered the 2014 offseason with a great deal of cap flexibility, leading some to consider them as a major player in the free agent pool, but in the end, it was a relatively quiet summer for the Hawks in terms of personnel moves. Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kyle Korver (26) and small forward DeMarre Carroll (5) and point guard Jeff Teague (0) and center Al Horford (15) walk on the court against the Utah Jazz in the third quarter at Philips Arena. ![]()
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