more national coverage - this time from Denver...

[flava]

Hawks ushering in new era

By Benjamin Hochman

The Denver Post

Article Last Updated: 12/23/2007 12:17:08 AM MST

Joe Johnson has the Atlanta Hawks flying high (well, for the Hawks, that is) at 14-12 their best record this late in the season since 1998-99. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images )Of late, astronomers have painstakingly searched for any suggestive lunar movement or celestial alignment, anything really, that could explain why the Atlanta Hawks are playing well.

The Hawks are 14-12, which is not overwhelmingly great, but for the Hawks, my goodness, it's incredible. They haven't been .500 or better this far into a season since 1998-99. And, yes, it's not that far into this season.

Then consider that the Hawks had missed the playoffs just four times from 1977-99. And since 1999, they haven't been back, averaging 27.2 wins per season, which is not good.

So why this year's Hawks?

Well, this homegrown roster is maturing, guys born in Reagan's second term making fewer mistakes and more highlight reels.

Four of Atlanta's top five scorers were drafted in the first round by the Hawks, three in the top six picks, and Josh Smith, this season's breakout player, 17th overall in 2004.

Three other youngsters off the bench were selected by Atlanta — two in the first round, one in the early second — though none play extended minutes.

The Hawks did start the season as the Hawks. They went 6-9 in November with four home losses — not that playing in front of ushers and vendors makes for much of a home-court advantage.

The Hawks reportedly held a players-only meeting before their first December game (apparently, these things work every time, because you never hear about a players-only meeting followed by a wretched losing streak).

At the time of the team gathering, the Hawks were turning the ball over frighteningly frequently. They also seemed to take quarters off, lapses even the Spurs don't encounter, much less the Hawks. After the Hawks' meeting, the guys have, yep, played focused basketball. They have gone 8-3 in December. Yes, they beat the teams they were supposed to, notably five that were under .500. But they beat Orlando, too, and the Magic is splendid. And Friday in Washington, the Hawks pushed aside the division-rival Wizards. The Hawks hadn't won there since 2003, but did so thanks to 16 fourth-quarter points from Joe Johnson, the team's leading scorer this season.

So what have the Hawks been doing to win these games? Smothering scorers. In the past 10 games, only four teams have allowed fewer than the 93.6 the Hawks have allowed, and it's a heck of a VIP list — San Antonio, Toronto, Detroit and Boston.

Now, the Hawks will be scrapping all season just to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, which annually allows .500 teams to sneak into the playoffs.

But, the fact is, the Hawks could actually make the playoffs. That should get the ushers buzzing.

Sophomore surge.

Memphis' Rudy Gay averaged 17.2 points in November — not bad — but he entered the weekend at 23.5 for December. Gay has played more power forward than small forward in his second season, and lately he has been an overwhelming force. He scored 32 points in two consecutive games, followed by 23 points against the Spurs, including a game-winning 3-pointer over Tim Duncan.

Turn, turn, turn.

The NBA "leaders" in turnovers are generally big-name players, because they generally have the ball more than others. That said, Miami's Dwyane Wade is having a career year of futility. His league-leading 4.67 turnovers per game is the highest of his five seasons. His career average is 3.85.

Paul does it all.

Guard Chris Paul is the heart of the Hornets, and he entered the weekend in the top five in three main NBA categories. He leads the league with 2.75 steals, ranks third with 9.8 assists and fifth with a 91.6 free-throw percentage. His 21.0 points per game is good for 20th in the NBA and it's also a career-high for the third-year player.

Footnotes.

Not only do the Nuggets lead the NBA with 6.76 blocks per game, but they're also second in blocks differential (plus-2.32). In a Minneapolis Star Tribune article with the headline "Wolves: worst team ever?" Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was quoted as saying: "I said when we decided to do this that I needed to have patience. It has taken me more patience than I anticipated." The Celtics allow only 87.7 points per game, fewest in the NBA.

SPOTLIGHT ON ...

Kevin Durant, G-F, Seattle SuperSonics

Durant stands 6-foot-9, but can effortlessly pull up for jumpers, making him a rare weapon. Then consider he's only 19.

The Sonics have a gem on their hands, and they've decided to put the ball in his. Durant has the green light in his rookie season, and he has put up some tremendous efforts, notably his 35 points, eight rebounds and five blocks against Milwaukee this month. And there was the 30 points he poured in at New York. During one play at Madison Square Garden, he was near the left elbow when he suddenly swooped around two Knicks defenders. He made a curve toward the perimeter and then into the lane for a dunk, the two Knicks somehow a step behind him. What made the play even more amazing was that Durant had made the play by going to his left.

Durant leads all rookies with 19.6 points and 33.2 minutes, and he should win the rookie of the year unanimously. The past two winners of the award, Brandon Roy and Chris Paul, each missed it by one vote.

Benjamin Hochman covers the NBA for The Denver Post. He can be reached at 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com.

[Vesper]

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Durant leads all rookies with 19.6 points and 33.2 minutes, and he should win the rookie of the year unanimously.

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It seems they want to make Durant Rookie of the Year based on his point totals alone.

What about his all around game?

Go Al Horford

SEASON AVERAGES

Season Team G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG

07-08 ATL 25 21 30.9 0.511 0.000 0.632 2.7 6.9 9.6 1.2 0.9 1.0 2.04 3.40 9.0

Career 25 21 30.9 0.511 0.000 0.632 2.7 6.9 9.6 1.2 0.9 1.0 2.04 3.40 9.0

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The nbaTV analysts talked about the Hawks 4 game win streak last night and how well JJ and JS have been playing.