Quarter Mark Grades

[benhillboy]

They're ahead of the consensus ceiling of 50 wins with a +4.7 point differential. Loved this squad last year, but they took it up a couple notches adding two above-average perimeter defenders along with gradually incorporating a former All-Star Big. I dont want to hear about weak schedule or what we "need". These boys have been balling, period. Mainly due to the strides of our two PGs, lights out shooting, and focus on blocks, steals, and well-timed and well-scouted help.

Their approach to the full 48 minutes and not playing the scoreboard makes this team competitive every night out, regardless of the opoonent. We should be able to count the instances we say "it's just one of those nights" on one hand going forward, and that's all I ask: be ready to play every night.

I have no fear of the playoffs believing we have the most prepared series coach in the East. I also trust Danny to make the right moves or non-moves before the deadline.

90/ A

[macdaddy]

I trust Danny but he's not working anymore.   Don't know what will happen at the deadline for us but we have a good team in a bad conference.   Like you said, we looked good last year but this last couple weeks is a whole, nother, level.

[benhillboy]

Per SBNation: At this point, Atlanta is a top 10 squad in both offensive and defensive efficiency, often the mark of a contender.

[Plainview1981]

Jeff Teague: A-

Paul Millsap: B+

Kyle Korver: B+

Al Horford: C

DeMarre Carroll: B

Dennis Schröder: B+

Mike Scott: C-

Pero Antić: D-

Thabo Sefolosha:D+

Shelvin Mack:D+

Elton Brand: N/A

Kent Bazemore: D-

Edited December 9, 2014 by Hotlanta1981

[Guest]

I'm giving Coach Bud an A+.

 

While the Hawks’ franchise remains in perpetual confusion off the court — with one owner exiled, the others in flux and a general manager in relative purgatory — the on-court product is exhibiting traits we’re generally not accustomed to in Atlanta.

Stable. Professional. Exceedingly efficient.

They have won seven consecutive, their longest streak since 2009. They are 14-6 — not 5-8 and several blocks from respectability like the Falcons (NFC South mathematics notwithstanding), or stuck in a well-disguised rebuild mode like the Braves.

The Hawks just make sense. They don’t have the kind of team that will light up a marquee or spin turnstiles. They just win. And as a bonus, they’re not asking for a new arena.

Now, we can nitpick about how the Hawks have played a weak schedule and nothing in the standings in any league really matters until you make the second-half turn. But the fact that they’ve gone from an off-court grease fire in September (see: Bruce Levenson email; Danny Ferry scouting report) to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference says something about this team.

It also says something about Mike Budenholzer. He knows what he’s doing.

Last year, Budenholzer implemented a new system, helped guard Jeff Teague elevate his game and nearly led a beat-up roster minus Al Horford and others to a first-round playoff upset of Indiana. But to replicate that effort and improvement in Year 2, against the backdrop of franchise buffoonery, wasn’t a given.

Budenholzer, who took on the added title of interim general manager, said before the season that he didn’t believe his players would be distracted by the front-office issues.

“I was more concerned that we were bringing everybody back, and sometimes when you do that everybody thinks, ‘Well, it’s just going to happen,’ and they don’t realize how hard you have to work.”

Teams are a reflection of their coach. If players haven’t been distracted and maintained their same work ethic and mentality of a year ago, credit to Budenholzer. He’s probably the only non-polarizing coach on Atlanta-area teams, pro or college.

“We have talented players. It bothers me when people say we don’t,” Budenholzer said. “But we have to play a certain way. We have to understand our identity. I love the challenge. Some of the greatest teams have had both (stars and work ethic). That’s probably the Holy Grail. But the LeBrons and the Duncans of eight to 10 years ago is not how we’re building here.”

No Holy Grail here. Teague is the Hawks’ leading scorer at 17.5 points per game. That ranks 32nd in the NBA. Paul Millsap is their leading rebounder at 7.7. That ranks 29th.

Other than the possibly alien 3-point shooter, Kyle Korver, the Hawks don’t have a lot of big shooters. Yet, they’re averaging 103.7 points (third in the East, seventh in the league) and 47.5 percent shooting (first in the East, fourth in the league). They’re small up front and not particularly intimidating on defense. Yet, their 99 points per game allowed ranks fifth in the East and 11th overall.

The schedule has been kind. There were 14 teams with winning records going into Tuesday. The Hawks have played only four of the other 13 — Toronto, San Antonio, Washington, Cleveland — and are 1-4. Their strength of schedule, based on opponents’ overall winning percentage of .423, ranks last in the league.

So it’s reasonable to wonder: How dangerous is this team?

“I have no idea,” Budenholzer said. “I don’t think of it in those terms. When you play a schedule, you just play. The most important thing is that we build on good habits and we understand how we want to play. If I see those things, I’m much less concerned about wins and losses, who we’re playing and not playing, whether we’re dangerous or not dangerous.”

They’re undersized. Again. But the team’s defense in the paint and at the rim has significantly improved, especially by Al Horford. The top five scorers, from Teague (17.5) to DeMarre Carroll (11.8) are separated by less than six points. Backup point guard Dennis Schröder is becoming increasingly comfortable and is a nice weapon off the bench. The team ranks fourth in assists. They function, unlike units of Hawks ghosts past.

How seriously should this team be taken? The next few months will answer that. But with Budenholzer, it’s easy to see the upside.

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/budenholzer-has-kept-hawks-moving-forward/njPWw/?ecmp=ajc_social_twitter_2014_jeffschultz_sfp#1e2f67b4.3828699.735576

[Peoriabird]

I'm not ready to give Bud an A+ yet but he definitely gets an A+ with his offensive and Defensive design but I still have problems understanding his player utilization.   I still don't understand the high usage of Pero Antić especially against certain opponents.  Elton Brand is a better rebounder, rim protector, defender, offensive player, shooter...You name it but Bud chooses not to use him why? Our defense and rebounding would be better if brand received a lot of Antić's minutes especially against certain matchups.  I don't understand the love affair with Mack...Mack contributes very little while in the game especially since his shot is broken this season.  If we have to chose between two players with broken shots to be a back up shooting guard then give me Bazemore all day.  He does everything better on the defensive end than Mack.  Mack should never see the floor against big 2 guard like he did against Indy because its just free lunch for the other team.  Bud should expect more production from his back up center and 2 guard but other than those 2 issues, I am extremely please with Bud as the best coach in Atlanta Sports history

[a1032bc]

I like to think he is saving Elton Brand for later in the year / playoffs - keep him as healthy as possible now, as he has logged thousands of minutes in his career.  As we get closer to the Spring, I could see Pero's minutes shift to Elton,

[TheFuzz]

Jeff Teague: A-

Paul Millsap: B+

Kyle Korver: B+

Al Horford: C

DeMarre Carroll: B

Dennis Schröder: B+

Mike Scott: C-

Pero Antić: D-

Thabo Sefolosha:D+

Shelvin Mack:D+

Elton Brand: N/A

Kent Bazemore: D-

 

Some minor discrepancies, but overall I agree.

 

I think Korver absolutely deserves an A, and I'd rate Scott a tad higher, but good list.