Atlanta Hawks
NBA Coach of the Year, as judged by writers and broadcasters... Signed new contract following last season... Feisty to a fault... Some observers felt it took him awhile to learn what to do with a fast-break team... Admitted he cut his coaching teeth on the half-court style of Hubie Brown, but said he's an uptempo kind of guy at heart... Made Dominique Wilkins a better player with a firm but understanding hand... Yanked Wilkins immediately after each forced shot or bad pass, explained what he did wrong, then reinserted him into the game... Gave Spud Webb a chance and was rewarded many times... Born Feb. 24, 1947, in Hackensack, NJ... Attended Montclair State (N.J.) College... Improved three-year head-coaching to 124-122 with 50-32 finish.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Scott Hastings
6-10 235 Center
Became more of a thug than anything else... Dragged down Celtics' Danny Ainge in playoff game and got kicked several times for his trouble... Was ejected in Game 5 after flagrantly fouling Greg Kite... Obviously knows roughstuff is only way he can stay in NBA, where he earned $180,000 last season... Has been a pro for four season and has yet to average more than 4.5 ppg... Born June 3, 1960, in Independence, Kan.... Knicks chose him 29th overall in 1982, out of Arkansas... Went to Hawks along with $600,000 for guard Rory Sparrow in February 1983... He's cheap insurance against injuries to Tree Rollins and Kevin Willis, but his cheap shots have to stop.
Relevant stats:
3.4 ppg, 2 rpg, 40.9 FG%
Became more of a thug than anything else... Dragged down Celtics' Danny Ainge in playoff game and got kicked several times for his trouble... Was ejected in Game 5 after flagrantly fouling Greg Kite... Obviously knows roughstuff is only way he can stay in NBA, where he earned $180,000 last season... Has been a pro for four season and has yet to average more than 4.5 ppg... Born June 3, 1960, in Independence, Kan.... Knicks chose him 29th overall in 1982, out of Arkansas... Went to Hawks along with $600,000 for guard Rory Sparrow in February 1983... He's cheap insurance against injuries to Tree Rollins and Kevin Willis, but his cheap shots have to stop.
Relevant stats:
3.4 ppg, 2 rpg, 40.9 FG%
Mike Mcgee
6-5 190 Guard
Became a Hawk on draft day, when Lakers traded him and rights to first-rounder Billy Thompson and second-rounder Ron Kellogg... Was jerked in and out of the Laker starting lineup throughout five-year stay in LA... At times, you wonder why he's not in the CBA... Shooting is his forte, but he slumped to .463 last season... Born July 29, 1959, in Tyler, Tex., the home of football star Earl Campbell... Grew up in Omaha, Neb.... A virtual scoring machine during his days at Michigan State, where he played one season with Magic Johnson... Lakers made him No. 19 pick overall in 1981 and had big plans for him, but he never got more than brief chances to play... Maybe things will be different in Atlanta.
Relevant stats:
8.3 ppg, 46.3 FG%, 1.17 apg
Became a Hawk on draft day, when Lakers traded him and rights to first-rounder Billy Thompson and second-rounder Ron Kellogg... Was jerked in and out of the Laker starting lineup throughout five-year stay in LA... At times, you wonder why he's not in the CBA... Shooting is his forte, but he slumped to .463 last season... Born July 29, 1959, in Tyler, Tex., the home of football star Earl Campbell... Grew up in Omaha, Neb.... A virtual scoring machine during his days at Michigan State, where he played one season with Magic Johnson... Lakers made him No. 19 pick overall in 1981 and had big plans for him, but he never got more than brief chances to play... Maybe things will be different in Atlanta.
Relevant stats:
8.3 ppg, 46.3 FG%, 1.17 apg
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Antoine Carr
6-9 225 Forward
Was hurt more often than not and missed the playoffs... Played in 17 regular-season games... Has failed to live up to advance billing as eight player chosen overall by Pistons in 1983, out of Wichita State... Played first pro season in Italy after contract squabble... This Carr looks like he's carying around a rumble seat... Born July 23 1961, in Oklahoma City, Okla... Will make $390,000 this season... Time for him to start earning it... A good shooter, but one wonders about his work ethic... Improvement by him could make Hawks even better than they were in 1985-86.
Relevant Stats:
6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.82 apg
Was hurt more often than not and missed the playoffs... Played in 17 regular-season games... Has failed to live up to advance billing as eight player chosen overall by Pistons in 1983, out of Wichita State... Played first pro season in Italy after contract squabble... This Carr looks like he's carying around a rumble seat... Born July 23 1961, in Oklahoma City, Okla... Will make $390,000 this season... Time for him to start earning it... A good shooter, but one wonders about his work ethic... Improvement by him could make Hawks even better than they were in 1985-86.
Relevant Stats:
6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.82 apg
Jon Koncak
7-0 245 Center
Worked extensively with former Knick great Willis Reed... Positioning remains a problem... Reed wants him to develop a sweeping hook shot, a la Kareem Abdul-Jabbar... Had lousy playoff series against the Celtics, taking 13 shots, missing eight, scoring 15 points and fouling out of Game 5 in 18 minutes... Born May17, 1963, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Became 1984 Olympian, then was chosen No. 5 overal by Hawks in 1985... SMU's all-time leading rebounder and shot-blocker and its second-best scorer... Could use more of a nasty streak.
Relevant Stats:
8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.67 apg
Worked extensively with former Knick great Willis Reed... Positioning remains a problem... Reed wants him to develop a sweeping hook shot, a la Kareem Abdul-Jabbar... Had lousy playoff series against the Celtics, taking 13 shots, missing eight, scoring 15 points and fouling out of Game 5 in 18 minutes... Born May17, 1963, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Became 1984 Olympian, then was chosen No. 5 overal by Hawks in 1985... SMU's all-time leading rebounder and shot-blocker and its second-best scorer... Could use more of a nasty streak.
Relevant Stats:
8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.67 apg
Johnny Davis
6-2 170 Guard
Acquired from Cavaliers for Eddie Johnson with 32 games left in season... Had gone to Cavs from Hawks prior to 1884-85... Hawk GM Stan Kasten obviously meant it when he said at the time that this guy was "the finest human being I've ever met," because Kasten got him back when the opportunity presented itself... Just an insurance guard now, with Randy Wittman, Glenn Rivers and Spud Webb getting most of minutes... Used rarely in playoffs... Attended Dayton... Was drafted 22nd overall by Portland in 1976... Played on Blazers' championship team in 1976-77... Born Oct. 21, 1955, in Detroit... Took $175,000 pay cut to sign with Cavs last season.
Relevant Stats:
6.3 ppg, 0.83 rpg, 3.3 apg
Acquired from Cavaliers for Eddie Johnson with 32 games left in season... Had gone to Cavs from Hawks prior to 1884-85... Hawk GM Stan Kasten obviously meant it when he said at the time that this guy was "the finest human being I've ever met," because Kasten got him back when the opportunity presented itself... Just an insurance guard now, with Randy Wittman, Glenn Rivers and Spud Webb getting most of minutes... Used rarely in playoffs... Attended Dayton... Was drafted 22nd overall by Portland in 1976... Played on Blazers' championship team in 1976-77... Born Oct. 21, 1955, in Detroit... Took $175,000 pay cut to sign with Cavs last season.
Relevant Stats:
6.3 ppg, 0.83 rpg, 3.3 apg
Randy Wittman
6-6 210 Guard
Flourished in the playoffs after ranking second to Dominique Wilkins among Hawks' regular season scorers... Averaged 17.8 ppg in postseason, including 35-point outburst the same night Wilkins scored 50 against Pistons... A great corner jump-shooter he needs a good pass and a short screen and he'll do the rest... Indiana product drafted 22nd overall by Bullets in 1983, then sent to Hawks for second-round pick and forward Tom McMillen shortly thereafter... Started 79 games and played in 81 last season after missing 41 in 1984-85... One of three 1,000-point scorers on Hawks... Confidence boost should carry over to this season, when his contract runs out after paying him $300,000... Born Oct. 28, 1959, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Relevant Stats:
12.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.78 apg
Flourished in the playoffs after ranking second to Dominique Wilkins among Hawks' regular season scorers... Averaged 17.8 ppg in postseason, including 35-point outburst the same night Wilkins scored 50 against Pistons... A great corner jump-shooter he needs a good pass and a short screen and he'll do the rest... Indiana product drafted 22nd overall by Bullets in 1983, then sent to Hawks for second-round pick and forward Tom McMillen shortly thereafter... Started 79 games and played in 81 last season after missing 41 in 1984-85... One of three 1,000-point scorers on Hawks... Confidence boost should carry over to this season, when his contract runs out after paying him $300,000... Born Oct. 28, 1959, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Relevant Stats:
12.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.78 apg
Cliff Levingston
6-8 215 Forward
Plays caddy to Dominique Wilkins, which cant't please former star at Wichita State... Became free agent earning $200,000 last season... Averaged 24 minutes per game in regular season, down nearly five minutes per game from previous year... Lousy free-throw shooter... Still doesn't seem comfortable with his own body... Was ninth player chosen in 1982 draft, going to Detroit, which eventually sent him and Antoine Carr to Hawks for Dan Roundfield prior to 1984-85... born Jan. 4, 1961, in San Diego... May want out of Atlanta because his prospects for playing timearen't good.
Relevant Stats:
9.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.89 apg
Plays caddy to Dominique Wilkins, which cant't please former star at Wichita State... Became free agent earning $200,000 last season... Averaged 24 minutes per game in regular season, down nearly five minutes per game from previous year... Lousy free-throw shooter... Still doesn't seem comfortable with his own body... Was ninth player chosen in 1982 draft, going to Detroit, which eventually sent him and Antoine Carr to Hawks for Dan Roundfield prior to 1984-85... born Jan. 4, 1961, in San Diego... May want out of Atlanta because his prospects for playing timearen't good.
Relevant Stats:
9.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.89 apg
Kevin Willis
7-0 245 Forward-Center
Thought to be a gamble when Hawks made him 11th pick overall in 1984, but Michigan State product is developing rapidly... Third-leading Hawk scorer last season, he was second to Dominique Wilkins in playoff... Underutilized against Boston... Terrorized Larry Bird, but didn't see the ball consistently enough for the mismatch to change the series' outcome... Born Sept. 6, 1962, in Los Angeles... Became more and more vocal as season went along and projects as possible team leader... Needs to learn to pass ball when he's double-teamed instead of forcing shots... Will make $250,000 this season.
Relevant Stats:
10.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 0.55 apg
Thought to be a gamble when Hawks made him 11th pick overall in 1984, but Michigan State product is developing rapidly... Third-leading Hawk scorer last season, he was second to Dominique Wilkins in playoff... Underutilized against Boston... Terrorized Larry Bird, but didn't see the ball consistently enough for the mismatch to change the series' outcome... Born Sept. 6, 1962, in Los Angeles... Became more and more vocal as season went along and projects as possible team leader... Needs to learn to pass ball when he's double-teamed instead of forcing shots... Will make $250,000 this season.
Relevant Stats:
10.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 0.55 apg
Spud Webb
5-7 130 Guard
Drafted 87th overall by Pistons in 1985, out of North Carolina State, he was cut before summer ended, then signed by Hawks as free agent... Steal of steals... NBA Slam Dunk champion, defeating teammate Dominique Wilkins in finals... Victory was bittersweet because it was Wilkins who took him under his wing and told coach Mike Fratello that the little guy with size-seven sneakers should make the team... Blossomed in second half of season... Free throws in second OT gave Hawks victory in Game 5 of series vs. Pistons... Was virtually unstoppable in set with Celts, getting 21 points, 12 assists and six rebounds in Game 4 victory... Carries huge chip on tiny should about his size... Made $75,000 last year... Born July 13, 1963, in Dallas... Says "I guess I would say I am livin a dream."
Relevant Stats:
7.8 ppg, 1.55 rpg, 4.26 apg
Drafted 87th overall by Pistons in 1985, out of North Carolina State, he was cut before summer ended, then signed by Hawks as free agent... Steal of steals... NBA Slam Dunk champion, defeating teammate Dominique Wilkins in finals... Victory was bittersweet because it was Wilkins who took him under his wing and told coach Mike Fratello that the little guy with size-seven sneakers should make the team... Blossomed in second half of season... Free throws in second OT gave Hawks victory in Game 5 of series vs. Pistons... Was virtually unstoppable in set with Celts, getting 21 points, 12 assists and six rebounds in Game 4 victory... Carries huge chip on tiny should about his size... Made $75,000 last year... Born July 13, 1963, in Dallas... Says "I guess I would say I am livin a dream."
Relevant Stats:
7.8 ppg, 1.55 rpg, 4.26 apg
Wayne (Tree) Rollins
7-1 245 Center
Elder statesman of team... Born June 16, 1955, in Cordele, Ga... The 14th plyer picked in 1977 went to Atlanta and he has been there ever since... Still has an offensive game that is offensive, but his rebounding and shot-blocking are big plusses for Hawks... Richly rewarded at $923,000 this season, with provisions for another $59,000 in bonuses... Could double salary of teammate Dominique Wilkins... Coach Mike Fratello said in 1985-1986, "Tree had his best season ever for us,"... Lost starting job, then regained it... Clemson product turned the boos of 1984-1985 into cheers last season... Cousin of former teammate and current Cavalier Eddie Johnson... Was eight among league's shot-blockers with average of 2.26 per game last season.
Relevant Stats:
5.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.55 apg, 2.26 bpg
Elder statesman of team... Born June 16, 1955, in Cordele, Ga... The 14th plyer picked in 1977 went to Atlanta and he has been there ever since... Still has an offensive game that is offensive, but his rebounding and shot-blocking are big plusses for Hawks... Richly rewarded at $923,000 this season, with provisions for another $59,000 in bonuses... Could double salary of teammate Dominique Wilkins... Coach Mike Fratello said in 1985-1986, "Tree had his best season ever for us,"... Lost starting job, then regained it... Clemson product turned the boos of 1984-1985 into cheers last season... Cousin of former teammate and current Cavalier Eddie Johnson... Was eight among league's shot-blockers with average of 2.26 per game last season.
Relevant Stats:
5.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.55 apg, 2.26 bpg
Glenn "Doc" Rivers
6-4 184 Guard
Missed 28 games with broken hand... Accepted responsibility as on-court leader after being tentative... Streaky shooter who needs work... Missed all 16 three-point shots in regular season, but was 3-for-6 in playoffs... Finally stopped asking people not to call him "Doc," out of respect for Julius Erving... Usually relieved by Spud Web, presenting drastic change in style... Good defensive player, he is also fearless where rebounding is concerned... Born Oct. 13, 1961, in Maywood, Ill... Was thought to have made a mistake when he left Marquette a year early to become 31st overall pick by Hawks in 1983... Made $155,000 last season and completes contract this season at $200,000 with possibility of $10,000 in bonuses.
Relevant Stats:
11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 8.4 apg
Missed 28 games with broken hand... Accepted responsibility as on-court leader after being tentative... Streaky shooter who needs work... Missed all 16 three-point shots in regular season, but was 3-for-6 in playoffs... Finally stopped asking people not to call him "Doc," out of respect for Julius Erving... Usually relieved by Spud Web, presenting drastic change in style... Good defensive player, he is also fearless where rebounding is concerned... Born Oct. 13, 1961, in Maywood, Ill... Was thought to have made a mistake when he left Marquette a year early to become 31st overall pick by Hawks in 1983... Made $155,000 last season and completes contract this season at $200,000 with possibility of $10,000 in bonuses.
Relevant Stats:
11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 8.4 apg
Dominique Wilkins
6-7 215 Forward
Became NBA scoring king with a 30.3-ppg average, improving his game in many facets last season... Outside shot and passing improved but, when games were on the line, Hawks looked for him to go one-on-one, just like always... After leading Hawks past Pistons in first round of playoffs, he slumped badly against Celtics, making only 41 of 103 shots... In two games at Atlanta, he had 75 points, but he managed only 45 in three at Boston... Bitterly disappointed at failure to repeat as NBA Slam Dunk champion... Felt teammate Spud Webb got sympathy points from judges because of size... Tireless worker who still plays out of control sometimes... Born Jan. 12, 1960, in Sorbonne, France... Utah chose Georgia grad thrid overall in 1982, but dealt rights to Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash... Grossly underpaid at $510,000 this season, considering all he means to Hawks.
Relevant stats:
30.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.6 apg
Became NBA scoring king with a 30.3-ppg average, improving his game in many facets last season... Outside shot and passing improved but, when games were on the line, Hawks looked for him to go one-on-one, just like always... After leading Hawks past Pistons in first round of playoffs, he slumped badly against Celtics, making only 41 of 103 shots... In two games at Atlanta, he had 75 points, but he managed only 45 in three at Boston... Bitterly disappointed at failure to repeat as NBA Slam Dunk champion... Felt teammate Spud Webb got sympathy points from judges because of size... Tireless worker who still plays out of control sometimes... Born Jan. 12, 1960, in Sorbonne, France... Utah chose Georgia grad thrid overall in 1982, but dealt rights to Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash... Grossly underpaid at $510,000 this season, considering all he means to Hawks.
Relevant stats:
30.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.6 apg
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