Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Mike Budenholzer gives credit to Danny Ferry

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on the Hawks, whose success has been one of the top stories of the 2015-16 NBA season:

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer credited general manager Danny Ferry as the person most responsible for assembling the current roster.

With Ferry on an indefinite leave of absence, Budenholzer was the Hawks nomination for the NBA’s Executive of the Year award the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday. Budenholzer was named head of basketball operations in September.

“Anyone who has followed the Hawks for the last two or three years knows that Danny Ferry is the executive who is most responsible for the makeup of our team,” Budenholzer said Sunday before the Hawks played the Wizards. “Danny is responsible for me being here. Our team is in a good place. I’m very grateful to work with such good players and with such a great staff.”

Budenholzer, Hawks enjoying amazing success

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on the Hawks, whose success has been a terrific season-long story:

With general manager Danny Ferry on a leave of absence the entire season, the Hawks submitted head coach Mike Budenholzer for consideration in voting for the NBA’s Executive of the Year Award, a person familiar with the situation told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Budenholzer has been serving as the head of basketball operations since September when Ferry took the leave following the discovery of racially insensitive remarks about free-agent target Luol Deng during a June conference call with team ownership and management. At that time, CEO Steve Koonin elevated Budenholzer to lead the basketball operations and make final decisions.

The Hawks clinched the Southeast Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last month as part of a record-breaking season. The team extended its franchise record for wins in a season with its 60th victory Friday night. The Hawks have also had a franchise record 19-game win streak, which included an NBA record 17-0 mark in January. The win streak is the longest in Atlanta professional sports history.

Thabo Sefolosha should return soon for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are 53-14 through Tuesday’s games, enjoying an incredible season, and should get deeper any game now. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

Thabo Sefolosha competed in three-on-three work following Hawks shootaround Wednesday, a sign the guard/forward is close to a return from a calf injury.

Sefolosha has missed the past 20 games due to a Grade 3 strain of his right calf suffered against the Trail Blazers on Jan. 30. The original diagnosis called for Sefolosha to miss 6 to 8 weeks.

Last week Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Sefolosha is “making the progress that we expect.”

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who wasn’t quite so sharp for a while but seems to have regained the ability to do what he’s famous for:

It’s hard to argue with the benefits of an off day for Kyle Korver.

The Hawks guard was mired in a shooting slump for more than a month. His frustration was becoming evident as he couldn’t find his rhythm.

So when the team departed for a road game at Philadelphia last week, coach Mike Budenholzer told Korver to stay home. Get away from the game and clear your mind, he said. Korver missed the March 7 loss to the 76ers and didn’t touch a basketball during the brief time off. A weight lifting session and a chiropractic appointment were his only work-related activities.

There was plenty to get away from. Since Feb. 4, Korver was shooting 36.2 percent, including 34.6 percent from 3-point range.

However, in the three games since the hiatus, Korver is shooting 72 percent (18 of 25) from the field. That includes a stunning 73.7 percent (14 of 19) from long distance.

Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott suffered a left toe injury against the Denver Nuggets on March 11 that was initially diagnosed as a strain. After further consultation and an MRI examination, taken yesterday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Phoenix, a fracture of his left great toe was revealed. He will see a foot specialist at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta on Monday to determine the appropriate course of action. A timeline for his return will be updated at a later date.

Pero Antic hopes to re-sign with Hawks

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on a Hawks reserve who doesn’t play much but is enjoying being part of a successful squad and hopes to stick around in the future:

The Macedonian is in the final season of the two-year contract he signed with the Hawks in 2013. The center left Europe for a rookie season in the NBA at the age of 31. Now, he’d like to stay beyond that original deal…

The feeling is mutual. When Hawks management plans for next season, nearly every scenario includes Antic. The versatility of the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center has played a key role in the Hawks’ system under head coach Mike Budenholzer. The coach raves about Antic’s ability to stretch the floor from the center position. Yet, he’d rather talk about his defense, basketball IQ and leadership…

Antic signed a two-year, $2.45 million contract. The Hawks picked up his team option of $1.25 million this summer. Antic was selected to the Rising Stars Challenge, the rookie-sophomore exhibition, at last year’s All-Star Game. He finished his first NBA season appearing in 50 games and averaging 7.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.5 minutes. He shot .418 from the field, including .327 from 3-point range.