Hawks Thrive on Stinginess

By: Bill Nichols

The Atlanta Hawks would have trouble impersonating the Denver Nuggets when it comes to scoring, but Kevin Lougherty’s troops may have their defense carry them to the playoffs.

While the Hawks are dead last in the NBA in scoring, averaging 99.9 points per outing, they are the stingiest club in the league, allowing 100.1 points per game.

Atlanta won 28 of its first 70 games last season, but the Hawks were 35-35 at the same juncture this time around. They have limited opponents to less than 100 points 43 times in 70 games, posting a 27-16 record in these games.

If the Hawks maintain this kind of defense, it will be their best defensive club since moving to Atlanta in 1968.

“We’re allowing only 100 point per game,” said Lougherty, “and I’d have to say I’m reasonably happy about our defense this year. But there is always room for improvement.”

Of course, having center Wayne (tree) Rollins and forward Dan Roundfield healthy down the stretch has helped shore up the defense.

“Our guards are good defensive players anyway, but with those two guys on the back line, it allows them to play even tighter out front,” said Lougherty.

This hard-line attitude of the Hawks is contagious. Even forward John Drew, often criticized for poor defensive play by former Hawks coach Hubie Brown, now is playing his opposite numbers enough.

“John sticks his nose in there every night,” adds Lougherty. “His defense has been a tremendous asset against small forwards.”

Atlanta’s playoff drive has seen the Hawks win 16 of 23 games. They are battling New Jersey, Washington, Detroit and Indiana for the fourth, fifth and sixth playoff berths in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta missed the playoffs last season, snapping a string of three straight years in the postseason fun and games. Lougherty, of course, hopes defense can return the Hawks to the playoffs.

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Milwaukee was the first team to clinch a division crown, but the Bucks now must go into the playoffs shorthanded, with two of their top six players shelved for the season. Swingman Junior Bridgeman was the first declared out of action because of a nagging foot problem. Then guard Quinn Buckner suffered a thumb injury on his right hand and underwent surgery. The starting guards will now be Sidney Moncrief and Brian Winters. Robert Smith, who has bounced around the NBA for several years, was picked up by the Bucks and will be the third guard the remainder of the way. Buckner was averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 assists per game and was fourth in steals in the league with 2.49 per game. He was the lone Buck to start the first 70 games.