Hawks encouraged despite yet another early exit

[NJNJ]

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Hawks cleaned out their lockers Friday and met for the final time with coach Larry Drew before getting started on an uncertain summer that arrived much earlier than anyone wanted.

 

The pain of another second-round playoff loss was apparent when backup center Zaza Pachulia stopped by Drew's office.

 

"He walked in with this long look on his face," the coach said. "I was like, 'Z, what's wrong?' He says, 'L.D., we're close, we're really close."'

 

That was the prevailing attitude after the Hawks knocked off Orlando in the opening round, then produced a stunning Game 1 victory at Chicago in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The top-seeded Bulls bounced back to win the series in six games, finishing the Hawks with a 20-point rout Thursday night.

 

Still, it was a much more encouraging performance than the two previous years, each of which ended with a second-round sweep. Last year's performance against Orlando was downright humiliating, the Hawks getting booed on their own court and losing by an average margin of nearly 26 points a game - the most lopsided four-game rout in NBA history.

 

They got back at the Magic this year, winning in six games, and were thoroughly convinced they could take down the mighty Bulls.

"I couldn't sleep last night," Pachulia said. "When you feel like you have a chance, that's when it really hurts."

 

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/nba/05/13/atlanta.hawks.ap/index.html#ixzz1MNtTYZ7z

[Newman]

Kirk Hinrich's injury was a blessing in disguise. Teague is a stud and if the Hawks played like they did against the Bulls for the entire season, they would have won at least 50 games.

[Check my Stats]

Too bad JJ doesn't have the same hunger that Zaza seems to, otherwise he could be one of the best in the league.