<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Hawks ushering in new era By Benjamin Hochman The Denver Post Article Last Updated: 12/23/2007 12:17:08 AM MST Joe Johnson has the Atlanta Hawks flying high (well, for the Hawks, that is) at 14-12 their best record this late in the season since 1998-99. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images ) Of late, astronomers have painstakingly searched for any suggestive lunar movement or celestial alignment, anything really, that could explain why the Atlanta Hawks are playing well. The Hawks are 14-12, which is not overwhelmingly great, but for the Hawks, my goodness, it's incredible. They haven't been .500 or better this far into a season since 1998-99. And, yes, it's not that far into this season. Then consider that the Hawks had missed the playoffs just four times from 1977-99. And since 1999, they haven't been back, averaging 27.2 wins per season, which is not good. So why this year's Hawks? Well, this homegrown roster is maturing, guys born in Reagan's second term making fewer mistakes and more highlight reels. Four of Atlanta's top five scorers were drafted in the first round by the Hawks, three in the top six picks, and Josh Smith, this season's breakout player, 17th overall in 2004. Three other youngsters off the bench were selected by Atlanta — two in the first round, one in the early second — though none play extended minutes. The Hawks did start the season as the Hawks. They went 6-9 in November with four home losses — not that playing in front of ushers and vendors makes for much of a home-court advantage. The Hawks reportedly held a players-only meeting before their first December game (apparently, these things work every time, because you never hear about a players-only meeting followed by a wretched losing streak). At the time of the team gathering, the Hawks were turning the ball over frighteningly frequently. They also seemed to take quarters off, lapses even the Spurs don't encounter, much less the Hawks. After the Hawks' meeting, the guys have, yep, played focused basketball. They have gone 8-3 in December. Yes, they beat the teams they were supposed to, notably five that were under .500. But they beat Orlando, too, and the Magic is splendid. And Friday in Washington, the Hawks pushed aside the division-rival Wizards. The Hawks hadn't won there since 2003, but did so thanks to 16 fourth-quarter points from Joe Johnson, the team's leading scorer this season. So what have the Hawks been doing to win these games? Smothering scorers. In the past 10 games, only four teams have allowed fewer than the 93.6 the Hawks have allowed, and it's a heck of a VIP list — San Antonio, Toronto, Detroit and Boston. Now, the Hawks will be scrapping all season just to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, which annually allows .500 teams to sneak into the playoffs. But, the fact is, the Hawks could actually make the playoffs. That should get the ushers buzzing.</div>
