Hot-lanta

Despite hurting lottery chances, Hawks finishing strong

Who says NBA teams tank games at the end of the season to improve their lottery chances? OK, maybe some do, but apparently not this year’s Atlanta Hawks. Through Thursday, coach Lon Kruger’s squad were a robust 15-10 since Feb. 1, including a recent 6-1 stretch.

Atlanta’s integrity is all the more noteworthy when one considers that it gets to keep its own first-round pick in this year’s Draft if it falls in the top 4. Otherwise, the Clippers get the pick as part of the 1999 Lorenzen Wright trade. Hawks GM Pete Babcock admits he’d love to play the lottery again (Atlanta got the No. 3 overall pick last year despite finishing with the sixth-worst record), but says it is more important for his players to know that the organization is committed to winning.

"We need to finish the season strong," Babcock says. "We’ve got a lot of young guys. We want them to have a good feeling about the direction of the franchise."

Iverson’s leads appear safe

Sixers guard Allen Iverson might be out for the rest of the regular season, but his scoring title is safe. To be eligible for the NBA scoring crown, a player must reach a minimum of games (70) or points (1,400). Although Iverson will finish with just 60 games played, he has 1,883 points, so his 31.4 points-per-game average (far ahead of second-place Shaquille O’Neal’s 26.9) will hold up.

Iverson’s scoring crown will be his third in four seasons, and mark the NBA’s highest average since Michael Jordan’s 32.6 ppg in ‘92-93. However, Iverson’s 39.8 shooting percentage would be the lowest for a scoring champ since ‘47-48, when Chicago’s Max Zaslofsky won it at 32.3 percent. Iverson, by the way, will likely also finish as the league leader in steals (2.80) and minutes played (43.7).

Stockton still going strong

How did Jazz guard John Stockton celebrate his 40th birthday on Tuesday? He slept in late, drove the kids to school, then punched the clock at his night job, where he had 20 points, six assists and four rebounds in a come-from-behind Jazz victory over the Rockets.

In other words, a typical day for the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals.

Stockton, in his usual low-key fashion, barely acknowledged the special day. He reportedly told team officials not to stage any ceremony, even though he become one of just 10 players (and three guards) over age 40 to suit up for an NBA game. "Been there, done that," he reportedly said afterward.

In a rarity for the immensely private Stockton, he did reveal some details about his life to the Salt Lake City Tribune. Included among the gems were that he likes water skiing and crossword puzzles, attends Mass every Sunday even on the road, once shot a 76 at Down River Golf Club in Spokane, and that his favorite TV show is Andy Griffith. Oh, yeah, he also said he hasn’t decided yet on whether to return next year for a 19th season.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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