All-Star game could have plenty of Hawks

Scored a career-high 12 points in just six minutes Jan. 3 at Denver

Al-Farouq Aminu, Mavericks, Norcross High

Averaging 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 31 games

Chris Bosh, Heat, Georgia Tech

Has led team in scoring 12 times, rebounds 20 times and assists two times

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pistons, Georgia

Averaging 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assist in 34 games, all starts

Jae Crowder, Celtics, Villa Rica High

Averaging 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in nine games since trade

Derrick Favors, Jazz, Georgia Tech

Averaging 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in 33 games, all starts

J.J. Hickson, Nuggets, Wheeler High

Had 16 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench in 32 minutes at T’Wolves on Jan. 5

Dwight Howard, Rockets, Southwest Atlanta Christian

Had 23 points and 13 rebounds vs. Heat Jan. 3 for ninth 20/10 game

Jarrett Jack, Nets, Georgia Tech

Recorded his second double-double and first 20/10 game with 20 points and 10 assists vs. Mavs on Jan. 5

Jeremy Lamb, Thunder, Norcross High

Averaging 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 27 games, eight starts

Jodie Meeks, Pistons, Norcross High

Averaging 18.8 points in past four games

Anthony Morrow, Thunder, Georgia Tech

Averaging 10.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 29 games

Glen Rice Jr., Wizards, Georgia Tech

Waived by the Wizards before his contract became guaranteed Wednesday

Iman Shumpert, Cavaliers, Georgia Tech

Traded to Cavaliers as part of six-player, three-team trade Monday

Josh Smith, Rockets, McEachern High

Averaging 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in eight games since signing with Houston

Thaddeus Young, Timberwolves, Georgia Tech

All four of this 20-plus point games have come on the road

Lou Williams, Raptors, South Gwinnett High

Averaging 14.9 points in 34 games, all off the bench

Note: Stats through Thursday

New York could be visited by plenty of Hawks come February.

The city hosts the 2015 All-Star game and activities, between Madison Square Garden in Manhatatn and Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The Hawks are sure to have at least one, and possibly two, All-Star reserves in the game, with Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague the favorites to represent the team.

In addition, Kyle Korver could be invited to compete in the 3-point shootout and Dennis Schroder could be invited to play in the Rising Stars Challenge for rookie and sophomore players.

With the Hawks leading the Eastern Conference, Mike Budenholzer would be the coach.

Budenholzer sees the quandary of singling out one or two players when there is a team-first approach on the Hawks.

“I think our players have done a lot of things that are deserving of All-Star consideration,” Budenholzer said. “We do so much as a group. We do so many things as a team. We preach and talk team and selflessness, so it’s a struggle for me. I think between Al Horford and Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver and DeMarre (Carroll), they are big reasons why we have been able to have some success. I do hope for them that they are being recognized for what they are doing on an individually basis is, I think, worthy of consideration and worthy of that discussion. But it’s a little counter to our culture on how we want to do everything as a team and as a group.”

Budenholzer added that he is confident that the other coaches would make the right choices for the honor. They are the ones, he said, that watch film and game.

As for the chance that he could join one or more of his players in New York, Budenholzer said he has not considered the possibility.

“Not really,” he said. “There is a long time, a lot of games. It’s the same with the players. We are much more focused on what we are doing each day. It’s not something that I’m thinking about or worried about or considering.”

Basketball a sanctuary

The Hawks’ view from the top of the Eastern Conference standings is pretty nice these days.

It is especially pleasant considering the events of the summer. One hundred percent of the team and the operating rights to Philips Arena are for now sale. The team sale will be the culmination of the turmoil created by racist remarks by controlling owner Bruce Levenson and insensitive comments by general manager Danny Ferry that led to his indefinite leave of absence.

According to Budenholzer, the court has been a sanctuary for him and his team.“I think it’s fair to say we all enjoy coming in here and working together,” he said. “They have great respect, and I think enjoy being around each other. I think regardless of the circumstances, this is a sanctuary for us. We are fortunate to be doing what we do and hopefully we are trying to take advantage of it and get better each day. This is a good place for us — the gym, the practice court, the film room, playing in games.”

Playoff defeat still on Hawks’ minds

Eight months later, the Hawks’ playoff series loss still stings.

After losing to the top-seeded Pacers in seven games in May, there is a sense that the pain from that defeat is a factor in the Hawks’ current success. It serves as motivation.

The Hawks had won 20 of 22 games (as of Thursday).

“Anytime your season is done and you reflect back on things you want to do better and how you can improve and what is it that you need to get better at,” Budenholzer said this week. “You examine and you look at the playoffs and you think about it all year. I’m sure every team uses that as a significant learning opportunity — watch the film, go back over it, preparing for camp you look at it more. It’s something that is pretty fresh in all of our minds.”

Quotable

“At this stage in (former Hawk) Josh Smith’s career, he’s never going to get it.”

— Charles Barkley on a recent TNT broadcast

“He has an ability to make 3’s. He is not a liability on offense. He really supplements their offense.”

— Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger on former Grizzlie and current Hawk DeMarre Carroll

“It’s big. We are just playing ball honestly. We are staying focused and playing ball. Any given night it can be anybody on our team to have a big night. That is the special thing about our team.”

— Jeff Teague on the Hawks’ streak of 20 wins in 22 games

By the numbers

7: Consecutive victories for the Pistons since waiving Josh Smith

14: Consecutive losses by the Knicks, a franchise record single-season streak

97.2: Points per game allowed by the Hawks, third fewest in the NBA