Even as a two-time All-Star, Millsap plays with chip on shoulder

“Let’s be honest. There are a lot of doubters still out there,” Millsap said. “But within yourself, you have to find different ways to motivate yourself. I will never be satisfied. I will always strive to get better.”

Millsap has made gigantic strides improving on an already steady career. He has made the All-Star team in both of his seasons with the Hawks. He never made it in his first seven seasons with the Jazz. Millsap credits the Hawks’ offensive system that has allowed him to pull back the curtain and expose his full game.

It has been well documented that Millsap took just 113 3-pointers with the Jazz. He has taken 365 long-range shots in his one-plus seasons with the Hawks, making 129 (.353) of those attempts.

Not bad for the power forward who mostly labored in the paint with the Jazz.

“I was in a system in Utah that was primarily post-up, not enough spacing,” Millsap said. “Then I come to a team that has a lot of spacing. I’ve always been undersized. Now I can use my undersized abilities as a strength. Coming here, I’ve been able to do that. The coaching staff has given me confidence. I just took off from there.”

At least one current teammate knew there was more to Millsap’s game.

“I knew he was a big-time player,” Jeff Teague said. “When we played them (in Atlanta) a couple years ago, he was getting out and making plays like a guard. I was like, ‘Man, he is nice.’ It was weird that my brother said, ‘Y’all should get him.’ Then he was here. Maybe he knew something I didn’t know.

“He is a talented player. I knew that. I didn’t know he could shoot the ball like he does now. He’s really stretched his game out and becoming a complete player.”

Millsap is averaging 16.8 points, a team-leading 7.9 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in 53 games for the East-leading Hawks. He has scored in double-figures 49 times, including 14 20-point games. He scored in double figures in 35 straight games, the longest stretch of his career.

As a 6-foot-8, 245-pound power forward, Millsap is small for the position. Competing against bigger players most nights has helped keep that chip on his shoulder. Millsap said there is always something to prove.

“When you are 6-8 playing the power forward position, you have to use all your strengths,” Millsap said. “You’ve got to find different ways to make up for that. I try to use my hands and my quickness to my advantage. When you are undersized, you have to find things to be better at than the other person.”

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer marvels at what Millsap can do offensively — playing with his back facing or away from the basket — and defensively. Budenholzer recently likened Millsap to a football tight end because of his hands. Millsap led the NBA in steals for a time early this season.

The Hawks got a steal in Millsap when they signed the free agent to a two-year, $19 million contract two years ago. He will become a free agent again this summer and will command plenty of interest.

The Hawks would like to bring Millsap back and they have the salary-cap means to do so. But they will have competition for his services. Millsap was already being asked by members of the New York media at the All-Star Game about the possibility of signing with the Knicks.

Millsap insists he hasn’t given thought about what the future will hold. He’s too busy concentrating on the task as hand, winning games for the Hawks.

“I’ve been here before,” Millsap said recently of his pending free agency. “This is my second contract. I had to fight for a position my rookie year. I had to fight after that and fight after that. It’s competitive.”