He has been a Hawk for less than two weeks, but guard Kirk Hinrich already has made an impression on teammates with his energetic play on defense. On Wednesday, he helped limit All-Star guard Derrick Rose to 5-of-21 shooting in the Hawks' comeback win over the Chicago Bulls. On Friday, he'll take a crack at Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. On Thursday, Hinrich shared his thoughts on his new team.
Q: What do you know about Atlanta?
A: Not too much, I guess. I've just been here through the years I've been in the league. I played in a Final Four here in 2002. I don't know too much. I've liked it so far. I've always liked it, especially living in Chicago, just coming down here with the good weather, usually.
Q: How is the culture of this team different and how is it the same as Chicago and Washington?
A: Every team's different. You have different personalities. I think the camaraderie's really good from what I've seen. You've got a good mix of guys and pretty good chemistry. Guys, they want to win. That's the most important thing. Everything else is easy when that happens.
Q: Larry Drew said that you had been on his radar as far back as last summer. As a player, do you look around at teams and think about places where you would be a good fit?
A: You really don't. You just get caught up in wherever you are and whatever you have to do to get the job done there. ... I really don't get concerned with stuff like that. You really can't control it.
Q: Where were you when you found out about the trade, and what was your reaction?
A: We were in Philadelphia. We played Philly that night. The first time I caught wind of it was in the morning. I was hearing all the rumors and everything. I showed up to the arena and everyone was asking me, and I wasn't sure. I didn't play the game. At halftime, I guess the deal was done.
I was excited, I really was, no question. Playing in this league, what it's about is playing in the playoffs, trying to win championships.
Q: How are you going to get your stuff down here?
A: I'm just going to use a moving company. I'm just going to bring all my clothes, find some place furnished. Just make it easy here till the end of the season and then re-evaluate after the season.
Q: When you go to a new team, do you go introduce yourself to your new teammates?
A: You know everybody from just playing against them. This'll be my eighth year. Sometimes you know guys better than others, but you know of them. It's really pretty easy. Everybody's been so great to me here.
Q: As a veteran player coming into a new locker room, is there a balance in figuring out how to assert your leadership while still trying to respect the culture that's already there?
A: I definitely respect the culture that's already here. If I played one way or the other, it wouldn't be me not respecting it, but everyone's told me they want me to be aggressive, play my game, and that's what I'm trying to do.
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