The Hawks started Jason Collins at center Monday against the Raptors. Coach Larry Drew said he wanted to go back to bringing Zaza Pachulia and Vladimir Radmanovic off the bench together. “They play well together and seem to compliment each other,” Drew said. Also, Tracy McGrady returned after missing the past three games with back spasms.
Drew will continue his Martin Luther King Jr. day “ritual” of visiting the King Center after playing the afternoon game. He said he makes the visit every year. “He made it possible for a lot of African Americans to be looked at in a different light,” Drew said. “Certainly, had it not been for him, I wouldn’t be in this position I am right now.”
According to Drew, guard Kirk Hinrich is ahead of schedule in his return from November shoulder surgery. Hinrich has been doing some drill work with the team. “After you have the surgery, you feel yourself getting stronger every day, you improve faster,” Hinrich said. “Once you get to a certain point it gets harder to get that last 15-20 percent of your strength back. It’s a little bit frustrating but I’m doing every thing necessary.”
- Chris Vivlamore
