MIAMI — The Hawks care about their reputation.
They come right out and say they want to be considered true contenders in the Eastern Conference. This week is their toughest stretch of the season, beginning Monday at Miami. It's a chance to make their case.
“It’s a challenge for our team to see how we are going to compete,” Hawks swingman Tracy McGrady said following Atlanta's 95-84 loss at Houston on Saturday night. “Are we going to crawl back and be pouting about this loss? Or are we going to come out and compete against the Eastern Conference champs on Monday?
“If we want to go and be mentioned in the same breath as Miami or Chicago, we have got to go do something.”
It won't be easy. Atlanta will play five games over the next six days, three of them on the road, and face defending East champ Miami and runnerup Chicago two times each.
The Hawks open the week with back-to-back games at Miami and Chicago. Miami comes to Philips Arena on Thursday for a rematch. Atlanta's game against Chicago on Saturday will be its third game in three days and ninth in 12 days, circumstances created by the lockout-shortened season.
By the end of the week the Hawks should know where they stand in the East.
“I think it's a good measuring stick for us,” Hawks forward Josh Smith said. “Even though the schedule is not the way we want it to be, I think it's good for this team to see how we play when we hit adversity.”
The Rockets provided the toughest challenge yet for the Hawks, who fell behind early and never recovered. It was Atlanta's first loss in four games but some problem areas from last season showed up again.
After smothering defensive efforts against New Jersey and Washington, Atlanta had its sharpness deteriorate beginning with Friday's victory against New Jersey. Houston took advantage of Atlanta's struggles to stop dribble penetration and sluggishness while rotating out to shooters.
Atlanta's offense also was disjointed against the Rockets. The Hawks had a handful of rallies blunted by poor shot selection.
One mitigating factor in the loss was coach Larry Drew's decision to play his starters fewer minutes than usual. Only guard Joe Johnson played more than 31 minutes while Houston's most effective offensive players, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin, each played at least 40 minutes.
Drew said he manages minutes while looking ahead at the schedule.
“I am going to try to get my starters as much rest as I possibly can but, at the same time, win games,” he said. “I have to balance it out.”
Juggling winning with resting will be a tough task with the Heat and Bulls on tap twice this week. Both the Heat and Bulls look poised to make championship runs again.
The Hawks are a notch below. In last season's playoffs they finally vanquished Orlando and pushed the Bulls before losing in six games in the East semifinals, but neither result did much to impress their detractors.
The Hawks returned seven of their top players and more than one expert predicted they would slide back rather than rise up this season. It's doubtful a big week for the Hawks would completely convince their critics otherwise but they know it would be a strong opening statement.
“They are the two best teams in the East, so we will see where are at,” Hawks guard Jeff Teague said. “I know one thing: We are going to have to step it up.”
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