Here is what they said after the Hawks’ 113-103 win over the 76ers Friday night:
“Probably the focus, or what we want to look at, is the first and third quarters. Our defense in those quarters, limiting them to 17 points. Of course the flip side is, particularly the second quarter when they got away from us and had 39, we need to have more quarters like the first and third and none or less of the second quarter. The guys found a way to win and I think coming out of halftime the way they responded on several occasions has been a real positive. It’s obviously great to have Lou Williams and Gustavo Ayon back and available to us. I think they both helped us at times during the game.”
- Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer opening statement
“He got going a little bit so we stuck with him. We had him in a good place. The message all preseason and training camp (was) when he is aggressive usually something good is going to happen. We have to keep hammering that to him. Sometimes that’s going to mean a lot of assists. Sometimes it’s going to mean points. But when he puts pressure of the defense a lot of good things happen for us.”
- Budenholzer on Jeff Teague
“The thing that stands out to you about Lou is that he really understands how to play basketball. It seems like a very simple and boring thing to say but it’s a huge compliment to Lou. He made some nice plays offensively, but I have a vision of him in our pick-and-roll coverage with his hands up, getting a deflection and a steal. I have a vision of him on a V-back and getting on a body and getting a defensive board and a loose ball. He understands the kind of plays it takes to win.”
- Budenholzer on Lou Williams
“Mike Scott told me to be more aggressive. Honestly. He came in the locker room and said ‘They are going at you. Be more aggressive.’ I just tried to be a little more aggressive and attack and try to get a win.”
- Teague on his second-half
“Al and those guys were telling me to use my speed to get to the rim. It was working out for me today.”
- Teague on what was working for him
“It was a good game for me. We have another one tomorrow. That’s the good thing about the NBA. You can bask in the glory for a little bit but you have to get right back at it tomorrow.”
- Teague on career-high point total
“Rhythm man. I told you it’s about repetition. I got in here again the other night and got some shots up. I’m a repetition guy. I have to keep putting in my work and I’ll see the results.”
- DeMarre Carroll on career-high 21 points
“It felt good. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be. I was more nervous before the game then when I actually stepped out on the court. It felt good to be out there with the guys just grinding and trying to win a game and to be a part of it.”
- Williams on first game back
“That is the funny thing about it. Dr. (James) Andrews said just put a basketball in my hand and I’ll be fine. He said that months ago and it ended up being true. That’s the only time I don’t think about my knee is when I’m actually playing.”
- Williams on if he thought about his knee
“I take it very serious. It’s a huge compliment to me because I’ve always prided myself on being a good teammate, being able to help and make big plays. I have this tag that I’m a scorer but also I like to get other guys involved and know when to make great plays.”
- Williams on Budenholzer compliment
“I feel good. It was a couple of minutes of cooperation with the team.”
- Gustavo Ayon on debut
“The last two weeks we’ve had really hard practice and before the games and after the games. My legs are strong. Only the shoulder is a little weak. But I’m ready for the games.”
- Ayon on playing solid minutes
“It was something different, a little mixed feelings. I’ll just be ready when my name is called and get out there and do my job. You can’t look at it in a negative perspective. You have to look at it in the positive. Hopefully, I can get used to it going forward. I’m sure I will.”
- Paul Millsap on coming off bench
“It’s definitely his best game. He was so aggressive. In the New York game, in the fourth quarter, I felt like he was a little shy. He made it an emphasis tonight to go out and be aggressive. That’s how we need him to play.”
- Al Horford on Teague
“A great lift. Instant offense from the bench. A guy who can score the ball. I was just happy to see him not hesitant out there. He just played his game. He never missed a beat.”
- Horford on Williams
It’s hard for anyone. We have to be honest. But Paul is a professional. He understands what coach wanted him to do tonight. It might be me another night who comes off the bench and he comes in. He sacrificed for the team. Obviously things didn’t go as great for him tonight but I don’t think that is going to slow him down. He is just going to get better.”
- Horford on Millsap
“Yes, playing at the 4 at times frees me up and allows me to do different things. But if you look at the game, tonight I was getting scores that I normally would get even if Paul was in there. I was getting those easy dump offs at the basket. The only thing I might say makes a difference is that I’m guarding a guy more my size instead of a guy who is bigger than me. It’s going to be interesting about our team. We are versatile. I can play the 4 and the 5. Gustavo can get in there, Paul can get in there.”
- Horford on being able to play forward
“Jeff was a big key in it. He stayed aggressive. I had some careless turnovers in the fourth. I have to be better at that. We got stops when we needed on defense and Jeff happened. Jeff was just stepping up and bailing us out.”
- Horford on closing out Sixers
“I think where it stood out to me, as far as the turning point in the game, was the third quarter. I didn’t feel like we started the third period well at all. (The Hawks) came out and jumped us. And from that point going forward, I felt like they were far more the aggressor.”
- Sixers coach Brett Brown’s opening statemement
“Jeff if definitely a tough handle. He did just about everything on the court except post up. He can handle the ball. He can shoot 3’s. He can kill you going to the basket and he knows how to get into the lane.”
- Thaddeus Young on Teague
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