Gorman: Celtics, Entire NBA Can Learn From Hawks
BOSTON (CBS) - Toucher & Rich had CSNNE's Mike Gorman Wednesday morning to talk about the Boston Celtics and what they can learn from the soaring Atlanta Hawks on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
The Hawks, who are first place in the Eastern Conference and coming off an impressive win against the Golden State Warriors, are similar to the Celtics in that both teams lack big name players.
"That's not a team of superstars, there aren't a lot of high picks on that roster, but they do have guys that are between good and great. They're a team where the sum of their parts is better than what they are individually," said Rich.
After a sub .500 season and forgettable first round playoff loss a year ago, the Hawks have taken the league by surprise, winning with a team approach to scoring. Atlanta has four players in next week's All Star game -- a tie for most All Stars on a team in NBA history.
"You have such huge egos to deal with in the NBA. Guys don't want to hear about moving the ball or making the extra pass, they want to hear about catch and shoot," said Gorman.
Gorman noted that ball movement and unselfish play is the Hawks' recipe for success, which can be emulated by any team in the NBA. While the Celtics haven't experienced the outstanding progress of the Hawks to date, they are tied for third in assists per game behind the Warriors and Hawks.
"I think [Commissioner] Adam Silver and the rest of the people in the front office hope the whole league learns from the Atlanta Hawks. The NBA, like most professional sports, is a copycat league, and whatever is successful is copied for the following years," said Gorman.
Toucher & Rich spoke to Gorman about Celtics big men Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, and their potential as building blocks for a team-oriented system resembling that of the Hawks and San Antonio Spurs. Sullinger is averaging 14 points and eight rebounds a game this season, while Olynyk has been limited due to an ankle injury and won't return until after the All Star break.
"I think Sully is key to the Celtics future. The thing we saw the beginnings of and we need to see more of is how he and Kelly Olynyk can play together," said Gorman.
The red hot Hawks travel to Boston Wednesday to face the Celtics for a 7:30pm start at the TD Garden.
Listen below:
Hear every game of the 2014-15 Boston Celtics season on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the Boston Celtics. Pregame coverage with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell begins 30 minutes prior to every game! Occasionally a scheduling conflict will arise, in which case the Celtics can be heard on our sister station 100.7 WZLX.