Atlanta Hawks Conduct Exit Interviews With Media
By John Buhler
What a special season for our Atlanta Hawks. This team of national unknowns nearly brought the basketball world to its knees in 2014-15. Coach Mike Budenholzer and his players transformed a reluctant NBA town into a Hawks Mecca. Though this was the last time this incarnation of this basketball team will be intact, every player seemingly reflected on just how magical this season was for the team and more importantly the City of Atlanta.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Hawks Look to Continue Momentum Tonight Against Portland
- Joel Embiid Leads Sixers Over Hawks On Monday Night
- Atlanta Hawks: John Collins Playing His Best Basketball Of Season
- Atlanta Hawks Win Second Straight Against the Dallas Mavericks
When asked about this season’s success, C Al Horford said “It started last year.” Diehard fans know that he is completely right. Having Coach Bud come to Atlanta via San Antonio completely changed the team’s culture and identity. Dennis Schroder echoed that sentiment when referring to the upcoming Year Three of the Bud Era, “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait until next season.”
Some players didn’t want this season to end. Jeff Teague conducted his exit interviews in his throwback Hawks uniform. That’s so awesome for so many reasons. Part of me wants to believe that Teague will wear that jersey all summer long an into next season. In what may have been the last season for the team’s resident Roger Murtaugh, Elton Brand he said, “We wanted more.”
When asked about his offseason plans, Mike Scott stated that this summer will be all about “basketball and tattoos.” Shocker there! I was expecting him to say that he was going to work on haikus and jug fishing. I’m very much looking forward to next year’s emojis. Pero Antic wants to work on dunking in the offseason.
“Basketball and tattoos.” – Hawks F Mike Scott on his offseason plans
But through the entire media season, it was easy for the team to express how much fun this season was. Kent Bazemore said that “we created a special bond here.” Paul Millsap thanked the fans, “We’re proud of how our fan base has grown.” Perhaps it was best summarized by vocal leader DeMarre Carroll, the Junkyard Dog, “We had a historic season.”
This past magical season had to end sometime. It was just earlier than any of us wanted. Hats off to the Atlanta Hawks for their hard work and all their success this season. Here’s to dethroning LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Finals next May. Let’s Go Hawks!