Atlanta Hawks: Bench Is Key To Success
By Adam McGee
Elton Brand
Elton Brand provides the Hawks with the type of wily veteran leadership that every team needs. Brand has had a very productive year in Atlanta, averaging 5.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in limited minutes off the bench. With the Hawks plagued by injuries up front for most of the year, Brand has often been asked to step up, and has done so like the consummate professional he is.
The main areas in which Brand is invaluable to the Hawks are his leadership and his defense. With Atlanta being a young team, Brand’s veteran voice helps to keep things on an even keel, while he has shown all season that he can still play the part of defensive stopper.
Brand has struggled offensively in this playoff series with only 1.6 points a game coming from his 20 percent field goal shooting. On the other end of the floor he has been very impressive though, averaging 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in his 14.4 minutes of play per night. Compare that to the Pacers Roy Hibbert, one time contender for Defensive Player of the Year, who in 22.0 minutes is only averaging 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game in the series.
If the Hawks need a stop late in the game, don’t be surprised to see Elton Brand on the floor.