The Hawks are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with more than a third of their schedule completed. It could be worse – and probably should be. They’d have two more (deserved) losses without rookie wing player AJ Griffin saving the day with buzzer-beaters.
Griffin did it against the Raptors in November. He did it again versus the Bulls on Sunday. They were impressive plays, but Griffin’s knack for making game-winning shots isn’t why he’s been an important player for the Hawks (14-14). Griffin has played his way into Nate McMillan’s rotation by doing good work for a team that desperately needs it and wasn’t necessarily expecting that now from the No. 16 pick in the draft.
McMillan tends not to give rookies a lot of minutes. He was playing Griffin even before injuries forced the issue. McMillan could have stuck with Justin Holiday, one of his trusted veterans. Instead, McMillan has played Griffin more and moved Holiday closer to the end of the bench, which is what his play warrants.
