By Michael Cunningham
February 18, 2010
DALLAS --- When the topic turned to Eastern Conference leader Cleveland possibly acquiring Amare Stoudemire in a trade, Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson could only smile.
"Whew!" he said after helping the East beat the West in the NBA All-Star game Sunday. "Cleveland is already the top team in the league right now. They are just being selfish. They are trying to stack it, man.
"They are trying to do whatever it takes to keep [LeBron James] there. And not only that. They really, really are trying to shoot for a title. What they've got now, I think it's a possibility and getting Amare makes it even stronger."
It appears the Hawks will not attempt a similar splash. General manager Rick Sund has said he doesn't expect to make any major moves before Thursday's trade deadline.
The Hawks have been built through the draft and trades, re-signing key players and improving every season.
Now they will measure their progress this postseason.
"The owners and Rick feel that way," Hawks center Al Horford said. "We have grown in the short time I have been here. Hopefully we keep growing and keep developing."
Johnson said he understands the approach taken by Sund and Hawks ownership.
