Michael Lee of the AJC writes after the Hawks soundly beat the Milwaukee Bucks at home 10 days ago, Hawks coach Lon Kruger said with a laugh, "All of a sudden, it looks like we know what we're doing."

Can he say the same now? The Hawks' yo-yo season has hit its lowest point, with the team staggering to its third three-game losing streak after a 102-88 loss Saturday against the Phoenix Suns.

"When it rains, it pours," reserve guard Emanual Davis said. "As a man, you've just got to fight your way through the tough times. Right now, ain't too many people on our side, [but] we can't allow ourselves to feel like we're a bad team."

The ship may not be sinking -- the Hawks (10-13) are tied with the Washington Wizards for eighth in the Eastern Conference -- but it is in need of repair.

General manager Pete Babcock said he is concerned about the Hawks' incongruent play. Sometimes, the Hawks bring it, and sometimes they don't. The only constant has been frustration.

"You just feel like you're not maximizing your potential. When you show you're capable of playing at a certain level and you don't do it every night, it's disappointing," Babcock said. "Your execution might not be great. You might make some mistakes or miscues because of the newness of the group -- that's understandable. But not lack of intensity, not lack of energy."