The Hawks have built in a slow and steady way and are now enjoying a great deal of success.

"It's another year with the same group," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. "They seem to just get better. It's a blueprint that could actually be followed more in the NBA because it took them a long time to get to this point."

"[Woodson] has been able to develop a team that can beat anybody at any time," Houston coach Rick Adelman said. "You don't always get that nowadays in the world of sports. You get one or two chances and you'd better do it."