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Bob Sura has been extremely productive with increased playing time in Atlanta.
Scott Cunningham
NBAE/Getty Images
NBAE/Getty Images
Averaging barely a quarter a game with the Detroit Pistons before his trade to the Hawks on Feb. 19, Bob Sura knew he was in a tricky situation. He could have sulked after being dealt from a playoff bound squad to one that began to rebuild by making three deals before the trade deadline. Instead the nine-year guard looked at the positives. “I felt like it was going to be a good opportunity for me to be able play,” Sura said about his expectations after the trade, “and it certainly worked out that way. Looking at the backcourt situation before I got here, I thought I’d be able to get some minutes.”
His playing time has skyrocketed and so have his other statistics. In Detroit, Sura averaged 13.3 minutes per contest and tallied 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Since arriving in Atlanta, he has averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 23 games with the Hawks (through the April 6 game against Philadelphia).
Over the past two weeks, the hard-nosed Florida State product has set career-highs in points and rebounds. He grabbed 15 boards against New Orleans on March 25, surpassing his previous high of 13 against Vancouver on Nov. 8, 1996. On the road against Orlando he eclipsed his career number in points when he scored 32, exceeding his previous mark of 31 he last achieved on Jan. 18, 2001 (he originally set the mark on Jan. 25, 2000).
“I think it’s all a matter of getting playing time,” Sura responded modestly about his personal achievements. “If you’re out on the court for a lot minutes in this league a lot of guys can put up some big numbers. I’m just happy to be out there playing and being able to contribute.”
He has also recorded nine double-doubles with the Hawks, while coming into this season with only 14 in his nine-year career. Sura has also twice narrowly missed his first career triple-double. He missed by one assist against Memphis (March 29) and one rebound against Washington (March 12).
While Sura has filled up the box score most nights, head coach Terry Stotts feels that Sura brings just as much to the equation even when the guard struggles. “He brings an aggressiveness at both ends of the court and a basketball intelligence because he understands the game so well,” said Stotts.
The guard has also topped his coach’s expectations with his stellar play. “I think he’s exceeded them. I think he’s really had an opportunity to play well, but I think he’s playing better than anybody in the whole group (of player obtained in the trades),” Stotts said about Sura’s overall play.
After recent struggles due to a calf and Achilles injury, Sura hopes to finish the season on a high note heading into free agency. “I definitely want to finish up strong. Having not played so well over the past couple games, the last four games are important to me. I want to try to win some games, play well and finish up the season on a good note.”
His playing time has skyrocketed and so have his other statistics. In Detroit, Sura averaged 13.3 minutes per contest and tallied 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Since arriving in Atlanta, he has averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 23 games with the Hawks (through the April 6 game against Philadelphia).
Over the past two weeks, the hard-nosed Florida State product has set career-highs in points and rebounds. He grabbed 15 boards against New Orleans on March 25, surpassing his previous high of 13 against Vancouver on Nov. 8, 1996. On the road against Orlando he eclipsed his career number in points when he scored 32, exceeding his previous mark of 31 he last achieved on Jan. 18, 2001 (he originally set the mark on Jan. 25, 2000).
“I think it’s all a matter of getting playing time,” Sura responded modestly about his personal achievements. “If you’re out on the court for a lot minutes in this league a lot of guys can put up some big numbers. I’m just happy to be out there playing and being able to contribute.”
He has also recorded nine double-doubles with the Hawks, while coming into this season with only 14 in his nine-year career. Sura has also twice narrowly missed his first career triple-double. He missed by one assist against Memphis (March 29) and one rebound against Washington (March 12).
While Sura has filled up the box score most nights, head coach Terry Stotts feels that Sura brings just as much to the equation even when the guard struggles. “He brings an aggressiveness at both ends of the court and a basketball intelligence because he understands the game so well,” said Stotts.
The guard has also topped his coach’s expectations with his stellar play. “I think he’s exceeded them. I think he’s really had an opportunity to play well, but I think he’s playing better than anybody in the whole group (of player obtained in the trades),” Stotts said about Sura’s overall play.
After recent struggles due to a calf and Achilles injury, Sura hopes to finish the season on a high note heading into free agency. “I definitely want to finish up strong. Having not played so well over the past couple games, the last four games are important to me. I want to try to win some games, play well and finish up the season on a good note.”
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