NBA Trades: How Much Impact Can Kirk Hinrich Have for Atlanta Hawks in Playoffs?

The Atlanta Hawks are undoubtedly a playoff team this season, just as they have been over the last few years, but the question remains: Will the Hawks be able to exorcise their playoff demons and advance past the second round?

The trading deadline marks a time when contenders have an opportunity to add new players to their teams, hoping that the additions will become crucial parts in a championship squad. Trading with the Washington Wizards, the Hawks gave up some draft picks, Mike Bibby and some young players to add veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich to their roster. 

But will Hinrich have the kind of impact that the Hawks are looking for?

So far, the answer appears to be yes. 

Since making his way to Atlanta, Hinrich has been a part of three wins and just one loss to the suddenly streaking, Carmelo-less Denver Nuggets. The wins, though, came over Golden State, Portland and Chicago. 

Hinrich is going to make his biggest impact on the defensive end of the court. With Mike Bibby at point guard previously in the season, the Hawks essentially had to play four-on-five when opponents had the ball. 

ESPN's Daily Dime has recently used the following similes to describe Bibby on defense: He is like a matador ushering opposing point guards into the paint and he plays defense like he's wading knee deep in a pool. 

Hinrich does not have any such defensive shortcomings. The most telling game in his short, albeit successful tenure with the Hawks was the most recent one against the Chicago Bulls. The point guard drew Derrick Rose as his assignment for the night, a man whom stopping is no easy task. There is a reason that Rose is being constantly hailed as the league's MVP this season. 

Playing 31 minutes, Hinrich guarded Rose for the first three quarters until Joe Johnson took over the assignment during the stretch run of the fourth quarter. Rose finished the game 5-for-21, scoring 12 points and turning the ball over six times. 

Shutting him down was crucial, as it kept the Hawks in the game and allowed them to make an impressive comeback for a rare win against a contender. Those wins could get less rare with Hinrich manning the point, though. 

It seems as though Atlanta is developing a real defensive mentality now that the former Wizard is here. Playing four good offenses since the trading deadline, the Hawks have allowed 79, 83, 100 and 80 points in those four games. 

Now, notice that I haven't mentioned Hinrich's offensive game even once to this point. That's because whatever he gives on that side of the ball will simply be an added bonus. He can run the fast break well and can score at times, but defense is where it's at for Hinrich. 

He gives them a newfound ability to stop opposing point guards without switching Johnson off of his man. That will be crucial when the Hawks inevitably have to play a power in the Eastern Conference.

The Hinrich acquisition will have a profound impact on the Hawks throughout the rest of the season and in the playoffs.