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ATLANTA -- New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer is "living a dream" as he makes plans to remain with the Spurs through the NBA finals before turning his full focus to his first NBA head coaching job. Custom Rays T-shirts . Budenholzer, the longtime San Antonio assistant, was named the Hawks coach Tuesday, one day after the Spurs completed a four-game sweep of Memphis in the Western Conference finals. "Its been a pretty amazing 48 hours, Ill be very honest with you," Budenholzer said on Wednesday as he was introduced by Hawks general manager Danny Ferry. "Its exciting for my family, exciting for me. "The opportunity to come here with the Atlanta Hawks, when you couple that with coming to the NBA finals, Im living a dream." Budenholzer, 43, spent 19 years with the Spurs, including 17 seasons as an assistant. He was the top assistant for coach Gregg Popovich the past six years, but he may be a new name to many fans outside of San Antonio. "Im definitely not a sexy hire," Budenholzer said. "Thankfully, that wasnt on Dannys shopping list." Similarly, the Spurs are viewed by some as lacking the flash of such other high-profile teams as Miami. The accusations of boring play didnt stop the Spurs from winning NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007 as Budenholzer coached under Popovich. Budenholzer said hell bring the emphasis for strong defence and ball movement to Atlanta. And he said the Spurs system is catching on with other teams. "I think the league and the NBA, whether its fundamentals or the style of playing, is moving toward the style that were playing. I look forward to bringing to Atlanta the ball movement and people movement and people sharing and participating and a little bit less of the one on one," he said. "Its something you have to believe in and you have to sell. I think in the initial stages it may be a little difficult, but in the long run players, coaches, fans and everyone will enjoy it and see the benefits." Budenholzer said the Hawks ownership, Ferry and roster flexibility combined to make Atlanta "a perfect fit for me." Centre Al Horford is the lone starter with a guaranteed contract for next season. The only other players with guaranteed contracts are guard Lou Williams, who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury, and rookie guard John Jenkins. Point guard Jeff Teague can become a restricted free agent. Budenholzer said Teague "is someone I feel strongly about and hes part of why Im excited to get this opportunity. Hes a heck of a player. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made on a lot of different fronts, including Jeff. I look forward to working with Danny on that." Longtime starting forward Josh Smith tops Atlantas long list of unrestricted free agents. Budenholzer said hell build around Horford and the financial flexibility Ferry began to create by trading Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams before the 2012-13 season. Pending decisions on Teague and others, the Hawks could have about $40 million under the cap to spend in free agency. "We want to build it and so as a coach that is exciting," he said. "That is why to me, that roster element in making the decision was strong." Budenholzer said he and Ferry will work out how much time he will have for the Hawks while he completes his drive for a fifth NBA championship ring with the Spurs. "Danny and I are talking and working on that," Budenholzer said before adding he wants to "be sure I finish right with San Antonio. He and I both want Pop to still call us when this is said and done." Budenholzer said hell bring lessons learned under Popovich, including a strong defensive philosophy. Ferry came to the Hawks last year after two years as vice-president of basketball operations for the Spurs. After his close view of Budenholzers role with the Spurs, Ferry now is looking for the coach to bring at least part of San Antonios winning system to Atlanta. "Part of whats exciting about this for me is he has a great understanding of the league," Ferry said. "Hes been part of San Antonio. He wasnt just in San Antonio like some of us were, hes been there for the duration. Hes seen how it evolved. Hes seen how it has grown. Mike, (general manager) R.C. (Buford) and Pop were the ones who were there the whole time." Ferry said Hawks players will buy into Budenholzers ability to clearly communicate his plans. "I think Mike will certainly help us be more mentally tough by implementing clarity on a way to play that guys can and will believe in," Ferry said. "Theyll buy in and theyll play hard." Budenholzer replaces Larry Drew, who was 128-102 in three seasons. "Id also like to acknowledge my appreciation and respect for the job Larry Drew did here the last three years," Ferry said. "I enjoyed working with him. We talked again yesterday about things and I wish him great luck and success." Cheap Custom Rays Jersey .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Wholesale Custom Rays Shirts . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. http://www.customraysjersey.com/custom-e...-large-72v.html .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury.Mahela Jayawardene and Shaun Pollock look ahead to Englands three-Test Investec series with Sri Lanka on the latest Sky Cricket Podcast. Jayawardene worked closely with England over the winter with the Sri Lankan being part of their coaching set-up for the series against Pakistan in the UAE as well as at the World T20 in India. He joins the Sky Sports commentary box this summer.The batsman promises he has shared no inside information from the England dressing room with this Sri Lankan side, but does hope they can repeat their heroics from 2014. Jayawardene reflects on their dramatic win off the penultimate ball on Sri Lankas last trip to Headingley - scene of Thursdays first Test - which secured a first series win in England.Click here to download the latest Sky Cricket Podcast or listen via the audioBoom link below. Shaun Pollock, who witnessed Englands 2-1 series win over his native South Africa over thee winter, assesses the strengths of the hosts. Evan Longoria Jersey Large. He thinks Englands attack, led by Stuart Broad - who took 6-17 in the win at Johannesburg - has enough firepower to see off Sri Lanka in favourable home conditions.Pollock also discusses the importance of Steven Finns fitness and whether Jimmy Anderson can carry on playing until hes 40 - like Ryan Giggs did for Pollocks beloved Manchester United. Sky Sports Cricket Podcast - 18th May Watch England and Sri Lankas first Investec Test, at Headingley, from 10am, Thursday, Sky Sports 2. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: England v Sri Lanka on Sky Sports England fixtures/results Sri Lanka fixtures/results WATCH: Murali magic ' ' '