I set out today to get lots of pictures of the guys on the plane, getting ready for their first playoff experience as Hawks (or for any team for that matter), but I'll admit, I got sidetracked. Sometimes, you just have to roll with the punches.

Instead of snapping photos of Joe napping and Al eating, I ended up sitting next to Dominique Wilkins and listening to him wax philosophic about the playoffs, basketball, and the difference between the league he played in and the league we see today. Pardon my hyperbole, but it felt like the equivalent to talking to Picasso about painting or Hemingway about writing.

It was an education. Nique has forgotten more about basketball than I'll ever know (I love that expression), and it was a treat to listen to him talk about what it takes to succeed in the playoffs.

The biggest thing he mentioned was that you have to be hungry. You can't just be happy to make the playoffs, or else your stay will be over in a hurry. This is obviously particularly relevant in the case of the Hawks, who are in the postseason for the first time in 9 years. Nique also talked about the importance for the Hawks to try to match the mental toughness of the Celtics, a team with tons of veteran leadership and guys who've been through the playoff wars before. They can't get frustrated early - if the shots aren't coming their way or just aren't falling, they've just got to be patient and let it come.

We both agreed that if the Hawks could somehow steal a game in Boston, it would turn the pressure up even further on the top-seeded Celtics, who are most people's pick to rep the East in the NBA Finals.

Nique expects the Hawks to be a little nervous at the start tomorrow night, but if they can just weather the first surge by Boston, they can be ok.

Only 24 hours until game-time, and if today's games are any indication, these playoffs should be one heck of a ride.

The Hawks charter

Dominique Wilkins chats with Hawks broadcaster Steve Holman before takeoff

The players touch down in Boston