Atlanta Hawks: Pape Sy in the fold (Update: Sy and Sund comments)
It’s finally official: Pape Sy, Atlanta’s second-round draft pick in June, has signed with the Hawks after securing a buyout from French club Le Havre. Sy’s three-year contract is fully guaranteed for 2010-11 at the rookie minimum of $473,604.
It should be noted that for all the heat ASG takes for the perception that they clutch their wallets too tightly, it is believed the Hawks contributed about $125,000 on top of the salary to buy out the contract of a long-term prospect. You can tell L.D. is really high on Sy, so the Hawks spent some cash to get him over here now so they can start developing him.
“We sat down with [the owners] and told them we saw [Sy] in Summer League and we liked him and we wanted to get him in here as a developmental guy for the future,” Rick Sund said today at Philips. “We talked about the buyout, and they had no problem with that.”
It’s a good personal story for Sy, 22, who paid his own way to work out for the Hawks and was virtually unknown in scouting circles when Atlanta drafted him. He said he never lost faith that he’d end up with the Hawks this season even as negotiations with Le Havre dragged on for weeks.
“I am very proud,” Sy said. “It means a lot for me. I really want to play with them and win with them.”
Sy, 6-7, projects as a point guard for the Hawks. Unless injuries hit the Hawks, Sy most likely won’t earn minutes this season. But the Hawks believe he can better develop by practicing with the team and perhaps spending some time in the D-League rather than play another year for Le Havre, where he averaged 14 minutes per game last season.
Sund said the Hawks most likely will stick with 14 players for training camp since the roster is set and they want to get in as much work as possible for young players Teague, Jordan Crawford and Sy. Camp opens Sept. 28.
MC
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347 comments Add your comment
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
2:18 pm
Astro, I understand what you’re saying. But at this point of the off season he’s not worth 3 mil + that he is demanding. If they weren’t willing to offer that to Shaq, why would the offer it to Dampier?
Snail
September 15th, 2010
2:24 pm
Wasn’t Joe Johnson supposed to recruit some big-name players to come to Atlanta? Please don’t tell me Josh Powell and Etan Thomas is Joe’s definition of a “big-name player”.
Fundamentals
September 15th, 2010
2:24 pm
Good to hear JeJe back with his optimism. In his rants I agree, WOW, we spent some money, but not really. Getting Sy over now is something I wanted and I’m very pleased. D-League or here I’d like to see if he can develop. LD likes the kid, let him work with him.
Right now the question for MC is how does LD feel about his roster? Does he like it or does he want to see some moves to tweak his tool/skill set? Is all our banter on deaf ears cause he’s happy? What do Al and Josh think of their front court now? Photo of Cheeseburger and footage of him sprinting to lift our spirits?
What are each of our players doing now that camp draws near to arrive prepared and ready to impress our new coaching staff?
Fundamentals
September 15th, 2010
2:25 pm
Amen Mike is back
Hawks Sign French Swingman Pape Sy – FanHouse | The Basketball Site
September 15th, 2010
2:27 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Snail
September 15th, 2010
2:28 pm
Najeh Davenpoop,
I sure hope the buyout wasn’t around $3 million.
blord
September 15th, 2010
2:29 pm
Take that Miami!!!!
Melvin
September 15th, 2010
2:40 pm
Who’s your Pape???
Mike is back
September 15th, 2010
2:46 pm
Astro Joe, my funniest memory of Dampier was against Amare Stoudemire in the playoff….Dampier was trying to be physical with Amare…Amare fully extended and posterized Dampier face throughout the universe with a vicious sick dunk.
I think he would get the same treatment from DHoward. Heck, with Dampier bad knees, and limited mobility…I don’t see how signing Dampier would have been any difference than signing u no who. I want go there.
I agree…we need another 7 foot Big that can block shots…however, I think you are probably going get about the same from Dampier as you get from a slim down Big Burger Collins at this point in his career. Maybe a little more… Dampier is definitely the superior defender. I think if we added Dampier…it would be nice…however, I can go with what we have for now…and see how JC1 situation plays out.
After the wad of cash shelled out for Sy…I’m sure the thought of adding another player…would have the ASG reeling. lol
ant banks
September 15th, 2010
2:46 pm
papy sy wasn’t even a starter on the french team, was he? smh
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
2:48 pm
The worst move of the summer will be selling Tibor Pleiss.
*notice – [OKC was the buyer]
OKC has been a hot topic on the board lately.
*note – [Sam Presti]
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
2:52 pm
Blog updates with Sy and Sund comments, contract details.
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
2:53 pm
@ Rev in Tampa: “MC, can you speak French? Or can Pape speak English?”
i speak no French. Pape understands English very well and speaks it pretty well.
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
2:53 pm
@Snail: “A “significant” amount of money?”
about $125k
mark
September 15th, 2010
2:54 pm
ERIC DAMPIER IS A MALCONTENT, DON’T WANT HIM
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
2:56 pm
@ please MC: “Go away MC. “It should be noted that for all the flak ASG takes for clutching their wallets, the Hawks contributed significant money to the buyout of a player who could be headed for the D-League this season…” What a suck up. Free SS.”
sorry, i’m still here. not sucking up–ASG’s fiscal restraint has been well-chronicled here–just providing some balance by nothing that in this case they weren’t cheap.
Dominique
September 15th, 2010
2:56 pm
Does Sy got game?
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
2:57 pm
@ True Hawks Fan: “The jury is still out on Sy. I’m rooting for him. We need to pick up Dampier. What do you think MC?”
i think the Hawks have three centers and aren’t looking for another.
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
2:58 pm
@ Ramon: “MC, my question is, if JC2 and Pape comes in and plays consistently during camp, do you see any chance of the Hawks cutting Mo Evans?”
no, he’s owed $2.5 million this season. they are talking about Sy as a developmental guy.
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
3:00 pm
@ newkid: “Love that parenthetical comedy MC; don’t think most got the tongue in check nature of it. It was tongue firmly planted in check wasn’t it?”
haha . . . what do you think?
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
3:01 pm
Rod from CP!
Enthusiastic Co-Sign re: your 119 PM Comments!
Nuff Said!
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
3:02 pm
@ Najeh: “Again, it’s not just that they spend money; it’s also that when they do, they spend it unwisely. I liked what I saw from Pape Sy in summer league, but if he’s not going to contribute significant minutes, I don’t see why they wouldn’t just wait for his contract to expire next year and bring him over for free.”
i understand some do see the difference between “they never spend any money” and “they spend their limited resources unwisely.” not everyone does, though.
basically, they think Sy will develop better here than over there.
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
3:07 pm
@ Fundamentals: “Right now the question for MC is how does LD feel about his roster? Does he like it or does he want to see some moves to tweak his tool/skill set? Is all our banter on deaf ears cause he’s happy? What do Al and Josh think of their front court now? Photo of Cheeseburger and footage of him sprinting to lift our spirits?
What are each of our players doing now that camp draws near to arrive prepared and ready to impress our new coaching staff?”
hmmm, that’s more than “the question,” huh? haha . . .LD sounds positive, thinks he can get more out of the same guys and likes the additions of Powell and Etan. in a previous blog post, Al said he’s “going to war with who we’ve got” and welcomed the toughness Etan could provide. haven’t talked to Smoove lately.
eight guys were at Philips today: Al, Marvin, Smoove, J.J., Teague, Crawford, Powell, Zaza and Pape. Mo was there earlier in the week. media access is limited, though.
ILL-Logical
September 15th, 2010
3:08 pm
Point Guard. For all who might have missed that information; Pape Sye is being groomed to become a point guard at 6′7 and 225 lbs. Very Interesting.MC: Thanks for the update
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
3:14 pm
Mary Ellen
I have officially reversed my opinion.
Erick Dampier would -&- could help.
Been studyin’ up on ‘im.
However, I must agree with MC,
I do not think the Hawks will sign him.
Still hopin’ for a trade – though!
*On a side note:
Veteran “Tim Thomas won’t play for Mavericks”
due to wife’s illness. per espn
One must respect a man that will stay home
and take care of his wife.-[G-dad]
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
3:16 pm
Pony Up!
MC
I personally could care less what it costs these ASKG people.
They have chosen to be invisible, except,
when in Futlon County Courts. So, No! I say spend till the
Hawk is dead. I got NO skin – in this game!
Give me a reason to turn this car back around!
-Tracey Chapman-
I am OK, but not overwhelmed by what the ASKG has done this
Summer, except for re-signing Mr. Johnson.
That Sir, was impressive!
However – We Need More BANG for the buck!
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
3:20 pm
@drmaryb: “I personally could care less what it costs these ASKG people.
They have chosen to be invisible, except,
when in Futlon County Courts. So, No! I say spend till the
Hawk is dead. I got NO skin – in this game!
Give me a reason to turn this car back around!
-Tracey Chapman-”
haha, nice. and a tracy chapman quote, too.
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
3:29 pm
Najeh, if Collins and Powell both signed for the veteran’s minimum how was it that totals up to $4 million? By the way, there’s a difference in salary for a low 1st round pick, and a low 2nd round pick.
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
3:30 pm
I once told my asst coach;
“don’t put a ceiling on players”
My hope is that Paps works his butt off & forces
his way onto the court. He has already shown he is
willing to go to any length to make it. He’s kinda
like Mario West with offensive skills. Bless ‘im, I say!
The Truth
September 15th, 2010
3:33 pm
MC said: “they are talking about Sy as a developmental guy.”
Maybe this will finally put the pipe-dreamers notion of Pape Sy becoming a rotational player for this season to rest. However, having said that, if his progress is above average, then he might be of some use in key situations near the end of this season.
terrell
September 15th, 2010
3:36 pm
I smell a trade involving Mo Evans and perhaps Jamal. Too many damn sg’s on the roster.
Mike is back
September 15th, 2010
3:43 pm
Rev from Tampa,
We got one our young freshmen coming your way from the ATL…she was recruited by South Florida. She is one their top recruits’…she is 6’4”. I’m looking for her to make some noise down there…but stepping up to play D-1 ball will be a huge challenge for her.
I don’t want to mention her name…I hope it is not too much trouble to look it up…she played for The Lady Eagles. That’s my sweet pea Old High School basketball team. I’m part of a group of Dads that volunteer to be a mentor for all the ladies on the team. Watching them go from doormat to State Champion in two years has been one of the most rewarding thing I ever been a part of…save for family of course. Keep the team in your prayers.
The Truth
September 15th, 2010
3:45 pm
Trade Rumors in the Air (Early) = Distractions During Regular Season
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
3:48 pm
MC
Well, you know, “What can I say?”
- JJ Evans -
richbrave
September 15th, 2010
3:49 pm
HEY drmaryb:
Is the dr. in the house? After watching the WASHINGTON CARPENTERS aka NATIONALS putting the finishing touches on that BRAVES coffin that was their hopes for the NL EAST pennant, I thought I’d ooze over and see whad’ dup’ with my favorite NBA squad and my fav HAWKS companion. No offense doc.
MARY:
My grandson’s finally been to a ‘PERFECT GAME’ exhibition, and he may appear on some rating lists now. His name is TYLER ALLEN. Man, the pushing and shoving for his attention is really ramped up. I’m thinking of consulting SCOTT BORAS – for real. Some of the b-s flying around this year over his head is just out of control.
Astro Joe
September 15th, 2010
3:49 pm
Point guard, huh? So Pape Sy is French for Shawn Livingston?
terrell
September 15th, 2010
3:50 pm
Heck, if Woody was the coach, he’d be bring over Vlade Divac. At least LD’s giving the YOUNGuns a chance. Teague, JC2, and Sy, might suprise some people. Never know. After all, you need fresh legs to run this offense, not guys who are a couple of years away from social security.(Bibby, Evans ,etc.) No more of that hanging out at the free throw line crap.
terrell
September 15th, 2010
3:51 pm
I meant hanging out at the 3pt line crap.
KevinM
September 15th, 2010
3:51 pm
It says that Sy won’t likely get any minutes. Who is going to give up minutes? Randolph couldn’t find minutes last year for a team that has a dire need at the 5. Collins – don’t get me started that he decides to be in shape this year.
Now, do we have an affiilation with a D-League team like others? Why don’t we invest in bringing in more talent and develop them to possibly help us? I mean, we aren’t exceeding the cap, and the $$ you pay these guys in the D-League aren’t turning heads.
My real issue is if Sy doesn’t practice with the team for at least a part of the season, why would you guarantee a full season’s salary? You also buy him out just to say you didn’t whiff on your 2nd round pick.
It’s not enough for me to say Sy is a talent and we need to start developing him…at $500K for this season alone.
MC, is there any comparison other than language comparisions to our fav Frenchman, Diaw? Didn’t he appear in the same league as Boris? Sounds like Coach Van Exel has a project on his hands.
So now, we have a full roster, and I think you must pay 13 players, dressed out or not.
I’m indifferent about Dampier. I think we give him 3M and see him as a stiff for the most part. If we are going to be run and gun(at least thru the regular season, because you aren’t doing that in the playoffs), then Damp doesn’t fit here.
And you don’t threaten the lineup that is ‘the core’.
My favorite Pape Sy interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-sOXwccEn8&feature=related
“I come, I show what I do, and I think I do a good job!”
Good luck to our latest acquisition.
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
3:54 pm
The Truth
Read my above…..^…..post!
“Maybe this will finally put the *pipe-dreamers*
notion of Pape Sy becoming a rotational player
for this season to rest”
Not a pipe-dreamer but clearly willing to believe in *LD.
*LD – sees something in this kid.
Plus, playing defense will get you on the court quickly!
As I referenced above; [Mario] got PT.
The kid will get a chance, I’m betting he makes something of it.
BBgenie
September 15th, 2010
3:56 pm
Trade Mo Evans Quick! He’s a team Cancer, take a look at the tape from game 6 vs Bucks playoff series. He refused to pass the ball to Open team mates, he took shots out of the Flow of the game. Bottom line he’s a Walking A-Hole! If he’s not hitting the 3-ball (Which wasn’t often) what else is he good for???????
terrell
September 15th, 2010
4:00 pm
Kevin M, you didnt hear. Woody the vet lover got fired.
terrell
September 15th, 2010
4:01 pm
And Kevin M, Randolph couldn’t get min at the YMCA. Much less in the NBA.
Rev in Tampa
September 15th, 2010
4:15 pm
Mike is back,
I will check into the South Florida roster. If she needs a group to help keep her ‘grounded’ then I have a close friend who is a campus minister on South Florida. His name is Jeff Lee. You can look up their campus group at http://www.usf.ruf.org.
I am a presbyterian minister in the Brandon, FL area. 10 miles due east of Tampa, 15 miles southeast of the university. I actually have a couple of students that drive from the university to come to my church.
Congratulations on your daughter’s success. My two oldest daughters excell in swim and my chest swells with pride as I watch them compete.
Macaroni Tony
September 15th, 2010
4:16 pm
Which Crawford was at Phillips today?
Hoops
September 15th, 2010
4:18 pm
I’m happy for Pape Sy!!!
I’m glad to see the guys are getting back in the gym. You can see some of them in the background on the Pape Sy interview.
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
4:19 pm
I know they say developmental. But if Sy comes in camp and locks down people, while performing on the offensive end, there’s no way he won’t be on the roster playing this season.
Stizz
September 15th, 2010
4:27 pm
Just caught the interview, very humble guy. Glad to have him.
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
4:33 pm
I just watched the highlight reel. Pape Sy will end up being a really good player in this league. Kobe was a developmental player when he was drafted, as are most players who come out of high school. Pape is going to be good!
jason
September 15th, 2010
4:34 pm
a 6-7 point guard. I think he is going to replace mario west. 6-7 he must have good ball handling skills at such a tall size. Welcome to the hawks family Pape