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
Mike is back
September 15th, 2010
4:37 pm
Rev from Tampa,
Thanks, I will look it up…she is not my daughter…just one of young ladies I had the pleasure of working with on the team…we are a tight knit crew.
I’m a demon deacon…my sweet pea goes to Wake. Gotta go…follow-up with ya this evening. Thx!
The Truth
September 15th, 2010
4:39 pm
Grandad
Your response regarding Pape Sy really doesn’t contradict my comments about him except my label of “The Pipe Dreamers” but if those shoes don’t fit you then don’t wear them. Since I too have a fondness for the underdog, I can relate to your positive vibes about him though. Remember, I also said this:
“if his progress is above average, then he might be of some use in key situations near the end of this season.”
However, I’m just being realistic about his chances of being an instant impact player given his background and being the 14th player on the roster. I think sending him to the D-league would be the best move as it would prepare him for an easier transition. If he would go to a D-league team, he then controls his own destiny. If he is “The Truth”, then it will show. If his progress is above average (as I mentioned) and the timing is right, then who knows, the trade winds could blow in the Hawks direction near the deadline.
JeJe
September 15th, 2010
4:53 pm
$125,000 is enough to make up for the ASG’s frugality?
Give me a break. Mark Cuban pays more money to personalize the Maverick lockers than the Hawks do for their roster.
99 % of the owners in sports would laugh at $125,000 – chump change.
WE HAVE 6 OR 7 OWNERS. 125,000 BETWEEN THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE. LOL!!!!!!!
WELL AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN ATLANTA IS CONVINCED OF THE AWESOMENESS OF ASG (CUNNINGHAM).
PLEASE…..
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
4:58 pm
@KevinM: “MC, is there any comparison other than language comparisions to our fav Frenchman, Diaw? Didn’t he appear in the same league as Boris?”
i haven’t seen enough of Sy to say. he was limited at summer league by an Achilles’ injury. yes, Havre played in the French A league, though apparently Le Havre isn’t considered a strong team there.
Michael Cunningham
September 15th, 2010
5:00 pm
@ JeJe: “WELL AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN ATLANTA IS CONVINCED OF THE AWESOMENESS OF ASG (CUNNINGHAM). PLEASE…..”
i am shocked–shocked i say!–that JeJe would overreact in this manner. and it’s actually a total cost of about $600,000 including his salary.
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
5:02 pm
This sound crazy, but Pape looks like Kobe in his movements on the court. To be that long, yet move that quick at the same time is like a young Kobe. I’m not saying he will be as good as Kobe. But in his videos, he never has a moment where he looks ‘awkward’ on the court. And that says a lot for an athlete. And it never seems as if he’s going full speed. I’ll tell you now his handles already look better than Marvin’s. And his jump shot looks better than Mo Evans. He may be a developmental project, but the man is a basketball player.
Tha Real Hawk
September 15th, 2010
5:18 pm
Glad to see “Home Team” we miss you man!!
cp
September 15th, 2010
5:19 pm
I cant take anyone serious who thinks RandyMo should have gotten minutes.RandyMo? Really? Dude is absolutely terrible. They gave him a shot during the summer league and he was terrible. His NBA career was on the line and dude didn’t play as if it was. He should have been going harder than anybody on the team yet he was soft and couldn’t rebound to save his life. Mike Bibby might be a better rebounder than RandyMo.
I’m pulling for Sy. I like what I saw from him in the limited minutes. He gets after it defensively and he has a nice handle. Like it was stated before, if he is in camp locking cats down and shows in the pre season he is capable of playing some good defense and being a decent ball-handler then you have to find minutes for him. If he performs we can get rid of Mo Evans. Its also nice to read guys are in the gym working.
Hmmm
September 15th, 2010
5:24 pm
Congrts to Pape! I dion’t think he’s a PG from what i’ve seen of him though. Didn’t strike me as much of a creator for other ppls baskets. Just a really solid slasher. But we shall see.
SMH @ ASG not attemting to get in on the Dampier bid. I mean he sucks but he’s big and can do some things. We weren’t on his short list anyway sigh….why Miami?
Hmmm
September 15th, 2010
5:26 pm
“If he performs we can get rid of Mo Evans.”
^Best quote of the day right there! Who’s next? Bibby where you at!?
I Heart Atlanta
September 15th, 2010
5:30 pm
Stackhouse also at Phillips?
JC2 said on twitter he’s got game so i’m assuming he’s there with them?
O'Brien
September 15th, 2010
5:35 pm
He projects as a PG? That sound u hear is a sigh of relief from Marvin Williams.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 15th, 2010
5:35 pm
“Najeh, if Collins and Powell both signed for the veteran’s minimum how was it that totals up to $4 million?”
I said that under the assumption that Sy’s buyout was $500,000. MC says it’s more like $125K, so that changes the numbers somewhat. Collins gets $1.4 million and Powell $1.1 million; Sy’s salary plus buyout is about $600,000. The three of them end up totaling just over $3 million.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 15th, 2010
5:38 pm
I’ll believe that Pape Sy is a point guard when I see it. The Hawks tried the 6′7″ point guard experiment 5 years ago with Joe Johnson and it didn’t work. As promising as Sy looked in summer league, his ball handling skills didn’t seem anywhere near where they needed to be to play the point in the NBA. He kinda ran the point like Royal Ivey to be honest. I’d much rather see him play the position his body is best suited for, which is SG/SF, and use his athleticism to play lock down defense there.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 15th, 2010
5:40 pm
“is there any comparison other than language comparisions to our fav Frenchman, Diaw?”
From what I saw in summer league, he’s a lot more like Pietrus than Diaw.
KevinM
September 15th, 2010
5:58 pm
I remember trying to make Diaw a PG too………he hasn’t been on the perimeter since.
Perhaps he will find a way to stay in the league, but man, comparing Sy to Kobe…..wow!
That would be the all-time diamond-in-the-rough outside of Kurt Warner!
KevinM
September 15th, 2010
6:00 pm
O’Brien,
You should know by now that the motto here in ASG land:
“Do not threaten the well being of the core!”
Marvin, and probably Bibby are going to have to lose their job via injury. It won’t happen any other way.
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
6:14 pm
Here’s the deal:
Pape is cheap, even with the $125,000.00 buyout – less than $600,000.00 total to get him here. And we’re still under the luxury tax.
We’re probably losing Jamal and Mo; after this season, but have to re-sign Horford. Sy is a cheap replacement for Jamal (10.8m) and Mo’ (2.5m) – and we use most of the difference to re-sign Horford.
And if Sy doesn’t work out, not much lost, and we probably sign a 1st pick in ‘011 and a vet minimum guy to replace Jamal and Mo’.
And yes we do need Dampier, but I don’t see anyway to get him…
Rev in Tampa
September 15th, 2010
6:16 pm
Welcome back SteveW. Missed you.
UGA
September 15th, 2010
6:17 pm
Does anyone know which Crawford was at Phillips today? Jordan or Jamal?
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
6:17 pm
Tyler Allen!
You heard it here – First.
I really hope the best for your grandson.
Tell him I said to crack those books.
Los Bravos may have peaked too soon?
You will forever be my 1st Blog Love!
I even pulled out that ole’ “Cheetah Thong!” razor sharp one
2 days agoÞo paint the picture of “Agony”.
Haven’t done that in over a year.
Don’t be a stranger!
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
6:20 pm
I can see Sy developing this year, and contributing next year. I don’t ever see him being more than a 20 mpg kinda guy that can play 2 or 3 positions. But I hope I’m wrong – hope he’s a Magic Johnson redux!
Saw Sy at Summer League, obviously impressed by his potential, underwhelmed by where his game is right now. He looked bothered by the defense. He also looked a little lethargic and unsure of himself. But he is brimming with potential. He may make that rotation yet this year. The coach’s may feel he is coachable to that point.
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
6:22 pm
Rev – Thanks – really have had nothing to say. The blog has heated up, and all the points I would have made have been being made. Really liked Grandad’s trade for Hawes and Lou however – would throw in a first pick to make that one happen!
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
6:29 pm
About Vet minimum salaries – the Hawks do get a rebate back from the NBA for Etan, Collins, and Powell to $897,000.00 – in other words, if the vet min. for Powell is 1.1m, the Hawks really only pay $897,000.00 and get a rebate for the rest.
You can go a long way in the NBA with vet minimum guys and mid-late 2nd round picks (they make less than $500,000.00 per) when your dealing with salary cap.
That’s one reason (not the only reason) you see the Hawks gamble on Sy and Gladyr in the 2nd round – cheap. And with JJ, Al, and Smoove, we need cheap around them to make it work, especially if the new CBA is a hard cap. Rumor is it won’t be a hard cap however.
jason
September 15th, 2010
6:29 pm
On hoopshype.com I heard that a godd place to send jamal is to phillie for jason kapono and lou williams.
truthspitter
September 15th, 2010
6:31 pm
The signing of this guys is a joke. On a more serious note if you don’t consider Marvin Williams a bust then you have low expectations in life and will probably never, ever, be anything other than a mediocre minded human being. The guy is a below average starter in the NBA and he was drafted to be a superstar with the #2 pick overall.
jason
September 15th, 2010
6:31 pm
Sorry hoopsworld.com ^
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
6:35 pm
Hope we don’t go to banana’s if the Hawks start fast. They really could be 19-1 after 20 games. Probably won’t be, but the games are winnable. I know, any game is winnable, but you know what I mean.
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
6:38 pm
Here’s hoping Jamal backs off his pay me or trade me rhetoric…Would like to see him stay. If we pay him, I’ll be shocked. He will be 31 at the end of the season. i don’t think we would even offer him MLE money (5.8m, per), but I could be wrong.
Astro Joe
September 15th, 2010
6:38 pm
People, dude was the 53rd pick in the draft. If he develops enough to become a solid 15-18 min/game performer in the next 3 years, it would be a remarkable achievement. Let’s slow down on assuming that he breaks the rotation of a 50 win team in his first season.
truthspitter
September 15th, 2010
6:41 pm
Michael: You can’t even count.
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.
That equals nine and which Crawford? Please refer to him as rookie Crawford or JC2. So, whats up with Bibby and why is he not around? He is still one of the vets and the starting PG?
O'Brien
September 15th, 2010
6:43 pm
Over the summer, the NBA consensus was that dampier would be traded and/or released.
Therefore, wouldn’t it have been wise for the hawks to not sign Collins and Ethan until they see what happens with dampier? Collins and Ethan cost ~$2.6 mil combined, and I doubt if there were high On the list of other teams.
We could have waited and offered dampier $3 mil, and see what happens. A combination of horford, Zaza and dampier would have been great.
Or is it another case of hindsight being 20/20…
Macaroni Tony
September 15th, 2010
7:00 pm
@MC
I was wondering which Crawford as at Phillips Arena today?
Macaroni Tony
September 15th, 2010
7:03 pm
What is all this talk about Dampier? The guy is washed in this league, we have all the guys that will be heading into training camp please I wish we stop all of this wishful thinking.
I hope that we lay off MW until we see how he would be used this year in our rotation. MW is not all that bad, if giving the right opportunity he can be at least a 18pg and 7rpg.
jason
September 15th, 2010
7:12 pm
Macaroni tony i would want to see LD change a guy who hasnt lived up to his expectations in one offseason
Macaroni Tony
September 15th, 2010
7:17 pm
@Jason
I understand what you’re saying, if MW come into camp and blossom in this new offense then I say he should start. If he don’t play well I say bench him.
Macaroni Tony
September 15th, 2010
7:18 pm
But he’s not the worse player on this team nor in the world….
vava74
September 15th, 2010
7:29 pm
Someone mentioned Dampier as a legit 7 footer… well he is 6′11′…’
Which makes him as “legit” as Armani sunglasses bought on Canal Street!
Pape Sy’s NBA gamble pays off with Hawks – Atlanta Journal Constitution | All Star Picks
September 15th, 2010
7:39 pm
[...] Swingman Pape SyFanHouseHAWKS SIGN PAPE SY TO A CONTRACTHawks.comHawks sign Pape SyMiamiHerald.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ProBasketballTalk (blog)all 30 news [...]
JeJe
September 15th, 2010
7:41 pm
Wow 600,000 for a player between 6 owners. I take back what I said, MC — ASG is really dishing out the cash now! Hope we can land Melo in a S&T next summer since the owners are such flamboyant spenders!!!!!!!!!!!!
ryan
September 15th, 2010
8:01 pm
Are the Hawks interested in Jerry Stackhouse that would be huge .
Bertie
September 15th, 2010
8:26 pm
Jason: Posted this entry towards the end of the previous blog on JC1.
Going back to some realistic trades for JC1. Assuming that ASG’s priority is to sign AL before anybody else and stay under the luxury tax for the next couple of years, they might not even want to resign JC1 after next year unless it is at a discount (6-7MM per). Having said that, trading him now makes sense.
Lang Greene from Hoopsworld wrote a piece yesterday about 3 “realistic” trade scenarios for JC1.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17321
1. JC1 to 76ers for Lou Williams and Kappono.
2. JC1 to Pacers for TJ Ford and Danthay Jones (or Brandon Rush)
3. JC1 and Mo to Cavs for Antawn Jamison.
I like the 76ers trade proposal, the Pacers is interesting and do not like the third.
Jae Evolution
September 15th, 2010
8:33 pm
What about if they replaced TJ Ford and his horrible contract, with James Posey, if he were backing up Marvin instead of Mo. I would feel much better about this teams second team defense along with D. Jones they are defensive specialists and would make our second unit so much stronger to hold out for the starters. I would be excited about that trade happening.
Pape Sy’s NBA gamble pays off with Hawks – Atlanta Journal Constitution | The Basketball Site
September 15th, 2010
8:34 pm
[...] Swingman Pape SyFanHouseHAWKS SIGN PAPE SY TO A CONTRACTHawks.comHawks sign Pape SyMiamiHerald.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ProBasketballTalk (blog)all 31 news [...]
SteveW
September 15th, 2010
8:44 pm
I like the 76′ers proposal as well – Lou could be a younger, cheaper Jamal.
KevinM
September 15th, 2010
8:52 pm
Before they bring in another PG, they are going to give Bibby and Teague the shot at the minutes.
Nothing happening for awhile, unless Jamal just doesn’t buy in to waiting on an offseason contract offer.
Unless the 76ers just have to rid themselves of talent, don’t look for Sund to shake up the core.
And Sy isn’t going to get any minutes, so the wish list isn’t going to be fulfilled. He hasn’t played against real NBAers yet. This isn’t SL-Vegas.
Bertie
September 15th, 2010
8:59 pm
Pape – Welcome to the Hawks!
Steve W – I agree on the Lou Williams being a cheaper Jamal. He could play the role JC1 did last year, sixth man combo guard.
Kevin M – IMO Jamal is not part of the core.
RaJaH
September 15th, 2010
9:09 pm
Mike is Back
I know the young lady your talking about. Been to several of their games and was impressed with both girls and boys programs!
But tell your girls to take it easy when your playin DHills this year!
robdawg08
September 15th, 2010
9:25 pm
Project Pape huh ? Heat add LeBron and we add Pape who might play 3 years from now ? You can tell the teams that are smart and those that are stupid… The Hawks are the latter brokeasses.
Pape Sy’s NBA gamble pays off with Hawks – Atlanta Journal Constitution | Basketball Video Zone
September 15th, 2010
9:34 pm
[...] Swingman Pape SyFanHouseHAWKS SIGN PAPE SY TO A CONTRACTHawks.comHawks sign Pape SyMiamiHerald.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ProBasketballTalk (blog)all 31 news [...]