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

347 comments Add your comment

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
10:19 am

Oh Yeah!

And besides Dwight, where in the realm of possibility does
He figure Royce Reed will get 500M dollars from?

After all, isn’t she a dancer?
She does not play Basketball Dwight, She plays Basketball Players!
You Big Dummie!

JSS

September 16th, 2010
10:32 am

@ Dr Mary B…
It’s the scorched earth policy, make the lawsuit so high in a punitive nature that it scares the hell out of ‘em. It is what Joe Kennedy did when ABC claimed John Kennedy did not write the Pulitzer Prize winning ‘Profiles In Courage.’ He doesn’t want money, he wants to shut her up…

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
10:36 am

Swagg!

Ms.Dee

Nah girl! I like Swagg! I just spelled it out for those outside of the
current vernacular trends. lol!

So, you troll the city streets at night as well?
Well, just be careful and make sure all your doors are locked
when pulling into intersections. Are you an IT Engineer?
Sounds like it.

We should meet someday, If, you live in the “A” and talk over
a cup of Starbucks! I would love to meet my Sista!
I need to figure out how to get my contact info to you.
I’ll ask Blu-Ray.

Look at us being as giddy as Coach Drew over the 2nd round pick!
That speaks volumes about what it takes to excite the fan base.
Hugh?

KevinM

September 16th, 2010
10:39 am

Jeje, don’t worry about the big Damp! Houston has already outbid us with a 2 yr/4M contract.

Rod from College Park

September 16th, 2010
10:44 am

Najeh Davenpoop,

100% cosign your 4:34 post.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
10:45 am

JSS

Yeah man .. I agree with you 100. My take was that he set that
amount to off-set future “Adult Support” payments.
I got that cliche’ from P-Diddy when he complained about paying the
ex-girlfriend who took him back to court to increase
Child Support payments up from 25K per Month.

That was my sarcasm reeking through.
Anyway, I know that story was off the Basketball Topic that
Najeh wants us to shy away from, but one must admitt:

Its boring on the blog and it is entertaining – to say the least.

Right?

Rod from College Park

September 16th, 2010
10:53 am

Please stop it with the Jamal thrives in the iso offense crap. Jamal will thrive in any offense because he is a complete offensive player. He can create his own shot, he can pass, he can stop and pop, he can drive and finish, he can handle the rock, he can knock down the open jumpshot, and he can take advantage of mismatches. He was easily our 2nd best offensive option last year, and if he played the same amount of minutes as Joe did, he probably would have had better offensive numbers. His struggles are on the defensive end, just like Bibby and Marvin. If you are a good basketball player, you will thrive in any situation, unless you get put on the bench, like he was in Golden State. That’s whats so amazing to me about the people who think that Marvin will become a much better because of a motion offense. If he was going to be a good player, you would have seen it by now. Those who continue to talk about the one year that you think he showed so much potential, guess what, that was the iso offense also.

rusty

September 16th, 2010
11:01 am

when the hawks started the season so great last year i was very proud of them ,not because of their record but because they were playing great team basketball. but it seemed that they lost the concept
last year. if they have any chance of excelling this year they will have to play as a team

KevinM

September 16th, 2010
11:18 am

Rusty, i thought they had learned their lessons from their playoff loss to Cleveland last year as well. But what I saw was a team that digressed against Orlando for whatever reason, Woody must have been the reason….hard for me to believe that all of a sudden, the team shut down listening to Woody not knowing who might show up in his place…how pampered they are getting LD in there now.
I say what others have said……..these guys have been together for quite awhile now and we all know what they are capable of.
Perhaps they can improve, but they can just as easily digress.

This year’s marketing campaign for the Hawks? Anyone? All I could think of was……

“Patience” and a picture of LD holding a clipboard.

Mike is back

September 16th, 2010
11:27 am

RaJaH, I hear ya. It’s not often that your Boys and Girls win the State Championship the same year in the same sport. I watch most of those youngster from middle school to high school…so it was a great treat to watch them win on the same day!!!

Big Ray, your 11:29 pm post on Sy. Well said…Sy actually looked like he was worth the risk…the ASG deserve some credit…as do LD and the scouts…Now him cracking a NBA roster…that will depend on his development.

I see him as a Potential Reja Bell type…someone who started his career as a hard nose defender…and later developed his offensive skills to the point where he could be an everyday NBA player…which for a guy like Sy who was drafted in the second rounder …isn’t bad. Save for some type of trade…I don’t see him cracking the roster this season.

I can’t understand why so many bloggers are down on MO…he got one of the most affordable contracts on team…Dude comes in and give his all every game…and is a consummate professional. Granted we have a backlog at the SG position…however, MO did improve his defense to point where could play some SF too. Did I mention dude can shoot the three.

I’m not advocating resigning MO…but dude ain’t chop liver either…I think he deserves more respect than what he is getting. Before you just throw MO name in with every trade scenario…remember he is an experience vet that we got under a very reasonable contract.

JJ has been dealing with nagging injuries the last couple of seasons…if the goal is to manage his minutes, and ease the wear and tear…who is going guard the Big SG’s in JJ relief… Again, I’m not advocating resigning MO…just the notion that MO is some how useless to us this season because he didn’t opted out is ludicrous…His services could still be used by the Hawks.

rusty

September 16th, 2010
11:32 am

i was surprised last year that they won so many games while not playing team offense. their offense was very inconsistant last year,it showed up making them get blown out of games very early, losing to lousy teams & losing games after having big leads. last year seemed like a big struggle for the fans & the players. it ended in a great embarrassment for the city & the team.just playing team ball this year will be a great improvement

Clyde

September 16th, 2010
11:46 am

Joe gets a girl from Magic City pregnant now Shaq is engaged to reality star Hoopz from I Love Flavor Flav. SHAKING MY GOT DAM HEAD

[...] ConstitutionHawks Sign French Swingman Pape SyFanHouseHAWKS SIGN PAPE SY TO A CONTRACTHawks.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ProBasketballTalk (blog)all 33 news [...]

Mike is back

September 16th, 2010
11:49 am

Clyde, which Joe…not our Joe…daaaaaaaaaaam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Najeh Davenpoop

September 16th, 2010
12:12 pm

“Anyway, I know that story was off the Basketball Topic that
Najeh wants us to shy away from,”

The only topic I was tired of seeing was discussions related to which blogger is annoying, which blogger needs to STFU, etc. I don’t want to come on a blog to see bloggers blogging about other bloggers. I have no problem with the Dwight Howard story.

In related news, I wonder which Bible verse told Dwight Howard to f-ck a team dancer and have a kid out of wedlock?

vava74

September 16th, 2010
12:13 pm

MC! Blog monster ate my post! Dang!!!

Najeh Davenpoop

September 16th, 2010
12:15 pm

“Joe gets a girl from Magic City pregnant now Shaq is engaged to reality star Hoopz from I Love Flavor Flav. SHAKING MY GOT DAM HEAD”

LMAO… couldn’t agree more.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
12:23 pm

Najeh

I know. I agree about bloggers should not be bashing each other.
It really is never necessary. I for one have never attacked the
teams players nor coaches – just their body of work on the basketball court
and off court – courts.

I usually avoid the bait car, but I did hop in one last week.
-smiles-

Najeh

I see you as a blog stalwart and I respect all your comments.
You are an exceptional communicator.

Keep it coming!

SteveW

September 16th, 2010
12:31 pm

Damp would probably be equal to ZaZa on this team, with a little different skill set. Damp probably has 2 more decent effective years left in the NBA coming off the bench. Signing him would allow Al to play more 4 and Smoove to play more 3, like some of ya’ll have wanted. I wouldn’t mind if we signed him. 1 more advantage over the Heat, 1 more good body to throw at Dwight, and 1 more option to combat the O’Neal’s and Perkins in C town. Signing him would probably be throwing Collins and Etan under the bus, but business is business…

But signing him to much of a contract and we’re in Luxury tax, which means a 3m per year becomes 5m this year(because we are a little under the tax now). But hey, it’s not my money and if ASG wants to spend it, cool with me.

SteveW

September 16th, 2010
12:32 pm

Signing Damp, we would be at 15 players, which means no more pickups unless somebody is released or traded.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
12:36 pm

Najeh

I was likewise wondering which Bible verse he was reading from as
well, considering his religious roots. I guess he fell victim
to the power of the “P”!

smdh too.

SteveW

September 16th, 2010
12:39 pm

Here’s hoping Damp doesn’t go to the Heat or the Magic – if not the Hawks, go to Houston or the Jazz please.

[...] ConstitutionHawks Sign French Swingman Pape SyFanHouseHAWKS SIGN PAPE SY TO A CONTRACTHawks.comAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ProBasketballTalk (blog)all 33 news [...]

~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)

September 16th, 2010
1:07 pm

oh yeah…I remember readin that article about Joe hooking up with some stripper on mediatakeout a couple months ago. That entire household is full of people that choke when things get hard.

JJ leave the goldiggin, loose women alone. Find a wifey type that can keep you out of the streets/strip clubs and focus on improving your all around game. It’s time to step up from being a star to being a SUPERSTAR, Mr. BIG MONEY man. I’m younger than him and I could see past the game of a chick like that.

lmao@cuffin strippers.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
1:09 pm

Can someone please post that link which
Shows Pape Sy and his new teammates.

Ms. Dee said she liked Sy’s Swagg.
I would like to see this swagg. I have searched hi and low for
the latest signing video or some American highlight clips.

In advance, Thank You.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
1:31 pm

Disgruntled Employee?

From Rotoworld:

Shaq being sued for … computer hacking?

Shaquille O’Neal (C) – Boston Celtics

(Wed, Sep 15 – 10:20am ET)

Shaquille O’Neal is being sued by a former employee for some unusual charges — computer hacking and destruction of evidence.
The man alleges that Shaq had him delete legally sensitive information from Shaq’s computers. He also claims that Shaq conspired with former members of law enforcement to help plant child pornography on the man’s computer, that Shaq tried to break into his voicemail account, and that Shaq destroyed evidence by throwing a personal computer into a lake. Whether any of this has credence remains to be seen.
Source: Fanhouse.com

_______________________________________________

I never knew Shaq was so colorful off the basketball court.
I guess I never really followed all his stories, if these
allegations are true (and that’s a Big IF?), there may be some
entitlement, maturity and character issues going on with the
big fella? I always picttured Shaq as a big goofy nice guy who was
very law abiding. Perceptions are not always Reality!

northcyde

September 16th, 2010
1:37 pm

LOL . . . and I see the blog monster gobbled up my responses to drmaryb and Najeh. Oh well.

In other news . . . Reischea Canidate on ESPN First Take is so fine. Maybe she’ll interview Pape Sy when he posts his first triple-double.

Ken Strickland

September 16th, 2010
1:38 pm

With the signing of Pape Sy, and revealing he’ll be groomed as a PG, it further explains why LDrew hired SCassell. Isn’t it refreshing to hear our new HC actually talking about DEVELOPING OUR YOUNG TALENT, EXPECIALLY OUR YOUNG PG’S, rather than making up stupid excuses for ignoring and burying them at the end of the bench?

The Hawks currently have 4 centers, AHorford, ZPachulia, JCollins and Thomas, under contract. So, why keep susgesting we waste money on signing a 5th center, who’s slow, nonathletic, and doesn’t fit into the OFF/DEF vision LDrew has for the Hawks. Who we have on the roster is new HC LDrew’s concern, not the concern of you WANNA BE GM’S posing as Atlanta Hawk fans.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
1:41 pm

Eni … Meni … Miny … Moe!

I prefer Dampieer over Twin.
It would require a salary dump to get him now,
since Dampieer is now an UFA.

I’m not surprised the ASKG doesn’t even pretend to
be interested in Melo! That would really excite the
Fan base around here.

Say what you will about Billy Knight, but you always knew
he would make some moves. He mastered salary dumps
and trade activity. If, he could get Joe Johnson to come
here? I’m sure he could find a way to pry Melo away
from Denver too.

We got Joe for Diaw and a 1st round pick, and oh yeah!
And, throw a law suit in there too.

northcyde

September 16th, 2010
1:47 pm

So Yao Ming is going to be a part-time player this year. The Rockets say that he’ll play 24 minutes a game at the max, and will not play on back to back nights.

This probably means that the Rockets will probably accept trade offers for him, especially at the trade deadline, because I believe he’s in the final year of his contract.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
1:54 pm

Ken S.

I like our core … Doesn’t spread to the end of the bench for me.
IDK enough about Powell or Thomas to exude maximum comfort.

IDK a little about Collins and that he showed up Fat and Slow to
a new team that has a chance to compete far into the play offs.
So, I would not completely close the door on other opportunities
to improve that center rotation.

Al saying he will go to war with what he’s got?
Doesn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement of what
He’s got.

Meanwhile, Houston who has arguably:

Yao?
Brad Miller
Louis Scola

Or, Boston – who went and got:

Shaq
J. Oneal

to add depth to: Perkins (injured) and Shrek – doesn’t seem to be and
didn’t seem to be enough for their benches either while in search
of the elusive O’Brien Trophy.

The Hawks of all the teams in the NBA should NEVER rest when
it comes to talent acquisitions. I for one, will not be seeking
a publisher to write a book about our center rotations.

Sorry, I gotta’ disagree with you on this one.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
1:59 pm

NorthCyde

Dang! The black hole at my baby’s posts, one was intended
for me too. Awwwh! “Bump that Black Hole!”

N-Cyde, don’t give up! Try, try and try again!
If it’s a link? You may have to remove the www. Or out it
In brackets to trick the blog monster!

Thanks anyway.

northcyde

September 16th, 2010
2:13 pm

@ drmaryb . . I was just supporting your stance on condom use by these athletes, and how I selfishly hope that all of this off the court drama affects the play of Howard and the Magic this season. If Dwight could have a Tiger Woods-esque year, I’d gladly appreciate it.

SteveW

September 16th, 2010
2:27 pm

KenS – Don’t know who your referring to as people “posing as Atlanta Hawk fans” but I want the Hawks to go 82-0 and win the NBA championship every year. I’m 44 years old, have lived in Georgia 41 of those years, born and raised in Ga, lived here until 40 and now I’m back, and have followed the Hawks since Walt Bellamy, Lou Hudson and Pete Maravich. May like some other teams sometimes, but ATL has always been my team. Did HC Larry Drew tell you he didn’t want Dampier? If so, sorry, I didn’t know you were so close to the organization. If not, let’s have fun and just speculate a little bit. Loosen up man. Even prospective GM Grandad said he saw where Damp could help.
You may not want him, that’s ok. Some do, that’s ok as well. The goal is 82-0 (unrealistic, but hey, I’m a fan) and a NBA Championship. I think we all have the same goals in that regard as fans.

Mike is back

September 16th, 2010
2:31 pm

Ken, finally we are back in agreement…are right..the guys we have now are not world beaters…but they are better than what we had…Dang…how many time have I said that. lol

There is a lot of intrigue with this current roster… If we can get 12 to 15 serviceable minutes a game from Pachulia and Big Burger…it could work…..Daaaaaaaaaang…how many time have I said that. heh heh

Anyway, I agree with ya…I don’t see Sund adding another FA Big.

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tyger

September 16th, 2010
2:33 pm

Insult to our collective intelligence…

They sit there, with a straight face, dangling this year’s version of Mario West in our face, as though they’ve done something. Who gives a flying fk about Pape Sy? Give me a break. These guys are really starting to make me sick.

northcyde

September 16th, 2010
2:35 pm

I agree drmaryb, that the Hawks shouldn’t rest when trying to upgrade talent, especially the talent outside of our REAL core ( JJ, Smoove, and Horford ).

The problem with the big man “upgrades”, is that these guys weren’t really regarded as good defensive players in the first place. I don’t know if any of those guys are even better than Solomon Jones. And if Etan was such a solid post defender, why does a team like OKC ( who has a need for big men ), not keep him around?

We’ll see how it all plays out. I’ll say about Drew exactly what I said about Woody concerning Jamal Crawford. If Drew can turn Etan, Collins, and Josh Powell into productive role players, and see this team not miss a beat ( i.e. – win 50+ games ) he should get all the credit for that . . . and deserves a new contract after one year.

If Drew proves to be that good of a coach, he’s vastly underpaid.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
2:39 pm

NorthCyde

I know right? How hard (lol) is it to put a condom on?
I mean geez! Getting a girl pregnant is NOT the worse thing
that can happen to you anymore!

My only sibling (Brother) died in my arms from AIDS in 1999.
I doesn’t get any more personal than that! My Brother was
My Hero and I really admired and looked up to him.

What an unnecessary way to die.
Gentleman, honor your beautiful bodies – it’s a precious gift.
Ladies too.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
2:45 pm

Mike is Back! and he said:

“Ken, finally we are back in agreement…are right..the guys we have now are not world beaters…but they are better than what we had…Dang…how many time have I said that. lol”

That is not saying very much.

Grandad

September 16th, 2010
2:49 pm

Not a DH fan. [particularly]
Still I can’t call him a hypocrite.

“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up
and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin,
let him be the first to throw a stone” John 8:7

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
2:51 pm

Row Row Row Your Boat!

Here’s my point: IDK if we have enough to upset an improved
but older Celtics team and more hesitant to say we are a lock
to battle the Lakers down to the wire. That front court of the
Lakers are very very tall and athletic – which we are not!

No where close to beating:

Pau
Bynum
Odom

Much less Kobe and the Gang!

Anyone who rants differently is doing just that – ranting.

I am extremely optimistic that we will be a good team and
entertaining to watch nonetheless.

Grandad

September 16th, 2010
2:52 pm

SteveW

prospective GM – I like the sound of that.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
2:59 pm

Grand-Daddy

We know! Were just having fun because Dwight’s father I believe is a minister and
Dwight attended a local Christian Academy here in Atlanta.

I believe his school was a small one with Pre-K through 12th Grade. There may have been a dozen kids in Dwight’s graduation class.

Anyway, I like Dwight a lot – except when he plays the Hawks!

What’s Up G-Daddy?
Any new TFD today?

Do you see any blockbusters out there that will land us a
Box Draw Super Star? We sure need one of those to set this
City off!

Grandad

September 16th, 2010
3:02 pm

Now when I say this,
-Understand-
this is just one option available to LD:

*[3 point guard attack]:
[1] Paps*
[1] Jamal
[1] Joe
[4] Josh
[5] Al
* pape defends the [1] but all three are interchangeable offensely.
Match up nightmare – many more exist with our versatile personel.

Mike is back

September 16th, 2010
3:06 pm

Drmaryb, you are on fire…OCHA!!!!!

Take a bow maryb…CUZ…u calling it right.

However, these young athlete are easy prey…for these days and times…it is encumber on them…to be proactive…with their health. With out good health…you want be an goog athlete long. Then you will see who your real friends are.

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
3:06 pm

SteveW

Were the same age group. Kewl.
Enthusiastic Co-Sign re: your last post.

Mike is back

September 16th, 2010
3:11 pm

That should be good athlete…Daaaaaaaang.

Anyway, GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

drmaryb (*_*)

September 16th, 2010
3:12 pm

Mike is Back!

And, I for one, am Glad.
Yeah, my office is closed today so I get to play.
-wink-

Grandad

September 16th, 2010
3:13 pm

“We know! Were just having fun because Dwight’s father I believe is a minister and
Dwight attended a local Christian Academy here in Atlanta.”

I know!

The verse was more for me.
I was having the same thoughts.

SouthWest Atl. Christian (if I’m not mistaken)
He does boast.
Passion understanable.
Lawsuit [predetermined] WWJD ?

*The 1st time I left out the last two words! *(read again)
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up
and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin,
let him be the first to throw a stone *[at her]” John 8:7

By the way – did you read my early morning uplifting message ?

Grandad

September 16th, 2010
3:17 pm

*understan[d]able* typo {not a spello}