Atlanta Hawks: NBA draft live blog (Update: Hawks select Oakland U. center Keith Benson)
The Hawks are not on the verge of being sold. Josh Smith has not been traded yet, unless Rick Sund made a deal right before I just saw him get some chicken here in the team’s offices.
This is the place to talk about these things and any other developments throughout the night.
Oh, yeah, there’s also the draft. The Hawks have the No. 48 pick.
UPDATE: The Hawks selected Oakland (Mich.) University center Keith Benson.
Here’s his NBADraft.net profile. DraftExpress has an interview with Benson.
Below are some excerpts from Benson’s teleconference with reporters. I’ll update the blog after Sund comes out to talk.
UPDATE II:
- Sund said the Hawks explored trading into the first round but didn’t want to get into specifics about those discussions, including the reports about Smith and the Timberwolves.
- Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft said the team had Benson rated as early second round. He said there wasn’t much temptation to draft Josh Selby because several other players who were available were rated above Selby and those players also better fit the team’s needs.
- Pendergraft said Benson’s strengths include his athleticism, shot-blocking ability and scoring touch. His weaknesses are his strength, though Pendergraft said Benson is “wiry strong” and could put on some more weight. “I don’t think he will ever be 250 or 260 but he could be 235 or maybe a little bit more,” Pendergraft said. “The trend in the league is is more long, wiry athletic types.”
- Pendergraft said he’s not concerned with the level of competition Benson faced because Oakland played a tough non-conference schedule. “It’s not like he’s just going to be overwhelmed,” Pendergraft said.
- Hawks coach Larry Drew said Benson can play power forward and center.
KEITH BENSON
(questions about strength)
“I’ve been out in Vegas working out with the weight trainer there and getting stronger. I’ve put on about five pounds since the Chicago event. I’ve been working out three times a week, working every day to get stronger.”
(potential to add weight)
“I think I have the frame to put on a lot of weight. My game will really increase once I put on that weight and some strength. I think I can put on 20 or more pounds.”
(what he knows about the Hawks, why he thinks he’s a good fit and which Hawks does he look forward to playing with)
“I’m looking forward to playing with Al Horford. He’s developed into the really good ‘bigs’ in this league. I like watching Joe Johnson. They are an athletic team and I think I can contribute to that. They have some youth and like to get up and down. I watched them a lot this year.”
(how much did he weight when he got to Oakland, and what does he weigh now)
“I was 190 when got to Oakland, and 6-9. I grew a couple inches. And I’m about 224 now.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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967 comments Add your comment
Wabe
June 23rd, 2011
11:13 pm
hold up…isn’t travis leslie the guy that was talkin bout not wanting to be compared to tony allen?
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:13 pm
Lakers can still get Leslie – It seems like they have like 13 second round picks this year.
Worst case scenario for the ATL – Leslie is available at 48. LD can’t develop him – see great athletes Teague and Crawford (Jordan), but the local fanbase wants him
You know LD is hoping he’s gone by 48
bigcrimson75
June 23rd, 2011
11:14 pm
i hate stu scott …. van gundy has made it watchable
inside news
June 23rd, 2011
11:14 pm
It will be Leslie if he is available
ryan
June 23rd, 2011
11:14 pm
Not much going on is there Travis Leslie would not be a bad pick up if he is there.
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
11:14 pm
Leslie is an athletic explosion, like a Sprite commercial.
Sund says we need youngsters to come in and play.
Larry won’t do that.
We’re screwed.
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
11:15 pm
lmao yes wabe
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
11:15 pm
I think hawks take the Purdue Guy, etwan Moore (sp )
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
11:15 pm
Two picks away. Lakers pass on Leslie. Not surprised.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:16 pm
There goes Goudelock – the Lakers are making sure they have some options at the Point
jason
June 23rd, 2011
11:16 pm
there goe goudelock…. looks like ben is a lock
tyger
June 23rd, 2011
11:16 pm
damn, damn, damn!!!!
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:17 pm
Come on Sund, trade a 2nd pick from next year and get another pick this season. A few good choices yet for your bench.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
11:17 pm
1 pick away…
screw up LAC
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
11:17 pm
sund is probably sleep
Wabe
June 23rd, 2011
11:18 pm
ok…
so grab the dude.
dude can take his first paycheck and get a season’s worth of suits, because the dude will never be in uniform.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
11:18 pm
WOW TRAVIS LESLIE GETS DRAFTED BY LAC -.-
Wabe
June 23rd, 2011
11:18 pm
lmao he went one pick before us
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:18 pm
If we get E’twuan Moore, I will be happy. He’s athletically like Jordan, and Academic All something team to boot
Ranked 33rd best player in the draft.
Wabe
June 23rd, 2011
11:18 pm
oh well, he would’ve just rotted on our bench as it is.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
11:19 pm
@MC- storm in that room and demand they pick keith benson
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
11:19 pm
It was not a bad pick,
Despite Josh and his issues, he still averaged 16 and 8, and 3 assists. What’s Marvin’s average?
And for every good game Marvin has, he disappears for 10
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:19 pm
Eric Gorden and Travis Leslie at SG for the Clips
LD is saved….
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:19 pm
Hawks up!
BigTimeTECHFan
June 23rd, 2011
11:19 pm
I say Keith Benson, please
inside news
June 23rd, 2011
11:20 pm
Hawks should have traded earlier for Leslie. A big mistake.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:20 pm
Chad ford says were taking Selby or Smith
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
11:20 pm
Heh. I knew it. Undercut by the F’in Clippers. Done.
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
Benson it is.
It was not a bad pick
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
yes
BigTimeTECHFan
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
YESSS I picked it
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
<======= ***Spidey Sense Tingled**** Wow a center, kinda skinny but its ok
cp
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
We got Benson
Melvin
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
Big TechFan, you da man…
jason
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
We got keith benson lol
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
ill take this pick..let him eat
inside news
June 23rd, 2011
11:21 pm
Benson is another loser. He will get pushed around. A typical boring pick by the Hawks.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
And it’s Keith Benson from Oakland!!! Whoo – hoo- Another PF
Somebody said if we didn’t draft another PF they would be surprised – can’t remember which blogger
ryan
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
Guys we want going fast who is left is Lightly left we still looking at and him who else .
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
ohhhhhhh yaaaaaaaa, Sund thank you for getting us some size and shot blocking
Grandad
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
Well I’ll be darn, we didn’t screw it up !
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
Just block shots, rebound, and play strong defense and you cool with me Benson
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
Hey look, it’s the reincarnation of Solo.
Another 6′11, 220 lb guy to put alongside Rolle and Armstrong. I’m thrilled. Zzzzzzzz….kid won’t play…zzzzzzzz….
N.D.T.K.A.
June 23rd, 2011
11:22 pm
At least they took a big man that can block shots. A skinny big man but at least a big man.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
11:23 pm
Chad Ford’s been trying to get somebody to draft Greg Smith since #18.
I wonder if Sund is done for the night?
Wabe
June 23rd, 2011
11:23 pm
a 217 lb center that has about an inch on horford?
ok, i would’ve rather looked for a guy that could fill the jamal crawford void.
not saying anybody from round two could’ve done that, but keith benson?
Melvin
June 23rd, 2011
11:23 pm
Is Benson a better ball player or blog writer?
iCharlieBoy
June 23rd, 2011
11:23 pm
The Hawks are gonna suck it up as long as they have those LOSERS Josh Smith and Marvin Williams
BigTimeTECHFan
June 23rd, 2011
11:23 pm
Benson
Best shot blocker in the draft
Can shoot
Needs to beef up
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
11:24 pm
We drafted Keith “Screenbean” Benson . . . lol
Someone give that kid something to eat. Maybe that’s why Sund had chicken. To fatten up this skinny dude!