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
The Real Hawk
June 24th, 2011
9:52 am
The real skinny.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Keith-Benson-5712/
DinasaurFenton
June 24th, 2011
9:55 am
I TRULY HOPE THAT THE SI STORY IS TRUE AND THAT THE HAWKS ARE SOLD. THAT WOULD MEAN THEY WOULD BE LEAVING ATLANTA SOON AND WE WONT HAVE TO SEE THEIR FACES ANYMORE. THAT WOULD BE JUST FINE WITH ME. THE HAWKS PLAYERS DONT CARE AT ALL AND THE OWNERS JUST WANT TO MAKE MONEY IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PRODUCT THEY ARE PUTTING ON THE FLOOR. LAST YEAR THE HAWKS GOT “C-R-U-S-H-E-D” IN ORLANDO IN THEIR SERIES BY A MARGIN OF OVER 100 POINTS, SETTING A NEW NBA RECORD. THE HAWKS WERE SO PROUD OF THEIR RECORD THAT JOE JOHNSON STORMED OFF THE FLOOR SAYING, HE DOESNT CARE WHAT THE FANS THINK ABOUT THE TEAM, YET ITS THE FANS WHO WERE PAYING JOE JOHNSON HIS INFLATED “MAX” SALARY FOR JUST FLAT OUT QUITTING AGAINST THE BULLS THIS YEAR. THE HAWKS PLAYERS HAVE A ROTTEN “LOSING” ATTITUDE AND THEY WILL GET NOWHERE UNTIL THEY GET A COACH WHO WILL KICK THEIR BUTTS AND MAKE THEM PLAY WINNING BASKETBALL. JERRY SLOAN IS THE MAN WHO CAN DO THAT FOR THE HAWKS. THE HAWKS SHOULD BE INTERVIEWING SLOAN NOW IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT KEEPING THE TEAM IN ATLANTA.
Mike is Back
June 24th, 2011
9:55 am
MC, like said…I like the pick…it was a solid pick at 48.
We you are looking for reserves…you want guys that fit a certain role…this kid fits an area of need for the Hawks…You want a blue collar guys…that can contribute. Dude is a shot blocker…weight or no weight.
I’m not implying he will be able to compete with lights of D12…but I think it was a quality pick for Sund and ASG…I’m not good enough to predict the future…so I don’t if he will pan out…BUT I’m looking forward to seeing him play…in a weak draft like this…you are actually getting a lot quality with this pick.
Terrell
June 24th, 2011
9:59 am
SteveW
I guess you didn’t read all of my post. I already stated that Dwight was in high school, but Benson is only 22. He can still grow into that body. He can pack on the weight if he pushes himself. Also Benson won’t be a PF unless LD goes “Big”.
Terrell
June 24th, 2011
10:02 am
DinasaurFenton
The Hawks will be in Atlana until the bonds for Phillips Arena are paid for which is around the year 2028.
dj dascorpian
June 24th, 2011
10:12 am
yawn…
hawksfancents95
June 24th, 2011
10:18 am
i understand the people who are disappointed with this pick and compare benson to the likes of rolle, armstrong and soloman jones. appareance wise they all are the same, tall, skinny, lanky. but keith is a center that after one or two years will be able to start. he is a better defensive player than jones rolle or armstrong with his man D, and he is a great weak side helper. keith benson at #48 is a great pick as 6′11 guys that are athletic are hard to come by so late in the second round. we got a good big that can help us immediatley and now we can workout a few wing players to hopefully sign. id rather take a good big in the 2nd rd and workout sg/sf FAs than take a sg/sf and have to find a FA big that could help. an yes benson is skinny but think about kevin durant coming out of texas. kd couldnt bench 185 once but he didnt get pushed around or people call him weak. u can play skinny but as long as u get good positioning and have determination/will u will play bball well. with that said adding 10-20lbs wont hurt
welcome to ATL keith benson
EmirS ("One of my main objectives this summer is to take a very aggressive defensive approach" -Larry Drew)
June 24th, 2011
10:18 am
Why are we still discussing what Joe Johnson said in that playoff lost? Am I missing something?
The guy we drafted has everything we’ve been complaining about. He can add more muscle and become a pretty nice framework for the bench. I think it’s really unfair to start calling this guy out when he hasn’t even put on a shoe and played with the team!
Come on guys be reasonable…atleast a tiny bit.
DinasaurFenton
June 24th, 2011
10:23 am
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
FIRE LARRY DREW. HIRE FUTURE HALL OF FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN
Progeny
June 24th, 2011
10:32 am
I think the Hawks really need to figure out if they are in rebuild mode, or if they are in win now mode. The past couple of moves by managment have been very shortsighted, and they have pursued players that do not make us championship contenders. I think that the Jordan Crawford trade speaks volumes about the shortsightedness of the leadership to do what is right. That trade showed a lack of confidence in Teague, and didnt allow us to get as high a value for Jordan as we otherwise could have.
To this draft..
Decent for the 48th pick in a weak draft. I’m actually surprised Benson didn’t go earlier in the 2nd round. He’s clearly got the skill, just needs the body and the motor. Overall a great value pick at 48. Basically Etan’s replacement.
I liked the Chandler Parsons kid, as well as the Hansbrough Kid from Notre Dame. Greg Smith and David Lightly need to be at camp for sure.
Jack
June 24th, 2011
10:36 am
How in the world do you call yourselves sports reporters and you don’t know anything about Marshon Brooks? He won the AAAA State Championship for Tucker High and was the #2 scorer in the country and #1 for the Big East and just went #25 in the draft and you have no mention of him? You all don’t cover local talent well at all.
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
10:37 am
Terrell – You said, “Dwight Howard was 225 coming out of high …”
Then you said, “I already stated that Dwight was in high school,”
I just assumed you meant coming out of high school, his combine stats. He must have graduated early if the combine is in April/May, and school doesn’t graduate until May.
I read your post.
Also, Larry Drew in the above article – “Hawks coach Larry Drew said Benson can play power forward and center.”
So we won’t have to “go big” for him to play, he can just back up Josh at PF
Rufus1
June 24th, 2011
10:41 am
If Benson was a European….
HE WOULD BE A LOTTERY PICK EASY…. 17PTS, 10REBS AND 3.6BLOCKS and can finish with either hand.
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
10:42 am
Facts about Keith Benson:
His God-Mother is Monica Kauffman/Pearson
His mother went to Spellman and his dad to Morehouse
He was double promoted in elementary school, because he is very brilliant as an only child, and one of his parents is a college professor, so they just invested in him.
He comes from the same High School as: Javale McGee, Chris Webber, and Shane Battier
Since Chirs Webber lives in ATL, his high school coach is going to hook them up so Chris can show him the ropes.
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
10:49 am
OB – Haha! That’s correct, not many. But that’s the path the Hawks have taken, so I just gotta deal with it.
Now Josh Powell routinely gets voted by media as the “worst player in the League” on a personal level.
Then Bibby gets some votes as the “worst starter in the NBA Finals ever” love in an article.
So when your dealing with the worst player in the League, and the worst starter ever in the finals, it doesn’t take too much to step.
So Rolle, Benson, Sy, and maybe even Armstrong if he’s re-signed, get some marginal minutes.
But not too many playoff teams I know of are scraping that low at the bottom of the barrel, you are correct
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
10:52 am
But you know, if Rolle and Benson can give you some spot minutes with energy, that’s not so bad. It’s all in your expectations of them. i try to have very realistic expectations for these guys, and feel like they can meet that role on this team.
KevinM
June 24th, 2011
11:06 am
SteveW, that is good stuff, but you gotta add to your story how did a kid this big and with his academic background end up at Oakland. You usually hear about this type of kid at a Vandy or Stanford, not Oakland.
Jay Dubu
June 24th, 2011
11:14 am
This is Hilton Armstrong without the NBA experience and a few pounds lighter.
wordsmithtom
June 24th, 2011
11:22 am
If he can play as well as Hilton, he’s a great pick at 48. Hilton showed me against NY that he has game, if LD will play him. A 22 year old with this much talent is a great pick late 2nd round.
KevinM
June 24th, 2011
11:37 am
All the rumors with Minnesota may be fine, but it didn’t make sense to move Josh. Joe should have been the bait, and you probably could fix 2-3 slots on this end….Would Sund roll the dice, move Joe to Utah for Kanter, and perhaps Raja Bell as a bench player, as Utah has cap room to take on Joe’s numbers?
I know the locals would like Favors to come in here, and that might be doable. That along with bringing JC1 back would free up some cap space and it might still give us enough:
Josh/Al/Kanter/Teague(Kirk)/JC1 (provided he comes back for 6M/year
Bench: Bell/Favors/Kirk(Teague)/Zaza/Benson
Simply, that gives us a deeper team with some actual bench depth.
KevinM
June 24th, 2011
11:41 am
And the above scenario, I still dispise Josh as a jumpshooting threat at the 3.
Why is it that the Atlanta Hawks are always, no matter the topic, whether it be draft, trades, free agency, playoffs, or team previews, why are they the least talked about team in the league? Are we just so drab that we can’t get any discussion at any level?
NBA-TV is in our backyard, and we get very little discussion. Obviously, I watch too much of NBA-TV.
KevinM
June 24th, 2011
11:45 am
Haha, the next am after the draft, the Utah Jazz are ready to deal Devin Harris. He gets so much talk, yet cannot keep an stable address.
Rumors aside, Utah had a very good draft. They have given Ty some talent, even though they have a bunch of big men.
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
11:50 am
If the Jazz would give us Kanter, Bell, and Favors for JJ, I’d do that in a heartbeat, but I doubt they would.
Nate ArchiBALL
June 24th, 2011
11:51 am
@ SteveW – Spelman (one l)
tyger
June 24th, 2011
11:54 am
Hawks BIGS:
Horford 6′9 245
Pachulia 6′11 270
Collins 7′0 300
Armstrong 6′11 240
Rolle 6′11 225
Benson 6′11 217
I’d call that a nice set of options, we haven’t had that kinda length since Tree Rollins, Moses, Carr, Levingston, Nique, and Volkov
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
11:54 am
Grandad – Benson is working out at the place Chauncey Billups credits with his success. Billups been there the past 12 years.
So there’s hope
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
11:54 am
Thanks Nate!
Astro Joe
June 24th, 2011
11:55 am
Guys, come on… the Jazz will look to move a big salary like Al Jefferson before they hand over two promising and very cheap bigs like Kanter and Favors.
DinasaurFenton
June 24th, 2011
11:59 am
I hope that ALL FOUR major sports eventually move out of town. Atlanta has proved over the years to be a CURSE city for their franchises. Every time one of their franchises rises up to the top of the heap and comes close to championship quality, something happens UNEXPLICABLY to cause their demise: I’ll recap rather quickly:
1980 ATLANTA FALCONS [SUPERBOWL CALIBRE TEAM--BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE]
LOST TO DALLAS COWBOYS AFTER HAVING A HUGE LEAD. THAT TEAM WOULD HAVE EASILY WON THE SUPERBOWL.
1988 ATLANTA HAWKS [best team in the league by far]. Hawks were ahead of the detroit pistons in the standing and for much of the decade were the better team. Somehow after the hawks held a 3-2 lead on boston in the playoffs, the Hawks somehow lost the last two games of that series to choke. The detroit pistons who were behind them, rose up and overtook them in greatness and have since won 4 nba championships.
1998 ATLANTA FALCONS [CLEARLY THE BEST TEAM IN THE NFL]
FALCONS CHOKED IN THE SUPERBOWL after Eugene Robinson melted down superbowl week and solicited a prostitute, causing the teams lack of focus in the superbowl and demise in the big game. The city will never recover from that Falcons loss.
1991 ATLANTA BRAVES
BRAVES LOSE TO TWINS IN GAME 7 AFTER BLOWING THE GAME BY LONNIE SMITHS BASERUNNING ERROR. THE BRAVES WOULD HAVE WON THE GAME IN REGULATION HAD SMITH NOT MADE THAT MISTAKE. IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE BRAVES A WELL EARNED WORLD SERIES VICTORY BUT INSTEAD HELD THE FRANCHISE BACK AND THE BRAVES HAD TO WAIT FOUR MORE YEARS BEFORE FINALLY PUSHING THROUGH IN 1995.
1996 ATLANTA BRAVES
LOST TO THE YANKEES IN WORLD SERIES IN ANDREW JONES ROOKIE SEASON AFTER JONES HIT TWO HOME RUNS IN NEW YORK IN THE OPENING TWO GAMES OF THE SERIES. ATLANTA CAME HOME WITH A 2-0 WORLD SERIES LEAD AND SHOULD HAVE WON THE SERIES. THE CURSE OF ATLANTA TOOK OVER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ATLANTA STRANGELY LOST FOUR STRAIGHT AND THE SERIES.
The disappointments are ENDLESS. I can go on and on. These are just the main disappointments there are probably at least 20 more. Out of the last 100 years, Atlanta has only one championship and that was their lone world series victory in 1995. Thats all that atlanta has accomplished. Sell all the teams and get them out of here. THEY WILL NEVER WIN REGARDLESS OF WHO IS COACHING THEM.
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
12:12 pm
One reason Benson didn’t play at Stanford, Vandy etc. is because he was not that good of a BB player in high school.
He was benched in favor of two 6-9 transfers his Senior season, so I don’t think he was recruited by big time colleges.
Nate ArchiBALL
June 24th, 2011
12:12 pm
@SteveW – no problem. I’m a Morehouse grad.
EmirS ("One of my main objectives this summer is to take a very aggressive defensive approach" -Larry Drew)
June 24th, 2011
12:22 pm
@DinasaurFenton
Well why don’t you become a fan of some other professional team? Why move all the other teams of Atlanta…why not just move yourself out? I’m sure we can do without you.
Nate ArchiBALL
June 24th, 2011
12:26 pm
Benson’s Atlanta ties – http://www.wsbtv.com/sports/28341470/detail.html
Big Ray
June 24th, 2011
12:35 pm
Hawks general manager Rick Sund said Atlanta explored potential trades to move into the first round but “there was nothing that really made sense.”
Gee, we didn’t see THAT quote coming…
jason
June 24th, 2011
12:40 pm
So the Hawks don’t improve this offseason. If you still want to win my respect sund, fire LD.
Big Ray
June 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
I hope Benson does well for us. But I’m not excited. Now before the pile of “well, who would YOU have picked” morons chimes in again…here is why:
1) The kid is too skinny and too weak right now.
2) Every report on him alludes to a lack of something along the lines of aggression when it comes to rebounding and being physical, and even motivation.
3) Drew isn’t any more likely to play this kid to “develop” him than Woodson would have been.
Yes, all of this could change. But holding your breath or staking the contents of your wallet on it is foolish.
We shall see. No Summer League means no PT for him until preseason, assuming that happens.
Big Ray
June 24th, 2011
12:43 pm
I sure do hope he doesn’t see things the way Teague and others did in their rookie years. You know, the whole “I’ll do better if I get playing time. I’ll be more confident if I get playing time.”
Just work hard, kid. Set realistic goals for yourself. If you do the best you can to BE the best you can, then the PT will come. If you act like you need the PT to improve, it ain’t never gonna come. Know what you’re getting into here and respond accordingly.
Astro Joe
June 24th, 2011
12:51 pm
Big Ray, if dude needs to work on his strength and conditioning as well as his motor, then I would suggest those things are best managed away from 82 regular season games. I suspect that he could be like Ryan Hollins was in his early days, an energy shot-blocker off the bench that did one of two things on the defensive end, blocked a shot or fouled while being pushed into the 5th row. Most “raw” big men first need to learn how not to pick up 3 fouls in 2 minutes before they can reasonably stay on the floor for more than token minutes. If he tries to block everything, he’ll exhaust his foul allotment in record time. If the Hawks are looking for a shot-blocker off the bench (to play a steady 15+ minutes) I hope they have other plans than this guy. And I’m not knocking him… I personally like the pick.
Trading Sy and Horford for Rocket big men and #14 + 23/2nd rounder picks for Donatas & M.Thomas
June 24th, 2011
12:55 pm
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/214339/Rockets_See_Shades_Of_Nowitzki_In_Motiejunas
SteveW
June 24th, 2011
12:58 pm
Last season it seemed like the off season moves were designed to match up with Dwight, and get good locker room voices, practice guys, and Rings and experience aka Josh Powell and Etan Thomas.
It worked. We matched up with Dwight.
This off season it looks like we’re getting younger, and trying to match up with Chris Bosh. Tall, skinny athletic guys to stay with him while Josh gets a breather.
Al can more than match up with any C the Heat have.
Teague and Hinrich the same at PG
JJ can keep up with DWade a little bit at least.
Marvin and Wilkens can at least do a serviceable job on LeBron.
So it looks like we’re trying to match up with Bosh while Josh sits a moment in a series.
Trading Sy and Horford for Rocket big men and #14 + 23/2nd rounder picks for Donatas & M.Thomas
June 24th, 2011
1:04 pm
You added Dominique Wilkins to a list of PFs and Cs.
I can see where Josh Smith’s career is headed. Ala Shawn Marion will have to bounce around until he finds a team with a bunch of talented 7 footers
so he can be a luxury not a necessity to play well. Dirk and Kobe can suck it up the 1st half and they still win.
Why? Twin Towers and length and a bunch of guards
Chandler 7′3, Dirk 7′3, 2 titles
Bynum 7′6, Gasol 7′3 2 titles
Garnett 7′6, Perkins 7′5 2 finals
Hawks (Twin centers with no talent)
7′0.75 Horford, 11mpg 33yoJason Collins 19mpg
I love Joe and Josh but
Pachulia who couldnt even guard Noah statistically and visually outperformed EVERYONE on this team except Jeff and Kirk.
team is badbadbad
Ginobili>>>> Duncan
:::::::::::
“Hawks “BIGS”:
Horford 6′9 245
Pachulia 6′11 270
Collins 7′0 300
Armstrong 6′11 240
Rolle 6′11 225
Benson 6′11 217
I’d call that a nice set of options, we haven’t had that kinda length since Tree Rollins, Moses, Carr, Levingston, Nique, and Volkov”
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
June 24th, 2011
1:07 pm
“http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/214339/Rockets_See_Shades_Of_Nowitzki_In_Motiejunas”
And I see “shades” of Marcus Camby in Keith Benson. Likelihood of either happening?
Slim to none: Slim being Benson becoming Camby-like. None being…well, you know.
DownGoesFrazier
June 24th, 2011
1:08 pm
If Josh Smith were to seek out THREE MENTORS: Dominique Wilkins, Karl Malone and Akeem “The Dream” Oligowan, Josh Smith can develop his game and Smith can become a hall of fame player. Those three guys can teach Smith to become great because they were great and smith has almost unlimited talent and potential at his disposal.
Worldwide Clyde
June 24th, 2011
1:19 pm
Let’s develop Horford into a shot blocker. Send him to Mutombo for the summer so he can get his mind right. Moving out the way when someone drives down the lane ain’t gonna cut it anymore.
Dwayne
June 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
Is this guy related to George Benson? How bout Kent Benson?
Ken Strickland
June 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
Let’s not get too carried away. Even though we haven’t had a HC that’s had any interest in developing a player in over 7yrs, this might be a message to Drew. And that message is, if you make the same stupid mistake with this kid that you and your predessor made with JTeague, you’ll suffer the same fate that he did.
While LDrew has demonstrated some of the same traits of STUBBORN STUPIDITY that characterized MWoodson, let’s hope he has enough sense to avoid Woodson’s major malfunction. And that is:
1-An unwillingness to change a single thing he did, even after being told his job was on the line,
2-focusing exclusively on regular season wins, even after being told his job would depend on the teams playoff performance.
We have to ask ourselves, WILL LDREW BE DUMB ENOUGH TO FOLLOW IN WOODSON’S FOOTSTEPS AND REPEAT THE SAME STUPID MISTAKES LISTED IN 1 & 2 ABOVE? It appears the ASG has decided to discontinue over paying for under achieving veteran players so biased HC’s like MWoodson and LDrew can continue ignoring tthe development of our draft choices, even when said veteran talent is washed up and hurting the team.
You can bet, if LDrew doesn’t change his attitude and approach towards developing and playing JTeague, Pape Sy and our latest draft pick, his butt won’t be around long. And both Sund and the ASG also seem to be tired of having HC’s insist they sign or resign under performing veterans to over blown contracts.
Instead of getting rid of undeveloped draft picks after their rookie contracts have expired, they now seem far more willing to get rid of the cause, and that’s the HC.
Worldwide Clyde
June 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
Josh Smith
2nd ppg – 16.5
2nd in rbg – 8.5
1st in steals – 1.29
1st in blocks – 1.56
But yet Sund tries to trade him to draft a kid from Turkey.
SHAKING MY GOT DAM HEAD
Worldwide Clyde
June 24th, 2011
1:35 pm
I got $1000 that Benson is going to be sitting behind the bench with a suit on most of the year.
FIRE LD
Grandad
June 24th, 2011
1:54 pm
“Kito” benson:
Mother stated calling him Kito to distinguish
between he & his father.
Only two choices coming out of HS were Fairfield [Conn]
and Oakland [Mich].
Was 6-9 190, when he arrived @ Oak.
now 6-11, 224, and told DX::::
he could/would gain 20 by next season.
The difference between he and H.Armstrong:
Hands = (bigger & much, much, better) + B-ball IQ.
Don’t know where the lack of motor comes from.
Jay Bilas is a class A “dick”
Everyone in the draft (’cept for Kawhi)
takes a back-seat to Faried on intensity & relentlessness.
However, if he a Faried motor he might be Bill Russell.
On the other hand;
If he comes in and plays with enthusiasm, he could be…..
Joakim Noah.
Most likely he is similar to a laid back Jeff Teague;
and could turn into something very, very, close to…..
Javale McGee
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2011
1:59 pm
The Nuggets saw shades of Nowitzki in Nikoloz Tskitishvili too.