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
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:18 pm
if Woody coaches Pistons, will he play Brandon Knight?
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:19 pm
Teague wouldve been top 3 in this draft.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:19 pm
Will Bynum, Stuckey, Gordon. Good luck getting minutes.
BEN
June 23rd, 2011
8:21 pm
MC, are you hearing anything else about trading smoove?
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:22 pm
With the 10th pick the Atlanta Hawks trade Rick Sund for a can of planters and a medium coffee.
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:22 pm
Michael Cunningham, if Larry Drew coaches Hawks, will he start Jeff Teague?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
8:23 pm
“if Woody coaches Pistons, will he play Brandon Knight?”
Can Knight spot up for 3s while he runs Iso-Rip Hamilton?
jason
June 23rd, 2011
8:23 pm
@MC
LOL
jason
June 23rd, 2011
8:24 pm
Charlotte goes with KEMBA
Section 303
June 23rd, 2011
8:24 pm
D@mn! Looks like there is no action tonight. Was really pulling for the Josh to Minny for the #2. Going to be a dull draft. Figures…Hawks do nothing to excite anyone.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
8:25 pm
Who’s Going to start? Kemba or Augustin?
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:26 pm
charlotte has had a better draft so far compared to cleveland. id take kemba over kyrie and i like bismacks size and length and even tho he has no O he is only 18? and can get better. id take bismack before i took tristan thompson as well. cleveland has got to be upset
Dap01
June 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm
Sund eating chicken. He is probably relaxing because he sold our second round pick for an exemption and a bucket of KFC.
It sucks to be a Hawks fan.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
8:29 pm
Jimmer going to the Kings.. Is he another Adam Morrison?
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:29 pm
Smart move by the Kings to trade down and still get the guy they wanted . . .
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:29 pm
@ Ben: “MC, are you hearing anything else about trading smoove?”
nope
@ Con Johnson: “Michael Cunningham, if Larry Drew coaches Hawks, will he start Jeff Teague?”
perhaps if he has no choice?
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:29 pm
Nawww Bucks, Jennings is way better Jimmer
ryan
June 23rd, 2011
8:30 pm
Charlotte making the most buzz in the draft Cam Newton and Kemba ASG snooze fest as always .
GT Alum
June 23rd, 2011
8:31 pm
Someone wake me up when Shump gets drafted.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
8:31 pm
I think this pick is going to Sacramento in that trade that brought the 7 pick to Charlotte.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:31 pm
jimmer to SAC? what the heck. how are they gona do jimmer and tyreke? the maloofs just took jimmer because he has a large fan base and they need the $. i guess jimmer at 1 and tyreke at 2, who else did sac get in that 3 way trade?
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:31 pm
Michael Cunningham, are you thinking mandate from GM/ownership or Hinrich trade?
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:32 pm
Tyreke i meant
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:32 pm
MC give Sund a message for me, put the chicken down and get creative to improve out team. Its obvious someone needs to be moved because this unit has maxed its potential unless starting Teague will change that. Im not point fingers at anyone but geez, when is it going to be Atl Hawks time.
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:32 pm
The NBA draft trade rules are so stupid. Why not give these guys the proper hats and have them look stupid on television?
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Kinda like David Lighty in the 2nd rd for the Hawks, will he or any other rookie get any burn for this team is the question!!
Ethan
June 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
GT Alum -
I felt that way all the way up until today when I heard we were selling the team. Im more upset about that not being true. I also heard all the J-Smoove trade talk which enticed me because I think he is a mental cancer on the locker room. Neither of those things are happening. So therefore, Im underwhelmed…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
8:34 pm
“how are they gona do jimmer and tyreke? the maloofs just took jimmer because he has a large fan base and they need the $. i guess jimmer at 1 and tyreke at 2, who else did sac get in that 3 way trade?”
Tyreke can pass and handle the ball. Jimmer can play the 2 for them next to Tyreke. That’s actually a pretty good fit.
Bucks got Stephen Jackson and the #19 pick from Charlotte, Beno Udrih from Sacramento
Kings got John Salmons and the #10 pick (Jimmer) from the Bucks
Bobcats got Corey Maggette from the Bucks and the #7 pick (Bismack Biyombo) from the Kings
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:34 pm
klay thompson is goin to GS
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:34 pm
thought in my head: “What did the inmates drop on Jimmer?”
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:35 pm
If I cut my balls off today Ill still have more than the entire hawks organization.
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:36 pm
@ Con Johnson: “Michael Cunningham, are you thinking mandate from GM/ownership or Hinrich trade?”
naw, i was just making a joke about Teague not playing until Hinrich got hurt. i can’t see any way Drew doesn’t play Teague next season.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:36 pm
Monta to the Hawks??
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:37 pm
utah goin chris singleton devin harris gordan heyward derrick favors enis kanter is a good squad
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:37 pm
Klay was born rich lol
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
8:38 pm
Monta is definitely getting traded somewhere after that Klay Thompson pick. I still don’t think he’s a good fit for the Hawks.
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:38 pm
@hawks 4 life: “MC give Sund a message for me, put the chicken down and get creative to improve out team. Its obvious someone needs to be moved because this unit has maxed its potential unless starting Teague will change that. Im not point fingers at anyone but geez, when is it going to be Atl Hawks time.”
ok, but you don’t mind if i grab some chicken, do you? it looks pretty good.
i think it’s reasonable to think both Teague and Al can be better. it’s going to take the Hawks getting away from being J.J.-centric, though, and i’m not sure if Drew can make such a big change to the culture.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
8:39 pm
hmmm… I wonder if any trades gonna go down as the draft continues..
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:40 pm
I understand about the “fit” part, just want someone thats not scared to go to the basket and get his own shot off since Crawford is about to bounce.
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:40 pm
Before the season started I couldn’t see any way Drew wouldn’t have Teague split the minutes somewhere around 40/60 (maybe even 50/50) with Bibby throughout the season. But I was fooled . . .
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:42 pm
MC of course LD cant change the culture, he has been there too long. Changing the culture comes from the outside not an assistant thats been with the team a while. Its 240am in Belgium and Im up hoping to see some genius move made. I refuse to get used to mediocrity but its getting harder every playoff and post season.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
8:42 pm
blah blah.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
8:42 pm
Kawhi Leonard is slipping farther than I thought he would.
Buddy Grizzard
June 23rd, 2011
8:43 pm
Burks has no shot and plays below the rim. Being 6-6 doesn’t make him an NBA 2-guard.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:46 pm
@najeh thanks
nvmd i guess gordan is gona play the three. i think phoenix goes khawi or singleton or marcus morris here.
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:46 pm
@hawks 4 life: Belgium? sweet. send me a Chimay Blanche.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:46 pm
Mark Jackson is lying on national TV.
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:47 pm
Mama there goes that man that won’t be making the playoffs next year . . .
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:49 pm
LOL@CONservative Johnson
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:49 pm
@MC, whoa what do you know about Chimay. One of the few good things about Belgium is the variety of quality beer here.