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
hawks_4_life
June 23rd, 2011
8:50 pm
I would be happy with Jeremy Tyler.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:51 pm
rockets go jordan hamilton here. im surprised markieff went before marcus. everyone said marcus was better.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
8:53 pm
Well, it’s crunch time for Flavor Flav. It’s now or never to trade Al for the #14 pick and the poo poo platter from Houston.
Bigdawg`
June 23rd, 2011
8:54 pm
I guess you and DOL don’t mind being lied to by those fakes at the Atlanta “Dispirit!” The Hawks will be sold b/c Sports Illustrated has REAL sources, not the fools at AS! Losers!
Ole Hawk's Fan
June 23rd, 2011
8:54 pm
Is that Harry The Hawk that ASG is serving MC ?
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:55 pm
@hawks 4 life- i hope we can get jeremy tyler as well, he’d be that guy that can come in and play right away. if he is there in the early 2nd i hope we offer our #48 and next years 2nd to move up to grab him.
Sawyer
June 23rd, 2011
8:55 pm
Hey MC, I’m moving to Louisville in a few weeks. Any words of wisdom on da ville?
CONservative Johnson
June 23rd, 2011
8:56 pm
The Rockets might be the only team that likes 6′9-ish forwards more than we do . . .
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:57 pm
@hawks 4 life: “@MC, whoa what do you know about Chimay.”
i know i’d rather be drinking one that sitting in this room covering this draft. cheers!
mark louis
June 23rd, 2011
8:57 pm
Why would you believe anything the Atlanta Spirit tells you? They’ve been liars from the minute they bought the Hawks & Thrashers.
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
8:57 pm
@Ole Hawks Fan: “Is that Harry The Hawk that ASG is serving MC ?”
naw, but have to give ASG credit, it’s pretty good.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
8:58 pm
Guess no more trades will be made in the 1st rd
HawkKingBibby
June 23rd, 2011
8:58 pm
Glad Smoove didnt get traded for some project Euro big.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
8:59 pm
i definitley have indy drafting jordan hamilton here. i thought lance stephenson their last years first rounder would be a great nba player but off court issues hampered that. indy is set at PG-collison SF-granger and C-hibbert. they need help at 2
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:00 pm
The Hawks’ pick that was traded to Washington is 3 picks away. Very good chance Faried, Singleton, and Leonard will all be on the board at that point, and all of them could have helped the Hawks, even in this weak draft. Singleton and Leonard are nothing special but both are instantly better than Marvin.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:01 pm
Scratch Leonard, the Pacers just took him. A major glut of small forwards on that team now.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:03 pm
Leonard’s scouting report makes him sound a lot like Josh Childress.
Grandad
June 23rd, 2011
9:04 pm
” i know i’d rather be drinking one
that sitting in this room covering this draft. cheers! ”
Well that about says it all.
Case closed.
john norris
June 23rd, 2011
9:04 pm
i like keith benson i would like to see him with the hawks
and get yao ming we need a center a big man inside
Grandad
June 23rd, 2011
9:06 pm
Kawhi Leonard = ROY
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:07 pm
Leonard is going to the Spurs for George Hill.
Fundamentals
June 23rd, 2011
9:08 pm
Mark Jackson is trying to set the bar for his team in terms of expectations. They have good young talent, new owners, a new coach. Why can’t they strive for a goal other than settling for mediocrity? I admire him having a T-bag. Hats off to him.
Frustrating while we’re always afraid to push the bar higher.
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
9:08 pm
@Sawyer: “Hey MC, I’m moving to Louisville in a few weeks. Any words of wisdom on da ville?”
if you like city life, live in Old Louisville, the Highlands or East Main Street.
do the downtown trolley hop.
tailgate at a Ville football game. it’s a good party.
go to the Derby infield. it’s an even better party.
go to a Ville basketball game. 22,000 every night.
get a burger at Original Ollie’s Trolley on 3rd street. get some beer at Bluegrass Brewing Company. eat pizza at Wick’s on Baxter Ave.
ignore Kentucky fans.
cp
June 23rd, 2011
9:09 pm
Stuart Scott is so corny. TNT or NBA TV need to start doing the draft. Thank God for the NFL network.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
9:10 pm
i dont understand that leonhard pick? unless granger moves to SG or maybe leonard comes of the bench for brandon rush. leonard is a good player though.
philly got a good backup C for hawes. if philly keeps A.I they are looking very promising next season.
Buddy Grizzard
June 23rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Singleton best player available I bet NY takes him.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Iman Shumpert to the Knicks. I love hearing Knicks fans boo.
Buddy Grizzard
June 23rd, 2011
9:13 pm
WOOOOOOWWWWWW
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Gotta love those NY Brick fans, always thinking its about them, enjoy watching them flop year after year, no matter who they draft, they are the same ole NY BRICKS!!!
jason
June 23rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Dang SHumpurts gone..
Buddy Grizzard
June 23rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Ok blog peeps you’re on the clock… give us your Hawks pick if they didn’t trade it. I’ll take Singleton.
NickNafter79
June 23rd, 2011
9:14 pm
@Michael Cunningham, for things to do in Louisville, you forgot to eat at Porchini’s and order the 15 second table top dessert
Go Cats
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
9:16 pm
ok hawks lovers. id def take chris singleton if we had this pick.
teague joe singleton josh al
thats a good lineup. but if we had this pick our staring lineup would be
bibby joe singleton josh al. haha i liked the move by asg to bring in kirk. im happy with our team but not satisfied
Buddy Grizzard
June 23rd, 2011
9:16 pm
By the way Marshon Brooks completely duplicates Jordan Crawford for the Wizards. Both high usage, low efficiency scorers.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
9:16 pm
Hawks select David Lighty in the 2nd rd.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:16 pm
“Ok blog peeps you’re on the clock… give us your Hawks pick if they didn’t trade it. I’ll take Singleton.”
Faried. Easily.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
9:17 pm
@buddy- good mind
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:17 pm
Wizards are going to take Singleton, according to @SpearsNBAYahoo.
Michael Cunningham
June 23rd, 2011
9:18 pm
@NickNafter79: “@Michael Cunningham, for things to do in Louisville, you forgot to eat at Porchini’s and order the 15 second table top dessert
Go Cats
”
see what i mean, Sawyer? though it is probably best to avoid that dessert.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
9:19 pm
Man seems like most of these guys can’t score???
jason
June 23rd, 2011
9:19 pm
Travis Leslie?
N.D.T.K.A.
June 23rd, 2011
9:19 pm
Hawks will take the big kid that played overseas, Tyler…
Funny all of the J. Smith smoke, but no fire. Trade L. Drew for a decent coach.
Grandmaster JeJe
June 23rd, 2011
9:20 pm
Not sure which is more exciting:
1) Being a mediocre team and seeing which bust we’ll take early in the lottery
2) Being a good team that gets embarrassed in the 2nd round every year
What do you all think?
BEN
June 23rd, 2011
9:21 pm
MC, so the Hawks are going to do NOTHING AGAIN?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:22 pm
“1) Being a mediocre team and seeing which bust we’ll take early in the lottery
2) Being a good team that gets embarrassed in the 2nd round every year”
We tried (1) for the first five years of the last decade. I think I like #2 better, as frustrating as it is.
Grandmaster JeJe
June 23rd, 2011
9:24 pm
Najeh, I agree, but all we had to do was get ONE of those drafts right
Think about if we had just taken Deng/Iggy ahead of Chills..I’m not even talking about the CP3 or B.Roy drafts
DAMNIT
FIRE SUND
FIRE LD
jason
June 23rd, 2011
9:24 pm
Marshon Brooks, Donatas Montieunjas, and Kyle Singler are still avalible.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
9:25 pm
Some playoff team is going to be a lot better next year because Faried fell to them. Kinda like how the Spurs got better because DeJuan Blair fell to them.
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
9:26 pm
Had to make a store run (wife sent me, you know how it is).
Catching up. Draft is boring me.
Najeh and Buddy Grizzard helping MC to make this worth hanging in there before epic fail draft pick by Hawks in the second round.
If not for those guys, I would continue to not be entertained….
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
9:27 pm
Guess Parker stays in San Antonio