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
ryan
June 23rd, 2011
10:17 pm
I am not even watching the draft watching TNA wrestling .
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:17 pm
Miami just traded with Minnesota to get Norris Cole, the guy who was just drafted. I’ve seen more than one place describe Cole as a potential steal.
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
10:18 pm
It was not a bad pick,
If you wish to speak the truth, you will realize that the reason Josh hasnt been traded is because of what the hawks are asking for in return.
With Marvin, nobody wants him because at $7.5 mil per year, he sucks.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:18 pm
David Stern looks tired lol
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:18 pm
Stern seems quite pleased with the Spurs pick. You know he thought they were making another international pick, whose name he would struggle to pronounce…
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:19 pm
O’brien ,
Exactly.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:19 pm
@ryan
TNA SUX man!!
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
10:19 pm
Hawks have 3 first second round picks next year, dont they?
Why not trade one of them to move up?
I think there will be some decent players on the board at 48, but Rick will make a selection that will leave us scratching our heads.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:21 pm
3 Texas players in the first round, and they still only made it to the second round of the tournament.
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
10:21 pm
If I was Cleveland, I would have taken Derrick Williams #1, and at 4th, taken either Katner or Brandon Knight (whichever one was available).
Mr.Phil
June 23rd, 2011
10:21 pm
Stern getting booed.Love it.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:22 pm
Cheering because Stern is done LOL
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
10:23 pm
Just curious, based on who was available at #18 (there were some good players available imo), and the fact that Hinrich helped us beat Orlando, how do we feel about the Hinrich trade now?
Buddy Grizzard
June 23rd, 2011
10:24 pm
Cole would be an upgrade for MIA… Hawks need to move up and get Trey… Like him better than Caracter who I wanted at 31 last year. Even out of shape he’s better than Powell or Etan for half the cost.
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:24 pm
Kevin Love in the shower commercial.
More proof that NBA marketing is struggling badly.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:25 pm
Dang, now we have to hear a long segment on “As The Miami Heat Turns”
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
10:25 pm
miami is going josh selby or charles jenkins. bibby is done and chalmers will start. they need a backup pg
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:25 pm
If Michael Beasley got traded for two second round picks last year, maybe Marvin can get traded for one second round pick this year? Maybe? Hopefully? Please?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:26 pm
Not that I really care about having a pick in this weak ass second round, but being able to get out from under Marvin’s contract would be a huge plus…
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:26 pm
Cole would be an upgrade for MIA… Hawks need to move up and get Trey… Like him better than Caracter who I wanted at 31 last year. Even out of shape he’s better than Powell or Etan for half the cost.
Would you STOP it? Every time you make a worthwhile suggestion, the player gets drafted!
LOL
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:26 pm
“Kevin Love in the shower commercial.
More proof that NBA marketing is struggling badly.”
Still better than the Josh Smith shaving commercial…
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
10:27 pm
aj styles get ready to flyyyyy
jason
June 23rd, 2011
10:27 pm
This is a weak draft -.-
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
10:27 pm
If your anti-Miami, you did not want to see them get Norris Cole. He and Chalmers will still not be a great PG tandem, but Miami just needs a step above abysmal to be better.
Cole and Chalmers will be serviceable. Why can’t ATL have a GM like Riley?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:28 pm
LMAO Poor Tom Penn has to yell over the boos as long as he’s talking about Miami.
Mike
June 23rd, 2011
10:28 pm
Yawn, this draft is boring, i heard that the lockout is almost over. Yeah Football
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:28 pm
Still better than the Josh Smith shaving commercial…
True.
Now they’re saying “how can they maintain this dynasty” about Miami.
I thought you had to win first (and win a lot) to have a dynasty?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:29 pm
I really think JVG thinks Stu Scott is an idiot. Can’t blame him.
It was not a bad pick
June 23rd, 2011
10:29 pm
O’Brien
June 23rd, 2011
10:18 pm
It was not a bad pick,
If you wish to speak the truth, you will realize that the reason Josh hasnt been traded is because of what the hawks are asking for in return.
With Marvin, nobody wants him because at $7.5 mil per year, he sucks.
thanks for saying it for me, Big Ray please read O’Brien comment carefully if you have the ability to..” the reason Josh hasnt been traded is because of what the hawks are asking for in return.”..
Big Ray what he is telling you, is that the Hawks will not be able to get a solid player in return!..Ryan Anderson and Daniel Orton is about the Max you get for him!…
Now let’s trade up to get Tyler!
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
10:29 pm
how would y’all feel if we got kyle singler or chandler parsons if they slipped to #48, i would think both of them could provide more than marv at 3. im thinking as of how the flow of this draft is goin we might have a few good choices left over at #48
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:30 pm
SteveW ,
You already know the answer. A franchise that would rather have Larry Drew over any well-spoken of veteran head coach would NEVER hire a GM that wants to do anything more than be their gopher.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:30 pm
“I thought you had to win first (and win a lot) to have a dynasty?”
Real talk. They are a dynasty in ESPN’s mind though. Even if they end up with zero rings.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:31 pm
Note to all the American kids that came out early only to watch themselves not get drafted because of the International players. STAY IN SCHOOL, GET YA DEGREE!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:31 pm
As we all probably remember from last year, 2nd round draft picks can be sold for up to $3 million. If the Hawks really want any of the available players that bad they can always simply buy a pick.
hawksfancents95
June 23rd, 2011
10:31 pm
watch clevland screw up this pick too…
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2011
10:32 pm
It was not a bad pick ,
I know O’brien well enough to know precisely what he meant. Ask him if your interpretation of his comments are correct.
In the meantime, have you seen those Meth commercials? That stuff is wicked. You shouldn’t even try it once …
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
10:33 pm
Poor Chad Ford has had Greg Smith as the best player available since like the 18th pick.
He obviously rated the guy higher than everyone else. Skinny Center from Fresno St.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
10:34 pm
I thought Kyle Singleton would go in the first round
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:34 pm
<======= Realized that we had the steal of the draft last season!!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:34 pm
There goes Kyle Singler, to Detroit.
jason
June 23rd, 2011
10:34 pm
Singler sorry and awe he got drafted to the pistons :’(
O'Brien
June 23rd, 2011
10:36 pm
it was not a bad pick,
The Hawks are asking for multiple solid players for Josh.
All they want in return for Marvin is a bag of chips. And still no takers.
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:36 pm
How can you be such a complete player but go in the 2nd rd. Cmon Bilas or should I say Bias, just because he’s a Dukie don’t make him a great player lol
N.D.T.K.A.
June 23rd, 2011
10:36 pm
Tyler, Benson, and Harrelson all still on the board, big guys.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
10:36 pm
What, 15 picks to go. And some decent names still on the board. Chandler Parsons, Shelvin Mack, Trey and Leslie, E’twaun, Isaiah Thomas (a potential JJ Barea?), Jenkins etc.
We may get a decent 10-15 mpg guy, if LD wasn’t the Coach that is.
LD has a 3 year plan with all non-elite rookies I guess.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:37 pm
With their trade for Rudy Fernandez I’m guessing the Mavs are probably resigned to JJ Barea leaving as a free agent. It’s not a really strong free agent class but he could really help someone.
SteveW
June 23rd, 2011
10:37 pm
Ooops – There went Shelvin
Najeh Davenpoop
June 23rd, 2011
10:39 pm
13 picks away…
darrell starks
June 23rd, 2011
10:39 pm
CROSSING FINGER TREY OR LESLIE COULD FALL TO THE HAWKS.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luke Cage
June 23rd, 2011
10:39 pm
There goes Tyler, Dang man