Atlanta Hawks: Camp Report Day 12
Here’s what Larry Drew had to say today about Jannero Pargo, who was officially signed and immediately designated the backup to Jeff Teague:
“Very similar to Jeff, he’s a point guard who can score. But the experience itself is very valuable.”
In my assessment of Pargo last night, I didn’t note that he does have a pretty good scoring rate. In fact, his per-36 minute scoring averages over the last five seasons are comparable to what Jamal Crawford provided last season.
And in the context of the Hawks, Pargo’s experience is valuable. It was not feasible to start the season with one of Pape Sy, Donald Sloan or Brad Wanamaker as the backup point guard, especially since the schedule is so demanding. So adding a veteran, even a marginal one, provides some stability for the Hawks.
But if the goal was to add some scoring punch to the bench on the cheap, the Hawks got a scorer who is less efficient than Jamal because he doesn’t shoot as well and doesn’t get to the line as often. As John Hollinger wrote in his assessment of Pargo (Insider): “He can be useful if a team is desperate enough for shot creating that it doesn’t really care so much about the accuracy of said shots.”
Pargo’s career turnover and assist rates are also lower than Jamal’s. Pargo does represent an upgrade defensively and is a better rebounder (even at his size) but that was going to happen with most replacements. I guess Pargo can help with Drew’s plan to be a more energetic defensive team but he’s too small to play the two on any kind of regular basis.
In any event, we’ll see what Pargo can do on this team. He sounded enthusiastic about getting his next chance with a good squad.
“Kirk [Hinrich] is out so you need somebody that can come in and spell Teague a few minutes here and there and help that second unit not drop off as much from the starters,” he said. “I think I’m a guy that can come in and provide energy, defensive effort and hopefully help win some games.”
Pargo said his experience should help him quickly learn Atlanta’s offensive and defensive systems. He got a crash course on the offense today and so far likes what he sees: “Great stuff. A lot of passing, moving, cutting, backdoor. I think it’s a great offense so hopefully I learn it pretty quickly and get acclimated here.”
Camp report
- Drew’s assessment of last night’s game after breaking down the video: “I thought there were some pretty good things but I also thought we reverted back to some old habits. We have got to be a little more focused if we are trying to do some things different defensively. We have to understand exactly what we are trying to accomplish. As I told the team before the first practice, I don’t want to be a team that sits back and lets the other team do what they want to do. I want to create havoc. In order to do that you have to have everyone on the same page.”
- Charlotte got a lot of clean looks from the 3-point line last night, even when the Hawks had starters on the floor. “The concern was the effort to get the 3-point shooters,” Drew said. “As I told the guys, we have to exert our energy from the start of the shot clock till the end. It’s going to take multiple efforts. There were possessions where that didn’t happen and as a result Charlotte got some open looks.”
- Drew said the Hawks have been better with closing out during drills: “I’ve seen guys come from one corner to the other corner. Last night, a guy at the elbow just watched the guy. It has to become habit-forming. When playing against a team that is a 3-point shooting team, you have to be on your horse. You have to be committed to taking that extra step.”
- Hinrich participated in a 3-point shooting drill with Pargo and was making them at a high clip. He said he still lacks strength and full range of motion in the shoulder.
- My fantasy basketball team name: Pick-and-Pape Sy.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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275 comments Add your comment
No
December 21st, 2011
1:33 pm
Is that Hollinger list a joke?
vava74
December 21st, 2011
1:34 pm
“From hoopshype;
After a buyout of reportedly $1.5 million, half of which was reportedly covered by the New Orleans Hornets, the Hornets have signed Mexican center Gustavo Ayon, the player said in a press conference in Spain on Wednesday and sources later confirmed..
And the Hornets dont even have a buyer. I’m impressed by their decision (although I have no idea what kind of player the guy is) to spend that money. He is listed at 6′10, 245 lbs.
I will give the Hawks some credit. They did buy out Sy’s contract for $125K last year ”
I don’t think its possible: the maximum buyout contribution by a NBA franchise is 550K if I am not mistaken.
ASG
December 21st, 2011
1:36 pm
why don’t you morons quit griping about the mangement and team and go to the games and buy lots of hot dogs, beer and jj jerseys!
KevinM
December 21st, 2011
1:37 pm
Slim, now that is more like the national media that we know…he is predicting the wheels are going to come off under LD. If you said that on this blog, you would be incarcerated!
Reviewing the Magic/Heat game this past week and noticed that D12 had 5/6 in 29 min…..it reminded me of someone we have on our team….and I don’t mean Al….
And with the All-Star game in ORL this year, how in any way could they even consider moving D12? They are supposed to be getting their mojo back from their Finals run back in ‘09. Their season would implode if D12 left prior to AS weekend.
Harry Hawk
December 21st, 2011
1:39 pm
We accomplished our franchise goal last season: beat the Magic in a playoff series.
After something like that, what’s left?
KevinM
December 21st, 2011
1:40 pm
FYI, Charlotte just had to do a buyout for Biyombo: excerpt:
“Fuenlabrada said Monday that Biyombo had agreed to pay the $1.5 million clause that will free him from the remaining two years of his contract. The Bobcats agreed to pay $525,000 of that — the most allowed by international rules — according to Rod Higgins, Bobcats.
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
1:42 pm
All NBA has got to understand that his talents are more so needed at the 5 not the 4! We need 10-15 bds. a night, 8-15 pts. and throw in at least 1 bpg….
Sit this dude down Coach Leisure Suit and have a one on one session with this Mr. AllStar!
He will comply. He wants to win Championship on the professional level we’re sure! Sacrifices must be made by individuals in order for success to come to yourself and to your teammates..
Don’t be afraid Coach!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all……
We don’t need him at the 4? Comprende?
Truth B.Known
December 21st, 2011
1:43 pm
So the question of the day is still What can we get for our 6′10″ center who is rumored to be insisting on a move to power forward?
Since the real athletes are only interested in coming to atlanta if the keep superior talent like Josh and Al want to play the 4 give me good reasons why we should not give Al his wish and trade him so he can play the 4?
JJ
December 21st, 2011
1:44 pm
No joke. Straight from the World Wide Leader website. No one is too high on these Hawks. Especially with the short bench and tight schedule.
doc
December 21st, 2011
1:49 pm
again every indication we peaked two years ago with woody and are on a slide until the playersmake it otherwise by their actions on the court. i am still not going to commit to what i think are the numbers but thinking somewhere around .500, which is all they were at best down the stretch last year. we have done nothing to bolster a fading line up. i really just have to echo my friends, big ray, o’b etc. on what this organization has done to undermine themselves.
sadly, i can already hear them begin to put the blame on others once it becomes clear to them that the core is oversold and overpriced, uh, which they did, not any of us here.
somehow the fans who didnt drink the kool aide and by the product as flawed as it is and jeff schultz will be the problem.
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
1:53 pm
Hey Gearon’s Hawks aint getting any love from the National Media or local for that matter…
Man I wish I was a betting man!!! Looks like easy pickins this year?
I hope the Hawks shock the world with a 10 game winning streak right out the gate!
It would be less Tim Tebow talk more Hawks talk around the nation?
Its up to LD and All NBA.. Those two have got to be on the same page….
Harry Hawk
December 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
I think the Hawks will go 36-30 and make the playoffs. Yippee.
sameoldshi*
December 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
So it looks like we are going to suck again. Damn, for once I would like to be a contender. Signing JJ to that insane deal was horrible! That said… they are still my team. Win or lose.
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
ASG
December 21st, 2011
1:36 pm
“why don’t you morons quit griping about the management and team and go to the games and buy lots of hot dogs, beer and jj jerseys!”
Hey Genius, haven’t you heard? Gearon is fixin to open up his new 2 million dollar Steak House at Philips called “Reds” as in the RED State of Georgia. They have expanded the menu down there, OKAY BUBBA?
And if this restate market don’t come back soon it’s going to turn into a Blue State….lol
Melvin
December 21st, 2011
2:04 pm
Good thing we signed Pargo b/c Teague hurt his ankle in practice…. Yikes…
KevinM
December 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
Slim, check out these odds…….
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/hawks/nba-odds-2012/
Hawks projected at 40-1 behind Portland!
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
2:09 pm
“Good thing we signed Pargo b/c Teague hurt his ankle in practice…. Yikes…”
OH DAYUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My high ankle sprain took two freaking months to heal several years ago on an offensive rebound/put back in the paint amongst the trees……Sheesh……..
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
2:14 pm
Yes Kevin, 40-1= next to impossible? LOL
KevinM
December 21st, 2011
2:15 pm
“The bad news our of training camp today was that Jeff Teague rolled his ankle, forcing him to miss the last portion of practice. While there are no official updates on the severity of the injury, Teague did leave the court on his own power and will take on the generic “day-to-day” label.
Apart from Teague’s injury, today’s practice seemed upbeat and crisp. The team ended practice working on their offensive sets, and there were noticeably less hiccups than there were a week ago.”
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
2:18 pm
And in some sorta unrelated basketball news, word on the street has it that Lamar Odom has hooked up Kobe(his best friend) with his sister in-law? Guess which one? lol………………………
Hey where’s the entertainment reporter today? On vacation or something?
No
December 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
Injuries are awful since this season is like 4 months long. Cannot afford any injuries. Forfeit the game tomorrow and everyone rest up
Ken Strickland
December 21st, 2011
2:36 pm
DRMARYB-What’s up DREAM GIRL? Don’t feel bad about Dalembert. Before Philly traded him to the Kings, I campaigned endlessly for the Hawks to acquire him. Apparently, Hawks management must have known what everyone else has now found out, and that is he’s a cancer that’s not worth the money or the headaches he causes with his attitude and laziness. And let’s face it, he hasn’t made any team he’s been on better, neither as a starter or backup.
I think Hawks management had already decided not to make any major moves until next yr. I believe they wanted to see what they have in Teague, and even Benson. They would also like to find out who will end up having the best season and be our most value trade asset before making a move, which makes sense to me. With LD being in the final yr of his contract, I also think they want to see if he’s really who they want as HC before making any major financial committments, or player acquisitions.
As far as the 3 players Dwight wants to play with are concerned, who besides Dwight could Orlando possibly offer their teams that they would possibly want?
Slimjr
December 21st, 2011
2:36 pm
Memo to Jeff Teague: STAY OUT OF THE PAINT! THOSE STIFF’S WILL GET YOU HURT..TRUST YOUR JUMPER..
SHOOT 500-1000 MIDRANGE JUMPERS PER DAY. YOU’LL EXTEND YOUR CAREER..
The Hawks cant afford to lose you for an extended period of time Sir! Short season…..Very…
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
I don’t agree with Hollinger, but it’s not like his take is a unique one. Sekou thinks the Hawks will fall off too, and I am willing to bet a handful of people at TNT and ESPN agree.
Rufus1
December 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
Hawks not make the playoffs….REALLY?
Didn’t he predict the Hawks wouldn’t make the playoffs last year? That is the purest definition of “HATE”….Maybe he thinks the Hawks forgot how to play basketball in the offseason… :0
Rufus1
December 21st, 2011
3:12 pm
Every Year the Same Predictions..
They say the Hawks won’t make the playoffs or fall off every year…. The REGULAR SEASON doesn’t MATTER…JUST GET IN.
MARC STEIN’S PREDICTIONS 2010
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview2010/news/story?page=Predictions1011-Stein
Astro Joe
December 21st, 2011
3:14 pm
Six days until a real Hawks game. Feels like six weeks to me.
Rufus1
December 21st, 2011
3:17 pm
Chris Sheridan 2010
Chris Sheridan, ESPN.com | Sheridan’s picks
Still boggles the mind that this was the third-best team in the East last season, going by regular-season record. Then the playoffs happened, and we saw what they were really made of. They are still playoff material, no doubt, but they’ll be road kill again if they face Boston, Miami or Orlando in the first round. Southeast: 4
East: 8
JJ
December 21st, 2011
3:21 pm
@Rufus1:
Looks like they all predicted the Hawks would finish 5th or 6th except Sheridan who predicted 8th. Hawks finished 5th. Not sure what that proves.
I personally don’t think the drop off will be that bad. I figured 35 wins in the shortened season and that actually equates to about the same % as last year. They were on pace to win 48 last year before that 6-game slide to end the year.
I think they finished about 9 games better than the Bucks who were 9th so that’s a pretty big swing, especially in a shortened season. I’m thinking 35 wins gets you the 5 or 6 seed.
JSS
December 21st, 2011
3:25 pm
Any news on Teague’s ankle?
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
December 21st, 2011
3:25 pm
“NO? AKA a troll who refuses to use his real LOL moniker.”
LOL, there’s nothing more ironic than a troll calling another a troll.
Tremaine
December 21st, 2011
3:25 pm
Jeff Teague sprained his ankle in practice. It’s a good thing the Hawks picked up all that depth in the offseason.
realtalk
December 21st, 2011
3:27 pm
Larry Drew is weak and does not have a pair. Josh Smith was an All-Star under Mike. Mike left and Josh Smith lost his mind. Larry Drew lost more games last year than the previous year. The only reason they made it to the second round is because of the experience that these guys have playing together. Orlando has a washed up team now. We still do not have a squad that can put us past Chicago, not even mentioning the Heat. Look at NY now, what will we do against them this year.
Tremaine
December 21st, 2011
3:30 pm
realtalk- cosign
Rufus1
December 21st, 2011
3:35 pm
ESPN 2011 NBA playoff predictions..
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6360850
Please read what he says about Dallas, Grizzles and the Hawks and then tell me this person is an EXPERT….This fools picked the Nuggets in the WCF.
I know 2 things….My PG is BETTER and my BENCH is BETTER.(I didn’t great) and that sounds like a better team.
realtalk
December 21st, 2011
3:35 pm
I hate to say it but the Hawks will probably finished 5th in the East this year. They have still not made any moves that solidifies that they want a ring. Too cheap to pay a luxury tax. Their coach has no balls and is weak. And Josh Smith will continue to cost us games. Where is our big man??!!! Pay the damn luxury tax!!
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 21st, 2011
3:37 pm
Killin-Ger!
Jeff done stirred up the hornest nest! LOL! I can see Gearon, Jr now – he’s probably kicking his tires! Ha Ha!
Hey, opinions are what they are – everybody has one.
___________
SlimJr! I know dayum well, ain’t nobody trying to pin the tail on donkey-butt … But, Kim do got a “donk” – LOL! Isn’t her stuff beyond the expiration date by now?
Ya think … Lamar is hooking Kobe up with one of Bruce’s lil girls? How old are the other spawns? LOL!
Kobe is not the ladies favorite though, what a jerk.
realtalk
December 21st, 2011
3:39 pm
Rufus, does that article really have LA vs CHI in the finals? what? LA is missing their back up guard and SIXTH man now…. Odom played a big role for that team…he was basically the 3rd 7 footer….those dude will still be good but they wont be that good…and if something happens to Bynum, its a wrap
realtalk
December 21st, 2011
3:41 pm
What about the Bucks this year? Are all of their players healthy…because they gave us a hell of a run in the playoffs a couple of years ago…
O'Brien
December 21st, 2011
3:44 pm
Its one thing to think the Hawks will be in the bottom 4 of the playoffs (5-8), but to miss the playoffs entirely? C’mon Hollinger.
I think the only way that happens is if we have major injuries.
Sorry to hear about Teague’s ankle (didn’t he get hurt against the Bulls in the playoffs too). Let’s hope he doesn’t turn into another Acie. Just when Acie started to play well, he got hurt. And after his injury, he was never the same, and Woody treated him as such.
Hopefully, Teague will be ready to go for the regular season.
JJ
December 21st, 2011
3:45 pm
@realtalk: Those were predictions for last year’s playoffs. Rufus is just pointing out that these so called experts are anything but.
As for this year, I don’t agree with them but I also see their point that the bench is weaker and other teams got better. However, I still like our starting 5 and think they will get us into the playoffs as a 5 seed with 35 wins.
JJ
December 21st, 2011
3:47 pm
@Rufus1: Not sure how you can say our bench is better than last year when we lost one of the best 6th men in the game. Even with JC1’s shortcommings, he was and is still an improvement over the T-Mac/Rad combo.
Tremaine
December 21st, 2011
3:57 pm
Hawks probably finish with the 4 seed and management will use that as an excuse to keep the CORE together again.
Rufus1
December 21st, 2011
4:21 pm
@JJ
Kirk, Pargo, T-Mac, Zaza, Twin, Benson, Rolle and Vlad> Jamal, Damien, Powell, Etan, Zaza and Twin.
As good as Jamal was on OFFENSE, he was just as bad on DEFENSE. Last year we had on person on our bench who could score, this year we have 3(none are as good as Jamal). We can bring off the bench Perimeter defense, shot blocking, 3pt shooting and rebounding. We could not make these statements last year…This a better bench.
The SUM of our BENCH will be GREATER than JAMAL.
PS. The Bulls brought 1 scorer of the bench (Korver), Teague shut him down and we still lost. We LOST to their benches perimeter defenders LOCKING DOWN Jamal and Joe, their rebounders clearing the GLASS and their SHOT BLOCKERS protecting the RIM.(IMHO)
WHO CARES !!!!!
December 21st, 2011
4:22 pm
WHO GIVES A $HIT ???? THEY NEED TO BE IN SEATTLE, NOT HERE !!!!!
THIS IS A WORTHLESS TEAM IN A WORTHLESS LEAGUE OF THUGS !!!!
WHAT KIND OF IDIOT WOULD WASTE $ ON THIS CRAP ?????
Ueeediot..
December 21st, 2011
4:35 pm
he’s probably 5′4″^^^^^ with small feet too…
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 21st, 2011
5:02 pm
What about the Bucks this year? Are all of their players healthy…because they gave us a hell of a run in the playoffs a couple of years ago…
======
That was with Ridnour carrying a bulk of the minutes of inefficient like guards Jennings.
Rufus1
December 21st, 2011
5:17 pm
A good discription of the Hawks..
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/powerrankings
Ken Strickland
December 21st, 2011
5:19 pm
RUFUS1-Excellent points and well said.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 21st, 2011
5:24 pm
Who cares about the current bench or Jamal? Marvin Williams is a starter. How many times will the incompetent Marvin Williams swing it to Smith for 3?
Johnson is going to have to go back to ‘08 form. Not that it will make ATL a champion caliber team. And I use the word team lightly.
These individuals want to be split. A roster change is in order.