Atlanta Hawks: Prospect focus: Baylor’s Quincy Miller
Baylor forward Quincy Miller is the highest-rated draft prospect who’s scheduled to work out for the Hawks, according to DraftExpress.com. He’d probably be ranked higher if not for the torn left ACL he suffered in December 2010.
David Aldridge reports the knee is a major concern for teams. He quoted an anonymous Central Division executive as saying: “He needs to spend these couple of months actually working out and rehabbing, and he never did it. He clearly never rehabbed. The atrophy in his leg was incredible. If he gets his leg strength back, he’s Durant-like in his ability to get a shot off. He’s 6-10 and he can snap his shot off with no trouble.”
The Hawks’ medical and basketball people have yet to meet to scrutinize Miller’s medical history in detail. But Miller was said to be moving better during his workout over the weekend than he did during his one season at Baylor.
The Hawks always covet versatile players and they aren’t sure if Miller could play power forward in addition to small forward. Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft:
“That’s a good question. It’s kind of like Rashard Lewis with the Sonics. You didn’t know if he was a three or a four. A lot of that will be answered with the maturation of [Miller's] body. How strong can he get? How quickly can he get strong? And then can his frame carry weight? I would say right now he has to be a three because at the four he would get pushed around like a chess piece. So right now he’d have to keep him as much on the perimeter as much as he can. Now in time can he [get stronger]? Rashard Lewis, I think the most he ever weighed was 238, maybe. But he could bench 320 pounds. He’s an unbelievably strong guy. Now, can Quincy do that some day? Maybe. When you look at ‘Q,’ you look at the upside. How good can he be? And he does have a lot of upside. But right now I would classify him as a 3-4. Maybe somewhere down the line he could be a 4-3. But Rashard Lewis would be the case in point.”
Miller said he’s already gained significant weight since Baylor’s season ended.
“Once I put on a little more muscle I can play four,” he said. “I weigh 220 right now. I want to get up to 235, 240 almost. Somewhere around there.”
Miller said the added weight hasn’t affected his mobility. Hawks coach Larry Drew wonders if there could be diminishing returns:
“I don’t know what a bigger frame will do for him. Will it take anything away from him? Certainly he is going to have to get stronger moving to this next level and playing the position he plays. He certainly has to get stronger. From what I’ve seen of him, his wiry frame, that’s kind of who he is. You can really see the potential of this kid. He’s a good mid-range shooter, very skilled around the basket and he has length. He handles the ball good enough. He’s getting better at it. He’s a talented guy.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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273 comments Add your comment
boilerup
June 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Robbie Hummel 2nd Round please. A smart ball player who plays DEFENSE and can shoot and do a lot of dirty work. The Hawks need a guy like him. Especially in place of Marvin Williams.. He could be an instant impact. 2 ACL tears in college but had a solid senior year at Purdue and lit it up against Kansas in the 2nd round. Go Hawks
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
10:20 pm
@Jacobite and donte080
Jacobite
June 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
If Jamal comes back, look for the Hawks defense to be 2-3 ppg worse than this year. Unless you think Hinrich made that much difference, then it was addition by his subtraction for the D this year that made the numbers better. Jamal couldn’t guard anyone when he was 30. What will 33 look like?
Yikes!
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donte080
June 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
Tell it like it is (and was) jacobite….
P.S. Jamal Crawford was absolutely horrible last season playing for Portland.
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Hinrich sure “put the clamps on” Rondo in the 2012 playoffs this year. [Rajon] Rondo only averaged 16.8ppg, 5.6rpg and 11.8apg vs. the Hawks [sarcasm]. Jamal Crawford averaged 14.0ppg for the Blazers [which was 2nd most on the team] and led the NBA in FT% at 0.927 or 92.7%. Didn’t the Hawks miss “key” free throws throughout the regular season and post season this [past] year?
KevinM
June 19th, 2012
10:26 pm
“One GM said the Hawks floated the names of both Josh Smith and Marvin Williams as potential trade chips.”
Hmmm, Cleveland writer probably talking to the local GM, Chris Grant, how used to be in Atlanta………hmmmmm.
Marvin talk in Cleveland……if only unicorns were real!
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
10:28 pm
Grandad and KevinM
Pete Maravich played in only 26 games for the Boston Celtics during the ‘79-’80 regular season while averaging 11.5ppg in 17.0mpg. Those 26 games were the only games [Pete] Maravich [ever] played as a team member of the Boston Celtics.
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
10:32 pm
Bosh [aka "Mr. Fake Tough Guy"], you suck.
KevinM
June 19th, 2012
10:37 pm
cp, I would have liked Draymond to be more deinitive about the position he is expected to play for the Hawks. He didn’t sound sure where he would be slotted, but I would think he either felt comfortable on the inside or outside. Not sure who was shooting behind him, but one guy was really stroking it while Green was flashing back to his days at MSU.
Also, I listened to the Doron Lamb interview, and he nailed it IMO. He said he saw himself as a combo guard, coming off screens and hitting shots and being a hustle guy. He also said he felt like he shot well and overall played well.
His weakness right now: defense in his eyes, but the word hustle rings out for me.
I am hopeful that Lamb gets the call for pick #23. He looks like he could wear that Hawks uniform and contribute immediately.
KevinM
June 19th, 2012
10:39 pm
boilerup, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hummel undrafted….I would definitely invite him to camp and force his way into the picture. He is tough and he does have a good jump shot.
KevinM
June 19th, 2012
10:43 pm
A little insight into LD and what he sees so far from the workouts:
““I think he can develop into a three. I think he has that versatility where you can move him around. A lot of it depends on matchups. But I think he has the foot speed and the size to play the four, and I think that’s just going to be a plus for him and his game to move from the three to the four,” Drew said after watching Green work out. “As I said before, this league is really starting to move more toward that versatile player, a guy who can play multiple positions. And he certainly fits that profile.”
Uh-oh, I knew that was LD was looking for…….a guy who isn’t great at one position, but plays multiple positions.
How many times have we heard this song?
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/221603/Hawks_Like_Draymond_Greens_Versatility
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:03 pm
James Harden has pretty much singlehandedly lost this game for the Thunder, but people will still probably find a way to blame Russell Westbrook.
Buddy Grizzard
June 19th, 2012
11:08 pm
wtf Harden?
Buddy Grizzard
June 19th, 2012
11:12 pm
WESTBRICK BEAST MODE
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:15 pm
Chris Bosh [is] pulling a “Marvin Williams disappearing act.”
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:15 pm
Westbrook with 37!
I have told you guys before. The pullup midrange jumper is indefensible, at any level! Teach it! Preach it!
Buddy Grizzard
June 19th, 2012
11:19 pm
If James is out of the game, Westbrook has to understand it’s time to get Durant the ball. Miami has nobody that can guard Durant outside of LeBron.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:20 pm
I am pretty convinced that if Westbrook and Derrick Rose switched places, people would say the exact same things about Rose that they say about Westbrook and vice versa.
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:20 pm
Lebron HURT!!!! OH CRAP!!!!!!
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:24 pm
Horrific time for Lebron to get cramps!
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:24 pm
“…It also said look for the Thunder to go after Hinrich.” – UGA @7:34pm dated 6/19/2012
That has “we-OKC Thunder-white-fans-want-another-white-player-on-the-team” written all over it – it being that possible Hinrich [player] acquisition.
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:25 pm
OKC on an 11-2 run
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:26 pm
Coach Spo’, I just want you to know that Jalen Rose can coach this [Heat] team better than you [can].
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:27 pm
Durant got mugged in the paint.
Buddy Grizzard
June 19th, 2012
11:28 pm
Sefolosha playing LeBron for the drive? On bad wheels?
Al Bundy
June 19th, 2012
11:29 pm
OKC getting big-timed by these officials. Not calling any meaningful fouls on the Heat…
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:30 pm
C’mon Bosh! Dunk that!
Al Bundy
June 19th, 2012
11:31 pm
Westbrook reminds me of Zeke vs the Lakers…
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:32 pm
James has shot his load! Stick a fork in him!
His legs are gone…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:32 pm
Durant giving it up letting Sefolosha shoot 3s in crunch time. Sefolosha giving LeBron like 3 feet of space to drain a 3 with 5 seconds on the clock. OKC is good but they are not ready yet.
This is why I was hoping the Spurs would beat them. The Spurs are not as athletic but they wouldn’t be making these stupid mistakes. Miami would have a harder time beating the Spurs.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:33 pm
Oh yeah, and I didn’t even mention Harden who is still hung over after staying out late on South Beach last night.
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:36 pm
@Najeh Davenpoop
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:20 pm
I am pretty convinced that if Westbrook and Derrick Rose switched places, people would say the exact same things about Rose that they say about Westbrook and vice versa.
—————————————————————-
Do you think that Rose would to take as many shots with Durant as his teammate?
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:38 pm
Say it so Westbrook?Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buddy Grizzard
June 19th, 2012
11:39 pm
Scott Brooks just cost the Thunder an NBA championship by failing to let his team know that the Heat would only have 5 seconds on the clock if they controlled the tip. This is just like when Orlando lost in the finals on Fisher’s three because they didn’t use the foul to give. This is 100% on the coaching staff.
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:39 pm
Westbrook has attempted 32 shots so far while Durant has attempted 18 shots. WTF
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:39 pm
“Do you think that Rose would to take as many shots with Durant as his teammate?”
Emphatically yes. Absolutely he would. Rose is not Rondo or Nash. He is a scorer first who has learned over time to become a better passer, as Westbrook is learning.
As much as I like Durant, his relative lack of shot attempts has a lot to do with his own inability to get open against physical defenders, not just Westbrook’s supposed ball-hogging.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:40 pm
The big loser tonight is James Harden, who might have cost himself a good $20 million in free agency.
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:42 pm
Agree BG, how much Vegas paying you Scott Brooks?
He got the call from the Chief Gangster earlier today!
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:43 pm
Chalmers gets the game ball…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 19th, 2012
11:45 pm
Also, as @peachtreehoops points out, while that last foul by Westbrook was no doubt stupid, why the hell does the shot clock go to 5 seconds for a jump ball? The Heat should have had 0.8 after winning that tip. That rule needs to be changed.
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:46 pm
“As much as I like Durant, his relative lack of shot attempts has a lot to do with his own inability to get open against physical defenders, not just Westbrook’s supposed ball-hogging.”
Awesome observation Sir! Its not all on Westbrook! Durant needs to hit the weights, to become more aggressive and demand the stinking ball!
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:49 pm
I blame this OKC Thunder loss on “Westbrick” because he took too many shots away from Durant and he ["Westbrick"] didn’t get his teammates involved. The Thunder only had two players to score in double figures. “Westbrick” had a great individual performance [43pts, 7rebs, and 5asts] but his [Westbrick's] team [Thunder] still loss. So is a “great” individual performance still [considered] “great” if that performance comes with a [team] loss?
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:51 pm
^Correction: “…“Westbrick” had a great individual performance [43pts, 7rebs, and 5asts] but his [Westbrick's] team [Thunder] still lost*…”
cp
June 19th, 2012
11:52 pm
Yea Harden looked terrible out there tonight. The Thunder just make too many mistakes in crunch time. As stated, they’re good but not ready yet. Sefalosha is a great defender but he has trouble finishing and cant knock down open shots.
Kevin. I would take Lamb over Taylor. I like Lamb’s game but he might be there in the second. I wonder who the Hawks are targeting if they are trying to move both Josh and Marvin. I just highly doubt they are ready to break up the core although everyone else knows its time too.
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:52 pm
Barkley just said on NBA TV while looking under the table that he is looking for James Harden…lol
STRETCH
June 19th, 2012
11:55 pm
Westbrook stepped up, Durant needed to do a little more but Harden…did absolutely nothing tonight and the rest of the team has got to step up as well!
In a game where the refs are not going to give you any calls, guys have to play smarter and OKC came down the court and threw the ball away too many times.
But thats what happens when teams make it to the final for the first time, they CHOKE.
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:55 pm
Harden gave effort just did not have it tonight?
High-sider
June 19th, 2012
11:55 pm
Tonight, Miami Heat’s Big 3 [James, Wade and Chalmers] scored 26 points, 25 points and 25 points, respectively. Chris Bosh [aka Mr. Fake Tough Guy], you are an overpaid complementary player [SMH].
Slimjr
June 19th, 2012
11:58 pm
Durant has got to be the featured scorer on OKC! He’s too good! C’mon Coach Scott!
Slimjr
June 20th, 2012
12:00 am
Durant has got to get much stronger. He needs a trainer..
STRETCH
June 20th, 2012
12:01 am
High Sider,
Why are you blaming Westbrook? Atleast he was stepping up to the challenge. He was taking it to a team that was taking it to his team. The rest of his teamates froze up once again.
In the playoffs, real champions raise their games to higher levels. I will give the Heat credit, guys are doing what they need to do, and OKC is not really focused. They are still lost in the flash bulbs and glam and glitter thing.
The Heat players are focused. They have veteran players that are doing the small things and hitting shots when they need them. OKC is standing around watching and waiting for Durant and Westbrook to do it all. Cant have that in the playoffs.
They also have to NOT let the refs take them out of the games(which the league is trying to do) but they dont have a choice now, gotta win this next game.
High-sider
June 20th, 2012
12:10 am
I hope you [bloggers] see the importance of having scorers on a playoff team. Look at the [additional] scoring pressure that has been placed upon Durant and Westbrook due to Harden’s offensive struggles. The Thunder need[s] another scorer pronto since Harden is currently undergoing [his] offensive woes, trials and tribulations . Personally, I think an NBA championship contender or good playoff team probably needs at least four to five scorers or players who can score on its team.
STRETCH
June 20th, 2012
12:12 am
Harden needs to lose the beard, thats whats wrong with him. Dude came down the court after a steal and missed an easy layup and that did it!