Atlanta Hawks: NBA draft open thread
Update: The Hawks selected Vanderbilt junior guard John Jenkins with the No. 23 overall pick. The Hawks had two workout sessions at Philips Arena with Jenkins, who was the top perimeter shooter in NCAA Division I last season.
Update: The Hawks selected Virginia forward Mike Scott with the No. 43 overall pick.
There has seemed to be a subtle shift in comments by Hawks folks since Danny Ferry came on board.
Before there was lots of talk about possibly selecting a player who could join the rotation right away. Now there seemed to be more of a focus on drafting the best talent, regardless of that player’s immediate readiness.
“The ‘best player’ scenario probably fits us the best right now,” Hawks assistant manager Dave Pendergraft said.
That’s not to suggest that the Hawks weren’t considering a long-term prospect before (and, really, most of the players available late in the first round fit that bill). It’s just that Ferry and co-owner Bruce Levenson both have stressed long-term player development and so it follows that’s the organization’s message.
Ferry was still getting his legs when he talked to media Monday and so didn’t have a lot to say about his draft strategy. The team’s PR staff hasn’t made him available for interviews since then. Ferry did talk to the team’s Web site today and addressed the possibility of making a trade.
“Will something happen? I’m not sure that it will, and we will probably be picking 23,” Ferry said. “There is still a long time before we have to pick so we’ll see what happens.”
Ferry said there is a lot of trade talk centered on draft picks in general but said: “We are not going to make a trade just to make a trade.”
“We’ll be a part of some of those talks,” Ferry said. “Maybe we can add a piece or do something.”
Both Pendergraft and Larry Drew said there haven’t been any issues with Ferry joining the staff so late in the process.
“He’s been following all of the draft stuff and he knows these guys really well,” Drew said. “Our format in which we do things, it’s been pretty much the same that it’s been. These guys that have been at the forefront of the draft, Rick [Sund], Dave, our scouts–it’s been, to me, a very smooth transition thus far. Everybody is giving their opinions and thoughts and everyone is trying obviously to find the best player available for us at that pick.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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1,051 comments Add your comment
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:24 pm
FIRST
Swingman912
June 28th, 2012
7:24 pm
Uno!!
GT Alum
June 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
Sounds like it reduces the likelihood of a trade, though, given his proclaimed ignorance of the current roster.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
NOT LOL!!
bigdave
June 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
anyone else think Harrison Barnes is collegiate mirror image of Joe?
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
This is the night we trade good ole’ Marv for a pack of gum.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
I hope everyone else heard Andy Katz talk about Jared Sullinger’s bulging dicks right now.
Matt
June 28th, 2012
7:28 pm
TRADE JOSH SMITH!!
GT Alum
June 28th, 2012
7:29 pm
Also, despite his praise of the Hawks’ “success”, doesn’t sound like he thinks this is their window.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
7:29 pm
Harrison Barnes is an overrated prospect, imo.
Dude didn’t really come to play in any of UNC’s big games.
I could see him being the next Marvin Williams…
Brhodessr
June 28th, 2012
7:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
For what it’s worth, people are saying the exact same things about Barnes that they said about Rudy Gay, and Gay ended up doing well. I don’t think Barnes is as athletic as Gay though.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
LMAO @ David Stern. He has become a professional troll. No other reason for mentioning the Heat winning the championship.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
Stern giving the ‘can’t hear you’ sign as if he had something to do with the Miami Heat championship…
bigdave
June 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
game wise Wabe.. dude looks to post up, shoot his lil floater, spot up/pull up from mid range and 3.. just has a more NBA ready game to me..
doesn’t handle as well, but he looks like he rebs better. both cool as a fan…
Rico Niles
June 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
Trade Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams for two first rounders.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
7:35 pm
They will trade MARVIN TRADE HIM NOW IT’S OUR ONLY CHANCE LOL!
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:35 pm
Stern basically said that to say “I’m banking 10 mill a year Bitc#$es, Boo on”!!
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:36 pm
Im just glad I dont see Stuart Scott. That alone will make this draft more enjoyable. My prayers were answered.
The Barnes Sean Elliot comparison seems pretty fair.
Shamrock
June 28th, 2012
7:36 pm
Trade Najeh to another blog
bigdave
June 28th, 2012
7:37 pm
he didn’t live up to the prep hype but, some guys don’t respond the same when surrounded by equal talent.. that doesn’t mean the guy doesn’t have a good skill set to work with..
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:37 pm
Beal worries me, seen most of his games here in Florida but something doesn’t sit right with me
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
Alright lets see if the Bobcats keep this pick or trade it.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
I’ll still take Stern ova Goodell
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
7:39 pm
i’m surprised the crowd didn’t start chanting ‘riggeeddd’…
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
Time for another MJ front office blunder
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
I wonder what team will make the “WTF” pick tonight. We have done it quite a few times in the past.
Ra'mon
June 28th, 2012
7:42 pm
Yes, Luke. Stern is a gangster. Goodell is just a petty criminal. lol
Barton
June 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
@ bigdave – Harrison Barnes is better only in that he can/will dunk the basketball. Joe hasn’t dunked in years.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
Shocked that the Bobcats went MKG
Ray
June 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
First shocker of the night Kidd-Gilchrist the No. 2 pick
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
Gotta love MJ
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
MKG running the wing with Kyrie Irving is pretty dangerous. Bobcats and Cavs still in negotiations for that #2 pick.
BigTimeTECHFan
June 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
Remember a year ago, I called Benson long before Hawks picked him.
I wish we would just bring Benson back and start him, by mid season he will be a force, just need some playing time. to win it all hawks need to start:
SF I Johnson
C K Benson
PF A hortford
SG J Johnson
PG J Teague
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
7:45 pm
Dude’s a player…
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
I guess Ben Gordon will be taking 30 shots a game since they have no scorers.
Ra'mon
June 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
I love the pick for Charlotte!
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
wow charlotte should have went thomas robinson, theyd have a nice young frontcourt rotation of robinson mullens and biyambo
wash is def taking beal and wash looks pretty good next year.
john wall brad beal chris singleton emeka okafor nene
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
MKG #2, Wow….
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
Naw, MKG with Kyrie won’t scare a child
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
Love Beal to the Wizards.
BigTimeTECHFan
June 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
Only player I really want the Hawks to get is Patric Young, but I don’t think he left Florida early??
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
Tony Wroten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbS62r2fP9k
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
I’m going to go ahead and pick the Wizards to make the playoffs next year. Beal is a perfect fit for them.
Looks like MKG is staying in Charlotte, though.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
Shouldn’t shove a mic in the faces of the parents, let them just enjoy the moment with their kids.
Barton
June 28th, 2012
7:49 pm
Do the Cavs take T. Robinson?
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:49 pm
Beal & JC2 will take all the shots
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
7:50 pm
But its a good spot for Beal though
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
7:50 pm
Yea Luke i was just going to say I wish they would get rid of those interviews..
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
7:50 pm
i think clev goes deion waiters or austin rivers