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
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Notice how nobody has taken Fab Melo? That’s because they are horrible players.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
pj3 or wroten jr
either one is great for us at #23.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
I’m actually hoping for a Marquis Teague right now that would be a great backup to Jeff both are fast and quick,
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
If the Hawks take Wroten, we know one thing — Sund is still pulling some strings in Hawks headquarters, at least until Ferry gets settled in.
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
Yeah
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
Ok PJ or Moultrie. I wont be mad at either pick.
Jaded Hawks Fan
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
I think the Hawks have to take Perry. You just can’t pass up a guy with star potential at 23.
DS
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
We NEED to make a run for the 24th
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
Boston #22 – Fab Melo
Atlanta #23 – Perry Jones III
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
Haha @ Buddy Grizzard. You’ll see why in a second…
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
@ Buddy G
Being reported Boston will take him I’m glad though seriously glad.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
buddy you are right. i think miles plumlee will go before melo or eezeti or whoever from vandy. 6′11 with a 40 inch vert, sounds like dwight howard..
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
Fab Melo wouldn’t be bad…
The Hawks have freakin’ options here man. If i hear Barton’s name, I’ll be p!ssed…
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
If we pick Teague – what a slap to LD
Mr.E
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
Awesome, if MC is right we get to choose between PJ3 and Moultrie
Just Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
Take Jones!!!
Rob
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
what if Perry falls to Heat? thats that b.s
Ra'mon
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
Hmmm. I think NHL commissioner would win by a landslide just on principles alone.
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
They better not pick wroten over PJ 3
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
I can live with PJ3, as much as he has bust potential written all over him, at the #23. His ceiling is way higher than anyone else left on the board in my opinion.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
WTF ATLANTA WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
NNBONOOOO!!O!O!O!O!!O!O!!OO!!O!O!
HE CAN BE HAD MUCH LATER!
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Hawks should try to add a 2nd 1st round pick or an 2nd round pick.
Dostoyevskiy
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
UNC lost to UK by 1 pt early in season at Rupp. Marshall got exponentially better over season. His scoring also increased dramatically. Had he not got hurt before tourney UK just might not have been NATL champs.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
This has worked out well for the Hawks. Even BK couldnt f this up. Well I wont go that far
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Woj just tweeted that the Hawks are leaning towards someone who may have a big chunk of this blog disappointed.
DS
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
I’m not liking what Woj is saying about the hawks’ pick…
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
“Lots of folks have compared Wroten to Rondo – but Wroten is maybe smoother”
Oh yeah… 1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio… that’s the very definition of smooth.
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
This may be the biggest infusion of NBA talent on a midlevel basis in a long time. Deep draft of ok players. Decent but not spectacular
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
ALERT ATLANTA IS NOT PICKING WHO EVERYONE THINKS ALERT!
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Man stop with this BS interview and get to the pick!!
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
If the Hawks pass over PJ or Moultrie then they got some explaining to do.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
im kinda scared pj3 slipped this far, his meniscus might be a no-go. also pj3 reminds me a lot of anthony randolph and anthony randolph has not done a thing besides be frail and not quick enough at 3 and too weak at the 4.
Just Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
We will take a SG, and Dallas will grab Perry Jones and still have two early second rd picks.
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
BG – Just look at the tape, not the stats. Dude’s got “it”. But at the same time, i only draft him if I like his work ethic, which I know nothing about.
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
Jones 3 or Coulter!!!!!!!!!
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
Dang…
They took Melo…
Peach Fuzz
June 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
Agree Fydor. Wonder how UK would have fared w/o their star.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
I told yall Boston was going with Melo
Mr.E
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
I really hope the Hawks don’t do something stupid, but you just they are
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
@ Najeh it’s too late man it’s too late.
I’m not mad at the pick, but it’s not my #1 choice especially considering who’s left.
Jimmy Crack
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
I knew it!!
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Moultree!!!!
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Looks like im about to be pissed just like I was the night they took Sheldon
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
PJIII please…
Big Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Celts just got two solid picks. They’ll be kicking our arses for years to come…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Hawks’ pick is confirmed. Check Woj’s Twitter for details. Someone I haven’t really seen play yet, so can’t give an opinion, but it isn’t a very exciting pick.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Najeh,
I hope Woj is wrong…
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
John Jenkins? He might be available at 43.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
9:43 pm
You bloggers are straigt A–Holes for real
Rev in Tampa
June 28th, 2012
9:43 pm
Way to go Hawks. Keep the head-scratching decisions coming.