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
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:55 pm
Man, still cant believe the Hawks passed on PJ3
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:55 pm
Guys, there’s a reason why all of these GMs are walking away from PJ3 and Moultrie, we just don;t yet know it. Someone’s urine test may have not come back clean. But these guys are toxic right now.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
I would have like Wroten over Jenkins.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
The last time an ATL team took a guy named Jenkins in the first round, well…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP5SuxlHTZI
falCans
June 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
team fulla jumpshooters??? umm no… we have no shooters just guys that like to shooy. We dont need a forward unless we are sure to get rid of Marvin williams…. decent pick
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
Perry Jones and Miss. St Kid in Free Fall don’t know where they will end up, and someone got into the first round that was suppose to be a second round pick.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
Dude has no handle, doesnt defend, not a good passer, not a rebounder, cant create his own shot. I would have taken Cunninham over this dude. PJ, Moultrie, Cunningham, and Miller all on the board and we take a guy who does nothing but shoot.
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE LARRY DREW
the hawks is the word
June 28th, 2012
9:57 pm
I swear the hawks are idoits perry jones or that dude from miss. state. GOD I swear a center, a freaking center and we still don’t get it now nobody can’t replace josh if he leaves and ivan gonna have to play undersize again. AND, don’t get me started on collins please
Rob
June 28th, 2012
9:57 pm
@Buddy. That write-up is pretty damn depressing lol. Thanks for the info
Ra'mon
June 28th, 2012
9:57 pm
We just drafted Salim Stoudemire, except for we did it in the first round this time.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:57 pm
Astro,
Then if PJ3 and Moultrie turn out to be good players, then the rest of the GMs including ours will look like sh!t…
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:58 pm
I would have taken Wroten over this dude. I was never impressed with him when watching Vandy. Hell I would have taken Taylor over this dude.
Rev in Tampa
June 28th, 2012
9:58 pm
Ferry fizzles
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
9:58 pm
This is a Larry Drew IDIOT pick.
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
9:58 pm
It was hard to f up this pick. I mean, it took effort. Sund, Pendergraft, Ferry, Gearon… I mean, we’re talking a real brain trust here to come up with a genius pick like this in the deepest draft in years. Rotation players were available and they took a second round player.
I don’t think I can care about this team anymore. If that’s the best Ferry could do, I just lost all confidence in him.
FIRE DANNY FERRY
June 28th, 2012
9:58 pm
Time to usher out the Danny Ferry era.
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
The streak will continue….Wow…
28-47 against the winners in two years means they will go 14-23[avg] this coming season..
28+14=42 wins 47+23=70 losses
42-70 over three years against the winners, means I will save my money…..
The Hawks do it again. This is their tradition not to draft the best available talent! Drafting for fit!
Wow..Same ole chit……………………..
I would ignore the Hawks too if I were ESPN! LMAO!
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
A jump shooter that does get to the rim is the last thing we needed in the draft. WTF is this organization thinking? Clearly the Spirit Group isn’t committed to winning a championship.
This has Larry Drew written all over it. He is trying to bring Pape Sy back from the dead now he want to turn a no name second rounder into a star. If he wanted a shooter at least get Doron Lamb.
If you are reading this blog Danny Ferry you need to Fire LD as soon as possible. This dude is out of touch.
Cedric
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
It has got to change sometime.
Ra'mon
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
I’m going to look at this from a positive. Hopefully now it will be Jenkins in the corner spotting up for Josh’s kick out instead of Marvin, right Rod?
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
MC,
Please informed the Ferry and the rest of the Hawks war room staffs that their fans are highly disappointed that they passed on Perry Jones and Moultrie….
ayt
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
never heard of the guy maybe he can actually get me to remember his name. But whatever at 23 after the two centers went it doesnt matter who they draft.
Spud
June 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
I hope the Hawks are making a trade for this pick.
BIG DOG
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
JUST DAM
LD is the dumbest head coach in America.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
THERE GOES THE GEM
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
If the Hawks were going to go with a “safe” pick, though, I would have taken Draymond Green.
Rev in Tampa
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
Atlanta Spirit Group@FakeASG
Now everyone knows our player personnel strategy: stockpile players whose names start with J. #Hawks #NBADraft
MattP
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
I saw this coming, they said they really liked Jenkins when he worked out.
durrtydogg
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
Hawks suck!
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
TRADE FOR WROTEN
Brian
June 28th, 2012
10:01 pm
Jamal Crawford was a pure shooter but no one was complaining when we picked him up as a free agent.Too many ppl that do not know what they are talking about on blogs. There is a reason you all are at home and not in New York Tonight
Most of you just wanna talk smack instead of evaluate talent.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
10:01 pm
after considering i think the hawks made a good choice. if you have someone that is a flat out shooter you are a valuable asset. john jenkins is underrated for his athleticism and is just a heady player. he isnt a selfish shooter he will knock down shots at 3 routinely and wont need to force it.
we got #43 and ive said it before but if miles plumlee darius miller tyshaun taylor or kostas papanikolaou are available, we need to take one of them.
richy
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
Perry Jones? The hawks already have a forward that thinks hes kobe bryant. They dont need another one. Please. Jenkins will take the spot of Willie Green on our bench. Best stroke in this draft hands down.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
One reason I rated Jenkins so low is he had a bad Rebound Rate for a wing player. But dude will make 3s.
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So basically he’s Jamal Crawford without the ability to drive inside and draw fouls.
Stan
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
The hawks still suck John Jenkins when could have gotten perry jones
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
Hey Jenkins probably did not miss a shot in the workouts? Sound familiar? Wow…
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
YOU GUYS ARE THE WORST FANS ON THE PLANET!!!
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF POSITIVITY?!?!?!
I DEDICATE THIS TO YOU GUYS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAV0XrbEwNc
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
“I would have like Wroten over Jenkins.”
Me too. As much ish as I have talked about Wroten, at least he has NBA level athleticism. Maybe his jumper can be fixed. Maybe he can improve his handle and cut down on his turnovers. Wroten could be a marginal NBA player for the next 15 years. Jenkins will NEVER be an NBA-level athlete.
Jaded Hawks Fan
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
This is just a mindbogglingly bad pick. You have PJ3 and Wroten, Jr., two guys with tremendous upside, available, and you pick someone who projects as a 6th man, at best. What do you have to lose with the 23rd pick? Swing for the fences. Don’t try to lay down a sacrifice bunt.
Maybe Jenkins will turn into the next Jeff Hornacek. Maybe PJ3 and Wroten never amount to anything. But, man, this looks bad.
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
10:02 pm
I am soooo mad right now. I wouldn’t have minded if we took an actual first round player.
INSTEAD WE GET A SECOND ROUND PICK AND PAY FIRST ROUND PRICE.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
Maybe the guy will work out, gotta take a wait and see approach, ain’t going roast the pick
Mr.E
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
Another JJ eh?
Sounds promising.
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
I was getting my hopes up for Draymond Green, but I can live with Jenkins. Always a spot for guys who can shoot. Now, Jenkins just has to shoot well in a Hawks uniform.
No surprise that there are d-bags on here already wanting Ferry out.
Spud
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
I hope the Heat gets PJ3 or Moultrie. The Hawks have got to have the worst talent scouts in the league.
rainman34
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
This means the starting five will stay the same but he replaces kirk. This dude can shoot the lights out and with to very good kick out post guys in josh and al it could work out great but man how do you pass on jones. What if okc gets him!!!!
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
PS for the record, I wanted Festus Ezeli, the player who physically dominated Kentucky’s front court in the SEC championship game. I bet he goes to the Heat. Plumlee to the Pacers.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
YOU GUYS ARE THE WORST FANS ON THE PLANET!!!
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF POSITIVITY?!?!?!
I DEDICATE THIS TO YOU GUYS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAV0XrbEwNc
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
Wroten is overrated
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
Our 1st round picks Twitter ID. Send him some love, he didn’t select himself.
@JohnnyCashVU23