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
1,051 comments Add your comment
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:13 pm
I can’t wait to hear the 790 guys go in on the Hawks tomorrow
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:13 pm
Does he a have a set shot like the fabulous All? That would be redundant? Maybe not…
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:14 pm
sorry doc..
hawks_4_life
June 28th, 2012
11:14 pm
It would be funny if this draft turns out to be one of the better one in years simply because people are already dogging the picks before the day is out. Just because your target wasn’t picked means it was a bad draft, hawks wasn’t in a premium position to get top tier talent. I still think Ferry will shake the roster up somehow, this team need to get in next years lottery which means a down year. The question is can any of you live with that.
Jimmy Crack
June 28th, 2012
11:14 pm
If he could make 1st team in the ACC and not be on Duke or North Carolina he must be a player.
Just Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:14 pm
I would have gone with Drew Gordon, but the Hawks were obviously looking for skilled offensive players. Scott hit 52% of his jumpers this year.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:15 pm
AUTOMATIC FROM 3!!
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
11:15 pm
SuckerFree, the 790 guys are f’ing idiots. Just sayin’.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:16 pm
HE HAS SKILLS!!!!!! WE GOT A STEAL @$&%#$%(@#$Q@(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok8bXyISyH8
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:17 pm
“Just because your target wasn’t picked means it was a bad draft, hawks wasn’t in a premium position to get top tier talent.”
bruh PERRY JONES III sitting right there for the taking
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
11:17 pm
Najeh, I have never watched Scott play. Can tell you that Seth Davis picked him as a “sleeper” on the CBSSports channel draft preview show. Davis said that Scott is a bruiser and can hit shots from the L in.
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:18 pm
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:12 pm
“Can we start the draft over? This is one night I wish Billy Knight would have made the Hawks picks.”
Sad night Melvin.You are probably right? Wow…
Hey at least the Hawks are streaking…. hehehe
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
11:18 pm
Everyone on Twitter praising the Darius Miller pick by New Orleans.
Jaded Hawks Fan
June 28th, 2012
11:18 pm
“hawks wasn’t in a premium position to get top tier talent”
They were, though. Jones is a flight risk, but no one questions his talent.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:18 pm
Lang Greene @LangGreene
#Hawks 2nd round selection Mike Scott finished UVA career ranked 3rd in rebs (944), 16th in points (1,538) and 3rd in double-doubles (34)
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:19 pm
@Section 303
I like them better than 680 because all the 680 guys talk about is UGA, Chipper Jones & Matt Ryan
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
11:19 pm
New Orleans Won the draft by a land slide.
The Atlanta Hawks lost the draft by a land slide.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
11:19 pm
I actually don’t mind the Scott pick.
Still upset about the Jenkins pick.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
11:21 pm
Some guy named Kostas Papesyorsomethinglikethat just got drafted. I think that’s my cue to turn the draft off.
For the record, 4 more picks until the pick the Hawks sold at the trade deadline.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:21 pm
“t would be funny if this draft turns out to be one of the better one in years ….. I still think Ferry will shake the roster up somehow, this team need to get in next years lottery which means a down year.” -hawks_4_life
First you said the Hawks may have had a good draft, then they will be in the lottery next year? Uh, is that somewhat contradictory (and going backwards) considering they were in the playoffs this year….
Just Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:21 pm
Hawks need to trade one of next year’s picks for Kyle O’Quinn.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
11:21 pm
I don’t wanna hear bout those “prolly not gonna be here for a couple years” kinda guys….
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
11:21 pm
Would not be a draft without NY Knicks fans making complete a$$es of themselves. I guess they wanted Anthony Davis with that 48th pick.
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:22 pm
NY Knicks fans are so funny
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
11:22 pm
“the 790 guys are f’ing idiots. Just sayin’.”
Is there anyone on talk radio of any kind who is not a f-cking idiot? I thought that was a prerequisite for that job.
NUNNA!!
June 28th, 2012
11:22 pm
WTF is up with da thinking of Danny Ferry??
This guy is like TD with da falcons..
They(The Spurs) let him go without a fight because he is just an errand boy who gets coffee,lunch,and fax ish..Dats it..
1st round and out again..
We need a real center!!
Shoulda got da dude from G’town yo..Shoulda got him..Mr.Sims was on the board..
And if we did draft a guard in the 1st,then why not Wroten??
We have a high powered run game if we had a Rhondo type of PG running da break..
I like Teague but he still has some growing to do with his court vision/passng game..
He is not a true PG..But he is getting there..
Having this guy to spell him coming off the bench and we some younger horses to run with him would make us dangerous..
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
11:23 pm
SuckerFree, I don’t listen to either anymore. Though, I may tune in tomorrow just to hear if they actually talk about the Hawks.
I thought both stations only talked UGA football and NFL?
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:23 pm
So how do you grade Danny tonight?
A,B,C,D,F, -F, unbelievable
Guess that’s why he signed up for 6yrs?
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:23 pm
If mike Scott can turn into a threat…..WOW
FUTURE LINEUP
1.Teague
2.Jenkins
3.Scott
4.Horford
5. Free agent Center
woah…..
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:23 pm
Kyle O’Quinn, Henry Sims or Hollis Thompson would have been nice with that pick we sold. Oh well, maybe Sims goes undrafted and we can add him to our summer league team. Or maybe Ferry can trade Cenk Akyol to the Spurs for their late 2nd round pick.
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:23 pm
John Jenkins or Perry Jones III???
That’s a clown question bro
hawks_4_life
June 28th, 2012
11:25 pm
There might be a reason seemingly top 5 talent Jones slid the way he did.
O'brien
June 28th, 2012
11:26 pm
If Ivan is resigned, we will have him and Marvin to play minutes at backup PF, so I’m surprised we went with Scott (unless they are concerned they may lose Ivan).
But I will give Ferry a chance, and see how the players do next season.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:26 pm
@suckerfree
There is a reason Perry Jones III fell so low in the draft.
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
11:26 pm
DAMN, normally, I would say a 2nd round pick like Scott had about the same chance you or I had of making the team. But, with only 6 guys (though, high priced) on the roster, he has a shot. He will come cheap and could possibly knock some heads, if needed.
Rod from College Park
June 28th, 2012
11:26 pm
No comment.
Section 303
June 28th, 2012
11:27 pm
O’brien, I am praying for the amnesty on Marvin. I just hit a wall with that guy this season. Do not want to watch him play anymore. Hope they get him out here.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:27 pm
@O’brien
Scott is a better SF. He has great range and a bruiser insider.
….like lebron
Rufus1
June 28th, 2012
11:28 pm
Perry Jones fell to a team that didn’t want their own pick….
Why would the Hawks draft him… OKC only drafted him because they had to pick someone.
Sullinger is an UNATHLETIC, FAT MAN with a BAD BACK and he went before Jones, but the Hawks missed on him… REALLY?
He should have come to the workout when the Hawks invited him….
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:28 pm
We’ve been waiting for Marvin to turn into a threat…Has not worked out so far 7 years later..
OKC stole a top 5 talent at the 28th pick?…..Wow….
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:28 pm
Well all is not bad for me. I pickup OKC as my 2nd favor team last season and they drafted my favorite prospect tonight. I never had a 2nd team to cheer for in my life. I may have a 3rd team if the Hawks trade Josh…. SMH
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:30 pm
“Perry Jones fell to a team that didn’t want their own pick….” Rufus1
We didn’t you see OKC trading that pick since they drafte PJ3 either….
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
11:30 pm
@DAMN
Mike Scott ain’t no Joe Johnson
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
11:30 pm
Scott can play but Gordon, Darius Miller, Machado, and Hollis Thompson were still available. This was a very mehhh draft.
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:31 pm
@Section 303
790 is more diversified in their topics. They pretty much cover everything worth covering. I like their characters a little more as a whole.
680 are more homers. They were talking about UGA recruiting and Mark Richt when the Hawks were GAME 2 against the Celtics. They talk about minor league Baseball and pretty much Chipper Jones and Matt Ryan all damn day. CAn’t stand Kincade and Buck is so country it’s hard to listen to. Churnoff is funny
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:31 pm
Mike Scott’s Twitter handle (quite original):
@mikescott
Bama Hawk
June 28th, 2012
11:31 pm
do we have anymore picks?
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
11:32 pm
Scott is a pf.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:32 pm
I don’t know much about Mike Scott but I hope he can take Marvin spot…
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:33 pm
Melvin, I always had two teams to cheer for since I moved down. [Knicks] is the other team..But I like you are starting to like that OKC squad….
This Hawks org. is just brutal….
42-70