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
Jimmy Crack
June 28th, 2012
11:33 pm
A very productive draft. B+
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
11:33 pm
Another year of Marvin starting at sf? smh
K-man
June 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
Good pick by Hawks at 43, too.
Mike Scott 6′9″, 241, wingspan 6′11″, 23 yrs old, 5th yr senior from a good ACC program. Not a starter, but adds depth, scoring, and rebounding to a team in need of each of those.
Positives (from ESPN):
+ Versatile four
+ Excellent rebounder
+ Can score both inside and outside
+ Nice jumper with some 3-point range
+ High motor
Mike Huguenin’s (Yahoo) Analysis: Scott was one of the best players in the ACC and was the only consistent scorer for the Cavaliers, who made it to the NCAA tournament. Scott is a tough kid who can score in the low post and out to about 15 feet; he also is a good rebounder.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
makes sense to go after shooters when you have slashers that can suck the defense in…
or when you’ve got a big man in the middle that commands double teams.
we have neither of those.
WVU HAWK
June 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
Is there any rumors of maybe Marvin going to the warriors and us gettin fetus and green? I know there where rumors that the warriors wanted marvin.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
11:35 pm
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
11:33 pm
“Another year of Marvin starting at sf? smh”
——-
co-sign
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
11:36 pm
“Is there any rumors of maybe Marvin going to the warriors and us gettin fetus and green?”
That would be the first time the Hawks had a fetus since Tyronn Lue started at point guard.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:36 pm
2012 Lineup Hawks are going to get Roy hibbert and Ray allen BOW!
1.Teague
2.Johnson
3.Smith
4.Horford
5.Hibbert
Bench:
Ray Allen
Jenkins
Scott
Ivan.Johnson
Zaza
Williams
Pargo
SuckerFree
June 28th, 2012
11:37 pm
ONly reason the guy slid is because of reports about a knee. The guy has never been injured.
Guys that slide are the perfect picks for PLAYOFF TEAMS. That’s how playoff teams stay playoff teams because their picks are low risk. That’s why the Celtics picked Sullinger and Fab Melo….two sliders.
That’s why OKC took 2 minutes out of 5 to decide that Perry Jones was the guy. You think they scouted Jones at 28?? Not a chance….but they know the guy is a top talent.
Late in the draft you draft the best player available not for needs. That’s why the Hawks are the Hawks because they draft needs instead of best player they can get.
bigdave
June 28th, 2012
11:38 pm
A zaza sighting
WVU HAWK
June 28th, 2012
11:40 pm
Sorry meant to say Festus Ezeli. Have you heard anything?
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:41 pm
Just saw the video of Mike Scott draft workout. He seem to have a nice mid-range game. I hope he can play some SF (or be able to dribble drive) b/c he may have difficulty shooting over PF.
Just Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:42 pm
Hawks aren’t your typical playoff team. We only have 6 players under contract and all our free agents are 45 yrs or older. We really needed skilled bench guys. Maybe we got a couple. Maybe we’ll still find a way to get Machado.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:42 pm
That is the other guy I talked about earlier… the Flip Murray type. A grinder and scorer.
DAMN
June 28th, 2012
11:45 pm
Oh will you guys stop your bitching and moaning and live with the people we got!!
Perry Jones will be the next Marvin Williams
Mike R
June 28th, 2012
11:48 pm
For what it’s worth, Jeff Teague shot a higher 3P% in his final season at Wake than John Jenkins did at Vandy. But I guess there are worse things than drafting a guy in the late first who can hit shots off the bench.
Still, I’d rather actually have someone that can get to the rim (and wants to get to the rim… looking at you Josh). Maybe that’s more of a coaching issue.
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:48 pm
So the story goes Marvin never missed a shot in his workouts and the rest as they say is history..
42-70……zzzzzzzz
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:49 pm
“Perry Jones will be the next Marvin Williams” Yep that sounds about right….
KSchmidt
June 28th, 2012
11:50 pm
A. Sherrod Blakely @SherrodbCSN
#CelticsTalk: #NBA source says any deal involving #Hawks Josh Smith would most likely include sign-and-trade w/Brandon Bass.
Bass? What?
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:50 pm
“KC Johnson: The Bulls drafted Teague without working him out personally at the Berto Center, evidence they were surprised he was available. Twitter”.
What, a team drafted a guy they didn’t work out?
hawks_4_life
June 28th, 2012
11:50 pm
No way a guy drops like that without good cause. Hawks really had to do the safe pice, Jenkins have a useable skill set. Im happy with the pick, Im just waiting for Ferry to do a complete overhaul of the roster, no one is safe.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:52 pm
Mike Scott actually sounds a little like David West… a tweener with solid offensive and rebounding skills. But plays under the rim (like West).
Slimjr
June 28th, 2012
11:53 pm
Post draft trade. What can we get for shopping All Get Real? He had the most trade value before that discombobulated shot in the post caused that freak accident.
Rufus1
June 28th, 2012
11:53 pm
Finally, a GM that drafts basketball players and not athletes who have to learn the game.
Jay P
June 28th, 2012
11:53 pm
As a UVa alum and fan Scott is a mid range monster and an above average post up option. He is a bit small for PF but could find a niche as a nice scoring option off the bench. He carried UVa throughout the season, averaged ~37 minutes a game, and was the complete focus of opposing defenses and still managed to put up a pace adjusted 25 ppg and 11 rpg. This article is a nice picture of what the Hawks are getting. http://www.streakingthelawn.com/2012/2/9/2786101/uva-vs-wf-wake-forest-mike-scott-show-acc-virginia-cavaliers.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:53 pm
“Gary Washburn: Had conversation with Perry Jones’ dad about year ago, said he didn’t want son drafted by bad team. His dad’s desired team? OKC #nbadraft12″
No wonder the Hawks didn’t draft PJ3. They didn’t meet his daddy requirements….LOL
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:54 pm
Jenkins will have more 3FGs than PJ3 will have rebounds next season.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:56 pm
Melvin, Hawks already have the son of a domineering father on the team, don’t need another.
Just Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:57 pm
Think about the guys that are being brought in here: Brian Butch, Jeremy Hazell, John Jenkins, and Mike Scott. These guys are all shooters. Even Pape Sy has started hitting his 3’s.
Now think about the Josh for Gasol trade (another shooter).
Obviously this is LD’s model. Ferry needs to decide what he wants to see on the court.
hmmmm.........
June 28th, 2012
11:57 pm
Either way unless the hawks free up some salary cap they are gonna be the same team. willie green and ivan johnson meet your replacements
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
11:57 pm
Astro,
“Jenkins will have more 3FGs than PJ3 will have rebounds next season.”
Maybe but I’m more interested who will have a better career. Hawks as assemble will probably not win the Championship next season so why know choose a guy that could have All-Star talent instead of a spot up shooter that are a dime a dozen.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
11:57 pm
Rufus, BIG co-sign. These guys get paid immediately, why not expect them to be ready to produce immediately?
Rufus1
June 28th, 2012
11:58 pm
I wanted Jared Cunningham,..
But I won’t complain about drafting Ray Allen Lite.
prison mike
June 29th, 2012
12:00 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok8bXyISyH8
This kind of changes the outlook for Scott. This ninja actually has some sf skills. If he lost some weight he could be an interesting player at the 3.
Slimjr
June 29th, 2012
12:00 am
Apparently Danny wants to see more shooters just like Larry..
Was not Danny a shooter himself? Hmmmmmmm
“Shoot the J! Shoot it!”
Astro Joe
June 29th, 2012
12:00 am
Melvin, yeah, you like $10 in lottery tickets, I’m taking a $10 gift card.
Astro Joe
June 29th, 2012
12:02 am
Ferry, go add Hollis Thompson, Machado and Sims to our Summer League roster. Start making calls, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
June 29th, 2012
12:03 am
Hawks should sign undrafted Henry Sims, Hollis Thompson and Renardo Sidney to their camp rosters.
hawks_4_life
June 29th, 2012
12:05 am
NEW BLOG POSTED, IM SHUTTING THE BLOG DOWN….MC IM WAITING FOR IT LOL
Rufus1
June 29th, 2012
12:05 am
AJ,
The Theme… #1 options for their teams, who had to score against double teams.. Translation= High skill with a tough mentality….. The change in culture has started.
Melvin
June 29th, 2012
12:06 am
Astro,
You will get one very inexpensive gift for with $10 gift card. If I hit the lotto, oh well… Like Dave Chappelle said “I’m rich, b!thch”
Melvin
June 29th, 2012
12:07 am
The NBA Draft was held in a city without a NBA team….SMH
Just Joe
June 29th, 2012
12:07 am
Teague
Johnson / Jenkins
Williams
Smith / Scott
Horford / Pachulia
Lots of work to do still.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 29th, 2012
12:08 am
Everybody in the Hawks scouting department needs to be fired right away for their performance in this years draft.
Everybody in the Hawks organization who participated in the draft needs to be fired right away for their performance in this years draft.
They don’t deserve a F they deserve a G.
Their is a real disconnect with the organization and the fan base right now. The fan base wants to win a championship but the organization wants to tread water.
Ratings for NBA basketball is always high in the Atlanta metro area but attendance at Hawks games are low. I wonder why? Maybe horrible draft picks after draft picks have something to do with it.
If you want the consumer to buy your product you have to give the consumer what he wants.
Just Joe
June 29th, 2012
12:09 am
ZaZa better work on his jumper or he’ll no longer fit in anymore.
DAMN
June 29th, 2012
12:14 am
When will you guys realize that horford isnt a true center but a power forward -____-
1.Teague
2.Johnson
3.Smith
4.Horford
5.Roy hibbert
Carpio7
June 29th, 2012
12:17 am
The Hawks are planning to move J.J. and get a center. Thats why a SG was picked. *cough* Dwight Howard *couch*
Grandad
June 29th, 2012
12:19 am
Mr Ferry`s picks showed a real San Antone philosophy !
***** Shooters ***** or as I prefer to say … shot-makers.
I happen to know that S.A. had scouted Scott extensively.
They were [wishful thinking] hoping he would fall to them.
David West was a good comparison offensively;
but West used to be a good shot-blocker.
-not any more- … Scott, not a shot blkr, never was.
Think Bonner with [dark complexion]
* Mike Scott:
* I just watched a workout video and dad-gum this kid can shoot.
He obviously can score, good scorer in a great league.
But he can really shoot with a beautiful smooth / fluid stroke.
D.F. wasn`t kidding when he said he was looking for guys who could shoot.
It is nice to have a plan / a philosophy / a direction.
It bugs me that I knew who this kid was but knew nothing about him.
Confound it !
DAMN
June 29th, 2012
12:19 am
@Carpio7
I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK!!!
#1 Hawks Fan
June 29th, 2012
12:31 am
For all you so called Hawks fan the only real move we need to make is get rid of Joe Johnson ??? he is overpaid and is killing our salary cap you pay him all that money for him to choke again in the playoffs the trade that needs to happen is JJ, Marvin williams ,Zaza and a draft pick for Dwight Howard, then you pick up a sg and you would have the best line up in the NBA with Dwight at center Al at pf, Josh at sf, Teague at pg and sg is who you get and you have money to get some better bench players lets not forget that Dwight and Josh are both from Atlanta, what better way to bring a championship to ATL than home grown talent.