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
8:06 pm
Heard alot about this guy, neva seen him play so i’ll take a wait n see with this pick
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
Nope Portland goes PG route which means Felton could be on the way out.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
“Aye man leave her alone it’s a sad little story sometimes you need that to remember people are human.”
I wasn’t hating on her. Just saying ESPN is stupid for interviewing her. She is 9 years old. She didn’t ask to be interviewed. Unless she is in the spelling bee she doesn’t need an ESPN mic in her face.
Mike Slive
June 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
It’s barnes
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
Detroit is probably praying that Drummond continues to drop
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
Barnes going to the Warriors
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:08 pm
Rather just watch the draft and see instead of WoJ & Spears.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
Respectfully asking that if they tweet it then keep it to yourself, rather just watch and be suprised
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
@ Najeh
Got to agree with Luke Cage takes the fun out of the drafts.
I think by pick No. 10 we start seeing trades. I don’t think NO. has a use for No.10 with all the weapons they got now.
DaVonte Hughes
June 28th, 2012
8:09 pm
KEEP JOSH MAYBE TRADE MARVIN> DRAFT FESTUS EZELI THEN SCOTT MACHADO
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:10 pm
I doubt that Toronto will take Drummond, since they got Valanciunas last year, which means the Pistons will probably take him.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
8:10 pm
i hear u luke cage. so far the draft is about right, i know someone will drop to us at #23.
GSW needs a big man and drummond can help off the bench
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:10 pm
That’s cool, will do.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:11 pm
Drummond would be a great fit next to Monroe.
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
8:11 pm
Golden State also ecstatic.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
i shoulda known GSW likes these tweeners that can run.
toronto will get rivers or lamb and move derozan to the 3.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
Nothing against you Najeh just for people like us.
And Drummond yet to come off the board maybe at No. 8
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
I think I would go Lamb over Rivers.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
GS got Curry, Barnes, Thompson, Lee. Now they just need a serviceable Big
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
Ray I think Toronto takes a sg. They just drafted a Center in the lottery last year and he is supposed to come over this season.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
Looking at Harrison Barnes he rubs off as meh to me suppose to be next Lebron James I don’t know at least I remember people claiming as such.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:14 pm
Luke, GS has Bogut. He is always injured but solid when healthy.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:14 pm
Plus GS need the coach to stop getting extorted ova nude pics, (why a married guy would send those is beyond me, they always, I mean always come back)
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
I think someone here said Barnes was the SF version of Joe Johnson. I can see that comparison, although Joe’s game is more versatile.
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
Thanks cp, forgot about that trade
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
Conflicting Twitter reports on who Toronto will pick. Won’t say who, but I rarely see these sources disagreeing on something like this.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
You know as bad as we think we got it.
Toronto and Golden St. have it much worse than we ever have.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Well it’s a SG just not going to say which one and I’m on Woj twitter.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:17 pm
Whoa. First wtf pick of tonight. I like Ross but thats real high.
DP
June 28th, 2012
8:17 pm
If Golden State was going to pick a UNC player they’d have been better off with Zeller than Barnes. Warrior fans are probably flashing back to the trade of Jason Richardson on 2007 draft day for UNC’s Brendan Wright, who was the 8th pick in the draft by Charlotte. Wright has been a bigger bust than Marvin Williams.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
8:17 pm
man im so pumped knowing we get a pick in the 1st round. the draft is so much fun, i can watch almost the whole NFL draft. my favorite pick the falcons got for his place in the draft was Jacquizz Rodgers in the 5th round. he is going to be darren sproles the 2nd in a year or two.
back to NBA i thought TOR would take a SG, im surprised tho.
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
8:17 pm
Terrance Ross rocking the bow tie… nice. Drummond now falling.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:18 pm
Yea a lot of guys will be dropping tonight. Detroit has to be happy as hell. They get a real defensive Center to pair next to Monroe.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:18 pm
I would think there will be a run on big men at some point soon, with Drummond, Zeller, Leonard still on the board.
Ray
June 28th, 2012
8:18 pm
Andre Drummond at No. 9 just saying this isn’t from no one’s twitter.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:19 pm
I wonder if Lamb’s injury is causing him to drop. I thought he would go before Ross
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
wow no trades yet, not even rumors
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
DeT needs drummond. you cant start maxiell a 6′7 PF in this league. also they may take rivers or lamb because they just traded gordon
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
Barnes disappeared without a point guard to set him up. Don’t see the JJ comparison.
Sautee
June 28th, 2012
8:21 pm
“you cant start maxiell a 6′7 PF in this league.”
Brandon Bass started for the Celtics.
tckr83
June 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
Enter your comments here
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
Please Ferry don’t take Henton
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
Maxiell starts at center, Bass at PF
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:23 pm
Good move for Detroit.Its going to take some time for him to develop but he will be real nice next to Monroe.
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
8:23 pm
This draft is bananas. Once again, Detroit has to be loving this.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
Portland goes big here?
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
If Drummond lives up to the hype, he and Monroe will be monsters in the paint…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
Yeah, Monroe and Drummond seem like they would complement each other well. One guy isn’t very athletic and scores well; the other guy is an athletic freak who defends well.
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
My bad the Hornets are up. They probably go Rivers
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
8:25 pm
If Drummond pans out there are going to be some dumb-looking picks ahead of him.