Atlanta Hawks: Hawks select John Jenkins and Mike Scott in draft
The Hawks selected Vanderbilt sharpshooter John Jenkins and Virginia forward Mike Scott in the draft.
Jenkins was projected to go later in the draft than No. 23 but Larry Drew said the Hawks didn’t think he’d even make it to them.
“When Boston made the No. 22 selection, there was a lot of happiness in the room that John would be there,” Drew said.
That presumably means the Hawks weren’t waiting on Syracuse center Fab Melo. It definitely means they preferred Jenkins, 21, to prospects that might have more potential to improve such as Tony Wroten and Perry Jones.
At first glance, that doesn’t seem to fit with Danny Ferry’s focus on long-term development. But Drew said Jenkins has room to improve while providing an NBA skill now.
“He is a guy that has potential to get into rotational lineup,” Drew said. “But being a young kid, he’s a guy that can grow and provide some youth for us. He is a kid that wants to be the best. We have to think about not just the present but the future”
No doubt Jenkins was an elite shooter at Vandy.
“I like people that can shoot and he can definitely do that,” Ferry said. “He plays hard, hes’ a competitive kid, really tries to play the right way. When he’s on the court he will make shots and make it almost make it a four-on-five games because you can’t leave him. He’s got decent length for his size. We were encouraged he was there when we were picking.”
At Vanderbilt Jenkins wasn’t much of a passer, didn’t get to the free-throw line and didn’t rebound. All of those things will be much more difficult to do in the NBA.
There’s also a question of whether Jenkins is athletic enough to be an effective defender.
“He cares, and if we have a good system where he can play five-man defense, I think he will be a good job,” Ferry said. “He will play smart. I think he will compete every play. Again, you will have to go around to the other and and chase him around. He’s a dangerous weapon.”
Scott is an undersized, over-aged (24 next month) power forward who was awarded a fifth year at Virginia because of a medical hardship. He was a decent rebounder who increased his scoring efficiency during his time at Virginia as he developed a jump shot.
Ferry said Scott is strictly a power forward.
“He’s got the strength to be able to play the four position,” he said. “He’s got the strength. He’s a good 16-foot pick-and-pop player that can also finish around the basket and rebound. I think he’s got a chance to be a good player. He’s going to have to come in and compete both ends of the floor, do what coach Drew wants him to do.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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270 comments Add your comment
CSP
June 29th, 2012
8:04 am
@ vava. You truly showed your ignorance when you have Ivan getting SF minutes.
BIG DOG
June 29th, 2012
8:12 am
Northcyde – Say Hawks made a good pick and also have Marvin still starting on his board, JUST DAM.
If Marvin starte 1 game this year after six years of watching him LD should be a shame of him self.
How is Jenkins a good pick, Marvin William during practice made 24 jumpshots in a row, SMH
This organzation is a joke no way did Danny make this draft pick, this team need a center and Fab went before Hawks pick, so that left Festus Ezeli on the board, but yet the Hawks drafted another Rodney Monroe from 1991, I BE DAM
BIG DOG IN THEHOUSE
Just Joe
June 29th, 2012
8:16 am
Comparing Willie Green to John Jenkins. Very similar in size. Jenkins is an inch or so taller with just a slightly longer wingspan. In college, Willie shot just over 30% from 3. He was more of a scorer than shooter. Willie has only had two years in the league where he shot better than 35% from 3 (last year was 44%).
As far as JJ Reddick. His wingspan is 5 inches shorter than Jenkins’s, and Jenkins came out of college roughly 20 pounds heavier. Jenkins should have the tools to be a better defender than Reddick, but that’s not saying much.
BIG DOG
June 29th, 2012
8:22 am
Nobody had Jenkins going in 1st round but yet the Hawks draft him at pick #23.
SAME OLD HAWKS.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Just Joe
June 29th, 2012
8:22 am
Draft express and nbadraft.net both had Jenkins going 32nd. DE had Scott at 47, while .net had him at 40.
O'Brien
June 29th, 2012
8:29 am
LD:“But being a young kid, he’s a guy that can grow and provide some youth for us..
Provide some youth? What? I’m surprised LD didnt throw a “irregardless” in there too.
As for Jenkins, can he work his way into being a starting SG, with JJ moved to SF? Or is he too one dimensional? I just don’t want to see Marvin in the starting lineup again…
BIG DOG
June 29th, 2012
8:31 am
Poor Horford keep asking him self when will this team get him some help.
Will the Hawks try get a center during free agent ?
Danny bro these draft picks are horrible please make it up by signing a center in free agent.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
northcyde
June 29th, 2012
8:44 am
Just Joe
June 29th, 2012
7:44 am
I think the Scott pick means Ivan is out. I think Ferry is letting LD set his roster, and I’m not sure LD ever got over his episode with Ivan. You now see that Ferry won’t commit to extending the qualifying offer to Ivan, which is a change from what MC was saying when Sund was still calling the shots.
Having Ivan and Scott seems a little repetitive. It’s almost the same as the Hawks bringing back Willie Green now that they have Jenkins.
****************
This makes sense. So Scott is the guy and Ivan is probably out. God forbid that Ivan goes somewhere else and turns into a quality rotation player and Scott struggles to find his niche. The fan base will REALLY have it out for Drew then. Bad enough that he immediately gave up on JC2. But giving up on Ivan may be the last straw.
PG: Teague – ( Free agent PG )
G: Johnson – Jenkins
F: Marvin – ( Free agent G/F ) – ( Free agent F )
PF: Smith – Scott – ( Free agent F )
C: Horford – Zaza – ( Free agent C )
northcyde
June 29th, 2012
8:52 am
LOL Big Dog
Marvin is simply an average player. But right now, he’s the 2nd best SF on the team behind JJ.
Now if Jenkins can prove that he can shoot and most importantly defend well enough to be a starter, then you put him at the 2 and move JJ to the 3. Then Marvin can go to the bench.
I don’t know why people get so mad at the Marvin situation, when they know that we don’t have anybody on the team that we can insert at other positions to justify him staying on the bench. We got away with it for a while with Hinrich at the 2. But he ended up being the defensive version of Mike Bibby, with little offense coming from him.
If Marvin would embrace the role of a 6th man, AND get legit 6th man usage, it may be a plus for this team.
But until we find a SG or a SF other than JJ that is starter worthy, Marvin has to start on most nights.
It is what it is . . . ( shrug )
El Bravo
June 29th, 2012
8:53 am
This is garbage. We could have taken Perry Jones in the first, Kim English in the second and much been better off addressing the same two positions…
BIG DOG
June 29th, 2012
8:53 am
2012 Atlanta Hawks
Teague, Joe, Josh, Horford, Zaza
Pargo, Jenkins, Marvin, Ivan, Collins
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
El Bravo
June 29th, 2012
8:54 am
been much better off…
northcyde
June 29th, 2012
9:01 am
Rodney Monroe: 6-3 . . 185 lbs . . played with the greatest passing college PG in history ( Chris Corchaini )
John Jenkins: 6-4 . . 215 lbs . . . played with Brad Tinsley, not even a top 5 SEC PG.
Rodney literally couldn’t get his shot off on the NBA level. Jenkins has a lightning quick release, ala Salim Stoudamire. At 6-4, he’ll have little difficulty getting his shot off vs most NBA 2s. He should be a decent role player for us. Hopefully his adjustment to the NBA is a lot quicker than JJ Redick’s.
I still would’ve rather had Taylor, but Jenkins will do.
vava74
June 29th, 2012
9:02 am
CSP
June 29th, 2012
8:04 am
Ivan can defend all 3 front court positions. He has proven that satisfactorily.
He has quick feet and quicker hands, stripping balls deftly and often.
His shooting touch extends to 18 feet and his ability to drive both right and left make him mobile enough to do it against second unit SFs.
northcyde
June 29th, 2012
9:06 am
When Jenkins hits 5 threes in a row during Summer League, people will be ooo’in and ahhh’in about him.
Damn . . it’s gonna be almost 110 degrees in Middle TN today. Nashville is Las Vegas all of a sudden.
just a thought..
June 29th, 2012
9:10 am
When does summerleague start?
FuriousCalm
June 29th, 2012
9:11 am
“I like the pick of John Jenkins he can come in and play the 2 guard move Joe to the 3 spot and have Josh and Al Horford playing the 4 and 5 positions. They will have a team that can run the floor and spread the floor. Open up opportunities for our shooters and cutters operate.”
My exact thoughts when the pick was announced. I’ve seen him play, he’s an assassin and a smart player. I’d like to see how he works at the 2 with “the core” at some point.
I was shocked at the doom and gloom opinions immediately after the pick but then I remembered where I was.
I don’t know anything about Scott, but I know interior toughness and hustle will help.
just a thought..
June 29th, 2012
9:12 am
I want to see how this kid fairs defensively before I make up my mind on him like most bloggers here that he was a bad pick. If he can be our Kyle Korver, he’s a steal. Same with Mike Scott, I was just hoping that he could play the back up Small Forward.
BYC
June 29th, 2012
9:19 am
I gotta admit i’ve never seen either of these guys play so i’ll reserve judgement until the season starts. I hope drafting another SG and SF means that Ferry’s got some big plans on the trading block.
Astro Joe
June 29th, 2012
9:26 am
Somehow, upside seems to now be defined as a player with very limited skills, ton of athleticism, and a whole lot to learn. But even guys who come in with some NBA-ready skills have upside. Jenkins, as example, may need to improve his handle, awareness of teammates, ability to fight through screens on defense, learn the proper defensive angles, etc. I think NVE has done a really nice job with Teague and I hope that he gets to be Jenkins’ position coach.
Buddy Grizzard
June 29th, 2012
9:28 am
“Hawks GM Danny Ferry says no decision on qualifying offer for F Ivan Johnson. Deadline is Sat.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Marcus
June 29th, 2012
9:36 am
O’B,
We do take a lot of J’s …. most times either out of desperation (dribble down shot clock in isolation play call) or the wrong person (Smoove at end of ball rotation after having floated out 16 – 23 ft.).
if those items can be rectified or even reduced to a minimum ….. and get jumpers from those most suited to hit them from their best spots (Horford/Smoove 15 ft and in; both JJs in rhythm from anywhere; Teague and Marvin off rotation/ball movement)….much better prospect in combination with a hopefully more potent and purposeful inside game from our bigs.
Ray
June 29th, 2012
9:37 am
@ Buddy G
A lot of changes coming in the form of a new bench I don’t think anyone from last year’s roster will be back especially Pargo or Green.
I’m saying this now I don’t blame this on Danny Ferry. I think Danny’s thinking was I’m letting them do this one last time and let them have their last F-up for this franchise at least I hope that’s what he was thinking.
random
June 29th, 2012
9:38 am
Much of you dogging john jenkins but aparently hes a steal according to espn
Ray
June 29th, 2012
9:38 am
Okay if we can’t trade Joe Johnson at all.
Then our only option is to Trade Marvin I think there is a trade being worked out who knows maybe Golden St. likes Marvin so much they send us Festus back in return?
Ra'mon
June 29th, 2012
9:39 am
Wow, ESPN just gave Hawks some love for the Jenkins pick. They said, he’s exactly what they needed.
Ray
June 29th, 2012
9:40 am
@ Random and Ra’mon
I’m not mad about us picking John Jenkins I’m mad that we picked him this high basically we reached up to grab him when Perry Jones 3, Arnett, Teague’s younger brother, Jeff Taylor, Fetsus all were avaliable.
If we would have traded up in the second round we could have had John Jenkins most likely.
John
June 29th, 2012
9:42 am
I agree with a poster above. If PJII is not available, and Moultrie, to a lesser degree, this pick is not that bad. However, the Hawks had an opportunity to get a guy with star potential at 23. He did not have character issues. His problem is that he does not play as assertive as people would like with his skill set. Bilas said it best. PJII could be an all-star and at worst a starter. Jenkins at best is a fringe starter and at worst, a decent shooter off the bench. People are missing the point here. This is the only time I can remember that a potential star fell this far. OKC shows why they are such a good franchise by taking him.
random
June 29th, 2012
9:42 am
tbh I think the heat wouldve snatched up john jenkins
vava74
June 29th, 2012
9:44 am
From Sheridanhoops (article pre-draft on possible STEALS):
John Jenkins, Junior, 6-4, SG, Vanderbilt
Where he probably will be picked: 26-35
Where he should be picked: 15-20
Jenkins currently is viewed as a bubble first-round pick who more than likely will slip into the second round. His stock took a big hit with Vanderbilt’s early flameout in the NCAA Tournament, but his shot-making ability is undeniable. Jenkins has unlimited range on his jumper and always seems to make big shots during the momentum-changing moments of games. He may be a bit small for his position, but his killer mentality will keep him on the floor in crunch time.
Big-Shot Jenkins is a possibility guys. I am not saying a world class all round SG but maybe we got a guy who will come off the bench to knock down consistently shots in the second team and we desperately needed that.
Whenever there was a possible momentum changing shot, the fact is that all that we have been seeing from the Hawks – apart from a few games in which Green and Pargo went crazy hot – was “clank” “clank” and “clank”.
random
June 29th, 2012
9:48 am
@John
What does OKC need? Exactly nothing they made it to the finals last year with that team. If anything they need a productive center, unlike perkins the foul machine. they picked him b/c he was the best player left basically, but they had no reason to pick him, he is a risk to take. Like someone on he blog earlier said the hawks cant take that chance, the OKC can since they are already deep and made to the finals with the same team.
MsDee
June 29th, 2012
9:48 am
You guys are thinking to small where John Jenkins is concern. Since it looks as tho Josh will be sticking around for another season, Josh can do to Jenkins what Rondo does for Ray Allen. Josh is an excellent passer and can kick that ball to a WIDE OPEN JENKINS for an assist! Josh has now 2 options there, JJ and JJ..(lol). NOW I understand why Drew was surprised that Jenkins got passed Boston, considering the fact that they might lose Ray and all. Jenkins would have been RIGHT THERE to replace him. Jenkins is a freakin clone of Ray, so how can people be mad that we picked him?? Im not hating on this pick at all!! I love it cause WE ACTUALLY CAN SEE WHAT THIS GUY WILL BRING YOU, unlike PJ3, Q Miller, or any of these other forwards with medical issues with their so-call “potential”.
Also about this Mike Scott pick..again, im loving what Danny Ferry is doing here. He scouts this guy out, most likely for San Antonio, while keeping him under the radar cause Im sure NO ONE has heard of him. WE chkout his clips for youtude, and can clearly see what he can bring to the table. Only team who may have a problem with our pick is the Spurs..lol
Ray
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
Yeah the last time someone talked about a player having knee problems the Spurs got D. Blair how’d that turn out for them?
Don’t get me wrong there is always going to be an issue with a lot of players, but at #23 he’s a low risk high reward player at that point.
If we picking at #10 or something around there I understand not drafting Perry Jones 3.
But at #23 come on man.
doc
June 29th, 2012
10:02 am
Well the negative clan was out in force last night. They filled out the roster with legit grown ups capable of being pros because they act like pros and the minons went wild. Yeah there were other choices but these are guys they knew well as at least one or both had two visits.
I went to the draft event at red and the announcer twice came out and asked who of the second interviewees did folks think we’re going to be picked. Right there was an indication they were not goimg to vary from script. Something about needs and what was written lead me to say Jenkins would be our pick to my daughter when asked.
The kid jenkins is solid. His specialty is his shot which wont go away and he is a learner. Yeah it is safe for a team with too little to spend on a roster only filled out to six players for the coming year.
Scott is probably better than shells and he won’t need to be a starter just play his role. He is mature and smart so I dare say he is also better than powell of two years ago. Hopefully he will be able to get some minutes as he is reliable and a chess piece that won’t go rogue on you when asked to do something.
Perry was obviously a very hot potato that fell to a team that had time to kick the tires a bit and see if he can mature. If he was that much a head case to fall from top ten to almost out of the first round the kid has a lot to prove as his head cost him a lot of money. Mega mil body with a ten cent brain. D Ferry is not going for those guys on a hunch and that is what he would have been since he wasn’t brought here for workouts or more specifically interviews.
Overall vanilla and I said that about the horford/acie year where they played it safe. Noah or yi were guys that they could have gone for and didn’t, aciie could have been stuckey but not much left in that draft beyond that but relying on impressions and not researching who fell later.
I hope this draft was as deep as some thought and we got some players. Watched the show after I got back and everyone looks like a keeper from the views of the cast. Of course this is kind of an advertisement for the nba as Espinoza shills on. Pragmatic critiques are not going to be heard as much as the upside on each one.
Seems like more sensible responses today, nice stuff guys. Last two guards picked by Sunday ok, benson was it? Last year a make believe story, a real project in an organization that had no clue about player development. These guys have both been studs in legit conferences. We will see, eh?
Ray
June 29th, 2012
10:02 am
One of the main reason Boston didn’t need Jenkins is because they are more concerned with KG’s replacement they found Ray Allen in Avery Bradley they have no PF’s or C’s really after KG yeah that 1 guy, but again it’s that one guy.
Henceforth the picks of J. Sullinger and Fab Melo.
Ray
June 29th, 2012
10:05 am
@ doc
Real reason PJ3 fell so far is because his Knee problems even if his attitude didn’t rub off on some people right he wouldn’t have fallen that far.
doc
June 29th, 2012
10:09 am
Is Jenkins bigger and better than Heinrich at two? If so that is huge for this team and a scenario I could be real happy about. We should compare him more to that than green or reddick who turned out pretty good as I had doubts about him thinking he was a great white hope dookie type.
doc
June 29th, 2012
10:11 am
Ray meniscus issues are a dime a dozen unless he has had several surgeries and there is nothing there. His knee issue was only alluded to but never expounded upon.
Ra'mon
June 29th, 2012
10:16 am
I just think that you can go find shooters just as good or better than Jenkins in free agency. Can he really shoot much better than D. Cook? But Moultrie rebounding at a high clip, you can’t find that cheap on the free agency market.
Just Joe
June 29th, 2012
10:16 am
Hinrich has a much better handle than Jenkins. Jenkins is by far the better shooter. Hinrich plays better defense right now. Jenkins seems to be a little heavier, stronger.
northcyde
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
Ra’mon
June 29th, 2012
10:16 am
I just think that you can go find shooters just as good or better than Jenkins in free agency. Can he really shoot much better than D. Cook? But Moultrie rebounding at a high clip, you can’t find that cheap on the free agency market.
****************
Daequan Cook? I hope so
shot 35% 3FG last year, and is a career 36% 3 point shooter.
Buddy Grizzard
June 29th, 2012
10:26 am
“Then our only option is to Trade Marvin I think there is a trade being worked out who knows maybe Golden St. likes Marvin so much they send us Festus back in return?”
This is wishful thinking. Golden State doesn’t need a marginal starter at small forward anymore… they got Harrison Barnes who is no worse than Marvin.
“I don’t think anyone from last year’s roster will be back especially Pargo or Green.”
This is my only hope. We all know this was LD’s pick so he needs it to work out so he doesn’t look like a fool. Since he duplicates Pargo and Green’s role, maybe that means the Hawks don’t bring them back. I think he might be better than either player, so that’s an upgrade as long as Pargo and Green are not on the roster.
O'Brien
June 29th, 2012
10:34 am
I can see it now. JJ2 will come in and take Marvin’s minutes in crunch time, and some will continue to make excuses for Marvin.
Mike
June 29th, 2012
10:45 am
I think Jenkins/Scott is very good value picks. Sure they are not sexy picks like PJIII but they are decent picks that is going to get the job done. Besides the Hawks biggest battle starts now, What are we going to do about the 6 signed that we have. Do we trade Josh/Al. Do we animesty/trade Marvin or JJ, What about Zaza and Teague. What about Ivan Johsnson. Plus we need to get 7 more players.
This is a good start and Jenkins form reminds me of Ray Allen form and that is a good compansion
O'Brien
June 29th, 2012
10:52 am
From hoopshype; Ainge reveals Sullinger has a herniated disc:” Our medical staff thinks that short-term and long-term there may be some maintenance issues..
doc,
My only issue with the Mike Scott pick is if we re-sign Ivan to backup Josh, when will Mike Scott play? In blowout games, or if Ivan gets in foul trouble?
O'Brien
June 29th, 2012
10:54 am
Mike,
Good point. How far the Hawks go this season is not very dependent on Mike and JJ2. More than likely, it will depend mostly on the 6 players currently signed.
what the heck was that?
June 29th, 2012
10:58 am
with the Hawks playoff series loss, where they were dominated in the paint and on the inside, they addressed this by drafting a shooting guard.
now they will subsequently tell us why this is a good pick, then tell us that they’re going to jack up the prices so we can come watch them play. we need inside presence for the likes of Howard and Lopez. nope. makes too much sense. lets draft a SG when Arnette Moultrie and Perry Jones, both NBA ready PF/C players were still available.
FireLD!
June 29th, 2012
11:04 am
Sometimes in college you do what the team needs not necessarily all that you can. My biggest concern with Jenkins was could he create his own shot. Youtube his high school highlights, I know it’s high school but 42 pts a game is 42 pts a game, not to mention he lead the conference in scoring and they beat Kentucky last year. He also has a 38 inch vert. To be honest Brad beal was more hyped, but not better in my opinion.
doc
June 29th, 2012
11:04 am
O’b Ivan isn’t on our team yet nor has it been decided he would get the call back by posting listed above.
Again if Jenkins replaces Heinrich in some form then he is a winner. Heinrich wasn’t handling the ball well last year and fell of the mark as a shooter so maybe this pick will make the hi rich haters happy. I hope he is better than green or paragon from the get go.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
11:06 am
“I just think that you can go find shooters just as good or better than Jenkins in free agency. Can he really shoot much better than D. Cook? But Moultrie rebounding at a high clip, you can’t find that cheap on the free agency market.”
Ra’mon you are correct. You can go find a shooter. You can sign one for the minimum. Shooters are a dime a dozen. Bandon Rush, Ray Allen, James Jones, Anthony Morrow, Mike Miller, Wille Green, Matt Bonner, Daniel Gibson, Roger Mason Jr, JJ Reddick, Gary Neal…………. Most of these guys have some size on them. I have seen Jenkins play a couple of times. He is a shooter, but thats it. Not a good defender, does not get to the line, not explaosive, and his handles are shaky. So my question is when is the last time you have seen the Hawks run players off screens to get open jump shots. Jamal Crawford, Willie Green, Pargo, Hinrich, and even Marvin(sometimes) are able to knock down open jumpers at a high clip. Hell Wille Green shot 44% from 3 point land during the regular season, so why spend a first round pick that you have to give a 2 year contract on a guy who is undersized to play the 2, and cant handle well enough to play the 1? You would still be able to sign a guy like this in free agency for the minimum. Typical Hawks move. Hell if you needed a shooter that bad, go fins Jason Kapono, I think he is out of work. Not bashing the player John Jenkins, but the Hawks needed a big or a guy to replace Marvin in the starting lineup more than they needed a undersized (2 guard) shooter.