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
hawks_4_life
June 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
Teams have been calling the Atlanta Hawks all week to register trade interest in swingman Josh Smith, according to sources close to the situation.
And one of those teams, sources said, is the Orlando Magic, who know that Smith ranks as one of Dwight Howard’s closest friends.
But new Hawks general manager Danny Ferry apparently isn’t ready to part with Smith right away.
Boston, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers — with Pau Gasol as the prime piece being offered in L.A.’s case — have joined Orlando this week in making their interest in Smith known.
Yet as Ferry settles into the job, sources say he wants to take stock of things before deciding if he’s prepared to go into next season without Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract at $13.2 million and has let it be known for some time that he’d welcome a trade.
SMH
June 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
isn’t*
Marcus
June 29th, 2012
2:39 pm
For what its worth:
Per USA Today – 2012 NBA Draft grades:
23. Atlanta Hawks: Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins
Jenkins is the best shooter in the draft, and the Hawks can use his presence. This pick is one of the draft’s safest, and Jenkins has a lot of the same skills as No. 3 pick Beal, but he’s not as athletic. Jenkins can step right in and be a key role player off the bench. Grade: A-
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
2:41 pm
” the second round is spent on Girgio Frankolitto Gugachopffski from Outer Chekosmongolivia ”
Is that anywhere near Ubeki-beki-beki-bekistan?
Ray
June 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
Just like everyone had been saying all along.
This is Larry Drew’s and Rick Sunds last draft together Danny Ferry hasn’t had enough time to get here and scope things out I mean he’s only been here now what 1 week.
He doesn’t understand what problems we got like the Marvin Williams problem or Joe Johnson problem.
He probably realizes stuff like Josh and Horford are two pieces we should build around by now.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Free agent Brad Wanamaker will play for the Atlanta Hawks’ summer league team, according to source.
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29m Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Free agent Derrick Caracter will play for the Atlanta Hawks’ summer league team, according to source.
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They already tried Wanamaker last year (I wasn’t impressed) and Caracter got cut by the Lakers after being drafted in the second round a couple of years ago.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
“25% on threes in the playoffs, -40 in just 5 playoff games. The Hawks lost to Boston in no small part because Willie Green played more minutes than Ivan Johnson. That’s your definition of solid? -40 for the playoffs?”
I agree he did not step up in the playoffs. I was one of the only bloggers who said that Pargo and Willie Green would stuggle in the playoffs all year. But, for the vet minimum Wille Green and Pargo we both solid. Matter of fact they were more than solid. Willie Green was the in the top 10 in 3 point shooting in the league last year. Willie Green and Pargo>Hinrich las year at almost 6 million dollars less. This guy we drafted Jenkins is not a better NBA player than Willie Green is right now. He might be a better shooter, but that is it.
Grandad
June 29th, 2012
2:43 pm
The Hawks are not becoming a Jump-Shooting team.
Watch the Transformation that is taking place before your eyes.
‘`Balance`’
Just as a fb team runs the ball to set up the pass
A basketball team once upon a time went inside out.
In the post modern NBA [speed] with a dearth of Bigs;
teams are utilizing the [very valuable] 3 pt shot;
to set up the `Inside’ game.
All the while maintaining balance.
I`ve been saying positions are relative and players are [just that]
“basketball players” for a long time now.
Shot makers are valuable to set up the post game.
* [remember balance]
** Shot makers come in all shapes and sizes
Look for Josh … (if ferry keeps him)
to become a `low post scorer / and a mid range catch & shoot / …
shot fake-slasher ! … ***note – mid-range:
***16 ft and in
***high post [passer / post feeder]
***screener / cutter
***rhythm shooter
***screen & Roll guy
But more importantly:
Josh will have to learn that he is to become the LBJ stopper !
Before it was the D.Howard defender in the East
-Now-
That has all changed:
every team must have the anti-LeBron s e r u m.
____________________________________________
G-dad the school teacher
Sorry, I spent my entire adult life as an educator,
I cannot help myself, and I`m not trying to be all high and mighty.
Neither am I trying to patronize the most educated, well versed,
community of bloggers on the planet.
I`m just an affable old Coach who has attained
some experience along the way.
Buddy Grizzard
June 29th, 2012
2:47 pm
“While I’m not a big Willie Green fan, the guy is solid. He was one of the better 3 point shooters in the league this year.”
Solid? He shot 25% on threes in the playoffs and was -40 in just 63 minutes over 5 games. That means the Hawks give up almost a point per minute that he has played in playoff games. The Hawks lost largely because of the minutes LD gave to Green and Pargo, two certified scrubs who proved it in the playoffs. If Jenkins is no better than Green, he’s an absolute bust.
Ray
June 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
Again the bottom line is nothing is wrong with the picks it’s the fact that we reach to get John Jenkins especially when most people picked him to go sometime 2nd round.
The fact that Jeff Taylor was still available also made my blood boil a little though he was better than Jenkins.
Ray
June 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
@ Buddy G
That seems to be more of a problem with coaching. This is why we need a quality coach we honestly got worse hiring L.D.
Buddy Grizzard
June 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
Whoops double post.
Ken Strickland
June 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
I would think the time for the COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA had crap wpuld be over by now, but I guess some of you just can’t deal with reality. After all, some of you are still whinning and crying over us not drafting CP3 or DWilliams, or the Dominique for DManning and KNorman trade.
Management has a far better idea of what they want or intend to do than any of us, and they know what they plan to do with JJ and Josh. Drafting a SG and PF with excellent shooting ability seems to indicate they plan on doing something with JJ and Josh, it’s just a matter of when and how. The Heat just won an NBA title with CBosh as their starting center. And just like AHorford, he is also considered to be a so called undersize, soft, nonphysical, jumpshooting OC.
His backup, JAnthony, can also be classified as an undersized, nonphysical, soft, but OFF limited OC. Even with a dominant OC, you must have the right players with the right skills around him. DHoward is the most dominant OC since Shaq in his prime, and even with him, the Magic can’t compete with us.
Putting the right type of players with the right skill set around Horford will only make him better, and he’s already considered the NBAs 3rd best OC. If you’re going to have a PF launching jumpers all gm, you might as well have one that’s capable of making them consistently.
I believe we should wait until FA has ended, when most trades will be made, before jumping on the totally negative bandwagon. But as usual, some of you wouldn’t have anything to say or any reason to be on these blogs if you couldn’t bitch, whine, and complain with your negative minded BS.
tyger
June 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
Post- Draft Evals:
John Jenkins – excellent fit for current, future rosters…
6′4.5 is good size for 1-2, taller than Bradley Beal….
Ball-handling is suspect, many turnovers vs. KY…
Could be Deron Williams-type hybrid guard…
Ball-handling/Passing needs improvement, but
You pass when you have someone to pass to…
He forced alot b/c his offense was relied upon…
He is “sneaky” athletic and “broad” for a guard…
Send him to Summer League as the #1 PG…
Let’s play Boston in Boston now!!!
Hawks just got much better in the backcourt…
That was the easiest way to improve this roster…
Big trades…blah, blah, blah…current team not bad…
With John Jenkins we surpass Boston in playoffs…
Go back and look at Teague’s performance Gm 6…
Replace that with some sharpshooting by Jenkins…
That’s the limitation of the “speed” game…
Yeah, you’re fast, but “we’re laying in wait”…
Block, block, block, turnover, block, airball, block….
If I were Pargo/Stackhouse I’d be concerned, but…
Thus far, status quo…Ferry mentioned 12th pick of Hou…
So that may be an indicator of something…
Hou did very well with J.Lamb, T.Jones, Royce White…
northcyde
June 29th, 2012
3:21 pm
Perry Jones is the next Stromile Swift. I’ve been trying to think of who he reminds me of, and it’s Stro Show
- great potential
- athletic as hell
- decent midrange shot
- questionable motor
- so-so rebounder
- questionable defense
- inconsistent as hell offensively
- no real go to move offensively
Stro Show
doc
June 29th, 2012
3:23 pm
Najeh,I clearly said the most recent edition of Kirk on whether Jenkins could replace Kirk. I in no way fashioned a scenario that Jenkins could be or would be the complete Kirk of say five years ago or even two years ago when i though we should trade for him as soon as the wiz chose walls. I would hope he could be what the best of kirk was hoping to be this past year, a sharp shooter. Kirk had very little game last year after he came back from surgey and a bad hammy injury. If Jenkins brings at least a reliable shot as Kirk had on his good days we are good.
Buddy before you tell me to stop posting go back and reread the post. I clearly distinguished I was referring to reddick in the second half of the statement when I made the dookie remark. I don’t remember greemn ever going there. I think Jenkins is probably better than reddick was coming out of college and is a better natural specimen. It seems he has the same drive reddick has and he has made himself into a complete player over the years by hard work. Since jenkins celebrated becoming a millionaire as a first rounder by going to shoot hoops, he might just have a similar desire to be more than one dimensional. I welcome that kind of player.
I guess what makes the blog interesting is so many self assured opinions though certainly without the up close data to support it. I say let themdecide it on the court before being so judgmental. Sure express doubts but don’t make up stuff, sounds delusional. Some of aj’s remarks in response to the what ifs and hysteric comments are seconded here especially the one where we might have missed someone later on. When doesnt that happen to the best of them and can be a blanket statement for just about every pick fron ten down at least and maybe earlier.
Let us at least get to Vegas before tearing them apart. Even that might be a bit too early before they get some pro coaching. I look back at worse drafts than this when we had earlier positions to work from. If he is Salim he is the Salim in a 6 ft 4 legit body not a 5 ft 11 one that looks more apt for the high school courts than the pros. If he is Salim in big boy body then he will be a success amd our team the better for it. That is a compliment though not meant to be one. He also won’t come with salim’s attitude.
The Real Hawk
June 29th, 2012
3:25 pm
ATLANTA HAWKS | GRADE: C
Round 1:John Jenkins (23)
Round 2:Mike Scott (43)
Analysis: With just six players under contract for next season, the Hawks needed depth at every position. While they landed arguably the draft’s best shooter and a power forward who put up big numbers in the ACC, I think they passed on players with much more upside than Jenkins.
In other words, they took the player ranked 36th on our Big Board at the 23rd pick. They reached for a need instead of the best player available. While I think both Jenkins and Scott will be solid NBA players, playing it safe only gets you a C.
ESPN
doc
June 29th, 2012
3:30 pm
Northcyde since sund picked stro maybe he learned if he was indeed in charge or maybe ferry had more input than he is willing to put put there. We dodged a bullet is my take. I kind of go with the guy ferry has class and shares the credit as a team player rather than a guy who has to have the spotlight and be the story ala say riles. Give the guy some time as he has been on the job less than five days, again clear delusion and hysteric behavior or certainly a loss of perspective and rational thought.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
3:32 pm
“Management has a far better idea of what they want or intend to do than any of us, and they know what they plan to do with JJ and Josh. Drafting a SG and PF with excellent shooting ability seems to indicate they plan on doing something with JJ and Josh, it’s just a matter of when and how. The Heat just won an NBA title with CBosh as their starting center. And just like AHorford, he is also considered to be a so called undersize, soft, nonphysical, jumpshooting OC.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is the same mangement that drafted Sheldon Williams, Marvin Williams, overpaid Joe Johnson, overpaid Marvin Williams, hired LD, gave away picks and young talent for Kirk Hinrich, Let Jamal Crawford go, Overpaid Bibby…….. Forgive me if I don’t have much confidence in them. In case you did not know it, Horford and Chris Bosh are not the same player. Bosh is much better offensive player than Horford, and much more skilled.
Michael Cunningham
June 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.