Atlanta Hawks: Camp report
Notes gathered before nearly crashing my car while taking a call on Louis Williams deal and then trying to tweet the news on my freakin’ phone. . . .
- Pape Sy is back, baby! That’s exciting enough on its own but Sy got me really hyped by showing up looking ripped. Seriously, dude is muscled-up. “I tried to work on my body to get stronger on the court,” he said. “Now I feel great.”
- Larry Drew on Sy: “He’s been in that weight room. He’s gotten stronger. When he goes to the basket, you can see when he takes contact he can still get his shot off. That’s a pro move to take contact and get your shot off.”
- As mentioned a few weeks ago, the Hawks finally have abandoned their plan to try to make Sy a point guard. It was pretty obvious after his first couple of summer games in 2010 that his NBA future is not at the point. “I feel good as a two guard,” Sy said. “I am trying to get to the hoop and I work on my shot. I feel better now. Playing the two may be more easier for me.”
- The Hawks have a hole on their roster on the wing and Sy certainly has the size to play there. He’s always had some potential as a wing defender. Drew said Sy could play some small forward in smaller lineups.
- “Pape has really gotten better,” Drew said. “I’ve always been intrigued by his size, his ability to get to the basket, his strength. He knows how to draw fouls when he goes to the cup. His shot has improved. Defensively he’s aggressive. I think this summer league will be really good for him to see where he measures up at this level.”
- John Jenkins signed his rookie deal. He’ll make about $2.5 million guaranteed over the next two years with Atlanta holding options for two additional seasons.
- So Jenkins is, like, rich. “It won’t change me at all,” he said. “My parents won’t let it happen and the people around me won’t let it happen. It’s also not who I am. I’m a very, very cheap person. I might get a nice car, not much else. I’m very blessed just to be in the NBA.”
- There’s no big secret about the summer focus for Jenkins. “Everyone knows he’s capable of making shots, everybody knows when he’s on the floor you can’t leave him,” Drew said. “But defensively he’s got to get better and he knows that. He’s already said, ‘Coach, just tell me what you need for me to do and I’ll be studying film, I’ll be studying tape, I want to get better in that area.’ He’s a great kid. I’m happy that he’s part of our organization.”
- Jenkins is wearing No. 12. He initially asked for No. 21 but, well, you know. Jenkins then asked for No. 23, his college number, but Lou Hudson already wore it very well for the Hawks.
- Mike Scott already knows you want him to be a small forward: “I’ve been asked that question so many times. I see myself as a four. I’m comfortable as a four but doing three stuff. If I have a mismatch, a bigger guy on me I’m going around or a smaller guy on me I’m posting up. In order for me to transition to three I have to be able to guard a three. That’s something I’m still working on.”
- At Virginia, Scott developed an effective face-up game. Good idea since it’s a big reason he will get a shot in the league. “I always had a pretty good touch,” he said. “Once I realized I wasn’t going to be able to dunk on everybody, I started working on other aspects of my game. Watching a lot of Kevin Love, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett—big guys that can shoot from that pick-and-pop range.”
- Scott has pretty good length but isn’t very physically imposing. Drew: “Undersized, but I do think he has the strength to play that [four] position. He’s a phenomenal pick-and-pop shooter so he’s going to have to play to his strengths and get better at his weaknesses. A big part of playing that four is understanding what you can get away with defensively and what you can’t. But I do think he has the strength to hold his own down there.”
- Drew added that Scott “is not an Ivan Johnson as far as strength is concerned” but who is among us lesser beings?
- Keith “Kito” Benson is back, too. Word is he looked much the same during today’s scrimmage–timid and getting knocked around–but Benson says he’s gotten stronger and plans to have an “aggressive mindset” this time around.
- Benson: “I think I have a lot better chance this year because of summer league and spending more time with the coaches. I think I have a good chance to show what I can do and show my skills for a longer period of time. Last year it was about five days.”
- Lester Conner will coach the summer league entry.
- Danny Ferry came out for a moment while reporters were inside the practice facility but didn’t address us media types.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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509 comments Add your comment
SMH
July 11th, 2012
8:09 pm
And are you kidding me? You said Tyson Chandler and Andrew Bogut are better than Lopez? If they both wanted to, they could easily be 20-10 guys. Lopez isn’t a true center even though he’s 7 feet tall. He’s a one dimensional player, and all he can give you is scoring.
O'brien
July 11th, 2012
8:10 pm
Ferry says we will play through our point guards and our attacking guards more? Memo to josh smith. Give up the ball on the break.
Speaking of which, Somewhere out there, josh smith just spilled his glass of koolaid.
jay
July 11th, 2012
8:13 pm
@Big Dog, Not sure what’s up with the name calling, but the deal the Nets offered was trash. This isn’t the NFL where a bunch of picks can help you. And Lopez, give me a break. He’s tall, I give him that, but can he stay on the court? Can he defend? Can he rebound when it matters?
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:13 pm
“rufud1: Free agents don’t come to Atlanta, so how are we going to get better… Especially when Ferry won’t trade Al and the Josh fanatics don’t want him traded.”
“Tim Kawakami: NBA sources: Warriors were close to a sign-and-trade deal for Lou Williams, but he took slightly less to go to Atlanta”
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
8:14 pm
Rod from that college park place ,
First of all that’s not the argument. Reading is fundamental. Nobody is talking about going back to Jamal. Secondly based on you logic, I guess you would take Al Horford for the next couple of years over Kevin Garnett just because Al is younger. Very great basketball mind you have sir.
I wasn’t joining the argument, I was commenting on it. You’re right, reading is fundamental, but understanding is the next step. You should take it some day.
I won’t bother explaining the point of my opinion. BTW, I never claimed to have a great basketball mind – I don’t. And unlike some, that doesn’t cause me to lose sleep at night. I’m just a fan. I don’t need to talk about what level I played the game at. It ain’t how I make my living, either.
One more thing – if you claim somebody has no credibility with you and you care nothing for their opinion, constantly arguing with them kinda makes you look like a hypocrite…blogging 101….
Ken Strickland
July 11th, 2012
8:15 pm
OBRIEN-Of course it’s possible for Dwight to change his mind about signing a contract extension with us. But you can’t expect the ASG to risk the future of this franchise, and millions of dollars, on just that seemingly romote possibility. So far, Josh, along with anyone else, has been able to convince him to hint at wanting to sign with us, or even list the Hawks as a possible destination.
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:17 pm
I’ve got to believe Josh inherits Marvins role. Defense and play off others. Josh also won’t get blocked when he fills the lanes for dunks and he can hit midrange, command a double team in the post when guards give it up.
While Horford becomes the stretch/elbow 4.
#role reversal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbWpqo_brlk
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:20 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0fZL2ixJYc
Big Lineup [wut u say about a true SF?]
Just Joe
July 11th, 2012
8:22 pm
WTH is Indiana doing? Collison & Dantay Jones for Ian Mahinmi.
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:22 pm
Give Josh Marvin’s old spot damnit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-yeEJvfiRI
Horford
Josh
Pachulia
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
8:22 pm
Slimjr ,
There was a time where I would have argued you up and down about Horford’s ability to become a more well-rounded player. I still think he can do it, but I now have questions about his work ethic, which before…was VERY solid. Al’s biggest problem on offense 2 years ago (I say this because I don’t count last year when he was injured most of the time) wasn’t his footwork or coordination. And actually, he’s pretty quick for a center….but not necessarily for a PF. It was the speed with which he attacked.
Al would get the ball somewhere away from the basket, bend over at the waist, and stare down his defender….effectively allowing the defense to set. Got him in trouble EVERY DAMN TIME. When he would get the ball and immediately attack, he would do so successfully most of the time.
I don’t know, though. I say he can get better, but I need to see a renewed work ethic.
Just Joe
July 11th, 2012
8:23 pm
4 years $16M for Mahinmi.
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:23 pm
Dahntay Jones didn’t play and they liked George Hill’s combo ability because George has been slow developing in iso situations.
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:25 pm
^the second George, being Paul George
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:27 pm
“Even if the Nets do nothing else this summer, they are (IMO) the 2nd best team in the conference. A 6-player core of Deron-Joe-Gerald-Reggie Evans & Lopez with Brooks gunning off the bench is strong and balanced.”
All depends on how Lopez plays. If Lopez is a 20-10 player, then yeah. If he’s the same guy who averaged 6 boards per game 2 years ago and 3.6 last year, they are just the inverse of the Knicks. Knicks = good front court, terrible back court. Nets = good back court, terrible front court.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:30 pm
The Collison for Mahinmi trade only makes sense in context of the 5 year $40 million deal they gave to George Hill, which makes no sense at all. George Hill is not as good as Mike Conley who is getting paid the exact same thing.
I wonder if getting Mahinmi (and his long term deal) has any impact on the Pacers’ ability to keep David West. If West becomes available a ton of contenders are going to go after him.
BIG DOG
July 11th, 2012
8:30 pm
2012 Hawks
Teague, ? , Josh, Horford, Zaza
Lou, Devin, Morrow, Ivan, Collins
Jenkins, Scott, Petro.
Danny need to sign Pietrus or Green or Both.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:34 pm
“Am I the only one who kind of likes DeShawn Stevenson?”
If this was three years ago, yeah. If this was three years ago, I would be thrilled that Devin Harris and DeShawn Stevenson were on this team. In 2012, though, they are just an expiring deal and a non-guaranteed deal.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:36 pm
“From Twitter:
Kurt Helin: Report: Bulls shopping Korver to Hawks, Timberwolves #PBT #NBA about 5 minutes ago
NO BAD CONTRACTS DANNY FERRY”
Korver has a $5 million team option for this year and then expires. That is probably too much for him, but it still preserves the salary flexibility the Hawks need for next summer.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
8:37 pm
It also makes sense in the context that they had to match the much-too-rich offer for Hibbert. That contract cost them valuable deoth (good PG and good wing defender).
Big Ray, that frontcourt will still get close to 25 boards/game… it just means that Wallace and Humphries (or Evans) will grab around 18-20. I predict 16 & 7.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:39 pm
“Why should Ferry gut our roster to get Dwight? We can just sign him outright as a free agent next summer. ”
Because more than likely Dwight will re-sign with whatever team acquires him in a trade, since that team can offer him a guaranteed 5th year. Trying to sign him as an unrestricted free agent would be a major gamble, especially since he hasn’t expressed interest in signing here yet.
pointguardslim
July 11th, 2012
8:41 pm
Korver is a bad contract because we already have shooters here.
He’s a liability on the bench and starting. On a team that has Lou Williams, Jenkins, Morrow, at the shooting guards. You want Korver?
Live by the 3, die by the 3.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:43 pm
“The issue with Lou is that he is more than likely not going to simply be given the green light to just shoot away, especially if we still have Teague and Devin on the roster. It’ll be interesting to see which guy is moved. I can’t imagine the Hawks keeping 3 quality PGs.”
I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t Devin, unless Teague is being included in a Dwight trade.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
8:45 pm
Just because you are shorter than 6′3″, it doesn’t make you a PG.
Ken Strickland
July 11th, 2012
8:47 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Dwight-Howard-Orlando-Magic-Brooklyn-Nets-no-trade-Los-Angeles-Lakers-options-071112
Here’s a must read about Dwight getting a taste of his own medicine from the Nets, who, by resigning Lopez to a $60M 4yr contract, made it almost impossible for them to sign or trade for him anytime soon. He’s lost his leverage, other than refusing to sign an extension with whoever he’s traded to, and now the Magic are in the drivers seat as to whereand when he’ll be traded.
Just Joe
July 11th, 2012
8:47 pm
Ahhh….Psycho T for DJ Augustin now. Makes a little more sense from Indiana’s side.
Collison, Jones, and Hansboro for Augustin and Mahinmi basically.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:49 pm
“One thing is for sure. Lou Williams has NEVER been the sole focal point of a team’s defense. We’ll see how many double teams Lou has to face this year.”
Not to mention, Lou has never been a starter. Can’t compare him to Joe when he accumulates a big chunk of his numbers against opposing second units.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:53 pm
Mike Wells @MikeWellsNBA
Gerald Green has moved to the top of the FA list for the Pacers as their wing player off the bench, according to source
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Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:56 pm
“Al, Teague, Zaza, Jenkins, and 2 first round picks for Dwight…or Al, Zaza, Jenkins, Devin Harris and 2 first round picks for Dwight and J-Rich.”
Give me the 2nd one any day. The fear of taking on one bad contract isn’t enough to make me want to give up Teague.
i_am_soulstar
July 11th, 2012
8:58 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
8:49 pm
“One thing is for sure. Lou Williams has NEVER been the sole focal point of a team’s defense. We’ll see how many double teams Lou has to face this year.”
Not to mention, Lou has never been a starter. Can’t compare him to Joe when he accumulates a big chunk of his numbers against opposing second units.
*************************************************************
That statement has a lot of truth to it, but I believe that a lot like Crawford and Harden, Lou has spent a great deal of time closing while all the opposing team’s starters were in. I didn’t really watch a lot of 76ers games though, so I’m just guessing from what I’ve seen in highlights.
The Truth
July 11th, 2012
9:01 pm
Hawks GM Ferry on current roster: “We’ll play differently. We will play through our point guards and attacking guards more”
This fulfills LD’s wildest fantasy; to play small-ball for an entire season with under-size players. He can now practice-up over the summer (in the mirror) b!tching to the media about how poor a rebounding and defending team he really has.
Let’s hope there is more to this story than what it look like now.
We Shall See
Ken Strickland
July 11th, 2012
9:03 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1254387-how-louis-williams-to-atlanta-hawks-reshapes-the-eastern-conference-landscape
Here’s a very interesting article about our acquisition of Lou Williams and the impact it will have on the Hawks and the Eastern Conference. Enjoy.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
9:07 pm
“Somebody name me 4 legit centers better than Brook Lopez ?”
Seriously?
Howard, Bynum, Hibbert, KG, Duncan
Want me to keep going?
Horford, Gortat, Jefferson, Monroe, Noah
Sh-t, I’d probably take Pekovic and Zaza over the Lopez we saw the last two years.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
9:08 pm
Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
Kris Humphries future in Brooklyn unclear. Besides Antawn Jamison, Nets considering FA’s Kenyon Martin, Craig Smith, sources tell Y! Sports.
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Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
9:09 pm
That list of centers is not in any particular order, just the first few that popped into my head. Chandler and Marc Gasol are also considerably better than Lopez.
Ken Strickland
July 11th, 2012
9:10 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1253497-nba-trade-rumors-atlanta-must-stop-pursuing-dwight-howard
Here’s an article that supports my position on the Hawks pursuit of DHoward, and it also explains why. Without an enforceable committment from Dwight on an extension, let him go where ever he wants to go.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
9:18 pm
Collison and Hansbrough are better than Augustin and Mahimi. Strange… again, I think this was salary related.
I wonder if Ferry has extended an “open invitation” for Grant Hill to join the Hawks if he wants to come here. Hawks need a SF, Hill mneeds a team and they are both Dukies.
Watching some of the US Olympic team practice and I swear the CP3 looks chunkier than Deron.
Ken Strickland
July 11th, 2012
9:25 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1254595-dwight-howard-trade-rumors-latest-rumblings-on-a-potential-d12-deal
Here’s a link that gives some very interesting info on the Dwightmare saga.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
9:31 pm
Pacers offer Gerald Green 3 years $10 million.
BIG DOG
July 11th, 2012
9:37 pm
Hawks might have smallest team in the NBA check this out.
Teague 6′1
Josh 6′9
Horford 6′9
Zaza 6′11
Devin 6′3
Lou 6′1
Jenkins 6′4
Scott 6′8
Petro 7′0
Ivan 6′8
Morrow 6′5
Deshawn 6′5
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
9:38 pm
Big Ray,
Al would get the ball somewhere away from the basket, bend over at the waist, and stare down his defender….effectively allowing the defense to set. Got him in trouble EVERY DAMN TIME..
Maybe Al learned it from JJ. Hopefully he can get it out of his system this year.
BIG DOG
July 11th, 2012
9:40 pm
Danny should atleast grab Gerald Green in the Joe trade, JUST DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
July 11th, 2012
9:42 pm
Hawks have 6 players 6′5 or under on the team, I BE DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
9:42 pm
This is the saddest day in sports every year. The day after the baseball All Star Game, there are no games on TV in any meaningful sport and ESPN tries to capitalize by holding their atrocious awards show which I refuse to watch. All the more reason the NBA needs to start their season on MLK Day and have the Finals end in August. Less competition with the NFL and more competition with the MLB is a good thing.
O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
9:52 pm
Ra’mon,
How long can the Bulls afford to pay Boozer ($15+ mil and going up), Noah ($11+mil and going up), Asik (3 years, $25mil if they match), and Taj Gibson, who will be a RFA next offseason?
Fundamentals
July 11th, 2012
9:57 pm
Why does everyone claim Teague goes in the Howard trade? They just resigned Nelson to play pg?
O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
10:00 pm
Ken,
I don’t understand why you think trading for Dwight would be risking millions and the future of the franchise.
If we trade Al, Teague and 2 first round picks for Dwight, then we can sign and trade him to the Nets next offseason for 2 first round picks, MarShon Brooks, and Kris Humphries.
Is Al, Teague and 2 first round picks that much better than Brooks, Humphries, and 2 first round picks? Not by much (imo). Also, Josh may want a sign and trade next year as well, so we could get another first round pick and a solid player for him.
And what millions are the ASG risking? If they trade for Dwight, then 2012-2013 would be their most profitable year since owning the Hawks. And next year, we would get assets in return for Dwight, and there will be some good will built up among the fans from seeing the ASG go for it.
O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
10:02 pm
Fundamentals,
Teague will be a RFA next year, so Magic could move him in a sign and trade (or trade him at the deadline). Also, he would be a great backup PG to Jameer if they keep him.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
10:02 pm
CP3 mlooks like CP6… much heavier than last season.
brigadierjerry
July 11th, 2012
10:17 pm
PG Pablo Prigioni signed a little over the minimum for the Knicks to be their third string point guard. I remember I think it was 2008 Hawks offered a contract to him but he refused. Hickson signs with Blazers Gerald Green signs with Pacers