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
Rob
July 10th, 2012
10:57 pm
With Danny Ferrys hands all over the Hawks now, I wonder if he had been hired earlier, if he had retained Larry Drew. My guess is no, no more caretaking for the Hawks these days.
Buddy Grizzard
July 10th, 2012
11:03 pm
Every player Danny signs makes it less likely that I will ever have to set eyes on scrubs like Pargo, Green, Vlad, Collins, Stack and Damp again. Do work dferry.
Big Ray
July 10th, 2012
11:06 pm
1) Signing Lou Williams was brilliant. We needed a spark plug on offense. Particularly one that can get to the FT line. Jamal lovers will finally stop soaking their tampons.
2) Teague better be on his game and Jenkins can just get used to the splinters. LD will be beside himself trying to pick who he wants to start in front of Teague – Harris or Williams. Jenkins should call Jordan Crawford and get the 411…
3) Pape Sy seems to have learned from the past and come in ready to get to work, with one area already improved. Keith Benson seems to not get it. We’ll see….I have no use for timid bigs that get pushed around…ok now cue the usual hate mail from the usual neanderthals (who will now google this word to see what it means).
4) I expect Ferry to grab up a SF in free agency. Might be a minimum contract signing or it could be a bigger signing. Who knows. But I don’t know that he’d be willing to go with a combination of Sy, Morrow, and sometimes Josh Smith as our only set of options.
The best thing he can do here is ignore LD, who took this long to figure out that Sy isn’t and never was a pg, and is best suited as a 2 or 3…
5) Love the puff, puff pass going on about Dwight. Ok, so adding Lou means the puzzle is getting put together, huh? Look, Dwight coming to the ATL hinges on one thing really, I think. Whether or not the “other” teams in the 4 team debacle are going to agree to the screwing that the Magic and Nets are trying to put on them.
If they don’t (for example if Cleveland balks at something), then the Hawks have a shot at offering Orlando the best package. Otherwise, Dwight has spoken, and the Nets might just be able to pull this off.
NORRIS CHUCK
July 10th, 2012
11:08 pm
Buddy Grizzard,
He is just doing what Sund wouldnt do…HIS JOB! Not yellin at you, just so much frustration being released. Sund was one of the more incompetant GMs i had ever seen.
Im not a GM, never have been and never will be cause i dont have skills to do that job, heck the most important thing i ever done was pick up doughnuts for the office and i almost screwed that up, but dang…i know i could have done a better job than Sund.
Ferry has been on the job less than a month and BOOM..this guy should be mayor already. And he is NOT finished!
Wabe
July 10th, 2012
11:10 pm
Big Ray,
I thought Cleveland already balked on their deal. Last I heard, the Magic/Rockets/Lakers trade wasn’t sitting so pretty either.
I think the Hawks are still chasing Dwight. For me, it really hinges on whether he decides to sign on the dotted line.
Big Ray
July 10th, 2012
11:12 pm
However….
Looking at all the hoopshype stuff….it seems that 4 team trade foolishness never really came to be.
And the latest is that Houston and L.A. are trying to work something out in a three team trade, but that doesn’t have much in the way of teeth either.
Still….you see stuff like this:
Bucher reported the Atlanta Hawks continue to pursue Howard via trade as well, but one source described Atlanta as “not the best option” for the Magic.
OH? Why?
Big Ray
July 10th, 2012
11:14 pm
Wabe
Yeah, read that. I wonder if Ferry really would pull the trigger if the Magic said “ok”, but Dwight wouldn’t commit to a long term contract. He has to know he would be villified if he doesn’t, yet he also has to understand the inherent risk and the fact that another shot at a superstar is slim at best.
KevinM
July 10th, 2012
11:18 pm
I say get D12 even without his sig. Let’s play it out and see where this roster can go. It’s a renewed approach, and Danny has stocked the backcourt with guys who are supposed to be able to get buckets.
Can you imagine what LD is thinking while Danny tears through last year’s roster? He better have U-Haul’s number ready. Training camp is still months away.
random
July 10th, 2012
11:18 pm
Hey just so you guys know that’s not the real @ESPNSteinLine it’s a parody account on twitter lol.
Melvin
July 10th, 2012
11:20 pm
Wabe,
I also think the Magic are reluctant/not inspired to trade Dwight to a division opponent. Bad enough to trade him but to trade him to a team you play 4 times a year and have to compete with for a playoff spot is probably not an idea situation for them…
KevinM
July 10th, 2012
11:20 pm
Danny, give your buddy Hennigan 3 first rounders with Al,Zaza and Teague and lets get to the business at hand.
We’ll be fine with a refreshed starting lineup and buckets off the bench.
doc
July 10th, 2012
11:23 pm
Michael Cunningham
July 10th, 2012
10:35 pm
@Billy Butler: “@MC, what percentage do you give the Hawks to get Howard?”
excellent question. hang tight for a bit and i will make some calls to the Hawks, Magic, Dwight, and the three other teams that might be involved and find out that percentage at this very second.
heh heh, way to go MC and take a walk on the wild side and ramble/trimble out on that skinny limb and make a call. yeah i know, it was a probable no win situation but go ahead make a prediction and live on the edge.
randomIDIOT
July 10th, 2012
11:24 pm
NO IT WAS THE REAL ESPN STEIN LINE U IDIOT OBVIOUSLY YOU DIDNT GO TO HIS PAGE
sincethe80$
July 10th, 2012
11:24 pm
Horford,teague for Jefferson.Noooooo! Dwight come on home. My vision teague,morrow,smith,horrors,dwight,starting five. Another starting free agent would be great.
doc
July 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
melkey an exbrave is mvp of all star game and we needed out fielders. go figure.
sincethe80$
July 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
Giving up starters for dwight is mo good especially not Al or teague. Zza yes not al or teague
Bravesfan79
July 10th, 2012
11:32 pm
Congrats to the milk man for the all star game MVP! I didnt think a Dwight trade was a good idea before, but now i do. I hate to part with Horford tho, good leader, good jump shot, plays above his size. Lou Williams will make a good backup to Teague or Harris, but Morrow is still my starting SG.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2012
11:34 pm
He’ll always be the Melk Dud to me.
EmirS.
July 10th, 2012
11:37 pm
Completely off subject.
But glad to know Chipper Jones got a hit in the All-Star game. A wonderful way to go out on his last all star appearance. As we are all Atlanta fans (supposedly), Chipper deserves a lot of respect and recognition. He has been a loyal Brave from day one. Thanks Mr. Jones.
On Louis Williams,
I was so excited to read he’s singing with the Hawks. I went to school with him at South Gwinnett High School. He was a senior when I joined the Comet family as a freshman. I was trying to make the soccer team myself, but I was a troubled kid. I never knew him personally but have had an opportunity to talk to him. He was always praised by his teachers and fellow classmates. He is very down to earth. I’m very happy for him and for his family.
doc
July 10th, 2012
11:39 pm
amen to buddy at 11:03.
can anyone say rejuvenation of a franchise? we all might be bowing down to danny ferry if he wins the d12 sweepstakes, even for one year. if d12 gets here atl gets its swag back on and shows the world an even better face than it showed in 1996 for the olympics. bow down atlanta. f off world. heh heh new york, too. that is to slimj.
i’ll take my chances for even a year of d12 right now as we may be on the cusp. we need a stern baby to take on other stern babies like dwade and lbj. win big and have the best contract to offer and things look good and rosy.
Slimjr
July 10th, 2012
11:41 pm
FAPB
O’Brien
July 10th, 2012
4:27 pm
Ken S,
If traded to the Hawks, he’s not going to resign no matter what..
Maybe so. BUT…If the Hawks have his bird rights, and he chooses to sign outright with another team, then he can only get a 4 year contract, whereas the Hawks could offer him a 5th year, worth $20+ mil. Would Dwight Howard really leave $20+ mil on the table?
Also:
1) How many teams have the available cap space next off-season to give Dwight a max contract?
2) Of those teams, how many of them would be on Dwight’s wish list?
Therefore, even if he doesn’t want to stay with the Hawks, his best option may be for the Hawks to do a sign and trade deal. And if so, we could sign and trade him to the Nets, and recoup some of the talent (especially multiple first round picks) we gave up to get him.
Plus we would be under the cap, so we don’t have to take back equal salary from the Nets (which Orlando has to do). IMO, its a win win. We would have one year to convince him and Josh to resign. And if they dont, we would get at least 2 first round picks for Dwight, and another first round pick for Josh if he chooses to leave as well.
Awesome! Book it Danny!
Hawk Realist
July 10th, 2012
11:50 pm
If the previous GM had not made the dumb trade (Jordan Crawford and first round draft picks) we would already have had a great young talent to provide instant offense off the bench. I like L.W. but I like the confidence that Jordan Crawford plays with better. But enough about the past. L.W. fits the mode of Jamal Crawford as did Jordan Crawford. Gerald Green may have finally matured and wouldn’t be a bad fit if utilize that athleticism he has to slice to the basket and create pressure in the paint.
Grimey
July 10th, 2012
11:53 pm
13 spots filled only 2 spots availible. Those 2 spots should goto the top perfomers in summer league hawks team.
Slimjr
July 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
doc it will be like MV7 all over again!!!!! LOL!
I believe Gerald Green is the only basketball player in the world to ever Dunk a basketball and blow out a birthday candle at rim level at the same time!!!!!
Talk about a great addition he would be to the Highlight factory???
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
Nets and Brook Lopez are closing in on a max contract extension, which would make Lopez untradeable until December and all but take the Nets out of any running to acquire Dwight.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2012
11:59 pm
Another unintended side effect of a Brook Lopez max contract is that Joe’s max contract will no longer be the worst one on the Nets roster.
Slimjr
July 10th, 2012
11:59 pm
Yes the Nets have moved on!
Hey Josh time to fill up that race car and go pick up your boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
July 11th, 2012
12:00 am
If the Hawks were interested in Gerald Green, wouldn’t they had included him in the Joe Johnson trade instead of Stevenson. Both are free agents and S&T will be needed to be complete in the Joe deal in either case…
Hawk Realist
July 11th, 2012
12:02 am
I get the feeling Larry Drew is grateful for Joe Johnson being dealt away. He has nobody else to blame for his offense not being fully implemented. Oh I forgot Josh Smith is still on the team. I love Josh. I say coach him. Make him the number one option when he’s IN THE PAINT. Tell Josh this is the time for him to step up and be the leader. Both ends of the court. He’s got all the talent in the world.
Rob
July 11th, 2012
12:02 am
@ Najeh. That means Lakers, Rockets, and Hawks are in the running. Its not just what the Dwight wants, but what the Magic feel is the best course for their rebuild.
Hawk Realist
July 11th, 2012
12:04 am
I think Gerald Green is on their list of SF, but probably near the bottom. Options are drying up for SF with R.L. expected to sign with Miami.
Rob
July 11th, 2012
12:07 am
Lou Williams signed to a multi year deal, what is multi year? 2 plus?
Wabe
July 11th, 2012
12:10 am
Truthfully, the Hawk the best situation as of right now for both the Magic and for Dwight.
The Lakers don’t have the draft picks. The Rockets have assets, but between Houston and Atlanta, which is the more attractive landing spot for D12? In Atlanta, he has a team that’s loaded with cap space, and just to mention the obvious, his childhood friend is in Atlanta. What exactly would entice him to stay put in Houston?
My gut feeling as of right now, Atlanta wins out in the D12 sweepstakes, especially if Brooklyn has officially moved on. Brooklyn looks to be moving on. And players such as Humphries are soon to be moving on, which would mean no S&T options with him for the Nets. The Nets very well could be out of the picture soon.
Hawk Realist
July 11th, 2012
12:13 am
Andrew Bynum straight up for Al Horford (if Andrew declines to sign an extension). I bet Andrew would love to play in the east and avoid the nonsense that would erupt if he stayed in the west when he bails on LA. Andrew would love the Atlanta lifestyle. It’s worth the risk. Al will always be a very good role player who can step up in certain key moments, but will never be a stud at the 5 or 4. He lacks natural athleticism. I close my eyes whenever he tries to back someone down in the paint. It’s awful to watch.
Hawks Fan Down Under
July 11th, 2012
12:16 am
So when will Ferry get in a good coach? Seriously. Sloan, anyone?
And really Josh is a 4! Why would you want him at the 3 jacking up long j’s?
Love the signing of Lou. Was apathetic about next season but now need to start saving for my NBA.TV subscription. But please get in a good coach!!!!!
Slimjr
July 11th, 2012
12:20 am
Danny is a Genius! The Art of War he must of read.Study your enemy to know his strengths and weakness.Come in peace and offer an olive branch knowing full well he is your enemy not your friend. He directly had a major part to play in the Nets[his enemy] unable to trade for D12… And its flying under the radar..But Ah Ha I’m on to ya Danny Boy! LOL
The Joe Johnson trade..Freaking brilliant! Solved problems on multiple fronts, which have already been discussed on these blogs….
As the days pass it may pan out that the iso trade truly may have been the beginning of the end to the Nets[his enemy] being able to trade for D12!
Danny is Laying his trap and then when the time is right: Pounce!
Awesome..
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
12:23 am
Meanwhile, over in the Peachtree Hoops comment section, we got people trying to use advanced stats to show that Lou Williams may actually be an upgrade over Joe.
Northcyde is rollin’ over in his grave.
LordHoGon
July 11th, 2012
12:26 am
By any means necessary! If he walks next year so be it. Philips will be full. This city is waiting for a team to take it by storm.what better then a bunch of atlanta boys! Get d12 at all cost. Atlanta should bethe place athletes wanna play. Superman and smoove. Make it happen. Would love to keeps zaza tho.
Rod from College Park
July 11th, 2012
12:39 am
“Meanwhile, over in the Peachtree Hoops comment section, we got people trying to use advanced stats to show that Lou Williams may actually be an upgrade over Joe.
Northcyde is rollin’ over in his grave.”
Very funny to me all the positive comments about Lou Williams yet all the hate for Jamal Crawford. It’s apparent to me that many have not seen Lou Williams actually play. He is a young Jamal Crawford.
doc
July 11th, 2012
1:11 am
Slimjr
July 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
doc it will be like MV7 all over again!!!!! LOL!
then give me the upside only and spare me the down side please.
Hawkfan55
July 11th, 2012
1:12 am
danny ferry has something else up his sleeve along the lines of a trade with these expiring contracts to get a decent SF.
And Getting Dwight Howard Be A Bad Idea….I Mean If The Nets Lock Up Brook Lopez There Not Going To Be Able To Sign Him As A Free-Agent If He Walks.Someone will have to give up something in a sign and trade deal if they want him…so atlanta get dwight….we will get something in return if he walks
aytunstoppable
July 11th, 2012
1:13 am
Man yall are crazy. even if we got D12 you jack asses that keep asking for him still wouldn’t show up. Stop bsing around.
Do not trade for howard. we will be screwed.
aytunstoppable
July 11th, 2012
1:14 am
I mean do we really want someone that Twin could stop. Thats just sad.
HAHAHAHA
July 11th, 2012
1:15 am
What a JOKE!! Sorry but the Hawks are not committed to winning a ring point blank.. it really is a joke, you are supposed to play for a ring every year, not prepare for the free agents after this up coming season. what man in his right mind is going to come to a team who with current ownership will prob be joining the team formaly known as the thrashers up in Canada very soon..
aytunstoppable
July 11th, 2012
1:17 am
HAHAHA you are right and wrong at the same damn time. I bet you ass wasn’t saying that when The Knicks did the same thing and clear space. I bet you didn’t say that everywhere else that just cleared spcae so sTFU you dumb SOB.
Jae Evolution
July 11th, 2012
1:22 am
Bulls lose CJ Watson as well now. They are pinching for pennies, I semi expected them to make moves similar to what we did in getting rid of some of those big contracts in either Boozer or Deng.
Rod from College Park
July 11th, 2012
1:25 am
Vava,
“I never said that Jamal was useless, only that LD did not knew how to use him.
Also, I like Lou better. Seems to have more “fire” in him, more emotion and IMO although he is indeed a gunner, I think he is a better team player than Jamal who many times looks like is playing on his own.
I’ve seen quite a few games with Lou and his ISO plays end many times with a dish for an easy bucket which is something that seldom occurs with Jamal. ”
Jamal Crawford career assist per game 3.9
Lou Williams career assist per game 3.0
It’s obvious you have not seen many Lou Williams games. Talking out of the side of your neck again.
vava74
July 11th, 2012
2:09 am
Rod,
Oh boy … Where should I start…
Let’s see.
Lou is much younger and is improving every year. Jamal is 30 and last year was a pretty bad year which could indicate that he is going down.
Check minutes per game as well, so you can have a better idea on who is the best passer (I haven’t checked yet, but it’s a hunch).
What else … Umm Lou has been in the playoffs at 23 and 24 years old.
Crawford was never a party to successful basketball and swapped teams – not by his own option – more often than you swap sox.
Lou has been dropped by PHI in favour of a super talented offensive talent which – surprise surprise – did not stick with the Clippers…
Major mistake by PHI in my opinion, but time will tell. Sincerely, I don’t see them making the playoffs without a major move to replace Brand.
Are they similar? Yes, of course, but Lou does not look as autistic as Crawford out there in my opinion.
You know, beauty is in the details and I think that the details that differentiate Jamal from Lou favour the latter.
What else? HALF THE SALARY, which means that he will come at the right level in the roster pecking order.
I ALWAYS said that if I were the coach I would have no problem at all having Jamal on the roster but I would play him less minutes and shorter stints.
I know that LD will continue to make the same mistake with Lou but at least his 82games.com numbers give me hope to think that he is a tad better on the defensive end and that might be enough (see above commentary on “details”).
Finally, I live the “homeboy” concept and think that it could be a winning factor for us if we get in board a quality bunch of guys with ATL-Georgia connections.
That. Luke give the group a small hedge on the “togetherness” department. Again, see “details”.
Finally, it was obvious that having traded JJ and received filler with no shot creation skill at the SG slot we would need some fire power on our backcourt (since I do no expect Harris and Teague to coexist). At this price, it’s an excellent pick up.
vava74
July 11th, 2012
2:11 am
That could give
High-sider
July 11th, 2012
2:15 am
@doc
“…can anyone say rejuvenation of a franchise? we all might be bowing down to danny ferry if he wins the d12 sweepstakes, even for one year. if d12 gets here atl gets its swag back on and shows the world an even better face than it showed in 1996 for the olympics. bow down atlanta. f off world. heh heh new york, too. that is to slimj…” – doc @11:39pm dated 7/10/2012
And this is coming from a guy [doc] who used to constantly refer to Dwight Howard as “Supergirl” [or “supergirl”]. Just a few short months ago, you, doc, used to criticize D-12 [Dwight Howard] about his “attitude” and, now, since the Hawks [franchise] appears to have a [decent] chance at acquiring D-12, you want to act [all] giddy and are prepared to “ride his [Howard’s] jock” in full cowboy regalia [e.g., cowboy hat and drawstring, cowboy boots and spurs, chaps, bandana, six-shooters, string tie, lasso/rope, etc.] Can you [doc] say “giddyup”?
As “Bugs Bunny” used to say, “What’s up, doc?” [SMH]
Just kidding witcha, doc.