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
Follow ajchawks on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
509 comments Add your comment
Mike
July 11th, 2012
10:04 am
I got this strangle feeling something is going on, there is no way they are loading up with shooters all around.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
10:04 am
This is for Slim…….
http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8136693/bodies-want-2012
Candace Parker could fill our 3 role…..guaranteed! And if we have to take of Shellhead? Hmmmm…..
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
10:05 am
Every wing player with the Spurs can knock down an open jumper. It looks like Ferry may want the same for the Hawks. Shooting takes a priority over everything else (at least at the SG and SF positions). I guess that would immediately eliminate Ronnie Brewer from consideration. Meanwhile, Jarvis Hayes is somewhere dusting off his jumper and his Atlanta birth certificate.
champion chipz plz
July 11th, 2012
10:05 am
hey guys i’m dwight howard’s best friend and he said he coming to atlanta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I MUS WRITE
July 11th, 2012
10:06 am
Keep Teague if possible I really like how that yungn has developed. his arrow is still pointing up while D Harris’s arrow has leveled off….This is not the Harris of 4 yrs ago
Johnny Flynn? WHY….He couldnt stick in Minnesota, because he is a 5′11 chucker with limited PG ability…No Thanx
Farmar,Petro and Stevenson should all be apart of a trade or waived.. It would be nice to get G Green, he offer more than a washed up Rashad Lewis.
Dwight Howard….SIGH… All of the crying and off court antics are a real downer, but theres no denying the mans talent. I really dont care if he comes or not…..Also if we trade Al it should be for a Bynum/Howard/Love/Aldridge….Al -Harris-ZaZa and picks
Lou Williams should be coming off the bench in the role of sniper/scorer im good with Teague as our starting PG. Wow 14 ppg for 5 mill…JJ 18 ppg for 20 mill. Danny Ferry is the bringer of hope -BK Sund= 8 wasted years of my life……..
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 11th, 2012
10:07 am
Just Joe!
Just stop it. Lou is NOT a PG … Devin, is. Stick to your day job, go ahead and clock in now. lol
NORRIS CHUCK
July 11th, 2012
10:08 am
Well if you have guys that can knock down shots, then you really dont need a dominant center. Miami just won the championship without one eventhough Lebron is a freak of nature. LOL!
Just Joe
July 11th, 2012
10:14 am
drmaryb…
Lou is a combo-guard. He plays both guard spots. He replaced Holiday at times last year, and he played beside him.
If Teague is going to get 35 minutes a night at PG, Harris is going to live with 13? No way. Harris will be gone. Williams will take the 13+/- backup PG minutes, plus another 15+/- at SG.
Wabe
July 11th, 2012
10:26 am
Ask yourselves, why are the Hawks running after so much perimeter help? Why the interest in so many shooters?
I’m telling you, I think these moves are all being made because Ferry’s about to pull the trigger on a deal for Howard. It’s just a gut feeling, but it’s a very strong gut feeling at this point. It’s a blueprint that Orlando went with, and I think it’s about to go down…
Just my 2 cents.
Mike
July 11th, 2012
10:30 am
But you got to remember that Spurs was a very good 3-point shooting team as well. But I like these deal, I think Hawks is going to be 3 point shooting team like Spurs.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
10:33 am
Chris Sheridan: Source on Dwight Howard trade: “It’s all coming to a head.” Translation: He’s being dealt somewhere today. Twitter
I guess we’ll see where…and then everbody can shut up about it. I can’t really fault the media though…that’s the biggest NBA story right now…
Rev in Tampa
July 11th, 2012
10:35 am
Orlando ran an offense with a lot of shooters, a penetrating point guard, and Dwight getting rebounds. The biggest difference would be having Josh paired alongside Dwight.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
10:36 am
A couple of nimbers: Joe vs. Lou
MPG 35.5 – Joe vs. 26 Lou
FT-FTA 158-186 – Joe vs. 237-292 Lou
This of course won’t replace Joe in a 1-for-1, but man, Lou knows how to get to the line where Joe’s nimbers have dropped significantly.
I like one other stat that Lou had last year: he was 5th in the league in assists to turnover ratio.
For a fraction of Joe’s salary, I think we have made terrific progress in a few short days.
I think we have a lot of good to look forward to this year and Danny simply does have a plan to get buckets.
3-for-3 Danny….
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
10:40 am
“Rev in Tampa
July 11th, 2012
10:35 am
Orlando ran an offense with a lot of shooters, a penetrating point guard, and Dwight getting rebounds. The biggest difference would be having Josh paired alongside Dwight.”
That will be huge should we get beyond lucky. Sounds like only us and Houston can do a 2 team trade.
Danny’s in it til the end so I give him credit for his efforts, successful or not. He has us built for a major move, so let’s see if he can pull this off.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
10:41 am
So, I guess it was “good” management by the Hawks to overpay Mike Bibby on his contract extension, overpay Marvin Williams on his contract extension, overpay Joe Johnson on his contract extension, “force” Josh Smith to seek a contract offer from another NBA franchise before matching the offer, let Jamal Crawford “walk” for nothing, keep Jason Collins on the roster, [according to Buddy Grizzard] sign Jannero Pargo and Josh Powell, [according to you and many other bloggers] hire Larry Drew as head coach, overpay Jon “Contract” Koncak on his contract extension, draft Marvin Williams as the No. 2 overall pick in 2005, draft Shelden Williams as the No. 5 overall pick in 2006 and trade Dominique Wilkins for injury-prone Danny Manning?
So glad those days are over…
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
10:41 am
Stack to Brooklyn!
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
10:44 am
Let’s face it folks, Ferry can’t simply “get Dwight”, he has to present the best off to Orlando and even then, the Magic may balk at trading Howard to a division foe. Is Ferry loading up perimeter shooters? Clearly. Is Howard the one and only low-post player in the league? No. And Ferry certainly didn’t sign a 6 year deal to complete his roster makeover in 6 weeks. So while we are all focused on the next few hours, it is likely that Ferry is thinking about BOTH the next few hours AND the impending free agency of low-post players like Bynum and Al Jefferson next summer. A GM that places all of his eggs ina single basket is one destined for failure… especially if that basket requires agreement with a division rival.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
10:44 am
“@ajchawks: MT @chadfordinsider: Nets reached a verbal commitment with Jerry Stackhouse on a 1-year deal worth $1.3M
How does Stack continue to find a roster slot?
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
10:46 am
^best offer
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
10:46 am
I MUS WRITE ,
I’d like to keep Teague as well, but it just may not be happening if a Dwight deal goes down.
Of the guys you mentioned waiving, Stevenson is one guy I’d be ok with keeping around JUST because of his defensive effort/ability.
I hear you on Dwight…and you’re right – trading Al should only happen if we’re getting a bigger pivot or more talented PF in return. Of course, that doesn’t work so well with Josh here in the meantime, Unless we move him to the 3 and insert Zaza into the starting lineup at center.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
10:47 am
If we can’t get D12 here, then Houston would benefit us most to keep that draft pick out of the lottery and we can cash in.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
10:49 am
Astro ,
Yep. And the Nets can’t just simply “get Dwight” either. Apparently neither can the Lakers. Odd that this multiple team trade stuff keeps coming up, huh? My guess is that Brooklyn and LA need other teams to absorb sizeable contracts of other players on their teams, or they won’t be able to sign Dwight….regardless of whether it’s for one year or several.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
10:50 am
Good for Stack… he gets to chase a ring in Brooklyn. 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. No excuses next season for Avery Johnson.
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
10:58 am
Stefan Bondy
Also in Basketball
I’m not saying insurance on Lopez’s contract is not smart. It is. I’m just saying that’s a tough sell to Orlando. “Oh, and by the way, we needed to get insurance on his contract because he might break his foot for a third time and never play.”
38 minutes ago
Stefan Bondy
Stefan Bondy
Also in NBA Free Agency
So let me get this straight: the Nets, who’ve been saying all along they weren’t worried about Brook Lopez’s foot, are now trying to get insurance on what will become a max contract. And at the same time, they’re trying to sell this to Orlando as the centerpiece of a package for one of the top 5 players in the NBA?
45 minutes ago
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
11:01 am
Big Ray, I read that Bynum’s wish list next summer includes the Rockets. So the Rockets figure they could acquire Bynum now and extend him. Orlando gets to send Dwight out of the conference (a reported goal of the Magic’s GM) and the Lakers gamble that Dwight will want to stay in La-La land. Houston has the expiring contracts and some current cap space to make it all happen, but they are also getting a top 3 center in return. If the Magic GM can trade Howard for draft picks, get him out of the conference and unload Hedo’s awful contract, my guess is that would be very close to a home run for him. He may prefer to build from the bottom up as opposed to have Howard in the division and potentially be good enough with Horford and Teague to not get a top 5 draft pick anytime soon. For all the reasons some around here have said “blow it up”, the Magic may not choose to reload with Horford & Teague… but start from scratch. And Houston has an unprotected draft pick from the Raptors to add to the mix.
I MUS WRITE
July 11th, 2012
11:01 am
Ray- As much as i want to keep Teague If we can get Love /Howard for him and AL im all in…..
Korver, Jenkins,Morrow,Lou Will….there has to be a trade in the works, we have 7 players at PG/SG. If not its bombs away
Since were offering Al/Teague and draft picks I wonder if we could get lamarcus Aldridge or K. Love…2 of my favorite pivot players……..
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 11th, 2012
11:01 am
Stay in your lane & Stay the course … IF you know where you are going, this road …… http://fb.me/18d49BSJN
Slimjr
July 11th, 2012
11:03 am
KevinM! Just Dayum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sign her up yesterday Danny!
Slimjr
July 11th, 2012
11:04 am
Ah, the big man needs knock down shooters..Yes?
GoldDawg
July 11th, 2012
11:06 am
Man, read between the lines here. We are assembling a bomb squad that will fit nicely with Teague, Smoove and D12.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
11:06 am
I will say that for those who like Al or Lopez….I dunno…..I see Lopez’ nimbers when he came back last year, and they are good. He showed just enough to get a max deal with NJ/Brooklyn and they have almost convinced ORL that he’s worth a portion of D12.
If someone said would you trade Al for Lopez w/a max? Tough one there….that feet thing sure is tricky. Will Lopez withstand 5 years of 90 games/year? That means, if he came here, could he handle playing the regular season and make it throught the 1st round?
GoldDawg
July 11th, 2012
11:07 am
Enter your comments here
DB
July 11th, 2012
11:08 am
I saw a someone on here that said trade Teague and Horford for Al Jefferson….wouldnt dare do that trade….would be basically trading for the same player. If you can get D12 kool. but isnt bynum a FA next season? or the ability to opt out? Trade for Russell Westbrook, Extend Josh Max out Bynum if he is a FA…if not bynum Max out D12 but we shouldnt have to give up players for someone who is gonna be a FA next year
GoldDawg
July 11th, 2012
11:09 am
Hawks will be a younger version of the Spurs!
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 11th, 2012
11:11 am
Purely the Point!
“drmaryb…
Lou is a combo-guard. He plays both guard spots. He replaced Holiday at times last year, and he played beside him.
If Teague is going to get 35 minutes a night at PG, Harris is going to live with 13? No way. Harris will be gone. Williams will take the 13+/- backup PG minutes, plus another 15+/- at SG.” -just joe-
_____________
I feel you bruh … you make an excellent point here. The only thing is … These hawks haven’t had a pure PG since Mookie & before him, Spud Web. I’, just tired of forcing combo players to carry the most important spot on the court. Teague is CLEARLY not a PG, Devin Is … and, I don’t want to see Lou playing PG on this team – EVER! We already rode that horse with J-Cross.
It’s just not fair to the:
Player
Team
City
Fans
let’s find some fundamental pieces at PG & C … for once in my lifetime and let the combo guys play at PF/C or SF. But, get that #1, #2 & #5 spot nailed down – before, I die.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
11:11 am
“Slimjr
July 11th, 2012
11:03 am
KevinM! Just Dayum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sign her up yesterday Danny!”
Slim, you sign Shellhead, you get more shots of CP at Philips!
That guy is the ultimate in ‘outpunting’ your coverage.
And did you notice its CP, not CPW?
And did you know the max contract in the WNBA is 101K??? The entire team can’t exceed 800K!!
CP can come and sit on our bench any day for the league minimum!
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
11:11 am
I MUS WRITE ,
I hear you on that.
Korver? When did we sign Korver? I must have missed something (not surprising)…
NORRIS CHUCK
July 11th, 2012
11:13 am
“Lang Greene:The 76ers continue to deny shopping Andre Iguodala, but have logjam at SF w/ Mo Harkless, Thaddeus Young, Iguodala and now Dorell Wright.”
Hmmm…Iquodala a Hawk????
JROLL1
July 11th, 2012
11:20 am
It’s illegal to text and drive….Just sayn’! I love the Sweet Lou Will pick up!
Luv Josh Smith
July 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Well, I see the hate Josh Smith banter has died down now that the crew is beginning to envision DH and Smoove in the same frontcourt. Getting a legitiimate big should have been the Hawks priority when it became apparent playing Horford out of position and relying on ZaZa’s hands of stones were not going to take them to the next level. We will see.
Oh Smoove haters, Josh never demanded a trade. He did say that he wanted to play for a franchise whose fans support the team and one where management is committed to winning. Will the owners and the new GM’s moves usher in an era of “new Hawks” and win over the bandwagon Hawks fans? Appreciate what we have. Nothing succeeds like winning. We will see.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
11:23 am
You should change your name to Luv Josh Smith’s Jock….
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
11:24 am
And anyway, the problem wasn’t about Horford/Pachulia, it was about having a superstar contract for a non-superstar player and a “starter’s” contract for a non-starter. Hence, Joe and Marvin being traded. Otherwise it would have been Zaza and Al traded.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 11th, 2012
11:25 am
GOT … Jock Itch?
lol @Blu-Ray! My Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
11:27 am
drmryb ,
Whassup baby girl? Good post at 11:11 pm by the way…
O'Brien
July 11th, 2012
11:28 am
Doc,
Melky was terrible when he was here.
I like Lopez for his offense. But for his defense and rebounding? Not so much. I think 4 years, $58 mil (which is being discussed) is too much money for him. Such is the market for big men though.
Either way, it would be nice if the D12 saga gets resolved today.
wordsmithtom
July 11th, 2012
11:31 am
Big Ray on FIRE!
Jaded Hawks Fan
July 11th, 2012
11:33 am
Man, if we get Korver, this team is going to be able to shoot the lights out. Jenkins, Morrow and Korver coming off the bench would give teams nightmares.
Slimjr
July 11th, 2012
11:35 am
Sweet Lou Jr was on 680 the Fan this am in the 9:00 hour. He said he did not think he was coming home after the initial offer from Danny but Danny came back with another offer and Sweet Lou Jr jumped on it! Heheheh!
He also briefly mention that the Hawks still have a shot at bringing D12 to Atlanta…Hmmmmmmmmmm
Ra'mon
July 11th, 2012
11:41 am
O’B, with Lopez’s new contract, Al has just been proven to be good value with his, lol. I’m sorry. You were right, lol.
Ra'mon
July 11th, 2012
11:44 am
Guys if the Hawks get Dwight, its a win. If the Lakers get Dwight and Rockets get Bynum, its a win. If Rockets get Dwight its a win. If Rockets get any pieces and end up in the playoffs, that is what the Hawks want. Long as Dwight isn’t in a Nets jersey this season, its a win.