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
4:36 pm
Talks are still on!!
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
Just because Brooklyn is out, doesn’t mean Orlando won’t find another trade partner (Rockets, Lakers or Hawks).
OB, I stand corrected on Perkins’ salary. And yes, the Nets have a tremendous team. King addressed Lopez’ rebounding weakness by adding Reggie Evans and if they sign Humphries, it will ensure that there Lopez is playing with 2 excellent rebounders during most of the game (Gerald Wallace is a top 3 rebounder at his position and we know that Humphries/Reggie have outstanding rebounding rates at any position). A 2-3 match-up with the Bulls and a health D Rose would be MUST SEE TV.
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
4:40 pm
“Talks are still on!!”
But not with the Nets.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
4:42 pm
It must have been Najeh Davenpoop who said that Dwight wouldn’t be playing for the Nets. He was right, it seems….
Ra'mon
July 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
AJ, I’m sorry. But the Bulls are matching the offer on Asik. So I believe Noah, Boozer, Gibson, and Asik will eat up any front court that BK pieces together with Lopez. To me Humphries is David Lee in New York without the scoring. And with Wallace, you still can double JJ on drives, because Wallace isn’t a great spot up shooter.
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/04/hawks-could-be-back-in-hunt-for-dwight.html
SMH
July 11th, 2012
4:44 pm
When is the Joe deal going to become official? It would suck azz if Brooklyn decides to back out.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
4:45 pm
Who freakin’ knows what’s going on there…
Grandad ,
You can forget it. Criticize Josh (not bash him, just criticize him) and you’re a hater who doesn’t want what’s best for the team. Criticize Al and you’re a person with common sense and a good grasp of the game. Of course, there are exceptions, but they aren’t as prevalent as you’d think they’d be.
Ra'mon
July 11th, 2012
4:47 pm
SMH, if BK could back out of Joe’s deal, it really wouldn’t be that terrible, because Marvin’s contract would still be gone. If you had a line up of Teague – Lou – Joe – Josh – Al, that would easily be a top 4 team in the east, IMO. But BK won’t back out of that deal because that is the very reason Deron signed with them.
Ra'mon
July 11th, 2012
4:48 pm
Big Ray, it was only 18 months ago, when that criticism was the complete opposite. Funny how time change things.
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
4:48 pm
Agreed, Ra’mon …
Rod from College Park
July 11th, 2012
4:50 pm
“Both are hired gunners, give me the 24-25 year old, not the 30-something yr old guy. Unless there’s a big difference in money (and there isn’t) then why go back to Jamal?”
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.
JustSayinB
July 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Pape Sy is back. And the point is? Pleeze, don’t give me that. The question is: can he, or is he, or will he, even get playing time other than garbage type points.
mountain_jim
July 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Thanks for the outdated, time-wasting, misdirection link there Buddy
Rod from College Park
July 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
Buddy G,
“Please help me understand what being younger has to do with it.”
Not losing a step like Jamal or losing three steps mid contract like Joe. Any more questions?”
Yes, who would you pick if you could start a team today. Kevin Garnett or Al Horford. Garnett has surely lost a step. Both will make around the same amout of money next year. Lets just add that you could sign either player for the next 3 years. Which guy would you select? Based on your logic, I’m sure it will be Horford. LOL
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
4:56 pm
Here’s an article on this year’s version of Ivan Johnson at SL with the Hawks….
http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/07/11/after-humbling-humiliating-few-months-caracter-hoping-to-make-it-back-to-the-nba/
Slimjr
July 11th, 2012
4:56 pm
Big Ray
July 11th, 2012
3:28 pm
Ive seen this show before – Serious question -are we cool with Al just developing a jump shot while his rebounding and post game stays the same.From the looks of things we will have plenty of gunners. Who gives us points in the post.
“No, it’s no okay, and it’s NOT cool.
Either Al Horford develops a “real” back to the basket game, or he’ll devolve, because teams like Chicago will shut him down every time. Even teams with less defensive prowess than Chicago will manage to do it. Al has to get better in this department…period. I think he can. I’d hate to see him turn into a Drew Gooden….
Also, if he doesn’t get better, then in future hindsight, we’ll be talking about how last/this year was his highest trade value, and we’ll regret having traded him. That said, I expect him to get better…”
BRay I agree with everything just said. Except I just don’t believe this guy can get much better. He does not have the coordination or foot work to operate with any effectiveness on the block. For his size he not that quick..He lacks Fluidity in his movements….Useless left hand..
He needs to stick to facing the basket and launching the set shot..That weapon has earned him, Allstars honors…..[cough]
9pm tomorrow night we’ll get to see how he operates against the US team on ESPN live..
High-sider
July 11th, 2012
4:57 pm
@vava74
“…Furthermore, Lou’s career regular season stats are – across the board – better than Jamal’s and the sample of playoff stats is skewed and distorted by the difference in number of games played against quality opposition, so they cannot be used as a bearing or at least without an in depth analysis…” – vava74 @1:22pm dated 7/11/2012
Dude [vava74], you are just straight up lying about Lou Williams’ regular season stats being better than Jamal Crawford’s regular season stats. Your credibility is [and should be] “shot.” There you go, once again, delving into the “journalistic world” of “misinformation” and “disinformation.”
Jamal Crawford’s career NBA regular season stats – 15.3ppg, 3.9apg, 2.6rpg, 40.8% FG%, 34.8% 3ptFG%, 85.2% FT%
Lou Williams career NBA regular season stats – 11.3ppg, 3.0apg, 2.0rpg, 42.1% FG%, 33.7% 3ptFG%, 79.8% FT%
BTW, Jamal Crawford’s career playoff stats are better than Lou Williams’ career playoff stats. When Lou Williams has a subpar playoff performance, you [Jamal Crawford-hating] bloggers say Lou Williams played against good defensive playoff teams but when Jamal Crawford has a subpar playoff performance, you same [Jamal Crawford-hating] bloggers say Jamal Crawford sucked and didn’t have the “clutch gene” – double standard like a MFer, WTF. Some of you Jamal Crawford-hating bloggers show your absolute hypocrisy when it comes to critiquing/criticizing Jamal Crawford. [smh]
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
4:58 pm
Ra’mon, maybe… still a good series. Nets could always go small with Wallace at PF, Joe at SF and Brooks at SG to close out games. I’m a BIg believer in rebounding, especially in the playoffs. For all of the talk today about who shot well during the postseason, the fact is the the vast majority of players shoot poorly in the playoffs because playoff teams are typicaly the beter defensive squads. So having excellent rebounders to grab those missed shots is key. That is why I was excited when the Bulls put Noah, Boozer, Kurt Thomas and Taj Gibson together 2 years ago (the squad that made the ECF). And one of the reasons I said last year that I look forward to watching Al, Josh, Zaza and Ivan work together this season.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
4:59 pm
FYI, and I believe its televised, the Dominican Team will be going up against Team USA in Vegas.
NOTE: Al Horford gets to play Team USA but not in the Olympics.
Tumbledown
July 11th, 2012
4:59 pm
The latest ESPN article online includes no reference to the Hawks’ pursuit of Howard. Assuming there have been discussions between the Magic and Hawks, ESPN surely does not want to promote such a trade possibility.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
5:10 pm
Guys, ESPN is not making the trade. Who cares what they cover? If they’ll fly to OKC, they will surely find it easier to get down to the ATL.
JustSayinB
July 11th, 2012
5:16 pm
As far as Dwight goes, can the Hawks take on Dwight, Jayson Richardson and Duhans contracts? Who would the Hawk be willing to give up?
JustSayinB
July 11th, 2012
5:18 pm
Today is the day the Nets want some things to happen. If it doesn’t, then that increases the Hawks chances of making a deal.
JustSayinB
July 11th, 2012
5:22 pm
Ok, my thoughts exactly.
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8156575/2012-nba-free-agency-brooklyn-nets-end-pursuit-dwight-howard-sources-says
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
5:26 pm
Jarrett Jack traded to the Warriors? Steph Curry must still have issues. Mark Jackson gets himself a strong leader and defender as he tries to change that team’s culture.
Melvin
July 11th, 2012
5:26 pm
What was the purpose for the news conference by the Magic GM? I guess we can expect for them not to trade Howard today.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
5:27 pm
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
Just going up online: Mavs on verge of signing All-Star center Chris Kaman. Deal should be finalized later Wednesday
GFY
July 11th, 2012
5:27 pm
It’s the Hawks……..who gives a rat’s azz?
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
5:29 pm
AlexKennedyNBA: The Magic informed Dwight Howard that they’ve suspended trade talks and will shift attention to coaching search.
JustSayinB
July 11th, 2012
5:29 pm
If the Hawks finally get Howard, they’ll risk losing him in free agency for next year. That’s the trap teams don’t want to get into. But for the Hawks-that may be the move that will catipult them deep into the playoffs. Smooth and Dwight may be the big 2 that Atlanta needs to compete in the east. Danny is going for Dwight.
Astro Joe
July 11th, 2012
5:32 pm
JustSayinB said Danny is going for Dwight.
Really, you think? Wow, no one else seems to have come up with that idea in the past 8 days.
Wabe
July 11th, 2012
5:33 pm
According to Hennigan, ‘talks with the Magic remain open’.
Not sure what to make of this, all I know is, I’m growing a bit impatient with this D12 garbage. Move him, or retain him.
The Magic need to realize that leverage doesn’t grow, it weakens, with each passing day. And I’m just honestly sick and tired of the D12 saga, and have been since all the hoopla this past season with him.
Wabe
July 11th, 2012
5:37 pm
Hennigan could possibly just be sayin’ what he needs to say to hold onto some of that leverage so other teams thicken the pot.
John
July 11th, 2012
5:46 pm
Wish the Hawks could have got Kaman
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
5:49 pm
Down to the Hawks, Rockets and LAL.
MC, get to Danny and see what he’s offering!
realcp, looks like one of our draft favs, Hollis Thompson, signed a deal with OKC. He and Lamb were my gets for the Hawks.
Rev in Tampa
July 11th, 2012
5:53 pm
AJ, what do you make of the Alex Kennedy report?
From what I read earlier, probably on the blog, the Magic are stuck with Dwight until December if they don’t trade him today. Is that accurate?
I’m sure you just saw the tweet that MC sent saying that Dwightstakes are officially over with the signing of Lopez. How does Lopez signing affect Hawks???
Lacsho
July 11th, 2012
5:54 pm
I wonder when are we going to finalize the joe johnson and Marvin trades?
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
5:54 pm
I saw where the Rockets got compensation for Marcus Camby…
The Rockets agreed to a sign-and-trade for Camby, acquiring Toney Douglas, Josh Harrelson, Jerome Jordan and second round picks in 2014 and 2015. New York will pay the salary of Douglas for the 12-13 season.
Add the 3 #1s and the Rockets are in full makeover mode. They badly need a PG, and we’ve actually got a couple for a change.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
5:57 pm
Kaman getting 1 year, 8M…..we couldn’t go there if we were interested in D12.
Dallas got that off easy on that deal.
glw
July 11th, 2012
5:57 pm
Well looks like the Nets are officially out of the Dwight sweepstakes.
http://www.netsdaily.com/2012/7/11/3152508/nets-sign-lopez-to-max-deal
SMH
July 11th, 2012
6:01 pm
When are our trades going to go through..
vava74
July 11th, 2012
6:09 pm
High- Sider,
Go back a few pages and check Lou-Jamal PER MINUTE STATS in the regular season.
In relation to the playoffs, since Jamal played for a higher seed he faced worse defensive teams.
Both sucked more or less against top rated defenses. Also all perfectly clear on other posts.
Nonetheless, I think the bloggers around here are interested in knowing from you what is the current state of Jamal’s haemorrhoids since you should have direct sight from where you are
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
6:13 pm
That Kaman deal might be one of the best contracts given out this summer. Short term commitment, and he’s going to get paid half the price of Hibbert and Lopez for pretty much the same production.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 11th, 2012
6:14 pm
“When are our trades going to go through..”
The Joe trade is official. No word yet on the Marvin trade but I would think it will be official by the end of the day if it is not already.
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
6:16 pm
“Thanks for the outdated, time-wasting, misdirection link there Buddy”
Actually mountain jim, that’s a link that was ahead of its time.
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
6:17 pm
Definitely would take Al over KG.
Buddy Grizzard
July 11th, 2012
6:18 pm
” How does Lopez signing affect Hawks???”
It affects the Hawks because it takes Brooklyn out of the mix while Atlanta remains in the mix.
KevinM
July 11th, 2012
6:19 pm
Okay its official per MC:
“League announces #Hawks-#Nets Joe Johnson trade is official. Deal also includes 2nd-round pick for ATL in ‘17″
I guess Danny will have to start taking a look at 9th graders to see who fits the needs in ‘17!
Rod from College Park
July 11th, 2012
6:21 pm
“Definitely would take Al over KG.”
I know. So to me all your credibility is gone.