Atlanta Hawks: Rookie draft pick Mike Scott signs contract
The Hawks today signed rookie forward Mike Scott, their second-round pick in the June draft.
Scott signed a two-year contract for the minimum salary that includes some guarantees, according to Hawks GM Danny Ferry. The minimum salary for 2012-13 is $473,604.
“Mike will be on the team this year,” Ferry wrote in a text message.
Today is the deadline for teams to at least extend a required tender to second-round draft picks in order to retain their rights.
Scott, 24, was the No. 43 overall draft pick and Atlanta’s second selection behind guard John Jenkins. Scott figures to benefit from the Hawks’ efforts to strengthen their player-development program but he’s not projected to play much in 2012-13.
When the Hawks drafted Scott, GM Danny Ferry said he’s strictly a power forward. That means Scott is slotted behind Josh Smith, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia, Ivan Johnson, Jordan Williams and perhaps Johan Petro in the frontcourt rotation.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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240 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
September 7th, 2012
4:23 pm
I also suspect that Ivan was better equipped physically to handle the rigors of a condensed schedule of games than Benson. Benson appears to have a nice array of low post moves, but can he hold his position in the low post against even back-up bigs in the NBA? Ivan probably dang-near broke his hip in practice last year. Likely pushed him out to the free throw line and rendered him useless.
PD
September 7th, 2012
4:28 pm
MC, Did Ivan Johnson sign the qualifying offer?
MsDee
September 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
MC,
On August 30, this twit went out, “Former Charlotte Bobcats small forward, Derrick Brown, is set to workout with the San Antonio Spurs next week and the Atlanta Hawks the following week, according to his agent Calvin Andrews of BDA Sports Management. CSNNW.com”
Have u heard anything about Derrick Brown’s workout with the Hawks?
Buddy G
September 7th, 2012
5:06 pm
“They will have to run like the wind cause they wont be able to stop anybody..”
Nah the Hawks front line is used to it. They used to play with JC1 and Bibby. They just got a lil break the last two years with Hinrich on the squad and Teague playing for the first time (not a good defender, but fast enough not to be terrible like Bibby and JC1).
“Benson looked way better than Scott..”
What Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde said.
“Scott took the Gamma dog role.”
Zeta dog.
Buddy G
September 7th, 2012
5:07 pm
“And giving Scott a guaranteed contract doesn’t mean that he won’t spend time in the D-League.”
MC said “some” guarantees for the two years. It’s only a partially guaranteed deal. It could only be guaranteed for 100k per season for all we know, so they could cut him at a cost of $200k.
The Truth
September 7th, 2012
6:42 pm
“Benson looked way better than Scott..”
What Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde said.
“Scott took the Gamma dog role.”
Zeta dog.
And giving Scott a guaranteed contract doesn’t mean that he won’t spend time in the D-League.”
MC said “some” guarantees for the two years. It’s only a partially guaranteed deal. It could only be guaranteed for 100k per season for all we know, so they could cut him at a cost of $200k.
Dear Mike Scott
Welcome to the NBA. I hope you got thick skin because you’re going to need it playing on this team and in this town. It would seem after 5 games in a summer league, some bloggers/pundits already know your game and have determined your fate in the NBA. Proving them wrong will be up to you.
Since the Truth has not been told on you yet, at least you know what they think.
We Shall See
World B Free
September 7th, 2012
7:07 pm
Can some one tell me why All The Al Hoford Fans Want to move Josh Smith one of the best power forwards in the game out of his position to make room for LOL AL hoford?
Josh at his worst. is as good as or better than Al at his best.
Actually once the Al trade is complete I expect Ivan to get All of Al’s minutes and the hawks wont miss a beat.
KevinM
September 7th, 2012
7:11 pm
Ivan should be in here, and Scott should plan on heading to our new DL affiliate to get plenty of minutes.
I’m in the minority here, but if there’s enough offense on the front line and Teague, than perhaps Stevenson is the starting SG.
And I think Zaza has enough in him to be a starter in his contract year. He did us quite well last year.
DF has given LD plenty of options to manuever…..let’s see if a group of NJ bench players can make any kind of contribution.
steven a smith
September 7th, 2012
8:25 pm
Welcome to the Atlanta Hawks Mike Scott. You are allready a more complete player than Marvin Williams, Sheldon Williams, and the list goes on…..
Slimjr
September 7th, 2012
8:41 pm
“Can some one tell me why All The Al Hoford Fans Want to move Josh Smith one of the best power forwards in the game out of his position to make room for LOL AL hoford?” -world be free-
You’ll have to ask the resident basketball expert that question. Now I read some of his fans want him to move to the 3? Oh the humanity…..
Rusty
September 7th, 2012
9:33 pm
It was pretty stupid to keep vlad & stackhouse over benson last year.
Ken Strickland
September 7th, 2012
10:35 pm
CLYDE-You can’t tell me that Collins and Dampier showed more versatility, athleticism, rebounding, scoring and shotblocking ability or potential than Benson. He was simply the victim of a HC that valued experience enough to ignore their limitations, total lack of upside and/or long range potential.
DFerry is having the team establish and fund a player development program to put an end to this foolishness. Under Sund we not only failed to develop any of our 2nd rd picks, we actually failed to put forth any effort to develop our 1st rd picks.
As far as Ivan Johnson is concerned, the Hawks have an offer on the table and it’s up to him when or if he signs it, not the Hawks. I’m certain he’s waiting in hopes of getting a better offer that the Hawks will match. It’s funny to see someone say Scott is an undersized PF at 6′8″, but at the same time show concern that IJohnson, a 6′ 8″ PF/OC, hasn’t been signed. WHERE’S THE LOGIC?
OBRIEN-I get your point, but Teague, Harris and Williams are all capable of playing PG and SG, particularly Harris and Williams. These 3 will make up our primary guard rotation, and all 3 will be counted on to play PG while Lou and Harris will play a combo role.
We’ll also see Morrow, Jenkins, and even Korver, play SG from time to time. We’ll likely see Morrow and Korver play some SF as well. The long range shooting ability and accuracy of Morrow, Korver, Jenkins, LWilliams and Harris will definitely spread the floor. That means their will be lots of room near the lane for Josh, Horford, Ivan, JWilliams, and Zaza to operate.
This yrs team won’t be as focused on one player like it was in yrs past, but it’ll be just as good, if not better, and far more entertaining to watch. I got very little satisfaction out of seeing clearouts while JJ pounded the ball in ISO until the clock ran down only to end up taking a jumpshot or a floater in the lane. It’ll be refreshing to see someone other than Teague blow by his man without the need of a clearout and/or a lot of ball pounding, stumbling and falling in the lane.
Barry Sanders
September 7th, 2012
11:56 pm
AL Horford = Marvin Williams.
Al Horford is the NEW Marvin Williams.
Barry Sanders
September 8th, 2012
12:08 am
CORRECTION:
AL Horford
Barry Sanders
September 8th, 2012
12:11 am
CORRECTION:
AL Horford = Stud
I’m an idiot
steven a smith
September 8th, 2012
12:39 am
2012-2013 Atlanta Hawks Roster
PG-Jeff Teague/Lou Williams
SG-Mickael Petrus/John Jenkins/A. Morrow
SF-Taj Gibson/Kyle Korver/Deshawn Stevenson
PF-AL Horford/Ivan Johnson/Mike Scott
C-AL Jefferson/Johan Petro
Devin Harris will be traded to the Chicago Bulls for Taj Gibson +1. Josh Smith to Utah for Jefferson and a Box of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 8th, 2012
1:35 am
“Come on people, what difference does it make who is the 12th-15th guy on the roster of a team that won’t see the 2nd round of the playoffs?”
Mike Scott is going to be the 12th-15th guy on the roster and isn’t going to make much of a difference. Dominic McGuire might start at SF if he is signed, considering the unbalanced state of the roster right now, and would instantly fill the need for a wing defender. A potential starter is a much more efficient use of a roster spot than a bench warmer.
Of course, if the sub-second round ceiling of this team is to be considered in evaluating the use of roster spots, then why does anything about the roster matter? This is a transition year, after all, so from a big picture standpoint, nothing the team does this year matters at all.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 8th, 2012
1:42 am
I’d be pretty content with a starting lineup of Teague-Harris-McGuire-Josh-Al with Lou, Morrow, and Zaza anchoring the second unit and Korver getting spot minutes. At least with a configuration like that, there is some hope that they can be decent defensively. As it stands, with either Morrow or Korver slated to play starters’ minutes at the 3, they have little to no hope of being a decent defensive team.
This team will be entertaining this year and may even end up improving offensively over the last two years, but whether they end up in the lottery or the playoffs depends on their ability to play D. An average showing defensively may get them into the playoffs. A poor one will not, even if the offense improves.
Of course, with it being a transition year and all, a lottery trip may be better than a playoff trip that is sure to end early.
Astro Joe
September 8th, 2012
6:48 am
I agree, It Al has been a disappointment. Hes the negative side of the core. He is so much like Marvin Williams til it aint funny . I am totally on board with shipping Al for Al Jefferson (trow in teague if needed) or 1on1 for Javale McGee.
Barry Sanders it looks like Sautee is stealing your handle and its clear that he is also stealing Steven A Smith’s Handle. You guys have been clear over the past 3 years about the disappointment Al and Marvin bring to the hawks.
Al is a nasty after taste to the new team. In fact he doesnt have a role or a position. He kinda like a fish out of water, Just Flopping around. If we cant move Al to the 3 to defend on the perimeter then he really cant help the hawks unless he comes of the bench. Defensively he is the 4th or 5th best low post player with Josh, Ivan, Zaza clearly better able to protect the rim.
I like the fact that Dan the man was trying to trade Al this summer. I hope he is able to pull t off a trade for Al Jefferson or McGee. That will help the Hawks A lot and get us at least headed in the right direction.
Please trade Al. There are far too many guys asking for Al to be traded.
steven a smith
September 8th, 2012
6:50 am
Sautee, Stop Trolling and stealing my handle.
Al Horford = Mavin Williams
steven a smith
September 8th, 2012
10:21 am
Astro Joe, that stupid Troll stole your handle
More Corrections
Al Horford = Stud
I’m still an obsess idoit
I need help!!
Ken Strickland
September 8th, 2012
11:21 am
We finally get another blog going and the ANALS are right on que with their extremely childish BS. How can anything but someone suffering from ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT get such continuous joy and satisfaction out of such a childish endeavor?
Here’s an example of the supreme stupidity and anal mindedness that characterizes this/these ANALS. I suggested that we play Josh at SF, and was admonished for suggesting that one of the NBAs top PFs be moved to SF. Yet, this same ANAL MINDED MORON suggested that we bench AHorford, who’s become a 2 time Allstar and 1 time All NBA center in his 1st 4yrs. NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL TOTAL STUPIDITY AT ITS BEST.
Ken Strickland
September 8th, 2012
12:34 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1326503-what-should-the-atlanta-hawks-do-with-josh-smith
Here’s an interesting article that should help fuel the Josh vs Al debate.
Ken Strickland
September 8th, 2012
1:10 pm
I wonder if the Hawks intend on bringing 6′ 9″ PF/C Soroklis Schortsanitis to training camp. He’s the player we got the rights to in the Willie Green trade. I also wonder what Ferry’s plans are as far as the players we have stashed overseas. If I remember correctly, they are known for being good outside shooters, which we already have in abundance.
Slimjr
September 8th, 2012
1:16 pm
Even Ethan at the Bleacher Report realizes this team is not going to an ECF nor Finals with Josh and Al starting on the Hawks front line..Since Josh is the more skilled player on offense and defense, logic would dictate shopping All NBA and holding onto Josh.. All NBA has probably peaked as the Rev so eloquently expressed several weeks ago.. Shop him while its still believed by these NBA coaches that this guy is still AllStar material. Maybe the Hawks can acquire a true potential star small forward for AL?
This is a Star driven league..Al and Josh[on the cusp] are not….Sorry Hawk fans.I know it hurts to hear the truth..But so be it…
Slimjr
September 8th, 2012
1:32 pm
A balanced Championship squad in Atlanta for a change:
How bout a front line just as skilled as the guards have been for the Hawks over the the years?
What a novel idea?
How bout a front line that can carry the team for a change? Especially when the guards are worn down going into 4th quarters and are unable to maintain leads? [28-47] against the winners proves that.
Lack of scoring on the front line consistently in crunch time against the winners has been a major [Achilles Heel] for Larry’s team. Matter-a-fact for years its been a major problem….
Slimjr
September 8th, 2012
1:34 pm
47-28= contenders
28-47= pretenders
Buddy Grizzard
September 8th, 2012
2:10 pm
“It’s funny to see someone say Scott is an undersized PF at 6′8″, but at the same time show concern that IJohnson, a 6′ 8″ PF/OC, hasn’t been signed. WHERE’S THE LOGIC?”
Please tell me someone was trolling your handle Ken. S.
Yes, Ivan Johnson is 6-8 but he has proven himself in the NBA at three positions. He plays above the rim, gets highlight blocks and dunks, and has the foot speed to blow by Chris Bosh like he’s not even there.
Ivan last year outplayed All-Star centers Andrew Bogut and Marc Gasol and was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in April. The only players in the NBA who have strength comparable to Ivan’s are Dwight Howard and LeBron James.
So now you want to compare him to Mike Scott, a player who hasn’t proven that he HAS AN NBA POSITION, much less that he can match up with All-Stars at multiple positions?
Buddy Grizzard
September 8th, 2012
2:22 pm
“I wonder if the Hawks intend on bringing 6′ 9″ PF/C Soroklis Schortsanitis to training camp.”
As others have noted, Big Sofo will never play in the NBA. He’s only good for about 20 minutes a game because his conditioning is so bad. Despite this, he just signed a large, long-term contract. NBA league rules prevent the Hawks from paying what it would cost to buy him out. He would have to walk away from his contract and pay most of his own buy-out to come to the NBA, where he would be a minimum-salary player. Not happening, ever.
Slimjr
September 8th, 2012
2:30 pm
Buddy G. with the step back 3! Bang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
September 8th, 2012
2:32 pm
Ivan the terrible for President! Power and Grace! What a combo!!!
Slimjr
September 8th, 2012
2:44 pm
Soroklis Schortsanitis is a Hamburger away from 440lbs! What a fat out of shape professional..He would be joke on the Hawks roster..
We want Championships now.. Enough already!
jhan
September 8th, 2012
4:51 pm
I don’t understand the logic. If Al is so horrible how do we get a star caliber SF in return for him? Seems like we need to trade Josh if you want a star caliber player in return. Maybe we can sign & trade Ivan for Gasol or Bogut since he is better than them.
Buddy Grizzard
September 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
Why would you trade a player you can have for $1m this season for a player that’s making $14m this season if it doesn’t represent a major upgrade in talent? The Hawks went as far as Memphis did in the playoffs last season… why would we want their center? Bogut can’t stay healthy… why pay him $13m?
You’re missing the point. Ivan Johnson is as big of a story right now as Jeremy Lin, but nobody other than Charles Barkley realizes it. He’s better than several players that are making north of $10m per season, but because of concerns about his character, nobody is going to pay him what he’s worth. If the Hawks get Ivan this season for the qualifying offer of $1m or the room exception just under $2m, that will be the best contract in the NBA.
jhan
September 8th, 2012
7:13 pm
Can’t argue that Ivan is not worth $1M – $2M if he repeats what he did last season. Good player. Someone who should probably get 15-20 minutes of run every game.
Astro Joe
September 8th, 2012
7:18 pm
Buddy, Ivan had a few games when he appeared to be Jason Maxiell-like. That’s about it. Let’s not get carried away with suggestions that his bull-in-the-china-shop routine was as impactful as Lin’s breakout performance last season.
And yes, my handle was clearly “borrowed” earlier today.
Najeh, I’d like to see McGuire added but I can’t envision him making a material difference ont he team’s fortunes. If Ferry wants to upgrade this year’s roster and make a material impact, he will need to use some of the stale bags of chips acquired around 55 days ago for Joe. I can’t get too excited about any vet’s minimum, free agent signing completed in, what, the 10th week of free agency?
just popping in
September 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
Have you guys seen this yet? Front-page post on Reddit’s NBA page right now…
“What Josh Smith can learn from Lebron James”
http://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/zkof7/what_josh_smith_can_learn_from_lebron_james/
The two articles it links to at the top of the post are pretty interesting. Much more in-depth than a lot of blogs.
Buddy Grizzard
September 8th, 2012
9:52 pm
Astro, you might not be saying that if LD hadn’t decided to hold Ivan out of the Celtics series when the team needed him most. The only reason we don’t know Ivan’s ceiling right now is because Drew has held him back. He makes mistakes on defense because he hasn’t learned the NBA game yet, not because he lacks strength or quickness. When he has the technique to go with world-class strength and foot speed, then you will know his true potential. I can tell you right now he is the Hawk most qualified to guard Dwight Howard.
steven a smith
September 9th, 2012
12:22 am
Buddy Grizzard
September 8th, 2012
9:52 pm
I can tell you right now he is the Hawk most qualified to guard Dwight Howard.
“Just say no to Drugs Buddy Gizzard”
Buddy Grizzard
September 9th, 2012
1:59 am
Let’s see.
Dwight is 6-9.
Ivan is 6-8
Dwight is one of the 10 strongest players in the NBA.
Ivan is one of the 10 strongest players in the NBA.
Dwight has incredible speed for his size.
Ivan has incredible speed for his size.
Dwight is an All-Star center.
Ivan has proven that he can match up with All-Star centers.
Get a life, steven a smith. This forum is for people who know something about basketball.
Buddy Grizzard
September 9th, 2012
2:13 am
“Much more in-depth than a lot of blogs.”
Look at the shot chart for Josh Smith from the defining game of his career, Game 4 against Chicago when he had 23 points and 16 rebounds to tie the series 2-2:
http://espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=310508001
Josh took six shots outside the paint and made one of them. The rest of his 21 points came in the paint or at the free throw line, where he shot 6-for-9.
Josh isn’t stupid. He knows that chucking jumpers has kept him out of the All-Star game. So why does he keep doing it? I think it’s because he knows its only a matter of time until he starts to lose his athleticism. He already has chronic knee problems. When the explosiveness is gone, how will he play and contribute?
Thus why he tries to be Kobe.
vava74
September 9th, 2012
3:32 am
Buddy: “You’re missing the point. Ivan Johnson is as big of a story right now as Jeremy Lin, but nobody other than Charles Barkley realizes it. He’s better than several players that are making north of $10m per season, but because of concerns about his character, nobody is going to pay him what he’s worth. If the Hawks get Ivan this season for the qualifying offer of $1m or the room exception just under $2m, that will be the best contract in the NBA.”
Co-sign.
Ivan is extremely talented. He drives both ways but even though he is right handed, does it brilliantly going left.
Has a decent jumper (as his D-League stats proved), soft hands around the rim.
Rebounds well, has excellent lateral quickness, has excellent and quick hands on D, has a no nonsense attitude not backing down from anyone nor anything.
Not a fantastic jumper BUT has excellent timing, allowing him to dunk on or block taller players using his bulk and decisiveness.
vava74
September 9th, 2012
3:38 am
As for Ivan being the better Howard defender, I think that given last year’s performance, that still belongs to Zaza who made great strides as a post defender.
Howard is listed 6′10′1/4 with shoes and 6′9” without shoes. Ivan is listed 6′8”, with probably means “with shoes”, so he is actually closer to 6′7” IMO.
But height is not everything. Some guys play much bigger than their size and Ivan is one of them.
vava74
September 9th, 2012
4:44 am
On Scott:
Scott improved… as the summer league went on. He rebounded consistently and got to the FT line often.
AND, his “forte” – the jump shot was not falling, probably due to some lack of confidence/jitters.
If he had shot marginally better – for instance in the mid .400 FG and .800* on FT- he would have averaged 3 ppg more and overall, the image he would have made in our minds would have been substantially different.
* he shot .808 in his last year in college.
He is not overly athletic – not by a mile – but he seems steady minded and disciplined. which for a reserve big typically ensures rotation minutes (not saying this year though).
For the lazy…
http://www.nba.com/summer-league/2012/players/sl_mike_scott/
And usually… when a guy who is not noticeably athletic gets offensive rebounds as he did in the summer league, that is a good sign.
Love can’t jump a lick but his positioning gets him loads of rebounds.
There is more than 1 way to skin a cat.
vava74
September 9th, 2012
4:50 am
And his summer league highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ILiiR2dEFA
He is disciplined: willing pick setter, making him a pick and pop weapon.
I actually see him as a smaller version of Horford which could mean that he could insure that the reserve team could run the same plays with him occupying Al’s spot on those sets.
Just Joe
September 9th, 2012
7:09 am
I see Scott, and hope for Udonis Haslem. Haslem is a self-made man. He realized quickly after not being drafted and playing overseas, that his niche would have to be rebounding and defending the high post / pick n roll. The mid-range jumper has always been there. Great teammate. Hustle player. Not afraid of anything including having the ball in his hands with the game on the line.
Scott and Haslem have very similar measurables (height, weight, wingspan, age when entering the league, etc…), let’s just hope that Scott has the same drive and determination.
Just Joe
September 9th, 2012
7:31 am
The bleacherreport article near the top of the page mentions trading Al if you could get a “sweet shooting center” in return. IMO, that’s the one player type that would justify keeping Al and Josh together, not breaking them up. I’d break them up for a scoring SF or a defensive center. That 7 footer with the ability to shoot and help out on the defensive boards would fit nicely with Al and Josh. These players are hard to find though (the Mehmet Okur in his prime type). I think this is why Ferry has been looking in to stretch 4’s instead (Randolph, Tolliver, etc…). Allows you to keep Josh, Al, and a similar sized player on the floor together while maintaining your spacing on offense.
Ken Strickland
September 9th, 2012
10:13 am
The roster Ferry has assembled will either be a HCs dream or nightmare. If the HC is competent and versatile enough to utilize multiple systems and talent, and loves a challenge, then it’s a dream. Otherwise, it’s a nightmare. We’ll find out this season where LDrew fits. It looks like IJohnson has joined JSmith as a player that has a fan or fans with a MAN CRUSH on him.
It seems that 1 decent yr as a backup, after getting kicked out of the Korean Basketball League and playing the rest of his career on the D League level, suddenly makes a player like Ivan Johnson a potential All Star. Yet becoming a 2 time All Star and All NBA makes a player like Al Horford a so called scrub. WHERE’S THE DOGGONE LOGIC?
steven a smith
September 9th, 2012
10:19 am
Buddy Grizzard
September 9th, 2012
2:13 am
Josh isn’t stupid. He knows that chucking jumpers has kept him out of the All-Star game. So why does he keep doing it? I think it’s because he knows its only a matter of time until he starts to lose his athleticism. He already has chronic knee problems. When the explosiveness is gone, how will he play and contribute?
Thus why he tries to be Kobe.
Buddy, Buddy, Buddy
Josh may not be stupid, but? You can not keep “posting” these nonsensical post and expect to have your basketball acumen respected. ” YOU CAN NOT MAKE SENSE OUT OF NONSENSE BUDDY.”
steven a smith
September 9th, 2012
10:23 am
Ken Strickland
September 9th, 2012
10:13 am
Ditto. I do agree that Al is far better defending Dwight Howard than Ivan could.