Atlanta Hawks: Rookies getting noticed
Vivlamore reporting. The Hawks are off today. Here is my story on rookies John Jenkins and Mike Scott that will appear in Saturday’s print edition of the AJC.
John Jenkins and Mike Scott are on the verge of doing something two Hawks picks haven’t done in four previous drafts.
Make the team.
Consider the team’s recent history:
* 2011 – Keith Benson
* 2010 – Damion James (traded) and Pape Sy
* 2009 – Jeff Teague and Sergiy Gladyr
* 2008 – No picks
Of that group, only Teague made the team in his draft year. You have to go back to 2007 when Al Horford and Acie Law were kept on the roster as rookies.
Coach Larry Drew said Jenkins and Scott possess an NBA skill set. While the two are still learning the speed of the professional game, they will, in all likelihood, be contributors off the Hawks bench this season.
First-round draft pick John Jenkins works on his 3-point shot during a recent Hawks practice. BOB ANDRES BANDRES@AJC.COM
Jenkins, the team’s first-round pick (No. 23 overall) was considered one of the nation’s best shooters in this year’s draft out of Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6 guard led the SEC in scoring each of the past two seasons. He tied for 16th in the nation with a 19.9 points per game average and tied for 10th by shooting 43.9 percent from 3-point range last year.
“I can see he’s doing a lot of thinking,” Drew said during training camp. “When you do too much thinking it takes away a little bit from your instinctive moves. Right now, he’s learning. He’ll continue to learn. Once he gets comfortable with everything, I’ll see a better flow with him. John can shoot the basketball. He’s, right now, at this level trying to learn a whole new system which he is not accustomed to. I expected that.”
Jenkins has appeared in three of the Hawks’ five exhibition games this season. He sat out Thursday’s game against the Hornets with a left hand contusion. While on the court, Jenkins has made 5 of 13 field-goal attempts, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range. His total of 13 points is an average of 4.3 per game.
Jenkins, the Hawks’ leading scorer in summer league play with 15.6 points, said the pace of NBA play has been his greatest adjustment during training camp and the exhibition season. He has not had an issue getting his shot attempts.
“I’m not used to having open shots,” Jenkins said. “I had an open shot every time I touched the ball against the Spurs (his exhibition debut). That’s way different for me. Adjusting to that has been a good adjustment rather than a bad one. In college, I was getting double-teamed so much. When I came out here, everybody is so good that you can’t do that. There is a lot more space.”
Scott, a second-round pick (No. 43), said he has adapted well offensively, but learning the defensive principles has given him the most problems.
Scott, who came out of Virginia 21st in the nation with a .563 field-goal percentage, has appeared in four exhibition games. The 6-8 forward has made 11 of 28 field-goal attempts. His total of 28 point is a 7.0 per game average. Scott is also averaging 3.5 rebounds per game.
Second-round draft pick Mike Scott shoots free throws during a recent practice. BOB ANDRES BANDRES@AJC.COM
“I was nervous when it first started out, excited and nervous,” Scott said. “I’m just trying to learn. Learn from the vets, Al (Horford), Josh (Smith), Anthony Tolliver, those guys who play my position. I think each day I’m getting better and better but I still have a lot more to go.”
Scott hit a clutch 3-pointer against the Spurs in his debut Oct. 10. The shot, part of his 11 points and seven straight, tied the game with four seconds remaining before the Spurs won at the buzzer.
Drew said he designed the play to put the rookie in a pressure situation.
The play was not completely new to Scott. It was in the Virginia playbook – stolen from the Timberwolves as a set for Kevin Love – although never run during a game. Scott said he received a call from Virginia coach Tony Bennett who immediately noticed the play and joked that Drew was stealing his plays.
“It was probably one of the biggest shots I’ve ever taken, even though it was a preseason game,” Scott said. “For him to call that play for me shows he has a lot of confidence in me at that time. If I make it, I make it as long as I don’t shy away from it.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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134 comments Add your comment
Rusty
October 20th, 2012
1:13 pm
Al Horford is 3x the player that Zazza is. Steven Smith was Al going ot with your wife?
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
1:17 pm
Trade Al Horford at “mid-season” for a Back-up Big” and Draft Picks. Offer Al to the Heat for Bosh and watch them ltao!!!! Offer Al to Utah and watch them ltao!!! offer Al to Lakers for Gasol and watch them ltao!!! GET THE PICTURE GIRLS!!!
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
1:25 pm
Most effective Hawks Line-up(Scoring)
PG- Devin Harris
SG-Lou Williams
SF-Kyle Korver
PF-Josh Smith
C-Zsa Zsa Pahulia
jhan
October 20th, 2012
1:26 pm
We now have 3 guards that can shoot, penetrate, and create scoring opportunities for others, and 2 will be on the floor together.
Ken- These 3 guys also have the ability to be totally abused on the defensive end. Don’t forget about that part of the game.
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
1:29 pm
Rusty
October 20th, 2012
1:13 pm
No. i don’t think so.(lmao). Have you seen Al,s new wife??? She is waaay out of his league!!! But then again she knows how much “Allstar Al” is worth($12mill. per)
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
1:30 pm
jhan
October 20th, 2012
1:26 pm
We now have 3 guards that can shoot, penetrate, and create scoring opportunities for others, and 2 will be on the floor together.
Ken- These 3 guys also have the ability to be totally abused on the defensive end. Don’t forget about that part of the game.
Please, Do Not Waste your time trying to convince “LORD OF THE IDIOTS” of anything….
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
1:36 pm
RE-POST
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
12:48 pm
Coach Mike Fratello, Dennis Scott, and Brevin Knight, all of NBA-TV must be “Morons” Because they all stated that they would not start “ALLSTAR AL HORFORD” at center EITHER!!! How does that TASTE BOYS????
3-former NBAers agree. No need to further “Quantify”(look it up Ken S.) my point that Average Al is just plain, “Average”. Al Horford is our “New Marvin”
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
1:40 pm
Congratulations on a successful trade.
Due to Atlanta and Utah being over the cap, the 50% trade rule is invoked. Atlanta and Utah had to be no more than 150% plus $100,000 of the salary given out, or no more than $5,000,000 (whichever is lesser), for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/6149058#ixzz29rVr3zEo
Al Horford to Utah for Al Jefferson. We get an “UPGRADE” in Als.
ag
October 20th, 2012
1:47 pm
Outside of the K.S. – damn, WE FINALLY AGREE!!!
ag
October 20th, 2012
2:07 pm
LEWIS, go to stub hub. I got my tickets for $11!!!. I am in section 109… great seats. Against the Hornets, same section, row B… $14. I love stub hub!!!
ctrim
October 20th, 2012
2:08 pm
All Star averages? Really? If you make the All Star Game your third and forth year you’re not lucky, you’re pretty darn good.
Playoff averages? He played his role. We were in lottery prior. Josh, Al and Joe were the reason why we were there in the first place.
Career averages? Rebounding/defense consistent and his scoring improved every year. Blocks are not the only factor in determining defense. Al and josh are both good defenders with different styles and effectiveness.
College averages? Won two national championships and don’t think Florida did that in spite of Al.
Perfect, no – but at this point in Al’s career I don’t see anything to apologize for.
ag
October 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
Also SAS, what we agree on was ZaZa is a disaster waiting to happen. Nothing else.
ag
October 20th, 2012
2:11 pm
I am still waiting for those 5 centers in East and West…
ctrim
October 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
Zaza is good in his role as a back up center that can come in with energy and spark. He can play well in spurts but as a starter he will wear down and lose his effectiveness. Really missed him against the Celtics in the playoffs. Good team player and someone who wants to be here.
paian
October 20th, 2012
2:25 pm
@troll
if u gonna pretend to be me, learn the way i type firsst
ag
October 20th, 2012
2:30 pm
I agree, ZaZa is a backup center. Hustle, toughness, please don’t pass him the ball! If he scores, he needs to get a offensive rebound!
ctrim
October 20th, 2012
2:36 pm
I’m pretty sure most, if not all agree Al is playing out of position. That does not translate to Al not being effective in that role or trading him for a player with inflated stats on a bad team.
ag
October 20th, 2012
2:44 pm
This is 2012. You no longer need a 7′0 patrolling the lane. It is nice to have, but most 7′0″ are like Petro!
Quick, athletic centers who can score from the outside or take the opposition of the dribble and rebound. That is why Bosh and Garnett are centers – although both are 6′11 – only 1″ taller than Al.
ctrim
October 20th, 2012
2:47 pm
Main concern for Al and Josh this year is that they can stay healthy – Ivan and Zaza too. If one of those goes down we really don’t have anyone that can step in. Not ready to “Vote for Petro”.
ctrim
October 20th, 2012
3:25 pm
When did $12 million for a player like Al become a bad contract? Your stats provided do not prove your point when you consider the plethora of players making more $ and doing a lot less than Al. Never heard anyone else outside this blog even hint that we overpaid to resign Al – you have right to your opinion but I couldn’t disagree with you any more. Seems like you are just making shock statements to get a reaction. Would scroll but you keep changing your name!
darrell starks
October 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
Chris Vilamore, This team is still good only if LD play the right players and think defense first.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
October 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
So LD says he designed that play to put a rookie in a pressure situation huh? Yeah right. lol. And of coure they’re gonna make the team. FERRY PICKED THOSE GUYS. Think LD has the basketBALLS to cut em?? Helltothenaw. lol
darrell starks
October 20th, 2012
3:52 pm
I Hope Danny Ferry is not forfeiting the season, and throwing in the towel.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
October 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
It’s not like he’s gonna put Scott in a “pressure situation” when it counts.
darrell starks
October 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
2012 ATLANTA HAWKS
STARTERS TEAGUE, LOU, JOSH, HORFORD, ZAZA
BENCH DEVIN, MORROW, KORVER, IVAN, ? 6′11 OR TALLER WHO CAN DEFEND THE PAINT.
RESERVE JENKINS, ?, ?
I WOULD BRING DAMPIER IN TO BACK UP ZAZA.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
October 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
Ferrys not throwing in the towel imo Starks. He knows were a borderline Playoff team. If he thought we were Championship caliber this year, he woulda fired LD already.
darrell starks
October 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
The Hawks if they think defense first i believe they could finish 4th seed in the East.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
October 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
DF’s not throwing in the towel Starks. Hell, he knows this isnt a championship caliber team this year. If he thought it was, LD would be gone already.
ctrim
October 20th, 2012
4:01 pm
Coaches control a players time on the court – GM fires the coach who doesn’t play the players GM drafts. I’d create some plays for the rooks too. Both have some talent and will be fun to watch….next year
darrell starks
October 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
terrell, i failed to believe that, Hawks have players who can get the job done, playing good solid defense and with the quickness of this team, Hawks may have the quickess team in the NBA.
Most of the Hawks points are going come from playing good defense, boxing out and rebounding pushing the ball up court scoring on transition basket.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
steven a smith
October 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
ag
October 20th, 2012
2:11 pm
I am still waiting for those 5 centers in East and West
Bynum, Tyson Chanler, Andrew Bogut, Samuel Dalembert, Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Kaman, Brook Lopez, Nene, Nikola Pekovic, Jermaine O’Neal, etc……I am running out of space GIRLS!!!!
Ken Strickland
October 20th, 2012
4:34 pm
AG-I agree with that ranking. Except for the Heat, all of the other Eastern Conference teams are strickly halfcourt oriented. None of them can match our speed, quickness and athleticism. The Bulls aren’t very good offensively with DRose, and we all saw how much they declined without him. The Pacers are big and talented, but very slow and deliberate. And their very big center has yet to demonstrate that he can consistently guard or score big against Horford.
Philly has acquired the NBAs 2nd best center, but gave up their 3 leading scorers(LWilliams, IGGY, and Brand), as well as their best DEF player(IGGY) and 2 of their best rebounders(IGGY, Brand) and assist makers(IGGY/Williams). This was a team that had scoring issues before losing their 3 top scorers. Boston is old and definitely can’t run. Their backcourt of Rhondo, Bradley and Terry will catch hell trying to contain Teague, Harris, and Williams, as well as Morrow and Korver.
And their frontcourt of Pierce, KG, and Bass will also catch hell trying to keep up with Horford, Josh, James, and Ivan on the boards and filling the lanes on fast breaks. They have yet to get a backup center that can handle Zaza. Even their starting center has trouble with him.
DJames’ addition gives us a solid starting frontline that can consistently rebound and defend. Teague and Harris gives us a solid starting backcourt that can shoot, penetrate, defend, create shots for others, and help us to consistently run and score in transition.
Miami has used this fomula very successfully for the last 2yrs. We don’t have dynamic players like LeBron or DWade, but they don’t have backcourt shooters with the speed and quickness that we have. To be able to defeat us with any consistency, Miami will need a healthy Wade, Lebron and Bosh doing their thing.
Without Wade or James, they can’t match our speed, quickness and athleticism. I love the potential, speed, quickness, athleticism, versatility, shooting and penetrating ability of this team.
Alex
October 20th, 2012
4:39 pm
lmao at whoever cares about All-Star Game averages. Also, whoever listed me as a troll/alias earlier is wrong.
phil
October 20th, 2012
5:41 pm
Some of you seem to be beyond delusional…..
Of course, you are fans of a Georgia sports team.
Number 2 team in the east? LOLOLOL!!
We’ll be fortunate to finish .500 this year with Idiot Josh back for more of his screw ups and the other non-players on this roster.
Not gonna be pretty, homers!