Atlanta Hawks: Jenkins on way back; Korver awaiting birth of child
Vivlamore reporting from Hawks shoot-around.
As I tweeted first (got to follow me on Twitter!) this morning, the Hawks will bring rookie John Jenkins back from the NBA Development League today after a two-game stint. They are hopeful that he arrives in time for tonight’s game against the Nuggets.
Jenkins scored a game-high 29 points for the Bakersfield Jam Tuesday night in a win over the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He was 10 of 21 from the field with four rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes.
In his two games, Jenkins combined for 51 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
“That is who John is,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said Wednesday morning. “In looking at the stat sheet, John can score. He was a scorer in college. He can score the basketball. I think both games were really good for him just from the psyche of playing, playing competitive and getting into some type of a rhythm.”
Mike Scott did not play Tuesday due to an illness and will remain in the D-League. The Hawks want the rookie to get healthy and then play in a few more games before making a decision whether to return him the NBA.
In other news:
* Kyle Korver is not with the team as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child.
Korver, who has been out with back spasms, left before practice Tuesday upon getting the news that his wife was in labor. The couple was in the hospital as of Wednesday morning. I will update with any news on the arrival of a new shooting guard.
* DeShawn Stevenson, who left Tuesday’s practice after taking an elbow to the head, will play tonight. He was a full participant in the team’s shoot-around.
* Drew said he has yet to make up his mind on a starting lineup against the Nuggets. In the decision to go big or small, Drew said he hasn’t decided if Devin Harris will take Korver’s spot at shooting guard.
“We looked at a couple different lineups during shoot-around,” Drew said. “(I) haven’t decided between big and small lineup. Looking that them, they do start a big lineup. It’s something we’ll talk more about this afternoon.”
* Today is Josh Smith’s 27th birthday. In a stat courtesy of the Hawks’ public relations department, Smith has averaged 15.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.3 steals in his 613 career games. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Smith is the only player in NBA history to have career averages of over 15.0 points. 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals. The league did not begin keeping block and steal statistics until the early-1970s.
* I asked Drew about the team’s poor rebounding numbers that I detailed yesterday. The coach said he is concerned by the statistic.
“When you talk about rebounding, first of all rebounding is dirty work,” Drew said. “It’s just a matter of getting your body on people and just being relentless in pursuing the basketball. It’s not just with our big guys, it’s our perimeters as well. We are going to have to be better in that area. It’s a matter of making a conscious effort of boxing out and then pursing the basketball, coming up with loose balls, going after long rebounds. This Denver team, when you watch them play, they have guys who are just relentless in going to the glass.”
* The Nuggets begin a five-game road trip against the Hawks. When the trip is over, Denver will have played 17 of their first 23 games on the road.
* A reminder that tonight’s game is an 8 p.m. start and will be broadcast by ESPN.
- Chris Vivlamore
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104 comments Add your comment
High-sider
December 5th, 2012
4:26 pm
Grandad,
Look at how y’all are dissin’ Dwight Howard [sic]. He’s the best center in the league.
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
4:29 pm
Many Atlantans or Georgians never had the opportunity
to play for the Home Team:
Kenny Walker, Norm Nixon, “Stinger” (is not hated),
others; Shandon Anderson, [Jae Crowder] would be a fan favorite,
Pervis Ellison, [Derrick Favors] are you kidding me,
Walt Frazier [right] we would have hated him,
the Grant brothers, Horace & Harvey, Dale Davis,
Chris Singleton (I would love to have him),
plus Al Thornton & Charlie Ward;
just a small sampling.
H S … your previous statement reeked of hyperbole.
Eric
December 5th, 2012
4:32 pm
The basketball IQ of some of the people responding to this blog kills me. The guys ahead of Jenkins are all proven players in this league Harris is a former 20+ all-star, Morrow is one of the best 3 pt shooters in this league, Stevenson is a champion and a lock -down defensive player. Drew is doing a excellent job, no one expected the Hawks to be the best defensive team in the league at any point of this season.
Rod from College Park
December 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
“I don’t understand how you Atlanta Hawks fans and Atlantans [Altanta residents] continuously hate on NBA players who were born and/or raised in the Atlanta-metro area. I just don’t get it.
Because its a bunch of haters and transplants down here. None of these guys grew up in Atlanta. Most are fat lazy old men who never played an organized game of sports in their life. Thus we get the Josh is lazy and dumb, Dwight Howard is a fake big man comments. It’s really comical. Now Dwight is on steroids. LOL. Dwight Howard with all his faults offensively would be a dominant big in any era because he is a great rebounder, and he is a great defensive player. His offensive game needs work, but if you think Rick Smits, Patrick Ewing and Arvedis Sabonis played defense like Dwight Howard, then you are obviously smoking something.
Eric
December 5th, 2012
4:36 pm
Most Atlantans hate Atlantans, the transplants love our teams!!! I know cause I grew up with these fools.
Slimjr
December 5th, 2012
4:36 pm
D12 would have been just fine playing against Pat, Morning and others…
Slimjr
December 5th, 2012
4:40 pm
Larry Drew is 96-69 as head coach of the Hawks…hmmmmmmm
30-10
12-4
11-1…. Playoffs?
Slimjr
December 5th, 2012
4:43 pm
Rod, do you remember the [Flops] that Shaq started producing once he started trying to defend the rookie D12 head to head? Memory short circuiting for some? Perhaps.. lol
Rod from College Park
December 5th, 2012
4:48 pm
It’s just like I hear all these people who grew up around here praising Jordan. Screw Jordan, and Screw the Bulls. I grew up in Atlanta, hated Jordan growing up because he got every call, and cried on the court more than Josh if the call did not go his way. I respected his game and realize that he is one of the best players ever, but I was a Nique fan. If the Hawks were not winning screw Boston, Detroit, Cleveland and the Bulls. I would never be caught dead in any of those teams clothing unless I was playing for them professionally. Fans here don’t understand what it means to be a fan. People praising the Georgia Bulldogs for playing a good game last week. LOL. They lost. Worried about the Falcons regular season record. I could care less about the regular season record, win in the playoffs. Talking about the Hawks regular seasosn record last year, and losing in the first round. A bunch of losers, and fans that accept losers. That is what Atlanta has become.
Rod from College Park
December 5th, 2012
4:55 pm
“Rod, do you remember the [Flops] that Shaq started producing once he started trying to defend the rookie D12 head to head? Memory short circuiting for some? Perhaps.. lol”
I sure do. No one else will remember that though. They will act as if Dwight and Shaq never played against each other. I surely don’t remeber Shaq dominating those matchups the way some here say he would. I Dwight was a fake big man and Shaq was so much more dominant he surely would have destroyed Dwight when they matched up against each other. LOL
DACHEF
December 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
Yes why did Jenkins come back??? Better yet why did he back after only 2 games..hmmm Pehaps DFerry is trying to figure out just what kind of coach he has…He did draft JJ2 for the purpose of using his gifted talents but LDrew like Woody is reluctant to play rookies..thus, DFerry has to ask himself as he was also a shooter…Shooters Shoot, thats what JJ2 is a shooter…Hence, LDrew can no longer blow crap up DFerry nose as now he has seen for himself what this kid can do…Therefore, LDrew is now i believe is on notice as DFerry stated he wanted his talent developed by the coaches, well that cant happen if JJ2 is rarely on the floor during meaningful gametime…So JJ2 coming back so soon from dleague is more about LDrew and now being exposed. JJ2 displayed he is a shooter and can play defense….Eyes are upon you LDrew not only for what you do but what you don’t do..JJ2/ JT0=.ShootPlay.
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
5:01 pm
High-sider
” Look at how y’all are dissin’ Dwight Howard [sic].
He’s the best center in the league.”
Debatable ?
____________________________________________
To use your word *[dissed] … (I prefer criticized);
I have previously criticized:
* LBJ – Akron
* Josh – Akron
* Kobe – Italy
* Phil Jackson – Mars
* Joe Johnson – Little Rock
* LD – who knows / who cares
* Wdsn – Indiana
* espn – Bristol, Connecticut
* David Stern – Judah [just kidding]
* Chipper Jones – Jacksonville, Fl.
* John Smoltz – Mich
* Urban Meyer – Toledo
* Kevin Love – Oregon
* Brook Lopez – Cal
* Adam Morrison – Montana *(was ex-communicated for crying)
____________________________________________________
-equal opportunity-
I think I *[dissed] every culture `cept an Asian
____________________________________________________
Next time I`ll try to Critique Dirk so I can *[diss] a German !
Rod from College Park
December 5th, 2012
5:06 pm
Grandad,
Is Lebron on steroids too?
” Look at how y’all are dissin’ Dwight Howard [sic].
He’s the best center in the league.”
Debatable ?”
Please provide a debate for Dwight Howard not being the best center in the league for the last 5 years. I’m interested to hear your perspective.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 5th, 2012
5:07 pm
FOREVER I LOVE ATLANTA
1. Hawks
2. Braves
3. Falcons
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
5:12 pm
Post Script:
I did not Rip on any A-Rabs neither.
But, they ain`t many A-Rabs in the NBA.
Now Muslims are a different story;
Ol` Chris Jackson, AKA – Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf,
is a good friend of mine.
There is not a finer person in the world, that I know,
than M.A-R.
So, there you go.
_____________________________________________
For those who have not realized my little bit of satire
as I was lampooning my friend H-S;
then shame on yawl !
CJ is really my friend – that part was real.
vava74
December 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
Grandad,
How’s he dealing with Tourette these days?
Must be funny when he takes off!!!
Mike
December 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
I think people hate on Larry Drew because he doesn’t exactly look the part, he looks like an old drunk lol. Bottom line the man can coach better than half the guys in the league. Woodson was supposed to be a defensive guru, but the Hawks were top 10 in defense last year without Al and tops this year so far. There are maybe 3 teams better than the Hawks in the East right now, not many thought they would make the playoffs when they traded Joe.
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
R.f C.P.
LBJ – I have often wondered.
But then he competed in the Olympics ?
I did read an article about both + steroid connection;
probably two yrs ago.
I apologize, as I cannot site the article.
I`m not accusing either one, only musing ?
____________________________________________
Last five yrs Dwight = Best —> absolutely.
Currently, unless he does two things:
(1) regains 100% of his previous Health [back]
(2) changes his narcissistic attitude.
Otherwise he is Not the best, nor will he return to being the Best.
Now;
Rod, understand this is only one old man`s opinion.
I think Dwight puts up great stats;
but, neither am I convinced he is a winner !
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
* cite the article
should have read * cite
the word cite was misspelled site
Not a typo … I`m a doophus
John Jenkins Called Up From D-League | HawksHoop
December 5th, 2012
5:34 pm
[...] According to Chris Vivlamore of the AJC, rookie John Jenkins has been called back to the Hawks’ roster after a two game stint with Atlanta’s D-League affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam. [...]
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
5:36 pm
So I have to believe that every Atlanta-born person is better than every non Atlanta-born person? Really? Ciara is better than Beyonce? Lou Williams is better than Manu Ginobli? B.o.B. is better than Rakim? Freddie Freeman is better than Albert Pujols? Gladys Knight is better than Aretha Franklin? Dwight Howard is better than Shaq? Goodie Mob is better than NWA? Monica is better than Alicia Keys? Josh Smith is better than Charles Barkley?
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
5:37 pm
Grandad, whose minutes would you cut to give Jenkins playing time? And how much time would you give him?
DACHEF
December 5th, 2012
5:41 pm
Hate is the feeling towards a person when he/she has done something bad to you! I only hate that hawks organization has not addressed the need for a coach that can win and develop champions. LDrew is trying to secure another contract and thus can’t balance between his and ours-the HAWKS.
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
5:42 pm
I guess according to the “be blindly loyal to Atlantans” pundits, Lou Williams is better than Jamal Crawford. Now that one, I can get behind.
Sautee
December 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
“Fans here don’t understand what it means to be a fan. People praising the Georgia Bulldogs for playing a good game last week. LOL. They lost.” – Rod
So now, being a “FAN” means you can’t praise effort in a defeat?
No thanks, Rod. You can keep that kind of fanhood. That’s restricting (and diminishing) your fanhood to wins and losses only.
There’s MUCH more to being a fan, IMHO.
Jae Evolution
December 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
“How soon we all forget. LOL. You do realize that what they did fouling him is called the Hack a Shaq right. Dwight is struggling at the line now. It is what it is. So did Shaq. Shaq was worse. Good coaches now how to adjust.”
I’m well aware of the tactic ‘Hack-a-Bad FT shooter’ the fact remains that he will never be a good FT shooter, ever. There is no adjustment either he makes his FT’s or your forced to get a stop almost everytime. You can’t bench your best rebounder, shot-blocker, and overall defensive presence not to mention Howard would have fits on the bench in crunchtime. Also in the final 2 minutes where they can’t hack him anymore, it’s not like you can go to the guy offensively, they’ll just foul him without facing the 2 shot + possession penalty. Lakers are in a tough position and with all that talent not clicking, tension is running high.
Mike
December 5th, 2012
5:54 pm
Fans in Atlanta are somewhat delusional, if the team doesn’t win a title every year then they suck. The word FAN is short for FANATIC, meaning you ride or die for your team til the end. Take the Kansas City Chiefs, they have been bad for a while yet they have the best fan support in the league. True FANS!!!
Sautee
December 5th, 2012
6:00 pm
Rod,
Let me put it another way:
You say you are a ‘Nique fan. In 1988 when he dropped 47 on the Celtics in Game 7 of the EC semis, did you praise HIS game, though the Hawks lost?
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
6:09 pm
Eric:
Basketball IQ, I`m willing to match wits any day anytime.
_______________________________________________
R.f C.P.
Now one day you will get old too – I hope.
As for bein` fat & lazy, I`ve earned the right.
American by birth Southern by the Grace of God.
Born and raised in Ga.
Was matriculated in Austin Peay
and thus held prisoner in Tennuhsee fer a spell,
made my way back home and been here ever since !
I`m Georgian through and through.
I played baseball, football, softball [when I was older],
basketball, table tennis, golf, & fist-fightin` or rasslin` competively.
I was also an expert on horseback and other outdoor activities.
I can shoot straight and bait a hook.
*I almost forgot … shuttlec o c k i n` … r e; badminton.
________________________________________________
vava
mild case, t. s. never presented itself in my presence.
[note - t. s. ( is that ironic or what) ?]
He was still playing overseas last time we spoke.
40+ yrs of age.
________________________________________________
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
6:11 pm
fist-fightin` and / or rasslin`
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
6:15 pm
“Game of Inches” … Cliche but true
Ball got tipped – otherwise ?
Hell yeah I`m Proud 0` My Dawgs !
Slimjr
December 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
You ever wonder why Shaq holds a grudge against D12?
They played head to head ya know and guess what? Mr Diesel did not, repeat did not [Dominate] him..
In fact there may have been intimidation shifting the other way, visa-vi the [Flopping] defense to overcome or level the playing field? Yes…
His [Fan Club]= nice try…..zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Where’s that jealousy meter when ya need one? hahahahahahahaha
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
6:18 pm
A J
I know we are show-casing him; [DHarris]
-BUT-
Devin Harris is the 1st one I would take min from and give to the kid !
Slimjr
December 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
Danny should make a deal to trade for the #2 pick from the Timberwolves [Derrick Williams]…
Make it so Scottie.. Aye Captain!
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
I like New Jersey Americans !
O'brien
December 5th, 2012
6:30 pm
D12 has his issues, but I would love to have him on the hawks team.
On a similar note, I think Josh is a much BetteR PF than Horford. But I can’t help but wonder which one would be the better fit alongside D12 (all things considered).
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
6:31 pm
Dominique is from North Carolina. I’m trying to understand the standard… maybe you either had to play for a pro sports team in Atlanta or have grown up in Atlanta? So, therefore, should we all uniformly say that Solomon Jones is better than Marcus Camby??? Varsity better than Fuddruckers?
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
Grandada, like you said, we’re showcasing Devin. IMO, better to showcase Devin for 2-3 months than give token minutes to Jenkins. Again, the key being a very narrow window… up to the trade deadline.
Sautee
December 5th, 2012
6:35 pm
AJ,
For some of us ATL natives, the Varsity IS better than Fuddruckers. Gotta have my grease fix every now and then.
Fuddruckers has better milk shakes, though.
Josh Smith
December 5th, 2012
6:36 pm
People if it wasn’t for Drew, Teague wouldn’t be playing for the Hawks. It was Woody who gave up on him, Drew gave Jeff a shoot. His hands are tied in Jenkins situation, cause all the vets are playing ball. Morrow isn’t getting enough playing time, yet he’s shooting 50% from the 3 pt line.
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
6:37 pm
Maybe we’re supposed to want every Atlanta-born player to come home to the Hawks? Let’s trade Al Horford for JJ Hickson. Trade Jeff Teague for Javaris Crittenton’s draft rights (and empty revolver).
Astro Joe
December 5th, 2012
6:38 pm
Sautee, I knew that Varsity-Fuddruckers one would stir some passion. I hate The Varsity myself. But I admire their hustle (and adoring fan base).
Sautee
December 5th, 2012
6:44 pm
AJ,
Hate the V? Say it ain’t so!
LOL, my dad was friends with Frank Gordy, so we ate there a LOT when I was a kid. I guess I got hooked on the grease, and never quite gave it up, though once or twice a year now is more than plenty.
Slimjr
December 5th, 2012
6:44 pm
What da ya have?
Five years of D12 playing for the Hawks!
Sautee
December 5th, 2012
6:47 pm
Hell, slim, if we’re dreaming. might as well go for 8 years.
BravesFan79
December 5th, 2012
6:52 pm
Im from Atlanta and am diehard Hawks (was crushed when they traded Nique and became a Utah fan for years), Braves, Falcons and GT fan!
Personally id like to see the Hawks add Morrow to the starting lineup and play like Golden State played when they beat Dallas in the playoffs.
Rod from College Park
December 5th, 2012
6:57 pm
Losers mentalities. LOL. I’m a fan, but I’m not a dummy. Georgia gets no credit for losing from me. The Hawks get no credit for continuing to get put out in the first round from me. Falcons get no credit for wining in the regular season, and getting skunked in the playoffs from me. Guess it is just how you were raised. Most of you probably played in little league parks who gave trophies to everyone who played on the team. I did not. You only got a trophy if your team won.
Sautee
December 5th, 2012
6:59 pm
So Rod,
So when the rest of the country hailed ‘Nique’s 47 point game, you stayed mute because they lost?
Just wondering.
BravesFan79
December 5th, 2012
7:00 pm
Rod: you named 3 players whod id much rather have as our center than Dwight Howard. 7′4 Rick Smits was a beast on offense and defense, Patrick Ewing was also better than Dwight in both categories, and Sabonis had offense game that Howard could only dream of!
Face it, your man Dwight is overrated, cant hit free throws in the clutch (making him a liability at end of games), and worst of all…. a QUITTER! The way he quit on the magic last year was pathetic.
Grandad
December 5th, 2012
7:05 pm
Sautee
Last Friday nite, I ate 3 chili dawgs at the V.
I had forgotten, i no longer have a gallbladder !
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhh !
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
My youngest [smart aleck] son said:
” I thought you liked … Three Dog Night ”
Seriously – the little smart ___ said that.