Atlanta Hawks: Drew looking for more minutes for Jenkins
Vivlamore reporting.
NEW ORLEANS — With the Hawks short-handed at the guard position, rookie John Jenkins has been pressed into action the past four games.
Not a problem.
Jenkins’ recent play prompted coach Larry Drew to pronounce following Tuesday’s win over the Hornets: “I’ve got to find some minutes for him.”
Jenkins, the first-round draft pick (No. 23 overall) out of Vanderbilt, has been used sparingly this season. However, with guards Devin Harris and Anthony Morrow injured Drew looked to the far end of his bench. Jenkins responded by averaging 9.3 points in 17 minutes. He shot 68.2 percent from the field (15 of 22), including 75 percent (6 of 
from 3-point range.
“I was just trying to be a spark out there,” Jenkins said. “I know we are short-handed and somebody has to step up. I’m just trying to step up.”
Drew noted before the season that with the veteran guards on the Hawks’ roster it would probably take an injury for Jenkins to get extended minutes. He is getting the chance now with Harris (sore left foot) and Morrow (right hip strain) not able to travel on the recently completed road trip.
Jenkins’ offensive ability was never in question. He was considered the best pure shooter in last year’s draft. He leads the Hawks with a 47.6 3-point field goal percentage (10 of 21) and his shooting 55.3 percent (26 of 47) overall.
Jenkins scored a then career-high 10 points against the Pacers on Dec. 29 and topped it with 15 points against the Rockets Monday.
The biggest challenge would be how long it would take Jenkins to learn the Hawks defensive system and adapt to the speed of the NBA game. Jenkins made Drew take notice with his defense, particularly in the past two games when he had to guard the Rockets’ James Harden and the Hornets’ Eric Gordon.
“He has shown me what I’ve always thought, that this kid is an NBA talent,” Drew said. “It’s just a matter of trying to find minutes for him. It’s a matter of getting him in the rotation. Getting him to really learn what we do.
“Defensively, he has shown that he can move his feet. I like what I saw against Gordon. He had Gordon isolated a couple times. I like what I saw when Gordon tried to reject the screen, John was there.”
Jenkins was likewise pleased with his effort.
“As a rookie, that’s tough,” Jenkins said of guarding the likes of Harden and Gordon. “All in all, I think I did a great job of staying in front of those guys and making them take contested shots. That’s all I can do because guys are going to make shots. They are in the NBA so my job is to stay in front and contest.”
Jenkins said he now is comfortable in both aspects of his game – but it took some time. He said the game moved fast when he reported to training camp but after a few months of practice and film study the game has slowed.
In his 15 games played, Jenkins has averaged 4.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 8.2 minutes. Those numbers figure to increase if Drew finds more minutes for Jenkins even with the returns of Harris and Morrow.
Many Hawks fans have expressed their desire to see more of Jenkins. The rookie said he is aware of the sentiments.
“I kind of just stay in my little zone, my little way, but I definitely hear it and I definitely appreciate it,” Jenkins said.
- Chris Vivlamore
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56 comments Add your comment
doc
January 2nd, 2013
2:41 pm
coulda woulda and actually doing it are very different al beyond our control or input. pure conjecture.
NORRIS CHUCK
January 2nd, 2013
2:44 pm
Man, the Lakers are headed in the wrong diretions. Take a look at Kobe’s comments after their loss to Philly:
“You just saw an old damn team,” Bryant continued. “I don’t know how else to put it to you. We’re just slow. You saw a team over there that was just younger and just had fresher legs and just played with more energy, and we were just stuck in the mud. I think individually we all have to figure out how to get ourselves ready each and every game to have a high level of energy. That’s all that is.”
Astro Joe
January 2nd, 2013
2:52 pm
George Karl has played Evan Fournier (#20 pick) for less minutes than Jenkins. McHale has played Terrance Jones (#18) fewer minutes than Jenkins. Doc Rivers has given Fab Melo (#21) so few minutes, that he isn’t even listed on basketball-refernce.com. Boston, Denver and Houston have a lower winning percentage this season than the Hawks.
Obviously, Karl, McHale & Rivers have NO interest in player development and should be on the hot seat due to their indifference toward rookies.
And poor Kendall Marshall (#13). He was one of the highest PGs selected and has played a whopping 46 minutes for the lottery-bound Phoenix Suns. I think Zaza played more minutes in the past 2 games combined.
O'Brien
January 2nd, 2013
2:53 pm
I think Dwight’s best years in the league were when Orlando surrounded him with 3-pt shooters. And what do the Hawks have on their roster? Talented 3-pt shooters.
JJ2 will be on the roster next year, and I think we will resign Korver. I think DF will make that pitch to Howard when he goes to free agency. Come play with Josh, and we can surround you with 3-pt shooters, and we will resign Zaza to back you up, so there will be less pressure on you, and with a legit backup, your body will be healthier
High-sider
January 2nd, 2013
3:04 pm
Speaking of “Rivers,” (Celtics’ head coach) Glenn “Doc” Rivers should be “officially” placed on the “hot seat.” The Celtics team is currently 14 – 16 (9th in the East) and will be playing the Grizzlies tonight in Boston on NBA TV. The last three contests for the Celtics resulted in the following losses:
BOS vs. LAC, 77 – 106 (Loss by 29 points)
BOS vs. GSW, 83 – 101 (Loss by 18 points)
BOS vs. SAC, 96 – 118 (Loss by 22 points)
I’m guessing “Going Back to Cali” by The Notorious B.I.G. won’t be the Celtics’ team anthem when it (the Celtics team) returns to the “Golden State” to play the Lakers on February 20, 2013.
http://www.nba.com/celtics/2012-13-boston-celtics-schedule
Astro Joe
January 2nd, 2013
3:05 pm
OB, I agree and I actually think Howard will sign with the Hawks. I think the comradery that the team has built in record time will also be a HUGE selling point, especially after some of the tongue lashings the Lakers get from Kobe. I’m still of the opinion that Howard won’t get us to the promised land but I do honestly believe that he will be wearing a Hawks uniform at the start of the ‘13-14 season.