Hawks recall Adreian Payne, assign Mike Muscala to D-League

[Jamaaliver]

Payne appeared in six games during two different assignments with the Mad Ants and averaged 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds on 41 percent shooting. Muscala has been active for all 18 games for the Hawks this season but has saw action in just five. He has served as the team's emergency big which is a role that Payne can take over while Muscala gets some playing time with the Mad Ants.

John Jenkins will remain on assignment with the Mad Ants for now. In four games in the D-League, Jenkins is averaging 20.5 points per game and shooting 58 percent from the field.

Here

Spoiler:

The Hawks intend to send John Jenkins and Adreian Payne on an NBA Development League assignment Friday. The move will give the little-used players needed game action.

Jenkins and Payne will be assigned to Fort Wayne, the Hawks’ D-League affiliate. The Mad Ants play six games in 10 days beginning Friday. Both are expected to travel Thursday evening.

For our young players and players who aren’t getting a chance to play in games, I really do believe getting them playing time and playing opportunities is important. The D-League can be invaluable in that way.”

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-to-send-jenkins-payne-on-d-league-assignment/njG4Z/

[Jamaaliver]

Adreian Payne and John Jenkins got some much needed playing time on Friday night but it was for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA's Development League.

Payne got the start and played just over 37 minutes. He finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and four assists but was just 8-17 from the field. He was also saddled with five turnovers. Payne did most of his damage on the interior with nine of his 17 shot attempts coming in the paint.

Jenkins saw his first D-League action of the year and finished with 20 points on 9-15 shooting in 22 minutes. Jenkins missed his only three-point attempt and did most of his work inside the paint.

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Jenkins shot chart:


Dude has diversified his game. Look at the 3-pt specialist go 8/11 on shot in the paint. The kid can flat out ball.

[Jamaaliver]

It really perplexes me how BUD has consistently disregarded Jenkins. From bringing Cartier last October, keeping JJ2 inactive this NOvember. Just seems likle Bud simply does not think highly of Jenkins. Really puzzling since JJ2 has been pretty solid both this year and as a rookie. Both in pre-season and in repeated D-league trips.

When healthy and given the opportunity, Jenkins plays well. Period.

Yet Bud ignores his production in favor of less talented players.

JJ2 and A Payne both play again on Saturday. The game can be viewed on YOUTUBE Live at:

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/11/28/7304809/john-jenkins-adreian-payne-mad-ants-delaware-87ers

Scroll to the bottom to the you tube vid.

[Jamaaliver]

Their 2nd game back in the D-League:

John Jenkins scored a game-high 24 points to help the Fort Wayne Mad Ants earn their second win of the season with a 118-96 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Jenkins got off to a fast start scoring 11 points in his first six minutes off the bench. He kept grinding in the second half and finished with a game-high 24 points on 9-18 shooting including 3-6 from three-point range. In eight career D-League games, Jenkins is averaging 22.5 points per while shooting 48 percent from the field.

Atlanta's other assignee Adreian Payne struggled a bit with his shooting but had another strong day on the boards. Payne finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and three assists but was just 2-8 from the field. In three games with the Mad Ants, Payne is averaging 13.3 points and and 11 rebounds per game but is shooting just 35 percent from the field going 16-46.

JJ2 can put the d@mn ball in the hoop. Hopefully a solid showing with the Mad Ants will garner some team's attention and maybe get us a protected 2nd rounder or something.

I'd rather we keep him, but we can't let a productive player walk away for nothing just because Bud isn't a fan.

[theatlfan]

I agree that JJ2's continued presence in Coach Bud's is really baffling to me. It'd be one thing if there was an attitude issue but Jenkins seems like a nice kid who has consistently said the right things. The "defense" excuse is trite - it isn't uncommon for a young offensive player to need time against better players to learn defense and how it's so important. The only ideas I can come up with are that Coach Bud a) made up his mind about Jenkins when he was still hurt and is stubbornly refusing to change his mind or b) hates the fact that Ferry drafted JJ2 for Drew's O so, like a jealous lover, has to throw out everything that was specifically bought for an ex.

The fact is that the D-League really does nothing for Jenkins and it's more valuable for him to get garbage time minutes in the bigs than play full games against what is obviously much lesser talents. I mean, yeah, JJ2 has some slipperiness to his game and, yes, he may have improved. But 11(!!) shots in the paint is man amoung boys stuff while making 8 is just... smdh. I mean he went 1-4 otherwise - at some point don't you say "f it, he ain't getting into the paint again!!"

Having said all that, Jenkins is this year's Cunningham. Due to us not picking up his TO, he has absolutely no value outside of salary filler. We've already made this bed, we now have to lie in it.

[Jamaaliver]

I agree that JJ2's continued presence in Coach Bud's [doghouse] is really baffling to me...The only ideas I can come up with are that Coach Bud a) made up his mind about Jenkins when he was still hurt and is stubbornly refusing to change his mind or b) hates the fact that Ferry drafted JJ2 for Drew's O so, like a jealous lover, has to throw out everything that was specifically bought for an ex.

Agreed. And I'm not sure which of those scenarios is worse.

A. Our Coach and GM is so shortsighted that he refuses to see obvious talent when it is right beneath his nose. Or

B. He'd simply be that petty.

Jenkins is clearly a man among boys down in the D-League.

Also, Bazemore stinks.

[azuresou1]

JJ is definitely playing better than Baze has this season, but we signed Baze to a 2 year deal while JJ is free to leave after this season. Given that, and that we've been pretty solid overall despite some major issues, I can see why Bud is playing Baze for development and putting JJ on the D-League team.

If/when we hit a rough patch of the season I think we'll see JJ recalled and Baze sent down.

[Jamaaliver]

Jenkins has another impressive scoring game in the minors:

John Jenkins and Adreian Payne continued their D-League stints on Tuesday by helping the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to a 100-89 win over the Iowa Energy.

Jenkins continued his dominant run during the assignment finishing with a team-high 20 points to go along with five rebounds off the bench. Jenkins knocked down 7-13 field goal attempts and was a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line. He wasn't on target from three point range however going 1-5. In three games this season with the Mad Ants, Jenkins is averaging 21.3 points on 54 percent shooting.

I am both concerned by his lack of three point accuracy of late, as well as intrigued by his ability to get to the basket and score in the paint. he has diversified his offensive game greatly.

I REALLY hope once this stint is over, we at least get a glimpse of what JJ2 can do in our rotation. I understand he struggles defensively, but I'd wager he's still overall on par with Mack and Bazemore...if not better since he has an above average skill set.

[Jamaaliver]

Jenkins and Payne both looking pretty good in the minors:

Adreian Payne and John Jenkins continued their D-League assignment with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants Thursday night in a 110-106 loss to the Maine Red Claws.

Payne appears to be rounding into form after finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds on 6-11 shooting from the field. He finished a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Payne was admittedly rusty early on in his assignment but looks like he is regaining his form. Jenkins continued his solid stretch with 17 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting night.

HERE

[Jamaaliver]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CVivlamoreAJC/status/541268163498094594[/tweet]

Payne being recalled. Muscala sent down in his place.

Jenkins stuck in purgatory.

well, hopefully payne actually gets a chance to play.

[Ball4life32]

Hopefully Payne takes Pero's minute's. Pero is absolutely awful but Bud loves him for some reason.

[theatlfan]

Hopefully Payne takes Pero's minute's. Pero is absolutely awful but Bud loves him for some reason.

I think Pero gets a bad rap around here. No, he's not athletic; yes, he's better known for taking 3PT shots than actually, you know, making them. Still, he's a heady player who is rarely out of position on either O or D and typically makes the "right" play even if it's not sexy. Pero grades out as a positive player overall - mildly negative on O but solidly positive on D. For a backup grade player like Antic, you can do much worse, especially for a big. I expect Pero to prove a worthy obstacle to the court for Payne as he did for Muscala.

[Jamaaliver]

If Pero were a part of a better overall front court on a contender, he'd be a valued member of the team. A heady, savvy veteran capable of making big plays and big shots.

But because he's the primary backup in a weak frontcourt that grades out terribly in rebounding, shot blocking, interior defense...his lack of production stands out and his intangibles are easily overlooked.

[Jamaaliver]

Correction: After sitting out Friday's game, Jenkins was back in action on Sunday night.

John Jenkins finished with 16 points and Mike Muscala recorded a double-double as the Fort Wayne Mad Ants climb to the .500 mark on the season with a 97-86 win over the Westchester Knicks.

Jenkins came off the bench to play 19 minutes and hit 7-10 field goals for his 16 points. Muscala logged a double-double in his second game in the D-League finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in just over 14 minutes of action. Muscala went 6-9 from the field and was 2-4 from the free throw line.

The Mad Ants won't play again until Friday, December 12. Mike Budenholzer was non committal on whether Muscala or Jenkins might be recalled this week due to the break in Fort Wayne's schedule. "We'll see how it goes the rest of the day and evaluate it," said Budenholzer. We'll see where everything sits at the end of the day."

Atlanta has four games coming up this week starting on Monday in Indiana.

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[Rip2137]

Our "problem" is health. I personally think we are one of the few teams where everyone can contribute but you can run a 15 man rotation. Of the guys getting minutes, only Mack and Perot have minutes I could realistically going away. That still lives either Payne or Muscat bench riding.

Jenkins, I would love him as the backup 2, but Mack has been a proven performer so I understand.

[DirtybirdGA]

Jenkins and Muscala return..

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketba ... gue/njNpH/

[simon24]

I'm surprised they didn't keep Payne for this week. They play Philly, ORL twice, I'm sure it would be plenty of minutes for the young guys like Payne