Training Camp Central: 5 camp questions

[Jamaaliver]

Thank goodness...it's finally time.

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Just setting up a centralized spot for all the stories/articles/analysis we'll be seeing over the next week or so.

[Jamaaliver]

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Glad to hear Coach Bud acknowledge what most of us have been saying here for years. That rebounding deficit was costly, especially in the post season. Getting actual bigs to block out/rebound is huge.

Hope Tiago can stay healthy for 65+ games...

[Jamaaliver]

From SI.com

NBA training camp storylines: Atlanta Hawks

Carroll had made just 27 three-pointers in his entire career prior to his arrival in Atlanta. Yet the Hawks’ scouting and developmental teams saw the kind of shooting structure that could be quickly honed. Carroll was entrusted to fire away from the perimeter and made 97 threes in his first season with the Hawks on 36.2% shooting from beyond the arc...and 120 made threes on 39.5% shooting the year after.

Now, with Carroll gone and no obvious replacement on the roster, the staff that sharpened Carroll’s game to shocking proficiency is under pressure to again do the same. The leading candidates are Kent Bazemore, whose length and athleticism belies tantalizing potential; Justin Holiday, a defensive prospect with little offensive game; and Tim Hardaway Jr., who wore out his welcome with the Knicks despite evident offensive skill. If any are capable of a Carroll-like transformation, Atlanta’s staff will surely identify and groom that potential.

[DirtybirdGA]

Gotta go home and catch some of the haps on NBAtv.

[Jamaaliver]

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This is an incredibly accurate assessment. In the post season, we clearly lacked a perimeter player capable of putting the ball on the floor and getting tough buckets in key moments. We also struggled all year long with keeping opposing big men off the offensive glass.

Our two biggest acquisitions are clearly aimed at fixing those deficiencies.

Kudos for the ability to see what the flaws on last year's team were and working to fix them. We'll see if THJ and Tiago are enough to plug those holes.

THJ's defense and Tiago's health are, theoretically, the biggest threats to this.

Either way, it's extremely refreshing to see a coach specifically outline where the team needs to improve and can point to a specific plan to do so. (NOTE: I still think we overpaid for THJ, but at least there was a specific plan in place.)

[DirtybirdGA]

In case anyone is checking in, coverage is on sportsouth from today.

[Jamaaliver]

Teague getting more time playing Off Ball? From MYAJC:

Jeff Teague makes the Hawks’ offense function. The point guard has excelled with the ball in his hands as he directs the up-tempo system predicated on ball movement and floor spacing.

He can do more.

The next step is for Teague to be one of those moving parts when he doesn’t have the ball...“Offensively, at times he can play with more energy when he is off the ball when we talk about some habits that need to break,” Budenholzer said. “I think when the ball is in his hands, he has gotten to where he does everything we expect and need him to do. I think sometimes off the ball he can grow. He can screen and cut better. He can do more things where he is more active and maybe the ball comes back to him. That is an area of improvement. I do think the ball will come back to him if he is more active and doing more things when he is off of it.”

“Running the lanes, cutting without the ball when other people have it, when the ball is in the post slashing a little more, things like that,” Teague said. “I’ll probably get a lot more easier baskets if I cut without the ball, move to the open space, I can get more open looks.

“It’s the way we play. We play with a lot of movement. Previous teams I was on, it was more stay in space and let guys work.”

[DirtybirdGA]

There's a lot of 2's now for Jeff there, but I don't have much objections. There's smaller 2's around nowadays anyway.

[Jamaaliver]

Offensive Adjustment with the two new big men who actually play like big men:

Last season, Antic thrived on offense by setting screens for ballhandlers and slipping out for a jump shot. Splitter's role will be to set a pick and then make himself a target for a pass while stepping toward the rim.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer thinks the change will help put pressure on the rim on offense.

Once the Hawks get the ball to the rim, it can be kicked back outside to search for an open shot, but that initial move that causes the defense to react and help is vital to starting the process. By adding two more players skilled at rolling to hoop on the pick and roll, Budenholzer hopes to ease the burden on his playmakers.

"Between Jeff and Paul, they've had a lot of pressure on themselves to put pressure on the rim, I think Tiago and Edy are going to take a little bit of that off of them."

"You definitely need to get ready for the change," Mack said, "especially since my man Pero wasn't rolling to the basket at all. Tiago, he is rolling to the basket every single play, so you have to pick up those habits while we're playing 5-on-5."

"Tiago is a good player," Schröder said. "He did it with the Spurs, and I watched a lot of film of Tony Parker and how they play pick-and-roll. I look forward to playing with him in the pick-and-roll. Either he'll get the pass or I can go to the basket if I'm open."

According to Synergy, the Hawks scored the fourth-most points by roll men last season, 726, with Horford (278) and Millsap (193) contributing the bulk of those points. The addition of Splitter and Tavares only figures to increase that ranking.

Below are the 2014-15 shot charts for Splitter (left) and Antic (right). Splitter attempted more than 98% of his shots within 10 feet of the rim.

[Jamaaliver]

Worth keeping an eye on how KK, Mack and Thabo each progress in their respective recoveries from surgery over the summer...

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[PerkinsFor3]

Anything about Walter?

[Skyhawk1]

Is Mike Scott with the team? Can we void his contract?

[Jamaaliver]

Is Mike Scott with the team? Can we void his contract?

Mike Scott is indeed with the team. The front office folks will absolutely let the criminal process play out before making any judgments.

We have to remember that our Head Coach (and President of Basketball operations) was arrested before he ever coached his first game. And two of our older veterans were arrested at the scene of a violent attack for obstructing a police investigation.

I'm extremely disappointed with Mike (and any young man who endangers his life, well-being and career over some something as foolish as drugs). But he at least has the right to due process.

Same as Bud.

Same as Thabo.

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said last week that he has had several conversations with Scott and said his "mental focus and preparedness for the season is in a really good place."

[Jamaaliver]

From myAJC:

Five training-camp questions facing Hawks

• Who will start at small forward?
  
  There is one starting position open.
  
  Coach Mike Budenholzer has said Thabo Sefolosha will be the player he first looks to in the role. However, Sefolosha is coming off a serious injury of a broken right leg and ligament damage. Sefolosha has battled other injuries in his career. Before the season-ending injury in April, Sefolosha missed nearly two months with a right calf strain. Also missed considerable time with a left calf strain with the Thunder.
  
  Behind Sefolosha is Kent Bazemore. Bazemore made major strides in improving his overall game last season, going as far as to reconstruct his jump shot. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mike Scott may see some time at small forward. Once the exhibition season begins, there will be a better idea of where Sefolosha is health-wise and what the rotation will look like.
  
  
• Will the Hawks fill the one available roster spot?
  
  The Hawks enter camp with 13 players with guaranteed contracts. Mike Muscala has a partially guaranteed deal, but he is a lock to remain. That leaves one spot that the Hawks may or may not choose to fill. Patterson and Petteway pleased Hawks coaches and management with their play at the summer league...One may force the Hawks’ hand. If they don’t make the team, the Hawks lose their rights. Here is where the Hawks’ lack of a D-League franchise hurts them. The Hawks may choose to keep a 15th player for depth on the wing should Sefolosha not be fully ready for the start of the season.

[Jamaaliver]

(Continued)

• Will Mike Scott bounce back from on- and off-court issues?
  
  Mike Scott had a down season last season, especially in the playoffs. Scott’s season averages fell in scoring, rebounding and minutes played. In the postseason, he averaged only 4.5 points per game. He especially struggled from 3-point range, where he made only 4 of 26 attempts. Scott was arrested during the summer and faces felony drug charges.
  
  Scott could also face jail time and a certain lengthy suspension by the NBA. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said he has spoken to Scott and that the forward is in a good place mentally. Still, this will be a big season to determine whether Scott will be part of the Hawks’ future plans.
  
  
• Will the draft-night decision pay off?
  
  The Hawks made a bold move on draft night by essentially trading the No. 15 overall pick for Tim Hardaway Jr. They traded an unknown for a (somewhat) known. The Hawks hope he will step in and be productive right away. The Hawks love the way Hardaway can shoot even as a wrist injury slowed him this offseason. The season could help determine if Hardaway is the heir apparent to Kyle Korver at shooting guard.
  
  
• What will be the big-man rotation?
  
  Al Horford and Paul Millsap will return at center and power forward...Tiago Splitter will come off the bench as a more traditional center. The Hawks will carry one less big man this year with Muscala available to play center or sometimes power forward. That leaves Edy Tavares available to play center. The 7-foot-3 Tavares is still raw and still learning. He is making strides and his intriguing ability to protect the rim will get a look during training camp. It’s likely Tavares will see a lot of time in D-League assignments to continue his development.

[PandaKidd]

Bleacher report article has an article out about how the hawks need to trade DS. anyone read it ?

[Jamaaliver]

Bleacher report article has an article out about how the hawks need to trade DS. anyone read it ?

Found it...

Young NBA Players Who Need Changes of Scenery to Thrive

Dennis Schroder flashed a significant amount of upside last season, and he continued to build his image over the summer...
It's too bad he'll return as a backup in Atlanta, where Jeff Teague is under contact until 2017.

Schroder won't hit his ceiling...coming off the bench behind Teague. To max out his potential, he'll need reps managing an offense and running a team for longer stretches, especially when you consider decision-making remains one of the bigger wrinkles in his game.

Though Atlanta has done a nice job of bringing him along slowly, Schroder appears ready for a larger workload.

His career would benefit from a trade that sends him to a franchise in need of a floor general, such as the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets or Philadelphia 76ers.

With the assumption the Hawks don't plan on paying major long-term dollars for both Teague and Schroder, it wouldn't be shocking to see the latter draw interest around the league before he hits free agency.

[PandaKidd]

yup thats the one. With them having to pay AH this coming offseason, and then prob have to find youth at other positions, i am not sure what DS contract would look like. We can extend him correct? IF not, he plays out his rookie deal and then is UFA like John Jenkins ?

I dont see how we wouldnt pick up his option?

[Jamaaliver]

yup thats the one. With them having to pay AH this coming offseason, and then prob have to find youth at other positions, i am not sure what DS contract would look like. We can extend him correct? IF not, he plays out his rookie deal and then is UFA like John Jenkins ?

I dont see how we wouldnt pick up his option?

Hawks have to decide on the options for both DS and THJ fairly soon. Last year, it was late October (i.e. the start of the regular season). Both players are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. They each have a team option for 2016-17 and a qualifying option of for 2017-18.

DS is scheduled to reach RFA in summer 2017. Same summer Teague would likely become a Free Agent. Same summer Splitter could be a Free Agent. Same summer THJ reaches RFA. Same summer Millsap could opt-out if he chooses. It'll be an important off-season.

DS is by the far the highest profile player on that list and it's clear their speculation is focused on his reaching his full potential playing behind an All Star.

Essentially, Hawks are approaching the point where they have to make a decision on one of these guys as the future of the position. IMO, they should have made the decision this past summer and bundled a bunch of draft picks with one of them for more wing depth.

[td00]

While there is every naysayer out there who still won't consider the Hawks a contender in the East, I say they don't miss a beat.

I like our additions, beefing up the frontline, and bringing in guys to fill DMC's minutes.

I expect a lot out of our guys this year, and don't see a team they can't compete against.

Expect more 3s, and let's tip it off!