Taurean Prince

[Spud2nique]

Love this kid. If he's in the MIP conversation the way I think he will be and Dedmon looks like a reasonable starter, I think we can squeak into the playoffs. The east is worse than it's ever been in my lifetime (I'm 27), and coach Bud has made a career out of getting us to play better than the sum of our parts. If we get solid 2nd banana play from Prince, say 15 and 7 with great D, 35 wins isn't a crazy prediction, right?

1) Welcome to the board.

2) This is all reasonable.

Taurean P should be in position to take a big step forward. He's approaching his prime and should be a good fit scheme wise.

Regarding the playoffs...we, under coach Bud, probably could be good enough to make a run at an 8th seed if we really wanted.

But the feeling most of us have: Travis Schlenk, the Hawks new GM, wants to rebuild and favors a high draft pick or two to accomplish this. This has the look and the feel of a tank season for Atlanta.

Or as Travis S would say it, "we're investing in our future by being terrible next year."

I agree with everything except that Taurean is 'approaching his prime.' He just completed his rookie season where he didn't start all 82 games. Dennis isn't even in his prime yet at 23 years old.
Taurean is just scratching the surface of his potential - I have high hopes for him.

Yup. He's got that alpha in him and he's functionally strong...love Prince a lot as well. He plays a different kind of hard.

[macd-gm]

As a rookie, he became the starter on a playoff team coached by Bud. That says something. Granted the competition at the 3 wasn't great late in the season but he did well.

[Jamaaliver]

Predicting Every NBA Team's Breakout Player for 2017-18 Season

Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince

Taurean Prince, a second-year wing who flashed signs of a bright future last season, is the clear pick.

Everything about Prince's rookie campaign signaled he was ready for a larger role, as the 6'8" forward saw his shooting accuracy climb when his offensive responsibilities increased. In 10 games as a starter, Prince's field-goal percentage was 41.1 percent, a bit better than the 39.5 percent he shot when coming off the bench.

Even more encouraging, his numbers after the All-Star break—8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game on 41.5 percent shooting—represented improvements across the board on his pre-break stats. And then he played even better in the postseason, averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds on 55.8 percent shooting.

Prince is limited offensively, doesn't create his own looks and is a notch below the best wing athletes in the league. But he's locked in as a starter and will get every opportunity to prove he can be effective despite his limitations.

The Atlanta Hawks are essentially starting over, and Prince is a key piece—perhaps the most important piece—of the team's young core. If he develops his three-point shot and continues to defend with vigor, he'll enjoy a standout season.

Bleacher Report



The most important piece?

[Spud2nique]

Predicting Every NBA Team's Breakout Player for 2017-18 Season

Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince

Taurean Prince, a second-year wing who flashed signs of a bright future last season, is the clear pick.

Everything about Prince's rookie campaign signaled he was ready for a larger role, as the 6'8" forward saw his shooting accuracy climb when his offensive responsibilities increased. In 10 games as a starter, Prince's field-goal percentage was 41.1 percent, a bit better than the 39.5 percent he shot when coming off the bench.

Even more encouraging, his numbers after the All-Star break—8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game on 41.5 percent shooting—represented improvements across the board on his pre-break stats. And then he played even better in the postseason, averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds on 55.8 percent shooting.

Prince is limited offensively, doesn't create his own looks and is a notch below the best wing athletes in the league. But he's locked in as a starter and will get every opportunity to prove he can be effective despite his limitations.

The Atlanta Hawks are essentially starting over, and Prince is a key piece—perhaps the most important piece—of the team's young core. If he develops his three-point shot and continues to defend with vigor, he'll enjoy a standout season.

Bleacher Report



The most important piece?

Lol...sadly it's debatable..I'd go 2018 pick, Dennis, Prince, Collins...in order of importance as of now...

[jayu70]

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[Jamaaliver]

NBA Sophomores Ready to Break Out

Taurean Prince, SF, Atlanta Hawks

Though summer league showed the Atlanta Hawks shouldn't try to run their offense through Taurean Prince, the playoffs were even more telling--they were a positive reflection on the 23-year-old small forward's growing skill set.

In six games against the Washington Wizards, Prince posted 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.2 blocks per contest while shooting 55.8 percent from the field. The three-point stroke hadn't yet come around, but that's fine.

Maybe it does. The up-and-coming wing did hit 37.6 percent of his downtown launches during his four-year career at Baylor. Even if it doesn't, though, Prince can capably contribute in plenty of different areas.

He'll be the starting small forward in 2017-18. As a rookie, he scored a whopping 1.45 PPP off cuts (86.5 percentile), and that ability to pick his spots wisely isn't going anywhere. If he can add some better spot-up work and pick the right lanes in transition, scoring somewhere around an efficient 13 points per game is by no means out of the realm of realistic possibilities.

But Prince's true breakout should come defensively, where he can leverage his quickness to stick with athletic shooting guards and his growing strength against forwards. He was already impactful in the box score on the less glamorous side, becoming one of 12 qualified players to average at least 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per 36 minutes.

Discipline when tracking shooters through off-ball screens would go a long way, but Prince is already on the path to bigger things, if for no other reason than his growing role for the rebuilding Hawks.

Bleacher Report

Can Prince make the second-year leap?

Playing in 59 games with 10 starts, Prince averaged 16.6 minutes and 5.7 points per game. Early in the season his playing time was sparse, but as the season progressed his role grew. He started the last 10 games of the regular season and all 6 playoff games versus the Wizards.

In his 10 regular season starts, he averaged 31.0 minutes and 11.4 points per game. His playoff stats were almost identical. The Hawks should be a very balanced scoring team this season but will need Prince to deliver more scoring and more consistent shooting than he did in the games he started last year.

Though his offensive game is competent and growing, his defensive game is his strength. He is a tough, physical defender on the wing and can play up to the 4-spot in certain match-ups.

Prince is expected to be a starter this season. When paired with Kent Bazemore, the Hawks will have a very strong set of wing defenders on the floor. At 6-8, Prince’s size will prevent Bazemore from being assigned bigger, stronger wings that sometimes present a challenge for the 6-5 Bazemore.

Peachtree Hoops

[Jamaaliver]

Taurean Prince ready for expanded role as year two begins

The Hawks’ 2016 first round pick is ready to step up in place of his outgoing veterans.

...many fans felt very optimistic about Taurean Prince’s future after one of the better rookie playoff performances in recent memory.

Prince started every single playoff game at small forward and would perform very well — averaging 11.2 points per game on 55.8% shooting from the field in 31 minutes a game.

“To see Taurean emerge and start for the last 15, 20 games and a playoff series — and for him to play really efficiently and for him to play — for a rookie, he was a great contributor for us,” praised coach Bud on Media Day.

“I’m working on my ball-handling, decision-making, just being a better pick-and-roll player,” said Prince this summer. “Just putting myself in a lot of uncomfortable positions so I can be more comfortable as time goes on.”

It’s interesting that Prince mentions being a better ball-handler and a better pick-and-roll player. To me at least, this would suggest that Prince, perhaps, expects to play more of a role on offense this year with the ball in his hands, making plays and coming off of screens. Scoring isn’t something that’s unfamiliar to Prince, who led Baylor in scoring in his Junior and Senior years.

Prince is already displaying the kind of characteristics you’d want in a leader: “Anybody who is on the team, I’m going to make sure that they love to win too. I don’t expect to have a bad season next year. I expect to have a good season.”

Peachtree Hoops

[Spud2nique]

Taurean Prince ready for expanded role as year two begins

The Hawks’ 2016 first round pick is ready to step up in place of his outgoing veterans.

...many fans felt very optimistic about Taurean Prince’s future after one of the better rookie playoff performances in recent memory.

Prince started every single playoff game at small forward and would perform very well — averaging 11.2 points per game on 55.8% shooting from the field in 31 minutes a game.

“To see Taurean emerge and start for the last 15, 20 games and a playoff series — and for him to play really efficiently and for him to play — for a rookie, he was a great contributor for us,” praised coach Bud on Media Day.

“I’m working on my ball-handling, decision-making, just being a better pick-and-roll player,” said Prince this summer. “Just putting myself in a lot of uncomfortable positions so I can be more comfortable as time goes on.”

It’s interesting that Prince mentions being a better ball-handler and a better pick-and-roll player. To me at least, this would suggest that Prince, perhaps, expects to play more of a role on offense this year with the ball in his hands, making plays and coming off of screens. Scoring isn’t something that’s unfamiliar to Prince, who led Baylor in scoring in his Junior and Senior years.

Prince is already displaying the kind of characteristics you’d want in a leader: “Anybody who is on the team, I’m going to make sure that they love to win too. I don’t expect to have a bad season next year. I expect to have a good season.”

Peachtree Hoops

Love it! He reminds me of Ty Corbin for us in the late 90's...a competitor, defensive stalwart, and an all around leader than guys could look to if needed. He is one of our top 3 guys as of now. Keep up the work!

[macd-gm]

I agree and Corbin was one of my all time favorite role players ever. He was the original 9 to 5 man. Prince looks like he could also generate Corbin's secret weapon of flop sweat.

[Spud2nique]

I agree and Corbin was one of my all time favorite role players ever. He was the original 9 to 5 man. Prince looks like he could also generate Corbin's secret weapon of flop sweat.

flop sweats...seriously he did always look more sweaty than other players...I thought it was because he actually played defense...no offense to Chris Crawford and others we might have had at the time...

Just love me some guys like Corbin, Prince, and our very own...Millsap..

[jayu70]

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[kg01]

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Antonio Daniels was on the radio saying that SA is one of the places around the league where a lot of guys actually go to play a lot of pickup in the offseason. Printz being from that area, seems he would've gotten in on that. Hope he can make it happen.

[jayu70]

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[Jamaaliver]

NBA Sophomore Check-in: How 2016 Draftees Are Faring in Year 2

Taurean Prince, Hawks

The Hawks are resetting this season, and no one has benefited from a fresh start more than Prince, the no. 12 pick in last year’s draft. Prince is now the full-time starter at small forward, and he’s putting up excellent all-around numbers for a second-year player: 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks a game on 45.2 percent shooting. Most impressively, he’s shooting 42.1 percent from 3 on four attempts per game. Draw up a 3-and-D wing in a lab and they will look a lot like Prince.

Watch him fight over two screens and recover to block his man’s shot at the rim:



At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Prince has the size and athleticism to match up with all but the biggest wings in the league. Like all young players, he is still learning the fine points of playing defense at the NBA level, but the physical tools are there. He is getting better, especially in defending the ball handler in pick-and-rolls. One thing to track with Prince is how often Atlanta uses him as a small-ball 4. Eight of the 10 most frequently used lineups he appears in feature two traditional big men, and he could be a more dangerous offensive player if he’s moved up a position.

Prince was drafted to be a role player on offense, but the lack of talent around him has given him the freedom to spread his wings. He has shown flashes of an intriguing all-around game: He had eight assists in a game against the Kings and five assists in a game against the Knicks. The most encouraging sign for Prince is that he’s making more plays without turning the ball over more. His assist rate has increased by four points, while his turnover rate has slightly declined. He’s making the most of his opportunity, and he looks like a building block for the future in Atlanta.

The Ringer

[Jamaaliver]

Ten things I like and don't like

9. Taurean Prince, making plays

You'd be forgiven for skipping out on the Hawks.

They're 6-22, and their exciting rookie -- John Collins -- missed two weeks before returning Thursday. But keep an eye on Prince. He's shooting 41 percent from deep, and looking more comfortable attacking off the dribble as a secondary ball handler -- exactly the kind of progress the Hawks wanted in Year 2:

Watch on YouTube

That is a sophisticated NBA play: Prince bobbing and weaving around Dewayne Dedmon's pick, pinning a defender on his back, freezing the defense with a hesitation dribble, and then baiting Jordan into an ill-fated leap. Prince is dishing about three dimes per 36 minutes, and he's had recent games with eight, six, and five helpers.

Prince is even better blowing by dudes rushing to contest 3-pointers. He catches-and-goes right away, with a fast-twitch pump fake that amounts to a nod at the rim. He is cutting the amount of time he holds the ball, or dances with it -- cardinal sins in Budenholzer's offense. If anything, Prince should probably shoot more 3s; he defaults into drive mode even when he has room to fire.

ESPN on 12/15

[macd-gm]

At some point the Hawks have to realize that we are better off getting the ball to Prince than Baze. Baze has control of the ball way too much for my taste.

[ATL Boy]

At some point the Hawks have to realize that we are better off getting the ball to Prince than Baze. Baze has control of the ball way too much for my taste.

We'll realize it next season... After we have Luka Doncic secured in a Hawks jersey

[Jamaaliver]

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[jayu70]

At some point the Hawks have to realize that we are better off getting the ball to Prince than Baze. Baze has control of the ball way too much for my taste.

You called it macd, more Prince.

[Jamaaliver]

From the victory over Miami.

The Hawks ran out to a 14-5 lead with Prince catching-and-shooting with abandon: he was 3-for-3 on three-pointers during that spurt, 4-for-5 in the first half.

Budenholzer: “He’s got a real comfort level offensively. We are wanting him to shoot a lot, catching and shooting whenever he has any daylight and then driving and finishing.” Prince scored 16 points on seven shots in the first half and finished with 24 points on 12 shot. His development of a reliable three-point shot is one of the most significant developments for the Hawks.

Prince: “Today I was more focused on just shooting the ball and not too much driving on for me tonight. Kent Bazemore, Dennis, Malcolm (Delaney)–they did what they had to do as far as the facilitating part and getting everybody involved.

myAJC


I do believe Taurean Prince is officially an antagonist to the MIami Heat.

Should make for a fun divisional rivalry in the coming years.