Thursday, July 13, 2017

Atlanta Hawks Summer League Grades

1788 Sports Writer Bryce Sparling (@1788Sports, @BryceS89)




JOHN COLLINS: A+


Collins couldn't have raised his stock any more than he did in the summer league. Collins averaged a double-double with 17.5 ppg and 10.2 rpg. Extrapolate that for a per 32 average and it's 22 ppg and 13 rpg. Along with Collins' dunking, shooting and rebounding, he has impressed with amazing court vision, great defensive and offensive awareness and positioning, as well as running the floor very well. The way he plays the game reminds me of a Paul Millsap, Tim Duncan cross-over. Collins is not without flaw though. His 6'10 235lb frame will get tossed around in the post and his defensive IQ could use some work. If he hits the weight room between now and the Hawks 1st game and cuts down on silly fouls, the Hawks could find themselves rostering a potential ROY candidate.

DEANDRE' BEMBRY: A

Bembry, who will be part of a very young backcourt threesome, showed he'd grown by leaps and bounds over the off-season. Last season with the Hawks, Bembry never could quite get it together. Never becoming much more than a trash time forward. This summer, he has showed he's ready for serious minutes when the regular season tips. DeAndre' is second on the team in points and rebounds, and first in assists. He seems to be much quicker off the dribble and passing quite a bit crisper. His jumpshot is still a work in progress, but that won't be his main weapon when on offense. Bembry's biggest drawback in the summer league is his decision making. He seemed to make a lot of the rushed mistakes we've become accustom to seeing Dennis make the past 2 seasons



TAUREAN PRINCE: B-

Taurean came into this summer league with a much different mindset. This is a man that will most likely start come fall. He stated his main focus this summer was to work on areas of his game he saw there were glaring weaknesses. While Prince only put up 13 ppg, 2.5 rpg & 1.5 apg, there should be no cause for concern. This is the same kid we saw being the only active Hawk against the Wizards in the first round last year. While the production wasn't there this summer, the activity was. He was very active on offense, moving, cutting & screening, as well as being the pesky, junkyard dog 2.0 we all think he'll be in the 2017-2018 season.
DIAMOND STONE: C+


Stone, who came to Atlanta via a 3-team trade, was a bit of an afterthought in the trade. Stone has only played 24 minutes in the NBA and has never been known for being in the best of shape. He came into the summer league hoping to capitalize on the NBA's expanding roster size. Stone, through 3 games, averaged 8 ppg and nearly 4 rpg. Stone was also a force to be reckoned with in the paint with his 7'4 wingspan and a 255lb frame. He could find himself on the roster as a reserve or a late game defensive banger.

ALPHA KABA: C


Kaba was the last player drafted in the 2017, which if you ask Isaiah Thomas, means nothing. Kaba has already been touted as the "Savior of Atlanta" by Reddit user u/blessedmitch. https://goo.gl/Wra8hW. While playing limited minutes, 10 mpg, he managed to average 4 ppg and 4 rpg. This is not someone who we'll be looking to lean on in game 7's anytime soon, but he is a prospect that has the measurable that could develop in the G-league. Kaba will have a chance to showcase his talents with the Bay Hawks this year most likely,  and prove he deserves to play in Atlanta.



JOSH MAGETTE: C-


After being waived by the Hawks before the season started last season, Atlanta invited him back for a summer league stint. Josh averaged 20 mpg, 4 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 3.2 apg. Magette showed flashes at times of being something a bit more special than a G-league team, but ultimately couldn't put much together consistently. Magette, through 4 games, showed nothing special that would earn him a spot on the 17 man roster. He will be a serviceable G-league player, but that's about the ceiling for this young point guard.

RYAN KELLY: C-


What a weird summer it's been for Kelly. First he's traded to Hou for cash considerations, then Hou waives him, finally, the Hawks pick him up to play in their summer league. Bringing Kelly in was more of a favor towards him, to showcase his abilities to other teams, more than anything. The Hawks are ineligible to sign him due to CBA rules, https://goo.gl/Zao7tY. Kelly, the Hawks most senior summer league player, never showed much more than a stop gap player. He's someone that could sign a 10 day contract to alleviate an injury. Kelly did average 10.7 ppg and 4 rpg while playing almost 20 mpg. Although Kelly's summer league stats aren't bad, his on-court play told a different story. He seemed to be out of place quite a bit on offense and his defensive abilities are quite lacking.


Photo Credits: Jamei Oliver, Annabel Padilla, Nathaniel S. Butler

No comments:

Post a Comment

All Time Hawks Roster

By: Noah Lourie ( @1788sports , @Noah_lourie ) PG: Mookie Blaylock Watching Mookie Blaylock play reminds one of what basketball was i...