My Newspaper
|
Checking In From Summer League
Posted by:
Micah Hart on
July 17, 2007 at
9:52AM EST
 The Hawks are halfway through summer league play, as the team has won two
straight over the Spurs and Mavericks to run their record to 2-1 at the Rocky
Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City.
I haven't been able to watch any of the action yet (tape-delayed broadcasts
of the games
begin on Wednesday), so base a report on anyone's play on anything other
than a box score.
Fortunately, Hawks PR whiz Jon Steinberg is out there with the team, and he
was kind enough to offer up some observations on what he has seen so far. Take
it away, Steiny:
As an admittedly biased observer, I feel the developments here in Salt
Lake City are something Hawks fans should be very excited about. First off,
summer league head coach Larry Drew has done a really nice job of balancing
the need to feature the talents of Shelden Williams, Solomon Jones, Al
Horford (right) and Acie Law, along with his job of teaching a team that has been
together for less than two weeks to play as one.
Shelden has easily been one of the best big men in the league. With a year
in the NBA under his belt (one in which he led all rookies in rebounding and
double-doubles), he has been patient and efficient, yet crafty and physical,
to the tune of 18.0 ppg and 9.3 rpg (.600 FG%, .750 FT%) through three
contests.
Though currently sidelined by an ankle sprain, Big Al was the early talk of
the Revue, showing his tremendous talent on both ends of the floor. It's
hard to watch Al play, and not immediately think of comparisons (a young
Elton Brand comes to mind). But his talents are so unique, it seems unfair
to either player to do so. In the two games he's played here, he has been
relentless on both ends of the floor, and his athleticism, physicality and
attitude have been his hallmarks. Not to mention, he's a surprisingly good
passer. He's put in 13.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg (.500 FG%, .875 FT%).
Acie has been a solid lead guard, initiating the offense and making good
decisions with the ball, whether looking to create for others, or using his
considerable scoring ability. Most importantly, his natural leadership
qualities have been obvious in games, as well as on the practice floor. I
also think the "unconventional point guard" tag that has followed Law around
is exactly the thing that is going to make him a good pro for many years.
His averages so far: 13.3 ppg, 5.0 apg and 3.7 rpg (.400 FG%, .889 FT%).
If three summer league games are any indication of the future, the Hawks
have found a couple of NBA-ready rookies to add to the mix for next season,
while Shelden is simply picking up where he left off as the NBA Eastern
Conference Rookie of the Month for April.
Don't miss your chance to watch the replays of some of these games, and
see for
yourself.
The Hawks get back in action this afternoon against the Bulls. Check back with
the Hawks Rocky
Mountain Revue homepage for all the latest scores and updates.
(23) Comments
|
Posted by: J-mill on July 17, 2007 10:08AM EST
HATS OFF TO ACIE LAW AND SHELDEN WILLIAMS! Shelden who had a great second and third games. First He had 29 points and 11 rebounds then in the third game he had 20 points. Acie Proved he deserve to be the 11 th pick with having 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 as.
Horford had a good game before he was injured with 18 points and 9 rebound.
SO LET'S MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR, NO EXCUSES!
|
|
|
Posted by: anonymous on July 17, 2007 10:33AM EST
Great job ATL Hawks, summer league is really helps us know how the new guys will fair at the NBA level, so I am not really into the Shelden Williams stats because it said he led all rookies in rebounding and double doubles. We all have seen the Shelden Williams play last year and to be truthful, he was so stupid in how he let the opposing to stomp over him including PGs that were almost a foot shorter than him. Shelden Williams were want to see you play good, because the stats sometimes lie and the stats from last year truly tell a lie about you.
Good job Acie Law, you did wat you had to do to make the Hawks win from behind.
|
|
|
Posted by: bigdaddy on July 17, 2007 6:04PM EST
I love how our draft picks are doin right now, but i think we need to pick up some good veteran pgs from the free agency to teach acie, i love my man ty lue but he cant help acie learn in any way how to be a true pg, some other hawks fans said we need a distributer not a scorer, so im thinkin we need to pick up earl boykins, i now most of yall think im dumb but boykins was doin great in denver before Iverson came along, he could be our spud webb and josh smith could be our dominique, that could bring more money to the hawks, im not sayin earl boykins is spud webb or anything and same with smith being dominique. I'm just sayin that could rebuild our franchise and get more publicity, bottom line boykins can teach acie true pg fundimentals on passing. If my idea is dumb well my bad, acie is great, but our point guards could never start on any other nba teams. Also steve francis could pull off bein a distributor and a scorer somethin joe needs.
|
|
|
Posted by: anonymous on July 17, 2007 7:58PM EST
For those of you who said Acie is to much of a scorer how about the game against Chicago. He had 7 points and 9 assists in there loss. So all of you critics can't talk about him as though he has no chance of being a true distributing PG. I don't see the problem with Acie Law scoring, because YOU DON'T WIN GAMES ON HOW MANY ASSISTS A TEAM HAS, YOU WIN GAMES BY HAVING MORE POINTS THAN THE OTHER TEAM. If that was the case the Hornets and the Suns would be the best teams in the NBA because of the distributing PGs.
Acie Law- don't worry, you can't please them all
AND HOW ABOUT THE MICHAEL VICK INDICTMENT? THE ATL FALCONS HAVE TO BE WORRIED IN THE DECISIONS THAT HE HAS MADE.
|
|
|
Posted by: fidgety! on July 18, 2007 3:40AM EST
I know he's not one of the draft picks, but I think the Hawks ought to be taking a longer look at the dude from Gonzaga. Derek Raivio has for the most part been promising in limited minutes (especially against the Spurs). Just me but I think the guy deserves a training camp invite, although I know it is not my place to tell mgt. what to do ... its just a suggestion.
|
|
|
Posted by: tony on July 18, 2007 5:33AM EST
anonymous, Acie Law is an outstanding athlete and I believe he will have an outstanding career in the NBA. However, let's not get carried away about his 9 assists! Acie is known for his ability to make the big shots during and down the stretch in games that he orchestrated at A&M. He is more of a shooting guard than he is a true point guard. I believe Acie is now trying to live up to everyone's expectation of trying to become a true point guard instead of just being what he is - "MR CLUTCH". They drafted Jason Terry and Boris Diaw with the assumption that they could play the point guard position but it didn't work out that way. That said, Mike Conley Jr is a TRUE POINT GUARD who is known for his passing and penetrating ability. That's his job - to create scoring opportunities for the other 4 guys. During the NCAA Championship Game against Florida the commentators kept talking about how inaffective Ohio St players became when they took Conley out the game because they couldn't handle the press and make the tough passes. I like Acie Law alot but he need to just be MR CLUTCH - nothing more or nothing less.
|
|
|
Posted by: BeeWard on July 18, 2007 8:37AM EST
So you are saying that all Acie should do is make a big shot in the last 3 seconds of a game? Because thats what clutch means to me.
This is crazy! At first people say we need to get Conley to distribute the ball and then people get mad that we don't and then after we get a PG they are saying all he should do is shoot.
Acie needs to become a distributor just as much as he needs to become a better shooter. Thats what the PG position does. He distributes the ball and then if no one is open he tries to make the play himself. Just because Acie makes lots of shots doesn't mean he should become a ball-hog or just shoot. In my book, getting an assist is just as good as getting the actual points.
|
|
|
Posted by: anonymous on July 18, 2007 1:52PM EST
Okay, since you want to say that Acie Law was and will be a clutch shooter, TONY, all I have to say is that Acie Law elevates the team and other players. If you read the story on Solomon Jones on the AJC coverage, you will see that Acie Law came over to him and tried to help him out while he was in a slump. That shows an amazing amount of leadership and the reason I showed the assists was because, In Mike Conley's summer league, he had 26 ASSISTS to Acie Law's 24 ASSISTS WHILE ACIE LAW HAS PLAYED ONE LESS GAME. Also, MIKE CONLEY HAS PLAYED 199 MINUTES for the entire summer league while ACIE LAW has played only 112 MINUTES. With that type of player effiency and leadership who would you rather want to lead your team?
MUST READ THIS COMMENT!!!!!!!!!
MUST READ THIS COMMENT!!!!!!!!!
MUST READ THIS COMMENT!!!!!!!!!
MUST READ THIS COMMENT!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Posted by: jivo on July 19, 2007 9:07AM EST
the atlanta hawks must go to the playoffs because the talent of their players is better than the previous season with acie law shelden williams and of course the super star of atlanta, joe jonhson are the important people on the team
|
|
|
Posted by: anonymous on July 19, 2007 12:09PM EST
Jivo, you neglected to say one person Josh "J Smoove" Smith. Let's not forget that when JJ was injured, Josh stepped up and led the team. I have nothing wrong with Joe Johnson, I think he is actually in the top 8 at his position in the NBA and deserved to go to the All star game. But when he was injured it really helped J. Smoove because he became more confident a proved that he had a great offense to compliment his incredible defense. As for Acie Law, I love how he plays I thinks that he was a far better pick than Mike Conley Jr. And for Sheldon Williams, I only have to say one thing, you have to prove yourself during the regular and post season, if you want to get a lot of backup from Hawks fans.
|
|
|
Posted by: randy on July 19, 2007 1:25PM EST
Nice comment anonymous. Acie Law is doing well by those stat comparisons. Sheldon doing very well too, though I haven't seen the games to say if he is doing the intangibles as well and there is no telling if his good summer league performance will carry over into the regular season.
|
|
|
Posted by: Darrell Simmons on July 20, 2007 2:23AM EST
Trade shelden williams for YI cause he will not sign
with bucks. Talk up his summer leage play. YI will not show off for bucks.
Bring in YI talk with the bucks.
|
|
|
Posted by: joehawk on July 20, 2007 10:48AM EST
I agree with you about Derek Raivio. I was very impressed with what I saw in yesterday's tape delay game against San Antonio. I think he's as good if not better than any other point guard the Hawks have plus he can shoot! Definitely needs to be invited to training camp.
|
|
|
Posted by: fidgety! on July 21, 2007 2:24AM EST
joehawk ... I wouldn't say he's *better* than Acie Law ... but Father Time seems to be catching up to Tyronn Lue. I don't see why the Hawks couldn't sign D-Rav and stick him in NBADL for a year where he can get stronger, then bring him up when Lue's contract expires in a year?
His shots weren't falling against the 76ers, but I promise, at GU he was a baby-faced assassin. It'd be good for the Hawks to have that kind of offense off the bench as a spark.
|
|
|
Posted by: tony on July 22, 2007 7:24PM EST
Deep down inside of me I believe Bk made the wrong decision by not taking Mike Conley Jr. Here's my reasons. (1) Mike Conley is a TRUE POINT GUARD. (2) You can't teach efficient ball dribbling control and speed - he will kill teams once he gets into the paint with regularity. Due to his ability to beat his man off the dribble whenever he wants to - teams will have to double team him which will leave someone wide open for easy shots. (3) He can see the court better than anyone which makes it easy for him to make passes that a lot players can't make. (4) He comes from a very strong family. His hero is his father, Mike Conley Sr who did nothing but win and I believe that legacy will carry over through his son, Mike Conley Jr. We address a position that this team didn't need with our 1st pick which might come back to haunt us down the road. Every team need that one guy to have that knock out punch mentality but we past on him, MIKE CONLEY JR! :(
|
|
|
Posted by: ohiost.fan on July 22, 2007 10:37PM EST
tony i had fun watching mike conley jr. help lead ohio state, but i really believe he left to early. Acie was the best pg in the draft. Law averaged more points and ASSISTS with less minutes than conley jr. in the summer league. i hope conley jr. does great but i really do believe that acie law was the best point guard in the draft. SORRY.
|
|
|
Posted by: aj on July 22, 2007 10:41PM EST
hey tony
yep acie law sucks he can lead the team in points and assists all at once oh man he is the worst player i have ever seen he scores too many points and has a ton of assist all in one game yep mike conley jr. really is the best cause he cant lead the team in anything.
your such an idiot tony
|
|
|
Posted by: jp on July 23, 2007 1:14AM EST
Besides Hortford and Law, i think that Ronell Taylor has played a pretty solid summer league and I feel he could do well with the hawks team. He did extremely well with Idaho in the D-league last year and I hope he will make the hawks roster for the upcoming season.
|
|
|
Posted by: tony on July 23, 2007 7:39PM EST
aj, you are a mean spirited humanbeing. I gather that you are a very young man who hasn't reap the repercussion for using inflammatory remarks toward your fellow man. I won't retort because that would be the wrong thing to do. The comments that I've made concerning our draft picks weren't to degrade Acie and Al. I like both of those kids but in my opinion, Mike Conley Jr would have been a better choice for us. Acie Law would have been a better choice as a shooting guard because he doesn't shy away from taking the tough shots - something Joe Johnson fell to do - at lease in the games I've seen him play in. In 1976 Atlanta draft Armond Hill not for his shooting ability but for his passing and his keen court vision. I watch every game they played. It was during the time when there were 13 channels and the super station was the most watch tv station. I can tell you right now that Armond made the hawks a better team just by passing the ball and running the offense. He made everybody's job easy just by creating easy shots for his team mates. Believe me when I say this but Mike Conley bring more to the table than Armond Hill. Conley is a better ball-handler and faster than Hill, but both of them are outstanding passers and have great court vision. Well, we have Acie now, so let's see how everything plays out.
|
|
|
Posted by: aj on July 23, 2007 10:19PM EST
tony
i realize that i made a mistake by lashing out at you like that. and im sorry. but you keep talking up conley after the draft is long over and after acie had a better summer than conley. i guess i get a little frustrated that people are still saying hawks should of done this or hawks should of done that but they went with horford and law and people just need to be happy. and i am a young man but i am not mean spirited and i have had to reap the repercussions for saying or doing things i shouldnt be doing. i just get frustrated sometimes. Plus i was drinking. hahahaha but seriously i was.
|
|
|
Posted by: lez on August 7, 2007 10:39PM EST
tony
why are you talking about mike conely jr.? the draft has been over and done. we have acie and al, get over it, they are both just as good as conely. can't you people quite harbering over the past and accept what we have? it's not like we can change it. acie and al did good in the summer league and they will do good in this season. i like them both.
|
|
|
Posted by: J-mill on August 14, 2007 4:02PM EST
Tony:
Acie Law would have been a better choice as a shooting guard because he doesn't shy away from taking the tough shots - something Joe Johnson fell to do - at lease in the games I've seen him play in.
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Posted by: Jenn on October 16, 2007 10:15AM EST
Steiny RULES!
|
|
|
|
