Q&A with Budenholzer: How will Hawks replace Carroll?

[RandomFan]

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/q-and-a-with-mike-budenholzer-how-will-hawks-repla/nmyjf/?ref=cbTopWidget

 

Q&A with Budenholzer: How will Hawks replace Carroll?
2:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2015 | Filed in: Hawks

Mike Budenholzer, the Hawks’ president of basketball operations and coach, took a moment away from the Las Vegas Summer League to sit down with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and discuss the offseason. Here are his thoughts about a number subjects including keeping Paul Millsap, losing DeMarre Carroll and adding Tiago Splitter.

Q: How important was it to re-sign Paul Millsap and how nerve-racking were those negotiations?

A: Having Paul come back was critical to our summer and critical to us in free agency. We feel great about hopefully continuing to grow and improve with him. I don’t know what word I would use, but I wouldn’t use ‘nerve-racking.’ I think Paul handled it; he and (agent) DeAngelo (Simmons) were great. They worked with us well. You only get those opportunities occasionally in your career, and for them to take their time and hear opportunities and hear people out is understandable and expected. We feel great that ultimately they felt the fit was still as great as we think it is.

Q: Did it come down to you had to choose either Paul or DeMarre?

A: I don’t know if I would characterize it that you had to choose one or the other. It may just be word play, but ultimately there is not enough for everybody. I think we value DeMarre, and he was a big part of our success. We will miss him. But sometimes you have to make hard decisions. I guess it’s part of the NBA of having a good team and having players who play well and deserve opportunities. I don’t like to think of it as picking one over the other. I like to think of it as sometimes there is not enough for everything that you want.

Q: I know it’s early, but is there a starting point on how you might replace DeMarre?

A: Having Thabo (Sefolosha) having played for a year with us and having him know how we do things defensively and offensively. He’s played on really good teams and on teams in the finals and on teams that have had really good success. I think we are very hopeful that he gets healthy and ready. That gives you some confidence that there is a start. I think Kent Bazemore’s growth and development as the season progressed, including the playoffs. He is a unique player with his length and everything. Then adding Tim Hardaway Jr. and Justin Holiday gives us what we feel like is a lot of depth. You can argue there are big 2’s and small 3’s in our system, and the wings are interchangeable. Of course, defensively it helps to have some size. Thabo naturally has that. We might have to mush it around with some of the other guys a little bit, but we have good depth on the wing.

Q: What can you tell me about Tiago Splitter and what kind of role will he have with the team?

A: We feel great about adding Tiago to our group and to our front line. He is a smart player. His basketball IQ is through the roof. He is going to add a toughness to us. I think he can guard lots of different types of bigs. He’s a 5 but defensively he can go out and guard a LaMarcus Aldridge, a Dirk Nowitzki and some of the 4’s who are more perimeter. Then he can go inside and guard the traditional 5’s. So his versatility as a big is going to be really helpful. He is more of a traditional 5. He’s not going to be spacing the court like some of our bigs do. But he’s a great passer, a great screen-setter. I think he’s going to fit in very quickly and fill a role off the bench. I think he can play with Paul, he can play with Al (Horford), he can play with any of those guys. I think he’s going to be very good for us. I think in the locker room he is going to be great too. He is a really good person. The city is going to love him. He is just genuinely easy-going, nice human being. On the court, he is tough and I think in the locker room he is going to be great.

Q: By adding Tiago and Edy (Tavares) is it fair to say that getting bigger was a priority this offseason?

A: No. I’m probably a little bit stubborn, but we are looking for players that add to us and help us get better. I will always say if they are bigger, we’ll take them. I’m not anti-big. I think Edy’s ability to impact the game at 7-foot-3 is something that hopefully over time will really help us. It wasn’t like we went into it saying we’ve got to get bigger. We think they are both going to be good players.

Q: Is there somebody from the summer league team that you have been impressed with and that we may see in training camp?

A: The group has worked hard. It’s just like a typical summer league. They are busting their butts. I think Glenn Robinson III joined us a little bit late and has only got to play a couple of games, but I think he’s an intriguing young player. I think (Terran) Petteway is somebody that went undrafted, but has done a lot of things at both ends of the court. We like that way he’s handled himself in practices and preparation. And then I think Lamar (Patterson). He has a feel for the game and an understanding of the game. Even when he doesn’t score a point, it’s not like, ‘Oh, he must have been terrible.’ He does a lot of other things. He’s got a pace and a vision. I would say those three guys for the non-Mike Muscala, non-Edy Tavares who are kind of intriguing.

[capstone21]

I still have a feeling that we will acquire a small forward either to start or backup

[RandomFan]

I still have a feeling that we will acquire a small forward either to start or backup

I'm starting to think that might be turning more into wishful thinking on our parts. Like for me I would LOVE for us to get rid of Scott and trade for another SF type. But I'm about ready to give up on that dream of never seeing Scott in a Hawks uniform again...

 

Also, this should make it crystal clear that Thabo and Bazemore are viewed as the top two players in the SF rotation, while recognizing like Bud said that the wing positions are interchangeable. But he did acknowledge that there will be players they have to get creative in defending, and most would assume he's talking about the larger SF types.

Edited July 14, 2015 by RandomFan

[macdaddy]

I'm starting to think that might be turning more into wishful thinking on our parts. Like for me I would LOVE for us to get rid of Scott and trade for another SF type. But I'm about ready to give up on that dream of never seeing Scott in a Hawks uniform again...

 

Also, this should make it crystal clear that Thabo and Bazemore are viewed as the top two players in the SF rotation, while recognizing like Bud said that the wing positions are interchangeable. But he did acknowledge that there will be players they have to get creative in defending, and most would assume he's talking about the larger SF types.

 

Wing by committee for a while but that's not bad.   I think we have some explosiveness on the wing now which will be great to see.   I hope they learned their lesson to upgrade at the deadline where needed.  It not only gets you vets for the playoffs but gets you some flexibility in the offseason in some cases.

[JETSET]

I'm just ready for the season to start and to be back in Phillips.  I can't wait to see how Splitter fits in and which wing will make the big leap under Bud's coaching.  I like our chances of one of Baze, Hardaway Jr or Holiday becoming a consistent 40% 3 pt shooter in our offense.

Edited July 14, 2015 by JETSET

[AHF]

Glad to hear Bud recognizes we have Thabo and a bunch of 2's (or small 3's) right now.  It makes me feel like he is aware of the need to address that especially in light of the health risks with Thabo.

[hazer]

So there it is. Bud just told us if Sef is healthy, he starts. "Interchangeable wings" means we'll also see Threezus, Blaze, THJr, Holliday, and possibly GRIII (first name he brought up from Summer League) plugged in at the 3. The "mush it around a little with some of the other guys" tells me we'll see Scott and Sap at the 3 some too. That gives Hawks 8 SF options, and sounds like that's what Budcox is going into battle with. Yeah, some of them are 2s, but he mentioned interchangeable. Remember, Bud believes in a "1 pg, 2 wings, 2 forwards" philosophy.

Edited July 14, 2015 by hazer

[RandomFan]

There's also a short piece on Edy on the AJC.

 

http://atlantahawks.blog.ajc.com/2015/07/13/edy-tavares-a-work-in-progress-for-atlanta-hawks/

 

Edy Tavares a work in progress for Atlanta Hawks  

July 13, 2015

 

LAS VEGAS – Edy Tavares is a work in progress.

 

The Hawks 7-foot-3 center has taken some time to adjust to the pace of play during the first two Las Vegas Summer League games after spending last season in Europe. He has looked a step or two behind the play much of the time.

 

Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson had some very interesting comments about Tavares following Sunday night’s game.

 

“This is just the feedback I’m getting from him, I think the pace of the game is so different than Europe and he is just adjusting to the pace, number one, and then adjusting to what we are doing,’ Atkinson said. “He forgot a lot of what we are doing last year. His team in Europe was playing a totally different pick-and-roll coverage. But we are on him. We are watching film with him. I think it’s pace and figuring out what we are doing. I was excited. He made a few plays at the end of the game. He’s got to be smarter about not fouling when the other team is in the bonus. It’s a great learning opportunity for him. What is better than this for him?”

 

In two games, Tavares is averaging 5.0 points (5 of 11), 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 3.5 blocks and 5.5 fouls in 19.0 minutes.

He had a couple of encouraging moments in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 71-70 win over the Warriors, including getting two rebounds over opposing players without leaving his feet.

 

“We are discovering the player he is,” Atkinson said. “We know what we want him to be – a great rim protector, a rebounder. We are discovering the player too but it’s exciting because obviously he’s hungry to be a good player.”

 

[AHF]

So there it is. Bud just told us if Sef is healthy, he starts. "Interchangeable wings" means we'll also see Threezus, Blaze, THJr, Holliday, and possibly GRIII (first name he brought up from Summer League) plugged in at the 3. The "mush it around a little with some of the other guys" tells me we'll see Scott and Sap at the 3 some too. That gives Hawks 8 SFs, and sounds like that's what Budcox is going into battle with.

 

You hear 8 SFs.  I hear 1 SF and 7 guys who stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.

[hazer]

So there it is. Bud just told us if Sef is healthy, he starts. "Interchangeable wings" means we'll also see Threezus, Blaze, THJr, Holliday, and possibly GRIII (first name he brought up from Summer League) plugged in at the 3. The "mush it around a little with some of the other guys" tells me we'll see Scott and Sap at the 3 some too. That gives Hawks 8 SF options, and sounds like that's what Budcox is going into battle with. Yeah, some of them are 2s, but he mentioned interchangeable. Remember, Bud believes in a "1 pg, 2 wings, 2 forwards" philosophy.

Is that called an "inverted wishbone" set?

Edited July 14, 2015 by hazer

[sturt]

Why isn't this part of the Summer League thread? It, after all, mentions GRob3. I thought that was all that was necessary?

 

(...nudge, nudge, wink, wink...)

[RandomFan]

A: Having Thabo (Sefolosha) having played for a year with us and having him know how we do things defensively and offensively.

 

 

That right there is the reason we're going to see a heavy dose of Korver, Thabo, and Baze at the wing early in the season (assuming Thabo is healthy). Those 3 know how we do things offensively and defensively. The new additions will need time to get to that point, much like Baze last year who barely played the 1st third of the season while he learned the ropes of <channling my inner DMC> "Hawks Basketbawl." I'm gonna miss not hearing "Hawks Basketbawl" from DMC after every game...

 

Remember, Bud believes in a "1 pg, 2 wings, 2 forwards" philosophy.

 

 

I think that would be more accurately described as 2 frontcourt, instead of 2 forwards. But meh.

Edited July 14, 2015 by RandomFan

[Guest]

You hear 8 SFs. I hear 1 SF and 7 guys who stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.

Lololololol, too funny. Very true.

[hazer]

So there it is. Bud just told us if Sef is healthy, he starts. "Interchangeable wings" means we'll also see Threezus, Blaze, THJr, Holliday, and possibly GRIII (first name he brought up from Summer League) plugged in at the 3. The "mush it around a little with some of the other guys" tells me we'll see Scott and Sap at the 3 some too. That gives Hawks 8 SF options, and sounds like that's what Budcox is going into battle with. Yeah, some of them are 2s, but he mentioned interchangeable. Remember, Bud believes in a "1 pg, 2 wings, 2 forwards" philosophy.

Immediately edited my original post to add "options", because I don't consider most of them SFs either. But In this scenario, I'm thinking no one sees over 20-25 minutes a night at 3. So if Sef is the starter, he's not necessarily going to play any more minutes than he did when he was successful off the bench. Also an interesting strategy to keep fresh legs in there and run the other teams' 3s ragged. Will be interesting to watch, for one thing. Successful? Hmmmm...

Edited July 14, 2015 by hazer

[hazer]

You hear 8 SFs.  I hear 1 SF and 7 guys who stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.

Kinda like DMC a couple of years ago? I clearly recall all the widespread "He's no NBA starter" talk. From a LOT of folks in here. Now he was just our playoffs MVP and gets paid more than Steph Curry and Al Horford ;)

[sturt]

I'm reading a whole lot of "I don't care how tall/big someone is" in that interview... from the wings to the Cs... am I wrong?

 

And I'm a bit surprised... pleasantly so... that he said pretty explicitly that GRob3, Petteway and Patterson are impressing him... usually, it's typical that that kind of question is dodged.

[hazer]

I'm reading a whole lot of "I don't care how tall/big someone is" in that interview... from the wings to the Cs... am I wrong?

 

And I'm a bit surprised... pleasantly so... that he said pretty explicitly that GRob3, Petteway and Patterson are impressing him... usually, it's typical that that kind of question is dodged.

Was thinking the same thing: "Wow, he just called them out and telegraphed his invites."

[Sothron]

We don't need to start Thabo. We used him perfectly last season to come off the bench and guard the opposing best perimeter player. That's his wheelhouse. Asking him at his age and coming off serious lower leg injury to start and play 30 plus minutes a game is a disaster in the making.

 

I'm still hoping we trade for a starting SF. I would much rather have traded our 15th pick for a Wilson Chandler than take a no defense volume chucker that is a SG/PG in THJ.

[Guest]

We don't need to start Thabo. We used him perfectly last season to come off the bench and guard the opposing best perimeter player. That's his wheelhouse. Asking him at his age and coming off serious lower leg injury to start and play 30 plus minutes a game is a disaster in the making.

I'm still hoping we trade for a starting SF. I would much rather have traded our 15th pick for a Wilson Chandler than take a no defense volume chucker that is a SG/PG in THJ.

That's just it, because he starts doesn't mean he has to play starter minutes though.

He was perfect in his role off the bench last season though. I thought he kept Dennis in check quite a bit.

However Bud sees his role: starter or not, I'm good.

[Guest]

We don't need to start Thabo. We used him perfectly last season to come off the bench and guard the opposing best perimeter player. That's his wheelhouse. Asking him at his age and coming off serious lower leg injury to start and play 30 plus minutes a game is a disaster in the making.

I'm still hoping we trade for a starting SF. I would much rather have traded our 15th pick for a Wilson Chandler than take a no defense volume chucker that is a SG/PG in THJ.

That's just it, because he starts doesn't mean he has to play starter minutes though.

He was perfect in his role off the bench last season though. I thought he kept Dennis in check quite a bit.

However Bud sees his role: starter or not, I'm good.