CAM REDDISH TO NY FOR KEVIN KNOX AND FIRST!?!

[kg01]

Cam will be considered the best perimeter defender in the league by this time next season.

Book it.

Or book 'em, Dan-o.

[HawkItus]

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Cam Reddish, Hawks

Top five comps: (1) DerMarr Johnson, (2) Nikoloz Tskitishvili, (3) Ben McLemore, (4) Quincy Lewis, (5) Stanley Johnson

What it means: Well, we knew Reddish’s comps wouldn’t be pretty after the early lottery wings chart, and here’s the final proof. In The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide last spring, Kevin O’Connor wrote that Reddish “projects as a plus shooter” because “his mechanics look smooth,” but noted that he’d struggled to turn those aesthetics into actual in-game success. The same appears true in his NBA introduction: The Hawks rookie ranks in the second percentile of rookies this century in TS%; he’s shooting 38 percent on 2-pointers and 26 percent on 3s.

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His comps are a dispiriting and scattered collection of failed prospects, hailing from different positions and decades but united in their NBA struggles. All five listed here were first-round picks (all but Lewis, who went 19th in 1999, were picked in the top eight), but none of them averaged double-digit points for their career. McLemore, now resurgent in Houston, might represent Reddish’s best-case offensive scenario, and even he took seven seasons to find himself as a role player in an extreme niche. (Incidentally, one of O’Connor’s projected comps for Reddish was “bigger Ben McLemore.” The stats and scouts agree!)

 

[thecampster]

to the "Can he bottle this" question.  He is going to remain inconsistent for quite a while but we will start seeing more and more of this, which will only take the pressure off Hunter, Heurter, Collins.

[JayBirdHawk]

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“The best thing he did was miss eight shots. They were eight open shots. There was one where he jabbed and didn’t shoot, and James Harden stayed on him so he had to shoot. When you stop shooting it, then we have a problem. When you see him not take those shots, that’s when it’s not OK. The fact that he’s shooting — I’m good. The numbers will balance out. Cam comes out at halftime (against the Rockets) and hits that shot. But if he stops taking those shots then we have a problem, and it’s a big concern because a guy stops believing in himself, and he stops taking those looks, then we are in trouble."

“I know what it is,” Reddish said. “But it doesn’t bother me when I’m shooting. I just missed. It happens. A lot of people miss. When I make it, it’s going to be a different story.”

Reddish credits Pierce for continuing to believe in him and keeping his positivity as high it can be. Reddish is averaging nearly 26 minutes and almost nine field goal attempts per game. The Hawks want him to be as active as possible. That’s what this season is about. Atlanta is 9-32, and the playoffs are likely out of reach at this point, so the second half of the season should be about improvement, and Reddish is at the center of that.

“He continues to let me play and let me shoot my shots,” Reddish said. “That’s big for me. It’s what I need. It really shows they believe in me. It means the world to me. That’s why I’m continuing to push and stay confident. I know it’s going to turn around pretty soon.”
Pierce also believes it’s only a matter of time before it does turn around for Reddish. Pierce thinks Reddish is in rhythm when he shoots, which was an issue earlier in the season. Pierce thinks Reddish is being aggressive and shot ready when the ball is thrown his way. Pierce has watched Reddish’s film in slow motion, and most of his shot mechanics look good.

That’s what Reddish did Sunday against Brooklyn. He had one of his best games of the season against the Nets and was the lone bright spot in another stinker of a game for the Hawks. Reddish got a steal and attacked the rim and threw down a dunk between Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris. He made 4 of 8 3-point attempts. Reddish was coming off of pick and rolls and trying to attack, which is what the Hawks want him to do. Sometimes, however, Reddish plays at one speed and the game is just too fast for him. He says adjusting to the NBA has been hard — the travel, the speed of the game, new teammates, new life. Everything. It has been a challenge.

Reddish says he’s slowly getting more comfortable, but he’s not rushing anything.

Reddish does have a legitimate skill right now on the defensive end of the floor, which has made him useful for the Hawks. He already has become arguably the best individual defender Atlanta has, and Pierce has assigned him the opposing team’s best player for several games in a row now. Reddish said he didn’t anticipate that this is what he would be known for when he entered the league. He enjoys playing defense and always had an inner confidence that he could lock down whoever was in front of him.

“We’re going to help him,” Pierce said. “I think there are a lot of areas we can address with him being locked in — not taking a break, not smiling or laughing, just being completely locked in. He’s got confidence, and that’s what’s crazy. He shoots it with confidence...

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[enrique]

While I have noticed the improvement, to see it quantified is awesome!!!! Keep it up Cam!!!

 

[JayBirdHawk]

I posted Schlenk's radio interviee from yesterday in another thread, but here's a transcript of his thoughts on Cam:

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Schlenk: Rookie Reddish 'Highest Ceiling' on Hawks

Most of the accolades – and rightfully so – this season have been lauded on point guard Trae Young. He's a human highlight reel, can shoot from two counties away and was named to the All-Star starting five for the Eastern Conference.

The Hawks' future, however, doesn't lie solely in Young's hands, general manager Travis Schlenk told Dukes & Bell on Thursday at State Farm Arena.

(Schlenk actually said 'I shouldn't be saying this, but...)

"Of all the guys on our roster, I think he [Cam Reddish] has the potential with the highest ceiling," Schlenk said about the rookie from Duke. "I say that for a lot of different reasons.

"First of all, just the size. Of all our young guys, at 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9 he's the largest for his position. His defensive versatility we can put him on point guards, and you guys have seen that this year, and with his length and his 7-foot wingspan. Just his fluidity, athletically being able to navigate around screens. And he's youngest of all of them too at 2 years old."

Schlenk wasn't done. He expanded on his praise for Reddish.

"His ability to handle, his ability to pass, the shot is coming along," Atlanta's GM said. "He's going to be a good shooter in the NBA. He might not ever be Steph Curry-good, but you're going to have to guard him out there. And we've seen that. I think I saw a stat the other day: In October, even though it's only a few games he was like 5 percent from 3, and then it was 20 percent in November. And then it was 30 percent in December, and for the month of January he's shooting 40 percent from 3.

"So we're seeing like we saw with Trae [Young] last year as he gets more confident, more comfortable, his percentages are going up."

Schlenk told Dukes & Bell that Reddish had alway been bigger than everyone growing up. He experienced that in high school and at Duke for a season.

"So learning how to finish with contact, how to finish over bigger guys, around bigger guys," Schlenk said about Reddish adapting to the size in the NBA. "And we're starting to see that become better. We're really pleased with the growth we've seen from the start of the season until now. And we think there's a lot more to come with him."

Patience was another key Schlenk hammered into Dukes & Bell. Reddish missed Summer League with a groin injury. So the Hawks are bringing Reddish along slowly.

"It doesn't make any sense to run him out there his first training camp, first preseason and run him into the ground," said Schlenk. "He's a kid we see that could have a 10-15 year career for us. So we're going to be careful with him at the early going. But I think we're all starting to see the flashes of what he could be, and the kid wants to be good too. So, he's working. He feels good about the improvements he seen in his games. We're really excited about Cam's future."

https://929thegame.radio.com/articles/atlanta-hawks-rookie-cam-reddish-has-high-ceiling

 

@NBASupes might have been unto something.

[NBASupes]

2 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

I posted Schlenk's radio interviee from yesterday in another thread, but here's a transcript of his thoughts on Cam:

https://929thegame.radio.com/articles/atlanta-hawks-rookie-cam-reddish-has-high-ceiling

 

@NBASupes might have been unto something.

I never really thought it was that difficult. His talent was always exceptional. His skill-set and awareness was always good. His issue was feel for the game, role, strength, and polish. He's the most special talent by far on our squad. 

[Cwell]

3 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

I posted Schlenk's radio interviee from yesterday in another thread, but here's a transcript of his thoughts on Cam:

https://929thegame.radio.com/articles/atlanta-hawks-rookie-cam-reddish-has-high-ceiling

 

@NBASupes might have been unto something.

Damn I knew Cam was young but dang......he's only 2!?!? that's one advanced toddler!

[marco102]

2 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

I posted Schlenk's radio interviee from yesterday in another thread, but here's a transcript of his thoughts on Cam:

https://929thegame.radio.com/articles/atlanta-hawks-rookie-cam-reddish-has-high-ceiling

 

@NBASupes might have been unto something.

I think this speaks volumes about what Cam is starting to show in practice.  Schlenk doesn't normally to go out of his way to talk about someone's ceiling (well he did with Trae and we see that now).   

I think Cam really does have the potential to be the best player on the Hawks when you consider offense and defense (I'm a broken record here). 

I liked what I saw in the 4th quarter last night.  The dunk, the three, and the free throws to seal it late.  Baby steps, but he's really stepping up. I can't wait for him to put in work this summer.  I think we'll be pleasantly surprised with his progress next season. 

[Cwell]

41 minutes ago, marco102 said:

I think this speaks volumes about what Cam is starting to show in practice.  Schlenk doesn't normally to go out of his way to talk about someone's ceiling (well he did with Trae and we see that now).   

I think Cam really does have the potential to be the best player on the Hawks when you consider offense and defense (I'm a broken record here). 

I liked what I saw in the 4th quarter last night.  The dunk, the three, and the free throws to seal it late.  Baby steps, but he's really stepping up. I can't wait for him to put in work this summer.  I think we'll be pleasantly surprised with his progress next season. 

He also had that clutch assist to Collins down the stretch

[turnermx]

2 hours ago, Cwell said:

He also had that clutch assist to Collins down the stretch

I saw that, he is starting to make better decisions. earlier in the season he would have forced up a shot there. was patient.

[Cwell]

1 hour ago, turnermx said:

I saw that, he is starting to make better decisions. earlier in the season he would have forced up a shot there. was patient.

exactly. the difference between trying hard to prove that you belong, and simply KNOWING that you belong

 

 

[marco102]

You love to see it!

Remember Realgm and NBA Reddit call this man the worse player ever drafted!

Edited February 11, 2020 by marco102

[JayBirdHawk]

6 hours ago, marco102 said:

You love to see it!

Remember Realgm and NBA Reddit call this man the worse player ever drafted!

They've all gone silent, just like they did with Trae.

[NBASupes]

57 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

They've all gone silent, just like they did with Trae.

Some idiots on the Magic board was dogging him talking Ben McLemore and Mario Hezonja. I was like idiot, this Cam you are seeing today is the Cam that's been here since mid December. He's been busting teams asses. A lot of people don't watch us so they just assume based on the stat sheet but Cam literally improved his WAR from -2.6 which was the worse in the NBA at that time by a significant margin to -0.6 since December 1st. That's a full two points. Now for guys like Lillard and Trae who have improved this year from that time, 3-4 points, it looks like light but rookies rarely make this large of a jump. The biggest period of his draft class.

[NBASupes]

He will be the best player in the NBA one day. 

For him it's just steps:

He's already on step 4.

Step 5: Becoming a lockdown defender possession by possession. 

Step 6: add more volume to 40%-50% shooting

Step 7: Add A lot more volume to step 7 and since he has shooting versatility like Trae, he can do it. Becoming a good secondary playmaker close to Kevin's level.

Step 8: Add more craft. We saw shades v. Orlando on the steal and drive plus finish through contact

Step 9: Communication on defense. Use your voice on the court at all times. 

Step 10: add even more craft than step 8. Drawing 5-6 fouls a game. 

Step 11: becoming a three level shooter. 3/mid/close

Step 12: add even more craft to step 10. 7-8 a game. 

Step 13: add some primary ball handling abilities. He has the talent for it but needs polish. I want to see him become as good a secondary playmaker as Kevin.

Step 14: Master the art of consistency. Every night, you busting ass. Right now, Dedmon and Capela has mastered it but no one else on our team has. Including Trae, Kevin, or John although John is getting closer and closer. 

Edited February 11, 2020 by NBASupes

[JayBirdHawk]

12 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

He will be the best player in the NBA one day. 

For him it's just steps:

He's already on step 4.

Step 5: Becoming a lockdown defender possession by possession. 

Step 6: add more volume to 40%-50% shooting

Step 7: Add A lot more volume to step 7 and since he has shooting versatility like Trae, he can do it. Becoming a good secondary playmaker close to Kevin's level.

Step 8: Add more craft. We saw shades v. Orlando on the steal and drive plus finish through contact

Step 9: Communication on defense. Use your voice on the court at all times. 

Step 10: add even more craft than step 8. Drawing 5-6 fouls a game. 

Step 11: becoming a three level shooter. 3/mid/close

Step 12: add even more craft to step 10. 7-8 a game. 

Step 13: add some primary ball handling abilities. He has the talent for it but needs polish. I want to see him become as good a secondary playmaker as Kevin.

Step 14: Master the art of consistency. Every night, you busting ass. Right now, Dedmon and Capela has mastered it but no one else on our team has. Including Trae, Kevin, or John although John is getting closer and closer. 

That's a lotta steps! 

[JayBirdHawk]

8 hours ago, marco102 said:

You love to see it!

Remember Realgm and NBA Reddit call this man the worse player ever drafted!

It's good to see him finishing thru contact! He's been in the weight room.

[txsting]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.  I can clearly see real improvement, but let's not pile unreal expectations on this kid.  Next year will be the real test.  Will he get on his grind throughout the offseason to improve?  I think he has a lot physically, but still a long way to go.