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.”
