The Q&A series with Hawks players from their season-ending exit interviews resumes.
Today: Rookie DeAndre Bembry
Q. How would you sum up for rookie season?
A. There were a lot of ups and downs. I started the season not playing that much. Couple games I played. Went to the D-League. Came back. Went to the D-League. But it was a lot of good progress I would say. A lot of good things happened playing in the D-League and not playing with the team and then coming back and playing with the team and getting some burn. I felt like it was a good start for me.
Q. What did they say they want to see from you this summer as far as areas of growth?
A. All areas of the game. Just get better. Everybody knows sometimes when you come out as a rookie you don't play so well. I think me, (Taurean Prince) and Malcolm (Delaney), we played pretty decent as rookies. Just to get better all around. Get better shooting, for sure. I made one 3 this season. For sure, I need to get better at that. I feel like that's the biggest improvement I need. Other than that, I'm a pretty decent player. Definitely working on my shooting this summer.
Q. Where will you work out this summer?
A. I'm going to be here with (assistant coach) Ben (Sullivan). Starting next week. I have nothing to wait for. I'm going to take vacations here and there but I'm going to be here most of the summer.
Q. Was there someone in the locker room that you gravitated toward to help you learn how to become a professional basketball player?
A. There wasn't just one person. We have so many vets on this team. I sit beside Kent Bazemore. He's been through everything. I sit beside Kris (Humphries). Kris is crazy but he's been through a lot as well. Thabo (Sefolosha). Dwight Howard. Paul Millsap. Plenty of people I can say. Not just one person for sure.
Q. You are confident you proved you are an NBA player?
A. Oh yeah. For sure. I feel like if you don't have any confidence, I don't think you should be here.
