The #AskViv mailbag is open.
Thanks to those who submitted questions on the Hawks with enough on short notice to turnaround a session. The plan is to gather questions throughout the week and post a story on Tuesday morning. You can submit questions via e-mail (cvivlamore@ajc.com) or Twitter (@CVivlamoreAJC). I’ll also take questions from the blog on occasion.
In your opinion, what’s been the biggest challenge for Prince to overcome in order to get more consistent minutes? – O’Brien
#AskViv: The biggest challenge for Prince is just time and experience. He is a rookie on a veteran team. Prince has actually gotten more playing time than I expected at the start of the season. He has skills. You can see it in glimpses. He plays defense first and that’s what will get him on the floor under Mike Budenholzer.
At one point, the Hawks considered a D-League stint for Prince to get him needed playing time. That’s not a slap (we’ll discuss that more regarding Mike Scott). The Hawks see it as a valuable part of player development. With injuries on the wing – Thabo Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore – they needed to keep Prince active.
In a limited sample size, Prince has had good stints and bad stints. He just needs experience. I expect that to increase as the season progresses but I would not look for him to be a major part of the rotation barring injury.
I will say this, Prince will be a starter for this team. Possibly as soon as next season. With the number of unrestricted free agents upcoming – Sefolosha, Kyle Korver, Mike Muscala, likely Paul Millsap, Scott, Tiago Splitter and Ryan Kelly – there will be opportunities. Give him some time.
Where do you see the Hawks finishing in the standings at the end of the season? – Garrett
#AskViv: Well, the Hawks have certainly made predicting how they finish difficult with the first 24 games of the season. They have been very good at 9-2 and very bad at 1-10. Yet here we stand with a 12-12 record. I expect the Hawks to be a little better than .500 when all is said and done. I would still about 45 wins.
With that being said, that could still earn the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Do a little bitter and they could go as high as the third seed. The way the conference looks early, there will be a dogfight for seeds No. 5-8.
I’m curious what your thoughts are on the state of the Hawks’ chemistry. All seemed well when they were 9-2 but have there been any signs of strain once times got tough? – Buddy
#AskViv: On the court, there is work to do with the chemistry. Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard are still learning to play together. The Hawks had a favorable schedule early in the season and that played a major part in the good start to the season.
Off the court, all appears fine, even during the recent struggle. I don’t know all – even all that was said during the players-only meeting – but I have not heard about major issues between players. One thing that does concern me is how Howard has answered some questions during the slump. He has repeatedly mentioned that the team can’t fracture during tough times. He has said it several times. I don’t know why, just strikes me as odd.
It’s something worth watching however.
On Mike Scott, why are they doing this to him? Who is finalizing these decisions? – Craig
#AskViv: The Hawks assigned Mike Scott for a second D-League stint on Monday night. There seems to be concern among Hawks followers. My favorite is the person who likened Scott being sat at the kid’s table.
Scott needs to play himself back into shape. He missed all of training camp and the first 18 games of the season. He has been rusty, to say the least. The best way to get him back into playing shape is playing time. The way the Hawks played recently, it was tough to find Scott extended time.
Scott’s production has declined the past three seasons – from 9.6 points to 7.8 points to 6.2 points per game. I’m not sure Scott is going to be a regular part of the rotation even when he gets back into playing shape. However, he can be an important part of the bench and add some depth in case of injury.
Do you think the Hawks will look to add a veteran point guard at some point during the season? – Gairy
#AskViv: I don’t see such a move in the foreseeable future – barring injury. In addition to Dennis Schroder and Malcolm Delaney, the Hawks have others who can bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense. You’ve seen Sefolosha, Bazemore and Hardaway bring the ball up the court at times. DeAndre Bembry could also fill in in an immediate emergency.
However, look for a move for a point guard if there is an injury to Schroder or Delaney. That would be bad news for Kelly, who will likely be waived to clear a roster spot.
Until next week. …
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