The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke to everybody available during Hawks media day Monday – coach Mike Budenholzer and all 19 players who were on the training camp roster at the time. Here are items from each – not all of a serious nature.
Mike Budenholzer
The Hawks coach was asked about what areas he would like to see improvement in this season. “I think defensive rebounding is an area, really since we came here two years ago and now going into year three, where if we are going to be a team that is competing at a high level I think we’re going to have to be better defensively on the boards. It’s going to take a commitment from the entire group, like we’ve been talking about the last couple of years. That is an area defensively where we would like to improve.”
Earl Barron
The veteran center signed a training camp roster just before the start of workouts, clearing his medical tests during media day. He was asked about his decision to come to the Hawks. “I really liked the style of play last year. They really played well together. Very unselfish team and they played hard night in and night out. A lot of teams took the Hawks for granted. Early on, I said if they keep winning they are going to be a tough team. They kept winning.”
Kent Bazemore
The guard/forward enters the final year of his contract and will become a free agent next summer. He was asked about competing for a starting job this season with DeMarre Carroll gone. “Of course, being a starter in the NBA is something you have to get out of bed early for. There is an open spot. We’ve got guys who are going to compete for it.
Regardless of who is going to get it, the guy who gets it is going to know there is a guy behind you who is ready. You got to bring it.”
Tim Hardaway Jr.
The guard/forward obtained in a draft night trade was asked about coming back from wrist injury that caused him to miss several games with the Knicks. “It was great to get a couple months in with a great training staff to get me back to 100 percent. I feel a lot better now. I’m shooting the ball well. No pain. Nothing is wrong. I’m ready to go out there.”
Justin Holiday
The newly signed guard was asked about the depth of the Hawks, an asset when he played for the Warriors last year in winning a championship. “The best teams are the deepest teams these days. I remember playing certain teams during the year that had the first unit but when their second unit went against our second unit, that’s where it made the difference. I remember playing against the Atlanta Hawks I remember thinking this is a team with a good second team so let’s see what happens. I’m very excited to be a part of another team like that.”
Al Horford
The center was asked about the team’s new uniforms. He likes them. His wife does not. “I like them,” he said. Horford added with a laugh. “I know my wife was not happy about it. She was like ‘I do not like these uniforms.’ I had a few people tell me that. I love them having seen pictures over the last year. Having them on, it feels good. The black and gray are my favorites.”
DeQuan Jones
The Wheeler High grad signed a training camp contract with the Hawks. The forward was asked about playing for his hometown team. “It’s a great experience, especially playing for a team that is on the rise and had the success it had last season. It’s a great experience and I’m really looking to it.”
Kyle Korver
The shooting guard is back after having two surgeries, on his ankle and elbow, during the offseason. He spoke about his desire to get both done at the same time. It didn’t work. With a laugh, he recalled the subject. “I was just like ‘Knock me out. One doctor comes in. He goes out.’ I really fought for this. Me and Bud had this probably not so good yelling conversations. ‘Just make this happen.’ The doctors didn’t think it was a good idea. I might slip on the crutches and hit my elbow. It made for a lot of rehab.”
Shelvin Mack
The guard is coming off right shoulder surgery suffered in the series-ending loss to the Cavaliers. He was asked about the limited role he played last season and what might be different this season. “Last year didn’t go the way I wanted it to individually as a player. This year, hopefully I’ll have an opportunity and I’ll try to take advantage of it. Even if it means sliding over to the (shooting guard).”
Paul Millsap
The power forward is back after signing a three-year contract with the Hawks as an unrestricted free agent this summer. He was asked about the roster changes to the team. “Initially, they did great by bringing in guys who can shoot the basketball, bringing in guys who can rebound for us, bigger bodies, playoff experience, championship experience. Initially, things look great.”
Mike Muscala
The center was asked about his role considering Budenholzer’s call for better defensive rebounding. “I think defensive rebounding is just about being physical and the mindset for it too. Especially in the playoffs it’s much more physical. We found that out this last year. It was tough for me personally in the Washington series their bigs were very physical. Even against Cleveland, they were a very good offensive rebounding team. It’s something that coach said is an area of improvement, an area of focus, this year. I welcome the challenge. I think it’s something I can help the team with.”
Lamar Patterson
The forward second-round pick at guard/forward was asked about how losing 20 pounds after coming back from Turkey has changed his game. “I’m completely different. I feel a lot quicker. Just being able to have that agility on the court you can elevate your game to another level. I feel like a different person. I feel like I breathe different. I’m glad that I made this change, like why haven’t I done it eight years ago?”
Terran Petteway
The swingman was asked about the positive comments he has received from coaches about his summer work after signing partially guaranteed deal. “I think I did pretty good. I think I can always do better, do something a little bit better to help my chances. I’m really looking to coming into training camp and competing on both ends of the court, especially the defensive end. Come in and show I can guard my man, bring energy and also knock down a shot on the offensive end.”
Dennis Schroder
The guard is back after playing for Germany in the EuroBasket 2015 tournament. It was the second straight year he played for the national team. He was asked about the improvement he made each year. “My first year helped me a lot to play more (in the NBA) last year. Every time there was great competition. I think it will help me this year too. Of course I want to make a bigger step.”
Mike Scott
The forward was asked about his end-of-season comment about his summer plans being “tattoos and basketball.” There are a few additions. Channel 2’s Zach Klein asked Scott if he would consider a Channel 2 logo as a tattoo. “Yeah, never,” Scott said.
Thabo Sefolosha
The guard/forward has been cleared for basketball activities after having season-ending surgery for a broken right leg and ligament damage. He was asked about how difficult was to miss the end of last season. “It was definitely tough watching from the sidelines the playoffs and the team. But at the same time, it’s part of it. Injuries happen. It’s unfortunate. I’m definitely ready, motivated and have a lot of energy.”
Edgar Sosa
The point was signed to a training camp deal after playing with Hawks assistant coach Kenny Atkinson on the Dominican Republic national team this summer. He was asked about getting a chance with the Hawks. “I would like to make the team. I feel like I can make the team. I understand that Teague and Schroder and Mack, those guys have guaranteed contracts. There are a lot of things that are out of my control. Again, there is an open roster spot so anything is possible. I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.”
Tiago Splitter
The center was asked if coming to the Hawks, a system similar to that with the Spurs, will help his transition. “They do the kind of the same stuff so it’s going to be easier that if I go to a triangle system that I have no clue. So yes, it’s going to be better for me.”
Edy Tavares
He caused quite a stir as many got to see up close just how big the 7-foot-3 center is and posed for several pictures. He stood under the basket on the Hawks practice court and nearly reached the rim with his arm extended from a standstill.
Jeff Teague
The point guard has the role of getting the new players, with new skills, involved in the offense. How will he do that? “It’ll probably take me a couple of days in training camp just to see. Once they get familiar with the system and the way we call plays, then it will naturally come. You’ll see guys do what they do. For the most part, I think I know everybody’s game. I know Tim (Hardaway Jr.’s). He is one of the newer guys who I never really watched but I played against him and I know he can shoot the basketball.”
