A recurring theme for the Hawks last season was coach Larry Drew’s efforts to coax his players to get tougher.
Drew said they needed to play with a “physicality” and implored them to develop a “blue-collar mentality.” At one point Drew said he feared the word was out around the NBA that the Hawks would back down when pushed.
The Hawks showed some resolve in the postseason, but they never were the consistently rugged defensive team that Drew envisioned. Eventually Drew realized he may not get this group of players to play that way no matter how much he talked about it.
“I talk about that a lot,” Drew said Tuesday. “But the truth is you have got to have guys on the team where that is already [embedded] in them.”
With the roster for 2011-12 lacking such players, the Hawks are looking to add some defensive toughness to a team flush with offensive talent. One intriguing defensive prospect at the team’s minicamp this week is free-agent guard David Lighty.
Lighty, 23, was a four-year starter at Ohio State, where he set a school record with 128 victories. Playing on Buckeyes teams that featured future lottery picks Greg Oden and Evan Turner and first-rounder Kosta Koufos, Lighty found his niche as a dogged defender.
“That is something where you help separate yourself from others,” Lighty said. “Everybody wants to see somebody score, but the little things are what win basketball games. I try to focus on that.”
Lighty’s assets as a defender include his size (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) and strength, though he’s not considered an exceptional athlete and also has a history of foot and knee injuries. Drew said the Hawks like Lighty’s track record as a defender at a winning NCAA program in addition to his approach to his toughness.
“Lighty is a gutsy defender,” Drew said. “That is what we are looking for as we move into next season. I want guys that can defend where it’s already instilled in him, it’s in their DNA. Lighty has been a tremendous defender throughout his career, and certainly he would be a plus to have on this team.”
Many observers expected Lighty to be selected in the draft last week. When he wasn’t among the 60 players picked, Lighty said he soon heard from a handful of teams, including the Cavaliers, Pistons, Suns, Spurs and Hornets.
Lighty said he decided to come to camp with the Hawks because they are a good fit. The Hawks also were attractive because they have up to eight open roster spots, and their pending free agents include guard Jamal Crawford and swingman Damien Wilkins.
Lighty said any disappointment about not getting drafted was mitigated by the interest several teams showed in working him out as a free agent.
“The people around me were sad and down about it,” Lighty said. “For me, I’m the type of person if I have a goal, I am going to reach it no matter what and I’m not going to stop until I do.
“I was a little down. I’m human. That was my dream and my goal to get drafted. And to hear my name called, that was the big thing. But I will play in the NBA one day.”
Lighty’s chance could come with the Hawks. He won’t be able to sign with them until after Thursday, but a pending lockout of players by owners figures to delay league business. It’s possible the Hawks will look to add Lighty once the labor situation is resolved.
Lighty is a strong prospect on a minicamp roster that is heavy on physical players.
“We’ve got some tough guys out here, some guys that really look to bang and mix it up,” Drew said. “As I told them before we started our first practice, we are looking for guys that have that blue-collar mentality and work hard every day. It’s not a matter of trying to get guys to work hard.”
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