Opportunity has knocked only a few times for John Jenkins this season.
Still, when called upon the Hawks shooting guard has answered. He is yet another example of the depth of this Hawks team.
The latest evidence of the team’s strength in numbers came Saturday night in Miami. Starters Jeff Teague (left hamstring), DeMarre Carroll (left shoulder) and Al Horford (personal) and reserves Pero Antic (knee) and Thabo Sefolosha (right calf) did not play and still the Hawks defeated the Heat, 93-91. The Hawks won January road games at the 76ers and the Celtics while resting three and two starters respectively.
Several of the Hawks reserves were praised for their efforts against the Heat. Jenkins received the highest of accolades from Kyle Korver.
“John Jenkins is the most professional third-year player I have ever been around in my entire career,” said Korver, who is in his 12th NBA season. “The way he approaches every single day - his habits, his work ethic, dedication - even though he hasn’t gotten the opportunity that he has been hoping for. He has been unbelievable to me in just how positive he has stayed and how he has kept on working. He gets an opportunity like tonight and he hits shots and he also gets seven rebounds. It just says so much about him as a person and as a basketball player.”
Jenkins played 22 minutes and finished with 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. He added seven rebounds and a steal. Jenkins said the offensive numbers were good but that he knew coach Mike Budenholzer was as pleased with his defense.
“You have to step up,” Jenkins said of the opportunity to play Saturday. “At least for me, that’s what I think, when I go in there I have to play as hard as I can and try to imitate what the starters do. We watch a lot of games. We know what to do. We just have to go out there and do it.”
It’s been a rough season for Jenkins. After missing much of last season with back trouble that eventually required surgery, he has appeared in just 12 games this season. He has averaged 3.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in nine minutes.
Especially tough for the 2012 first-round pick came early this season when the Hawks declined to pick up his team option for next season. Jenkins will become a free agent. He was the subject of possible deals at the trade deadline.
“I tell John all the time, I was in his position,” said Carroll, who became a full-time starter when he joined the Hawks. “I was on the bench like he was. I didn’t get my option picked up. I just kept working and my opportunity came in Utah. He made the best of his opportunity (tonight). I tell him you aren’t just playing for the Atlanta Hawks, you are playing for 29 other teams.”
Jenkins is stuck behind Korver at the shooting guard position. Minutes are hard to come by on a team steamrolling the Eastern Conference. The Hawks (47-12) led the East by 10 games over the Bulls and Raptors entering Sunday’s NBA schedule.
Elton Brand is a veteran who has also played sparingly during this run of success. He appeared in just his 19th game Saturday and made his first start. He has guided younger players, such as Jenkins, in preparation for when their number is called.
“He is such a good player,” Brand said of Jenkins. “He has a good career ahead of him. He just has Kyle Korver in front of him. Like tonight, he got his chance to shine and he stepped up in a big way. That’s what we talk about, just stay ready.
“It’s tough being a young player on a veteran team that is winning. He could complain but he doesn’t. He just plays his role. That’s what we love about him.”
The 12 points for Jenkins tied his season high, set in a blowout loss to the Cavaliers in November. The three 3-pointers were two more than his previous season-high.
“I’ve been through a lot with my back and that helped me out a lot mentally, more than anything,” Jenkins said. “I just watch Kyle and Al and all the other vets. As far as preparing, I do as much as I can on a daily basis to make sure I’m ready for times like these.”
