John Jenkins’ back got its first real test in eight months.
The Hawks guard, limited to 13 games last season with a back injury that required season-ending surgery, returned to the court in the Las Vegas Summer League on Saturday. He admittedly was rusty as he scored two points in the Hawks’ 90-74 loss to the Wizards.
The tournament also gives the Hawks:
- A chance to see the offseason development of last year's draft picks Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala.
- A look at the professional debuts of this year's selections Adreian Payne, Edy Tavares and Lamar Patterson.
- An opportunity to see whether players such as Eric Dawson and Abraham Millsap will earn training-camp invites.
Here is a look at three storylines to watch at the event with the start of training camp 11 weeks away.
Jenkins’ back
The third-year guard will have a lot to prove this season. He needs to be healthy. He will start from scratch to earn his way into coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotation. He needs to get the confidence back in his jump shot.
Jenkins played 21 minutes Saturday after being cleared for full contact a week ago. He was on a time restriction of five minutes per quarter.
“It needs to be better,” Jenkins said of his back. “It’s going to get better. Getting in rhythm is important.”
Jenkins, entering his third season, chose to play this summer after the disappointment of last season.
Early look at Payne
The Hawks used the 15th overall pick to draft Payne last month. They passed on several small forwards — a need of the franchise at the time — in favor of the power forward with outside shooting range. Payne led the Hawks with 12 points against the Wizards. He was 5-of-15 from the field and missed all four 3-point attempts. He added seven rebounds.
“I’ve got to continue to slow myself down,” Payne said. “The game is faster. The guys are better, more athletic, bigger. I’ve got to slow myself down.”
Hawks assistant Darvin Ham, who is coaching the summer-league team, noted that Payne committed six personal fouls.
“The fouls were a little high,” Ham said. “Actually, I like that. It’s easier to tell a player to slow down as opposed to pick it up.”
Tavares project
The Hawks drafted Tavares in the second round and were surprised the 7-foot-3 center, with the huge wing span and hands, was available. Tavaras has been playing basketball for only four years since being discovered in Cape Verde. He could play at least another season overseas. Tavares is the reason the Hawks traded last year’s first-round pick Lucas Nogueira to the Raptors.
Tavares finished with six points, two rebounds and four fouls. The Hawks struggled to start the game and had just one field goal through the first six minutes until Tavares entered and scored two baskets.
“We have to get him raising his hands more, getting both hands up, and being a little more vertical as opposed to creating an umbrella with his arms,” Ham said.
