Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said to expect “a little bit of everything” when his team opens the exhibition season Monday.
The Hawks host the New Orleans Pelicans in the first of seven exhibition games of the 2014-15 season. Al Horford (pectoral muscle), Kent Bazemore (foot) and Pero Antic (broken nose) have been ruled out. DeMarre Carroll (ankle) is questionable after being injured in practice Saturday. The Hawks also have only 17 players in training camp, down from 20 last season when Budenholzer sat several players each game to better evaluate those on the court.
Exhibition games, as oppose to practices, are a better chance to evaluate where the Hawks are in fully grasping the offensive and defensive principles. It will also be an opportunity to see free-agent signee Thabo Sefolosha and rookie first-round draft pick Adreian Payne.
“In a preseason game you get to observe (players) and you are only focused on us on offense and us on defense,” Budenholzer said. “In practice, you are focusing on all the teaching and the details and watching 10 different guys. Sometimes practice isn’t the best time to evaluate players. You are more focused on the group and how they are doing. Preseason games, because you have a half the guys and you are not worried about what the Pelicans are doing, it makes it a little easier to evaluate players and make sure they are following through on what we are working on.”
Payne will be making his professional debut after the Hawks took the versatile big man with the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft. The forward has had to quickly learn a new offense and defense than he played in for four years at Michigan State. The rookie admitted it has been difficult adapting to a new system but has leaned heavily on the veterans to point in the right direction.
“It’s a short turn so I’m trying to learn as much as I can in a short period of time so I can be able to perform and have chemistry with this team,” Payne said. “I just want to come out and perform the best I can and play as hard as I can. That’s all I can do. I just want to come out and have a good impact on this team and this organization. I’m going to come out and do the best that I can and let the chips fall where they fall.”
While the Hawks’ roster is all but set – camp invitees Dexter Pittman and Jarell Eddie are long shots to make the team – there are decisions to be made during the preseason.
The wing rotation will be something Budenholzer and his staff will look at – particularly Sefolosha and Bazemore when he’s cleared to play. The point guard depth chart behind Jeff Teague is a battle between Shelvin Mack and Dennis Schroder. With seven big men on the roster, the front court rotation is a work in progress. With Horford and Antic out, Mike Muscala figures to get an extended look in his second season.
With added roster depth following the offseason acquisitions, the Hawks could play with a 10-man rotation during the regular season.
“We just want to continue to carry over what we’ve been working on,” Budenholzer said. “There is still a lot to prepare and get ready and ultimately we want to be ready for the start of the season and not the first preseason game.”
Notes: The Hawks did not practice Sunday. An update on Carroll will be available following Monday's shootaround in advance of the game against the Pelicans. Kyle Korver also missed Saturday's practice for personal reasons as he and his wife are expecting their second child. His availability will be updated Monday.
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