Jared Cunningham went to the NBA Development League for five games to work on his point-guard skills. He’s back with the Hawks — but not before he had to endure another training camp.
The Hawks assigned Cunningham to the team’s affiliate, the Bakersfield (Calif.) Jam, on Nov. 12 after he was on the roster for the first six games of the season. When he got to California, the Jam were having two-a-days in preparation for their season.
“It was definitely a help to get my legs back under me and get back in the rhythm of basketball, going up and down the floor and competing,” Cunningham said. “That was the best part of it. And running the point guard and having the ball in your hands.
“I feel like I can play both positions now. I’m ready for whenever Coach calls me.”
In a corresponding move, the Hawks assigned guard John Jenkins to the D-League.
Cunningham started five games for the Jam and averaged 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 34.4 minutes. Cunningham appeared in one game, for four minutes, with the Hawks before his assignment.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Cunningham can play both guard positions, a plus now that rookie Dennis Schroder was assigned to the D-League on Wednesday.
“I think that Jared is unique in that I think he can play multiple positions,” Budenholzer said. “He’s probably played (point guard) less than the shooting guard, so if he can develop more point-guard skills and more comfort playing that position, that just makes him more valuable.”
Jenkins, last season’s first-round draft pick, has played sparingly this season and struggled with his shot. He has appeared in 10 games and averaged 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 13.5 minutes. He had a season-high 13 points in 33 minutes of a blowout loss to the Rockets last month.
The move will allow Jenkins, who had a two-game stint with the Jam last season, to get considerably more playing time.
“There are lots of different ways to grow and develop, and one of them is playing and getting game reps, playing lots of minutes and shooting a lot and doing things well,” Budenholzer said. “I bet he’ll make one or two mistakes and hopefully he’ll learn from those. It’s just really the opportunity to play.”
Budenholzer said there is no timetable for Jenkins or Schroder to return.
Korver streak: Kyle Korver said that opposing teams have made it increasingly difficult to shoot a 3-pointer during his NBA-record streak for consecutive games with a long-range basket.
His teammates noticed, too.
Opposing players have told Korver he would not continue the streak against them, Al Horford said.
“I’ve heard it,” Horford said Friday as Korver was going for his 90th consecutive game with a 3-pointer. “‘You’re not going to get a 3-point shot off tonight.’ I’ve definitely heard it. It gives credit to what he’s been able to do. That is an impressive streak.”
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