Earlier this week, Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk updated Mike Conti of Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (Twitter link) on the health and availability status of a handful of Atlanta players. Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo and center Onyeka Okongwu could be available later this week. Sharpshooting forward Danilo Gallinari, a pricey offseason acquisition, will not be traveling with the club on the road this week but is nearing his own return.
Hawks shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, however, will miss “several weeks” as he continues to rehabilitate from the avulsion fracture in his right knee. JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors tweets that later examinations did not reveal further ligament damage.
Meanwhile, after requiring a walking boot following a December 29 right ankle surgery, Hawks reserve guard Kris Dunn had the boot removed today, Sarah K. Spence of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Twitter link). He’ll be reevaluated in two weeks.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- With the Heat lineup limited by coronavirus health and safety protocols and injuries, sharpshooting guard Gabe Vincent showcased his ability to perform at the NBA level, scoring a career-best 24 points in a 137-134 Tuesday overtime defeat to the Sixers. Vincent, signed to a two-way contract this season, could warrant a look even when all of Miami’s players return, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. “He is a very good basketball player,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That extends far beyond spot-up shooting … Can guard multiple positions, competes, good team defender. Rebounds at his position. Offensively, you can play him like we did last night as our point guard.”
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer posits that shooting guard Malik Monk might be just what the doctor ordered as the Hornets struggle on offense. Monk not been a part of the Charlotte rotation yet this season. The 22-year-old has appeared in just two games for Charlotte this season, averaging 5.5 MPG. Across his four-year career, he is averaging 8.5 PPG, 1.9 APG and 1.7 APG.
- In a roundtable of NBA writers for The Athletic, Chris Kirschner opines that Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce will be on the figurative “hot seat” this season. After a blistering 4-1 start, the Hawks went 1-4 in their subsequent five games. Several of those defeats came at the hands of the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Hornets, hardly Eastern Conference powerhouses. The Hawks are currently hanging onto the No. 8 seed in the East, having lavished significant offseason money on veteran depth.
Monk to the nets would be good, then a couple of 4/5s
Hawks are .500 and he’s on the hot seat ? They had injuries and we’re 10gms in. They need to relax. Hawks wii settle in. Most teams have been up and down. Realistically what can you expect from Hawks. 8-6 right. They are still right there. Hawks have to get healthy and not panic and rush players back.
I read the article. He was saying he’s on the hot seat mainly because it’s the last year of his contract. Plus he said the Hawks would make the playoffs without anyone knowing he was gonna say that. Who really knows tho?
Monk is trash
Sir have you seen monk play, you should, he is a good player, why don’t you like him?
Hi there Gary, monk was very good today, sorry about that coach
Rick Bonnell is just being told what to say cause thinking Malik Monk is exactly what the doctor ordered is very dumb. Hes 4 years into his career and always struggled, he’s been a huge flop and the last thing the Hornets need is another guard.
Exactly what the doctor order would be a good centre because Zeller is out and average at best and Biyambo is an average reserve at best. What the doctor ordered would be Evan Mobley in the 2021 draft
Not sure if you’ve seen him from the 3 point line chap, very positive guy
Evan mobley would be great mate but where miles away from the draft matey
Yeah exactly, but Malik Monk is never the answer. Unless the question is who is the latest draft flop from the hornets
They really haven’t played Monk consistently. He’s only 22 and was never considered next great guard. Undersized SG really. Was considered offense off the bench or a combo guard. Still got time to show. I agree he’s underperformed. But Hornets have to share blame there too.
The talk of Atlanta and coach Pierce being on the hot seat is interesting. The article seems to imply that since they spent in free agents, they should be doing better. The trouble with that reasoning is all four of their signings are currently hurt and their #1 pick hasn’t played yet. Their may be other reasons but it certainly isn’t because of their signings.
How about the virus that has taken over the NBA, not COVID. When a star player becomes upset at the coach, it is only a matter of time before their gone. The Harden saga demonstrates how the star players run things. Some of the reports out of Houston are not very flattering. But of course the Nets are more than willing to put up with the likes of Harden and Irving. Last year they rid the team of Kenny Atkinson, who had fallen out of favor with Durant and Irving. Steve Nash, I don’t care how great you WERE, you better cater to your three co-coaches or your former greatness won’t save you from their wrath. .
The opinion cited is that he will be on the hot seat this season, not after 10 games. Not a surprise to me. Look at the timeline: Owner presses GM about why team is still so feeble after all his “great” draft picks. GM says it’s due to lack of vets. Owner authorizes FA spending spree on vets. GM spends on vets completes roster which is now of all “his” players (save Collins, who he inherited on RSC, but will also need to be paid this off season). In the NBA, if the team looks the same (no defense, too much TY) this year, the GM’s only remaining move is to blame the HC.