Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Dwight Howard was pulled over, had car towed after Hawks elimination

Hawks center Dwight Howard obviously had an annoying evening the night his team was eliminated from the 2017 NBA Playoffs, but what happened afterwards was even more of a struggle. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

Dwight Howard pulled over, had car towed after Hawks elimination

After the Washington Wizards ended the Atlanta Hawks’ season on April 28 – beating them 115-99 in Game 6 of the playoffs – highly paid Hawks’ center Dwight Howard went for a drive.

Just a few hours after that loss, Howard was pulled over by police in Dunwoody. A few minutes later, an officer had the eight-time NBA All-Star’s car towed.

A police report states that Howard, 31, was pulled over for speeding in the wee hours of the morning on April 29. Police found that he was driving on a suspended registration and without insurance.

Malik Rose name GM of Erie BayHawks

Malik Rose name GM of Erie BayHawks

The Atlanta Hawks have announced the promotion of Malik Rose to General Manager of the Erie BayHawks, Atlanta’s NBA Development League affiliate beginning next season. In addition to his general manager responsibilities, he will maintain his current role within the Hawks basketball operations team.

“We are pleased to announce Malik as the first general manager of our development league franchise. We have been consistent in expressing our belief in the importance of the NBA Development League as we have benefitted greatly from its player and staff development,” President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Malik will do an excellent job setting the foundation of our basketball operations culture and system in Erie.”

The Hawks and the D-League had previously announced that Atlanta’s new team will play in Erie the next two seasons before permanently relocating to a newly-constructed arena in College Park, GA prior to the 2019-20 season.

“Malik continues to play an invaluable role in our front office and the added responsibility of managing the day-to-day operations of our D-League expansion is a natural progression for both Malik and the Hawks,” Hawks General Manager Wes Wilcox said. “We look forward to a successful 2017-18 season in the NBA Gatorade League and to our upcoming relocation to College Park in 2019.”

Eight current Hawks have NBA D-League experience, including starters Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schröder, while assistant coaches Darvin Ham and Taylor Jenkins both began their coaching careers on NBA D-League benches. Additionally, Hawks GM Wes Wilcox served as the inaugural general manager of the NBA D-League’s Canton Charge while Hawks’ Director of Player Personnel John Treloar served as the first head coach in franchise history for the Erie BayHawks.

“I’m thankful to Tony Ressler, our ownership team, Coach Bud and Wes for trusting me with this great opportunity. We have utilized the Development League extensively over the past two seasons, and in that time, we have seen the incredible value in the D-League,” Rose said. “I look forward to helping to establish our D-League operation and cannot wait to get started.”

A 13-year NBA veteran as a player, Rose appeared in 813 regular season games with the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.5 minutes. Rose was drafted by Charlotte in the second round (44th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft. He also appeared in 82 playoff games. Rose won NBA championships with the Spurs in 1999 and 2003.

After retiring from playing in the NBA, Rose worked as a color commentator, including for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. He also worked in broadcasting for the Thunder, Spurs, Knicks, Austin of the NBA D-League, NBA TV and NBA Radio from 2005-10.

A Philadelphia, PA native, Rose played collegiately at Drexel University from 1992-96, where he earned degrees in Computer Information Systems and Education with a Mathematics Certification. He also has a Master’s in Sports Management.

Paul Millsap injury update

After visiting Dr. James Andrews of the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Pensacola, Florida and conferring with Dr. Kyle Hammond and Dr. Kenneth Mautner of the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap has been diagnosed with left knee synovitis and has undergone a non-surgical procedure at Emory. He will be listed as out for the next three games and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer suspended

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has been suspended one game without pay for making contact with a game official, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. Coach Budenholzer also made contact with a game official last season on November 21, 2015 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The most recent incident occurred with 2:42 remaining in the third quarter of the Hawks’ 135-130 loss to the Cavaliers on March 3 at Philips Arena.

Budenholzer will serve his suspension on Sunday, March 5 when the Hawks host the Indiana Pacers.

Hawks add Jose Calderon via waiver wire

The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club has claimed guard Jose Calderon off of waivers, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

“We feel fortunate to be able to add a player of Jose’s caliber at this point in the season,” Budenholzer said. “His unselfish nature and ability to shoot with range fits our style of play and his experience will add to our locker room.”

In his 12th season, Calderon has appeared in 772 career regular season games (557 starts), averaging 9.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists (.473 FG%, .411 3FG%, .875 FT%). He’s also played in 18 postseason contests.

As a member of the Spanish national team, he’s won the FIBA World Cup (2006), two Olympic silver medals (2008, 2012) and a bronze medal (2016).

Calderon will wear uniform No. 13.

Mike Dunleavy out with ankle injury

Mike Dunleavy out with ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Mike Dunleavy has been diagnosed with right ankle synovitis.

An MRI taken at the Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center on Feb. 28th revealed the injury and a second opinion by Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute also confirmed the diagnosis.

Dunleavy will now undergo a period of rest, treatment and rehabilitation and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Hawks suspend Dennis Schroder for one game

Hawks suspend Dennis Schroder for one game

Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schröder has been suspended by the organization for one game without pay for failure to report to the team on time after the all-star break. He will serve his one-game suspension tonight when the Hawks host the Miami Heat.

“Dennis has played an important role for our team and been a significant contributor to our success this season,” President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We are disappointed that he did not return to the team on time and we have discussed this with him. We look forward to him rejoining the team in Orlando tomorrow night.”

Hawks sign Ryan Kelly and Lamar Patterson to multi-year contracts

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Ryan Kelly and guard/forward Lamar Patterson to multi-year contracts, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Kelly played in nine games earlier this season with the Hawks after signing on Oct. 31, 2016.

Patterson was signed to consecutive 10-day contracts on Jan. 29, 2017 and Feb. 8. He has appeared in four games with the Hawks this season.

Hawks trade Mike Scott to Suns

Hawks trade Mike Scott to Suns

The Atlanta Hawks today acquired the Phoenix Suns’ top-55 protected 2017 second-round pick, in exchange for Mike Scott, the draft rights to Cenk Akyol and cash considerations going to Phoenix, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

“On behalf of the Atlanta Hawks, I want to thank Mike for his contributions over the last five years,” Budenholzer said. “He will be missed by his teammates, coaches and the entire Hawks organization. We wish him the best in the future.”

Scott is in his fifth NBA season, holding career averages of 7.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in 281 games, all with Atlanta. The 6-8 forward has averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 18 games with the Hawks this season, scoring a season-high 11 points on Jan. 27 vs. Washington. Originally the 43rd overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft out of the University of Virginia, Scott averaged career-highs of 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 80 games for Atlanta in 2013-14.

Akyol was selected by the Hawks with 59th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. The 6-6 guard from Turkey currently plays for Acibadem Universitesi Istanbul of the Turkish Basketball First League and has appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 20.7 minutes.