Big Jimmy Butler game wasted in loss to Hawks

Here’s the Bulls.com blog with a look at Wednesday’s Bulls-Hawks game:

jimmy butler

Welcoming back to your box of chocolates Chicago Bulls. That’s right, you just never know what you are going to get.

Sure, you’ll generally get good performances from Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, Butler with 39 points Wednesday and Wade 25 in the Bulls 115-107 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

But a Bulls team that was leading the league in number of rebounds and rebounding margin was outrebounded 49-30, outscored 20-9 on second chance points. A Bulls team that was 25th in the league in steals plundered Atlanta for 15 steals, six by Butler and five by Wade. A Bulls team second poorest in the NBA in forcing turnovers harassed Atlanta into 24 turnovers for a whopping 38 points. But a Bulls team allowing opponents some of the best shooting games of the season also couldn’t stop the Hawks, Atlanta with an early 17-point lead, 50.6 percent overall shooting and pulling away down the stretch after the Bulls got within 103-101 with 4:55 remaining in the game.

Hawks sign Ryan Kelly

Hawks sign Ryan Kelly

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Ryan Kelly, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. He is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game vs. Sacramento.

Kelly, who spent training camp with the Hawks, appeared in six preseason contests.

The 6’10 Kelly spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Lakers after being selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.5 minutes in 147 games (59 starts). A four-year letterman at Duke, Kelly was a member of the Blue Devils’ 2010 NCAA Champion team.

He will wear uniform no. 30.

Hawks waive Jarrett Jack

Hawks waive Jarrett Jack

The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Jarrett Jack, it was announced today by General Manager Wes Wilcox.

The team roster stands at 17.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “The release of the veteran point guard, who has been unable to practice as he returns from torn right knee ligaments, reduced the training-camp roster to 17 players.”

More from the Journal Constitution: “Jack agreed to a one-year, veteran-minimum contract worth $980,431 this summer after the Nets waived the 6-foot-3 guard and his $6.3 million contract in June making him an unrestricted free agent. His guaranteed salary will count against the Hawks’ cap.”

Tiago Splitter out with hamstring injury

Tiago Splitter out with hamstring injury

Hawks center Tiago Splitter has been diagnosed with a grade 2 hamstring strain, which he sustained in a recent practice. An MRI taken yesterday at the Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center revealed the injury.

Splitter will be out at least four weeks, which means he’ll miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season.

The Hawks will likely start Paul Millsap at power foward and new addition Dwight Howard at center. Splitter will likely come off the bench once he’s healthy.

Hawks sign Josh Magette

The Hawks have signed guard Josh Magette (Mah-jet). It’s probably a non-guaranteed contract.

Magette played in 45 games (all starts) in 2015-16 with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, averaging 11.5 points, 9.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 38.0 minutes, leading the D-League in assists per game and steals per game.

He’s also played for Koroivos (Greece) and Landstede (Netherlands).

He will wear uniform No. 7.

A native of Hoover, Alabama (Spain Park HS), Magette played four years at Alabama-Huntsville, where he was Gulf South Conference co-Player of the Year as a senior in 2012.

The team’s roster stands at 20.

Paul Millsap out with knee injury

Hawks forward Paul Millsap recently underwent a preventative procedure to reduce mild swelling in his right knee.

“After reviewing the options with Paul to treat his knee and provide him the best long-term care, we agreed, largely due to the time of year, that this was the best method and time to ensure his complete readiness for the start of the regular season,” President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said.

In an effort to maximize the benefit of the procedure, Millsap will progress through phases of rest and recovery before returning to full basketball activities over the next three weeks.

He will miss the first two preseason games and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Hawks sign Will Bynum, Ryan Kelly and Richard Solomon

The Hawks have signed free agents Will Bynum, Ryan Kelly and Richard Solomon, it was announced today by General Manager Wes Wilcox. The training camp roster now stands at 20 players.

Bynum, a Georgia Tech alum and eight-year NBA veteran, has played in 360 career games (29 starting assignments) with Golden State (2005-06), Detroit (2008-14) and Washington (2014-15). The 6’0 guard owns career averages of 8.1 points, 3.3 assist and 1.6 rebounds in 18.4 minutes (.442 FG%, .799 FT%). Bynum has also played professionally in Israel (2006-08) and China (2014-16), and was named the NBA Development League Rookie of the Year with the Roanoke Dazzle in 2005-06. He played his final two collegiate seasons at Georgia Tech, where he joined current Hawks teammate Jarrett Jack in helping the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 Final Four.

The 6’10 Kelly has spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Lakers after being selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.5 minutes in 147 games (59 starts). He has also seen action in the NBA Development League with the L.A. D-Fenders. A four-year letterman at Duke, Kelly was a member of the Blue Devils’ 2010 NCAA Champion team.

Solomon played last season in Japan after spending 2014-15 in the NBA D-League with the Oklahoma City Blue. In 28 games (one start) with the Blue, he tallied 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 17.9 minutes (.618 FG%). The 6’11 Solomon had a four-year collegiate career at California, seeing action in 109 games and averaging 8.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.5 minutes (.512 FG%).

Bynum will wear uniform no. 6, Kelly no. 30 and Solomon no. 7.

Dwight Howard reportedly hospitalized, should be fine

It’s always scary when a health issue causes a hospital visit, but it sounds like Dwight Howard should be absolutely fine. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

Dwight Howard reportedly hospitalized, should be fine

Dwight Howard was taken to a hospital late Sunday night after feeling ill on a plane flight to Atlanta, according to several people familiar with the situation. It is believed that the Hawks center suffered from dehydration. He is being treated and is expected to be released from the hospital early Monday morning.

Howard, 30, has recently been in China on a 10-day promotional tour with shoe manufacturer Peak. Last week, the Chinese company and Howard unveiled his DH2 shoe which features the colors of the Hawks. It also has ‘Be Gr8’ embroidered on the tongue. Howard changed his number to eight after signing with the Hawks this summer and has worn the slogan on apparel.