Spencer Hawes Hoopshype Interview

DoughDole

G-League
I don't think this has been posted yet. This is his post summer league debut interview by Hoopshype.

http://hoopshype.com/interviews/hawes_narducci.htm

Spencer Hawes: "Sacramento was probably the best situation for me"
by Marc Narducci / July 8, 2007

You had 19 points and seven rebounds in your summer league debut, a 73-47 win over the Chinese National team. What was it like for you?

Spencer Hawes: I was a little bit nervous going into it. But once you get in there and tip it off you realize you are playing basketball, it’s just at a higher level.

On the negative side, you had seven turnovers and seven personal fouls (10-foul limit), so do you have to take the good with the bad?

SH: I think I had a couple more turnovers than I liked and I have to attribute it to that. I have to slow down and not think so much. As for the fouls, it shows I have to adjust to the way they are calling the game. I will take all 10 of them.

In your debut you played against Yi Jianlian. What were your impressions on the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round choice?

SH: It was fun. I never went head to head against him. It was a good challenge. He’s extremely talented and a great player.

Your new coach Reggie Theus was watching the game. Did that make you nervous?

SH: A little bit. You want to leave a good first impression for him and get off on the right foot.

You went from finishing your college exams to going on pre-draft workouts to getting selected 10th overall by Sacramento. How has the adjustment been?

SH: It’s been tough but at the same time it prepares you well for what is to come. All the travel in the workouts, not sleeping at home, not getting that much rest, it prepares you for what life is going to be like on the road and in the league.

How excited are you to be a member of the Kings?

SH: I’m really excited. When I got drafted, I thought it was probably the best situation for me individually, especially in terms of developing and getting better and contributing. I think it’s a great fit and I can’t wait to continue playing.

As a bonus, you get to stay on the West coast. How do you feel about that?

SH: It’s nice to be a little bit closer to home. My mom and dad may be the most excited about that so it has its rewards definitely.

You had five individual pre-draft workouts for four teams. How tiring and stressful was it going through that?

SH: I don’t think it was all that stressful. When you're on the road that much and going from city to city and you really don’t know what you are going to do and how it’s going to go when you get there. I think that wears on you the most, just being on the road and not knowing what to expect as much as anything.

It seems that your versatility is your biggest selling point. Do you see it that way?

SH: I think my strength is my back-to-the-basket game and what I can do on the interior, but the way the game has changed you have to be athletic and have to be able to step out on the perimeter and I think that kind of versatility is something I’ve been working on and hopefully it will continue to pay off.

While you say you are enjoying being part of the Kings’ summer league team, how much are you looking forward to teaming up with the veterans in training camp?

SH: It will be great. I have a lot to learn from them and pick up anything I can from those veterans with all their experience.

Could your game be better suited for the NBA than it was in college?

SH: I don’t know about that that. The way teams can’t double as much will definitely benefit me. It will give me a little bit more space to operate to pass and score, that aspect of the game definitely will be beneficial.

Have you set any goals about playing time as a rookie?

SH: My goal is to help the team win. That is on coach how he wants me to contribute, but I will do whatever they ask.

How much did your one season of college basketball at the University of Washington help you?

SH: I think it was immeasurable how much it helped me on and off the court, getting bigger, getting stronger, refining parts of my game, being a year older, being able to grow up and being able to mature helped me out a lot.

Between now and training camp what is it you want to work on most?

SH: Hit the weights. That is the biggest thing. Get in the weight room and try to put on as much good weight as I can.

That was the end of the interview. Sounds to me like this kid has a good attitude and knows his weaknesses and is willing to improve. Good to know that he wants to be in SacTown too. Now if he could only get Brad Miller to join him in the weight room....
 
I never have bought into the Miller2 concept. If anything, I think there's more of a chance for Spencer to be more like a version of Vlade. And that would work for me!

Primarily, I think people have to try and classify new players in terms of those they've known and it's my belief it's patently unfair to the new ones, especially when those classifications are being made well before the new guy has even stepped onto the court at Arco in a Kings uniform for the first time.
 
A quicker, faster and more up-and-down version of Vlade. THe kid can run. Even in Vlade's first couple of years he never could run that well.

If SH can learn to rebound down low and block the lane .............. :eek:
 
I never have bought into the Miller2 concept. If anything, I think there's more of a chance for Spencer to be more like a version of Vlade. And that would work for me!

Primarily, I think people have to try and classify new players in terms of those they've known and it's my belief it's patently unfair to the new ones, especially when those classifications are being made well before the new guy has even stepped onto the court at Arco in a Kings uniform for the first time.

Course all the draft reports comparing Spencer to Miller didnt help either...



...I gotta admit though, after watching that summer league game I'm getting excited about the kid. He's got skills, so now it all depends on work ethic. If he hits the weights and works on rebounding he has future allstar written all over him!
 
I like the kid I think he's going to develop nicely, and be someone that can give us some minutes this next season and be productive.
 
Apparently athleticism means no ball handling, court awareness, or game instincts, but MAN CAN HE DUNK!*



(to be taken tongue-in-cheek, based on draft day talk)
 
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Apparently athleticism means no ball handling, court awareness, or game instincts, but MAN CAN HE DUNK!*



(to be taken tongue-in-cheek, based on draft day talk)


in a nutshell. all i wana know is if he's more mobile than brad miller.
 
Then again you could put a giant turtle in a Kings uniform and it would be more mobile then Brad Miller.
 
more mobile yes. What i noticed is he just seemed smart on the court. I know he had the turnovers but, that is not what I am talking about. I mean no being in the way or looking lost on the court. he always looked as if he knew exactly were he should be and what was going on. he definatley would benefit from somebody being able to give him an entry pass because the 2 pgs we have at camp suck in that aspect.
 
As I and others have said, Hawes' game is really nothing like Miller. I'd say best case scenario is closer to Rik Smits or something.
 
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