DeAndre Bembry Has Star Potential

How many stars have the Atlanta Hawks had throughout their franchise history? They always seem to have the cupboard stocked with good players, but who has this team suited up that was truly a star? Dominique Wilkins, you say? You’d be correct. Unfortunately though, he was before my time. While I’m well aware of his excellent career, I know him more for being Hawks ambassador and hall of fame announcer. Let’s take a shorter trip down memory lane.

The next star that could carry that title is most likely Joe Johnson. While he was unpopular with the fan base for his albatross of a contract that made him the league’s highest paid player at the time, he did consistently take care of business while in Atlanta.

As far as production goes, he took the team from absolute laughing stock to perennial playoff contenders. He also earned six all star selections (2007-2012) and was named to the All-NBA third team in 2010 while with the Hawks. Statistically over the course of his career he has averaged 16.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 4.2 APG. He seemed to be in peak form during the 2006-2007 campaign when he averaged 25 PPG which ranked ninth best league wide. If you can overlook the laid-back personality and carefree demeanor while he was doing it, then that is the resume of a star.

I’m here to tell you that DeAndre Bembry can become better than Joe Johnson. I also like the other first round selection Taurean Prince as well, but it’s rather obvious to me that Bembry has more upside and a higher ceiling. The similarities between Joe and DeAndre’s game are glaring; I’ve heard several people compare Taurean Prince directly to DeMarre Carroll. Well here we’ll look at Bembry and Johnson under a similar microscope.

For starters, they both are capable of playing both wing positions with Bembry the shorter of the two at 6″6″ and Johnson at 6″7″. While Joe was a well rounded player in his own right, DeAndre shows much more skill as a distributor and playmaker coming out of Saint Joseph’s. He also projects as a much better defender.

Joe has averaged just under a steal per game to this point. I imagine Bembry should be more productive than that using his 6″9″ wingspan to harass ball handlers and disrupt passing lanes as he competes tirelessly on that end. One area where he is really superior to Joe is the athleticism department. If you are able to watch him compete this summer in Vegas you will see he runs the floor well and plays high above the rim. I remember far too often being frustrated with Joe for laying the ball over the front of the rim even out in front on a fast break. Bembry doesn’t have that problem.

Bembry also has the ability to create his own shot with a variety of step backs, hesitations and crossovers. Although Joe was a much better jump shooter early on than Bembry is, it’s very common for NBA player’s to improve that part of their game over time (think, Jason Kidd).

There are also some intangible characteristics that for some reason all-stars seem to have that I’ve noticed. He is a fierce competitor, relentlessly hard worker and has a high basketball IQ. Many scouts have said that he practices harder than any player in the draft. Perhaps DeAndre can explain to you how he approaches the game better than a spectator like me:

"“It helps the team all around if you can do different things. It helps to do more things opposed to just being a shooter or just being a slasher or just being an offensive rebounder. So I think I can do different things depending on how the game is going and what I need to do on the teams that I’m on. My versatility always can help someone,” said Bembry."

The swingman, who may be best as more of a combo guard, relies on his understanding of pace and overall smoothness to succeed, with the ball or at the podium.

Of course, there is a chance that I’m reaching a bit too far with my projection on Bembry so proceed with caution. To see this become reality will definitely take patience. All things considered it will be interesting to watch him develop and improve his game. Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Mike Budenholzer worked as an Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs for the entirety of 17 seasons. He watched the genius of General Manager R.C. Buford and head coach Gregg Poppovich very closely when they discovered many of their diamonds while mining for coal. Players like Kawhi Leonard (15th), Tony Parker (28th) and Manu Ginobili (57th) were all found much later than they should have. At 21st, Bembry would strengthen Mr. Wes Wilcox and Coach Bud’s questionable draft history if he lives up to my lofty expectations.