The Atlanta Hawks opened training camp on Tuesday following media day on Monday. After getting our first glimpse of several players in their uniform for the first time, we got to see them take the floor together in clips from the first practices. It has been a very encouraging sign as they gear up for a new season.
We got some insight from Head Coach Nate McMillan on what and how much to expect from the team, as well as personal goals set by the players.
One of the prevailing themes was the Hawks once again boasting impressive depth. McMillan acknowledged divvying minutes is somewhat of a challenge because they’re three deep at every position. And one player is in the best position to take advantage of that.
Atlanta Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper has the best set of mentors in the NBA
Rookie point guard Sharife Cooper saw himself slide on draft night. Despite being touted as at least a late first-round prospect, the dynamic guard out of Auburn lasted deep into the second round until the Hawks snagged him with the 48th-overall selection.
From that point on, we’ve heard about how much of a steal he (as well as 20th-overall selection Jalen Johnson) was. And in Summer League he showed his potential.
But this time during training camp and the preseason is one of the most important times in his early development. Cooper, who is on a two-way contract, Will get plenty of playing time this season despite the Hawks depth.
That’s because he’ll be in the G-League with the College Park Skyhawks.
As a two-way player, Cooper will only get to spend a maximum of 45 days with the big squad this season. That is, of course, unless they convert his contract into a guaranteed one. This is extra time to be around what might be the best group of guards for Cooper to learn from.
Sure, he will be able to practice with the team. But to get the kind of real-time help like he will during this time and those games he’s called up (which may be after Skyler Mays is brought up) is invaluable.
Not too many teams are boasting potential scoring-champs and MVP hopefuls like Trae Young as well as a three-time Sixth-Man of the Year winner like Lou Williams, and a defensive-minded vet like Delon Wright; whom teammates and coaches raved about on Monday. All of those guards, by the way, are capable of thriving on or off of the ball.
That is something he might have to do more of if and when he’s up this season.
Williams and Young, though, are still the crown jewel of tutelage for a guard like Cooper. Aside from being built very similar, the former two represent the extremes of Cooper’s ceiling in the NBA.
He’s already shown in the summer that he knows how to score even if his jump shot is shaky. And his natural ability to set up teammates shined often, including lobs to Johnson.
Which of those two he develops most will determine if he’s “another” Young (someone who can score but thrives as a table-setter) or a Williams (primarily a scorer who can also set up his teammates).
Both are valuable in the NBA and very much in the range of outcomes for Cooper. Time will tell which path he chooses. He might surprise and become a monster defending passing lanes. One thing that is for sure is he has a great group to learn from.