The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bembry gets shots in youth movement
Second-year guard improving skills in Summer League.
The world is LAS VEGAS — changing for DeAndre Bembry.
The Hawks are going through major changes and such a young player could be a factor as part of a core group moving forward. Bembry, a first-round pick last year, is one of a dwindling number of players remaining from the end of last season.
The Hawks added three draft picks this year to go with a core of Kent Bazemore, Dennis Schroder and Taurean Prince, another firstround pick from last season.
“So many things are happening with young guys coming in and older guys leav
ing,” Bembry said. “I would love for the older guys to stay, but I would also love to be out there. That’s where the team is headed with a number of younger guys.”
Bembry is part of the Hawks’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League. He
scored a game-high 22 points in Friday’s 75-72 loss to the Nets in the opener. Bembry was 10 of 18 from the field with four rebounds, two assists and was a plus20 in 28 minutes. Bembry
did have seven turnovers — either as a point guard or secondary ballhandler.
“I feel very comfortable with the ball in DeAndre’s
hands,” said Hawks assistant Charles Lee, who is serving as summer league coach. “He did a great job of making decisions. He plays with such a great pace off the pick-androll. He’s like a quarterback. He sees his check downs, he looks for the pocket pass. If it’s not there all of a sudden he’s getting to a floater or a pass to the high quadrant. He did a great job of evolving his game and getting more comfortable in pick-and-roll situations. He made great decisions, too.”
Bembry, 22, played sparingly as a rookie last season. He appeared in 38 games and averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes. He did several stints in the NBA G League, where he averaged 16.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. Bembry spoke of his ability to handle the ball last year, but that opportunity never came. It may this season, especially if he can be a consistent shooter.
“Just being in the NBA for a full year, you learn so much,” Bembry said. “We had so many vets on the team last year, and I got bits and pieces from each person. Then just learning from Taurean, who was starting throughout the playoffs, I got to see a rookie go out and do things that we knew we could do. I’m just coming out here this year trying to slow it down, be more patient, make the right plays and take the right shots.”