Welcome to Atlanta -- AJ Griffin

[tbhawksfan1]

I'm very excited about the young Hawks. Already had OO. Now add in AJ, JJ and very unexpectedly the new JC. WOW. Nate needs to keep these guys on the floor even when Trae, JC and DH come back

[Jamaaliver]

What are your thoughts on the high volume of shots AJ is taking in the midrange?

Should he continue taking these shots until he isn't successful?
Or do we hope the next coaching staff will remove these types of shots from his repertoire?

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[Jamaaliver]

Stuff of legends.

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[Jamaaliver]

Hawks' Nate McMillan reveals on-court goals for AJ Griffin



Atlanta Hawks rookie AJ Griffin has played well in spurts this season, and the 16th pick looks to build upon those performances.

He entered the season with an uncertain role as a first-year player. The team is built to win now and has often prioritized playing time for its veterans. Griffin played sparingly to begin the year, but eventually moved into the rotation with the Hawks down a few players. He had a breakout performance on Nov. 7, setting a career high with 24 points, four rebounds and three steals in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan explained his role at this stage of the season:

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    All we’re asking of him is to come out and play hard. He is going to make some mistakes. We’re looking for him on the perimeter and will continue to do that. He is learning defensive coverages. Playing at the two, the three position, there is a difference in the players you’re guarding.

    You’re guarding a lot more pick and rolls at that two position and then you’re guarding guys that are coming off of pin downs at that three position. All of this is new to him and we just want him to keep working and getting that experience out there on the floor and knocking down shots.

Griffin had his best stretch of the season in late November.

He finished in double figures in four straight games, scoring at least 11 points in each contest. He even earned his first career start on Nov. 21 in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He recorded 17 points, three steals, two rebounds and one assist. That four-game stretch also produced perhaps the best moment of the season for Griffin: A buzzer-beating game-winner against his father, Adrian, who is an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors.

Entering the rotation has greatly helped Griffin with the transition to the NBA. It has enabled him to adjust to coverages and the speed of the game much quicker, something that will only help him in the latter stages of the season.

USA Today SportsWire

[JMAC3]

What position is he playing?

[jayu70]

What position is he playing?

Both SG and SF.

[JMAC3]

What position is he playing?

Both SG and SF.

Seems like a decent 3D prospect if he finds his shooting touch again. Just a shame he basically gives nothing in FTA, Reb, Assists, and Blocks.

[Jamaaliver]

More praise for the teenage phenom.

NBA Rookies Who Already Look Like Draft Day Steals

AJ Griffin, Atlanta Hawks



Picked 16th out of Duke, AJ Griffin already has a pair of game-winners on his NBA résumé. Even without them, he'd rate as one of the best draft values so far.

Like Jalen Williams, who came off the board four picks ahead of him, Griffin boasts a coveted "big wing" frame that he understands how to use. Though mostly known as an ace three-point shooter in college, the 6'6" forward is comfortable throwing his body into defenders and finishing with force.

Spoiler:

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Griffin doesn't do much work near the bucket, as less than 10 percent of his attempts have come within three feet. But as he develops his off-the-dribble game and increases his close-range attempts, he'll be a problem for defenses. Even at low volume, he's been unbothered by physicality, ranking in the 93rd percentile among wings as a finisher when fouled.

Though partly because of injuries, Griffin has started every game he's played for the Atlanta Hawks in December, and he's averaging a solid 14.0 points per contest this month.

That level of production should be viewed as a floor, as Griffin still hasn't come anywhere close to replicating the marksmanship he showed in college. At 33.3 percent from deep, he's a long way from the 44.7 percent he drained at Duke.

It's true that Griffin's form is funky, notable for his unusually wide-set feet. But the results were so good in college that it's hard to believe he won't heat up soon. His touch on floaters, comfort on mid-rangers and craft around the bucket just scream "born scorer."

Plus, the 19-year-old Griffin is the third-youngest player in the NBA. He's got plenty of time to find his stroke.

When he does, he'll settle in as a high-end starter for at least a decade—exceptional value for a player taken outside the lottery.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Grading NBA Top Rookies

AJ Griffin

Grade: A-

Griffin is a 19-year-old rookie who needed a few weeks to lock down a regular rotation role. Catch him in action, though, and you'll swear you're watching a seasoned vet who stays in his lane on offense and usually holds his own defensively.

His three-point shooting helped punch his NBA ticket, and while he hasn't wowed with his outside shot, he's gotten the job done from distance (47 threes in 27 games, 36.7 percent splash rate). He has also shown some off-the-dribble utility, shooting a very respectable 48.1 percent when dribbling at least twice before launching.

Sprinkle in two of Atlanta's most clutch buckets this season and hints of being able to handle even more (18.6 points on 55.6 percent shooting when logging 30-plus minutes), and it's hard to imagine the Hawks front office feels anything but thrilled about the freshman's progression.

Bleacher Report

[atlantabbq99]

So far, here are the rankings of the 2022 prospect based on advanced stats...

1. Walker Kessler
2. Jalen Duren
3. Paolo Banchero
4. Tari Eason
5. AJ Griffin

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2022.html

Everybody knows i wanted Walker Kessler but i'm surprised AJ has been doing this great this early. AJ has looked like a top 5 pick and would be a really good replacement if Hunter asked to get overpaid like Collins.

[Jamaaliver]

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Jalen Williams, AJ Griffin and Keegan Murray are playing very solid, steady games and providing relatively efficient production as starting wings. Griffin’s floor spacing has been huge for Atlanta. Over his last 21 games, Griffin is averaging 12.5 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3.

The Athletic

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[Jamaaliver]

Kid is going to be a top flight scorer in this league.

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[CP War Hawks]

Did Schlenk or Fields draft him?

[jayu70]

Did Schlenk or Fields draft him?

Yes

[Jamaaliver]

Do we think AJ Griffin gets the nod for the Rookie Rising Suns Game?


He will definitely be in consideration due to his percentages, big performances and multiple game winning heroics. But he might have a hard time nailing down a spot.

Last year they went to a 4-team (28 roster spot) format. The new format of 28 players only comprises 12 rookies...

Spoiler:

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From this draft class alone:

1. Paolo Banchero --
2. Jabari Smith Jr. --
3. Keegan Murray --
4. Jaden Ivey --
5. Bennedict Mathurin --
6. Dyson Daniels --
7. Jeremy Sochan --
8. Jalen Williams --
9. Jalen Duren —
10. Walker Kessler --
11. AJ Griffin --
12. Tari Eason --
13. MarJon Beauchamp --
14. Christian Koloko --

I think AJ makes the cut, but it might be tighter than we think with only 12 rookie spots.

[jayu70]

I'd be dissapointed if he didn't make it.

[jayu70]

Yep, Yep, Yep

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[jayu70]

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[HMFFL]

AJ Griffin would be a key player for our success if he was allowed more attempts. He's a future starter and should receive more minutes/attempts.

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[Jamaaliver]

AJ Griffin would be a key player for our success if he was allowed more attempts. He's a future starter and should receive more minutes/attempts.

Agreed. For me, he is now the only untouchable player on our roster.

Congrats to the young man!!!