The Atlanta Hawks grabbed Virginia power forward Mike Scott with the 43rd pick of the 2012 NBA Draft and general manager Danny Ferry thinks that Scott can come in and contribute this season. Scott measured out at 6-foot-7 without shoes at the draft combine but Ferry thinks that he has the strength to play the power forward position.
"Mike Scott is a four. He has got the strength to be able to play the four position. I think he'll be a good player and be able to finish. I think he is a good 16 foot pick and pop type player that can also finish around the basket and rebound. So I think he's got a chance to be a good player. He's going to have to come in and compete on both ends of the court defend and follow what coach Drew is trying to do and if so hopefully he will be able to earn some quality minutes."
Scott averaged 18 points and 8.3 rebounds per game at Virginia this season while shooting over 56 percent from the field. The Hawks had just six players under contract going into Thursday's draft and for Ferry it was important for them to get players that they felt could step right in and contribute.
"We've got six guys under contract and now we have the rights to eight. We are going to need guys that can come in and contribute. Guys that can add something. Certainly when coach Drew is looking down the bench and is trying to figure out why would I put this guy? For Jenkins, you'd put him in because he can knock down shots. Mike Scott's experience and his ability to score and his ability rebound I think was a good value where we were picking."
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