PF Othello Hunter (Maccabi Tel Aviv BC)

[naptownbuck]

Last night's Miami vs Atlanta contest was the last home game of the season for the Hawks. Coach Mike Woodson decided to give the rotation starters a bit of a rest. This meant that Othello Hunter would finally get some extended run. :)

Hunter filled the stat sheet in twenty three minutes by finishing with 8 points, 6 rebounds, a steal, an assist, and a block each. I'm pretty sure he has already scored his first NBA points via mop up duty earlier in the season, but I think this outing might stick out more for him as his first meaningful game minutes wise.

Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks - Box Score - April 14, 2009 - ESPN

(Othello Hunter defends Miami guard Chris Quinn)

In the next week, Othello Hunter, along with fellow Buckeyes Greg Oden and Daequan Cook will experience playoff basketball for the first time.

 

[dragurd]

More importantly he made 3rd on sportscenter top plays do to a nifty behind the back pass to him and he going up and over someone to lay it it. Probably could have been number 1 if he packed it home.

Probably will get good minutes tomorrow as well since they are locked into their position and playing memphis.

 

[naptownbuck]

Hawks' Smith off to hot start | ajc.com

Claxton, Hunter active

The Hawks had a last minute roster shuffle of their own. Speedy Claxton and Othello Hunter replaced Randolph Morris and Thomas Gardner on the active list.

Hawks coach Mike Woodson said both players ?earned the right? to suit up in Game 1, but that he was keeping things fluid depending on how the series played out.

?We?re really going to have to just see how things go,? he said. ?We don?t know how things are going to go. That?s the beauty of these playoff rosters, they can change every night depending on the matchups.?

Monumental drubbing, yet Hunter is the only Hawk not to get in. Oh well, cool suit up though. Meanwhile, Wade, Cook and the Heat have some work to do. Seemed like Daequan's shot was short all game.

 

[PtownBuckeye]

Othello has been getting some good minutes in this game. He just had a nice block...
Love watching him play, hes improved his all around game, and also looks like he added some muscle.
Just had a very nice putback as I'm typing this...

 

[naptownbuck]

Othello has been getting some good minutes in this game. He just had a nice block...
Love watching him play, hes improved his all around game, and also looks like he added some muscle.
Just had a very nice putback as I'm typing this...

Oh yeah that was definitely a pleasant suprise. I mean I knew Al Horford was out, but I still didn't expect Othello to be activated. I guess I was just used to always seeing a well dressed Hunter on the bench. But they didn't just activate him, they gave him some good time in the blowout circumstances. And as you already noted, that was a great block on Darnell Jackson. I agree about his frame as well, one of the things Coach Mike Woodson always says about Othello is that he has deceptive strength. He's long, athletic, and can run the floor, but is stronger than you think. He sent Darnell Jackson crashing to the floor on that block.

I like Tirico's remark in the 2nd quarter. He said something like, a year ago you're playing in the NIT Championship, now you've got Lebron one one on.

Othello's best basketball is certainly still ahead of him. It's great to see the hard work pay off.

 

[LitlBuck]

I love Othello and wished he played for Cleveland but when Lebron had him at the top of the key one-on-one last night I thought oh no please have mercy on Othello but Lebron was kind enough to rip a two-handed chest pass to AV.

 

[Buckskin86]

Othello Hunter was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Atlanta Hawks and is a free agent

A few items (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

 

[brodybuck21]

A few items (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

man that sucks. Hope someone gives him a shot.

 

[osuteke]

One more excuse to not root for the Cawks, not that I felt it was necessary to begin with.

 

[Buckskin86]

Another player to keep an eye on for a training camp invite is Othello Hunter. His minutes were sparse as a rookie last season, but the strides he made (physically and in his game) have been stunning to see from a year ago this time. It?s not clear right now what his future is with the Hawks. There are only going to be so many roster spots to go around. And without a guaranteed contract heading into camp, he?ll be gambling a bit if he comes to camp with the Hawks. But I like his game and what he brings in terms of a no-nonsense reserve that?s going to get to it whenever he?s asked.

The Hawks are courting veteran big man Joe Smith | Hawks Blog

 

[Buckskin86]

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT A FEW OTHER GUYS that stood out (for various reasons) during mini-camp:

- Othello Hunter was more impressive than any other player in camp, after Teague. His range on his jumper has improved dramatically. But we all know that his chance at making a dent in the Hawks? roster and playing rotation depends on his ability rebound, defend and provide the hustle plays required of frontcourt journeymen in the NBA. The improved shot is an added bonus. I?d have him locked up on a two-year deal right now. If he keeps improving, someone is going to get a steal.

Vacation visions | Hawks Blog

 

[naptownbuck]

Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson is pleased with Othello's improvement. Hunter is a lock for the veteran's camp this fall. And in my opinion will most likely be resigned.


-Brief clips of Othello with the GS summer league team (Atlanta did not have one this season) & at the Hawks Mini-Camp.-

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfdf7cLN2mI"]YouTube - Othello Hunter: Hawks Mini-Camp/Vegas Summer League[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Hunter awaits call to training camp

Othello Hunter has been one of the regulars on the Hawks? practice court this summer. Whether he?ll be in training camp with the Hawks remains to be seen.

?I?m still waiting to hear something for sure,? Hunter said after working out with Marvin Williams late last week. ?We?ll see.?

Hunter was another standout performer during the Hawks? recent rookie/free-agent mini-camp. He made the team as an undrafted free agent last season but played sparingly, appearing in only 16 games.

Woodson identified Hunter, 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, as one of the players who made the greatest leap from the start of last season to the finish, both on and off the floor.

?He?s a guy you have to look at,? Woodson said. ?He put in his time last year and really worked on his game, and it showed this summer.?

Hawks roster depth is shallow ?| ajc.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Hunter coming to camp
Second-year forward Othello Hunter has committed to attend the Hawks? training camp, which kicks off late next month.

Joe Smith: A perfect fit for Hawks?| ajc.com

 

[Buckskin86]

72 reasons to be excited about the Atlanta Hawks: #55 Othello Hunter's quest to become an 8th man
by hawksdawgs on Sep 6, 2009

by Lance Murphey - AP .

I have a dream for Othello Hunter. To one day be an average eighth man in the NBA. That is not meant to be backhanded at all. An eighth man plays a vital role on an NBA championship team every year. And the money is not bad either.

Something I love about the NBA is that there are fifteen guys on the team. And they are out there in the open. No helmet. Not out in left field. Just three feet away right on the court (or at the end of the bench). And sure that makes the NBA a superstar league, but it also gives you the chance to really root for and grow attached to the fourteenth guy on the roster.

Of course, when you are making hundreds of thousands of dollars like Othello did last year, it can be hard to think he is scraping and fighting for a dream. But he is. He is desperately trying to make it in the NBA, and like any 14th man that wants to improve, just wants a chance to show what he can do, it is tough not to root for.

72 reasons to be excited about the Atlanta Hawks: #55 Othello Hunter's quest to become an 8th?man - Peachtree Hoops