Mike Scott cements status with solid preseason

One player that answered all questions during the preseason was second-year forward Mike Scott. When training camp opened, I wasn't even sure that he was a lock to hang onto his roster spot given that his contract was non-guaranteed. Now he is a virtual lock for the roster and looks like an important part of the rotation.

Scott played in all seven preseason games and finished with averages of 12 points and three rebounds. As a forward he needs to rebound more, but he helped offset that by being the best shooter on the team. Only Al Horford and Paul Millsap averaged more points during the preseason and both averaged more than 25 minutes a game. Scott averaged just under 19.

What was most impressive about Scott's preseason was the high rate of conversion he had on his field goal attempts. He shot a team-high 62 percent overall making 34-55. He knocked down 42% of his three-point attempts going 5-for-12 and made 85 percent of his free throws going 11-for-13. Atlanta scored more than 89 points just once during the preseason. If the Hawks need offense, then they must turn to Scott off the bench.

The only question is where does Scott fit in the rotation. Horford and Millsap are cemented as starters. Elton Brand will likely open as the backup center. Scott has clearly out performed Pero Antic during the preseason and is in line to be the backup at the power forward with Antic filling the utility role as a possibility at both forward and center. Gustavo Ayon will join the mix down the road.

Scott could also figure in at the small forward position in some alignments. If you caught any of Robby Kalland's excellent breakdown of Mike Budenholzer's offense, then you know that the power forward and center positions are a lot alike as are the wing positions. That could cause Scott to have to do some cross training in practice but he did spend some time at the small forward during the preseason.

However it shakes out, Mike Scott has answered every question this offseason.

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• James Johnson waived by the Atlanta Hawks
• Paul Millsap injury: Hawks forward nursing sore Achilles