Sonics’ Hawkins Out To Prove A Point Veteran Will Do Anything, Even Fill In For Payton
It is time to pull the wraps off Hersey Hawkins, the infallible player who carries a fail-safe jumper.
His preseason mission appears endless, even after nine NBA seasons: He has something to prove.
He has to prove that there are a few coats of paint left on his scoring ability for the Seattle SuperSonics, that he can still change the complexity of the game with a flick of his right wrist. And - George Karl willing - perhaps get an extended taste at point guard.
“It’s always been something that someone said I couldn’t do,” said Hawkins, preparing for his 10th season. “It motivates me and makes me work that much harder. I think I’ve been in the league long enough now that I don’t have to prove to anyone I belong.”
He has been one of the more systematic shooting guards this decade, but last season Hawkins’ scoring average - 17 points per game for his career - dipped to a career-low 13.9 points despite shooting a respectable 46.4 percent from the floor and a team-high 40.3 percent on 3-pointers.
Hawkins took 141 fewer shots last season (795) than in 1995-96 (936) when the Sonics advanced to the NBA Finals.
“Scoring wise, I was disappointed,” said Hawkins, who turned 31 in September. “On my part, I was not as aggressive as I should have been at times. I just sat back and let things happen.”
As a player, Hawkins cannot change his laid-back approach to the game, and his influence has a calming effect that flows freely throughout the Sonics’ locker room. But he will work on becoming more assertive offensively and being a bit more greedy.
“I made up my mind this year that I’m not going to have a spell for two or three weeks where I’m not involved in the offense,” he said. “It’s tough because we have a lot of guys who can score points, and sometimes, on a given night, it’s not in the cards for me to do it. But, there are times when I’m going to have to be selfish.”
Karl would like to free up Hawkins for more scoring opportunities.
“The one thing we felt in the regular season is that we didn’t get him enough shots to get him ready for the playoffs,” Karl said. “I don’t know if that means he’s going to improve his average, but this is a more unselfish team, a passing team. Shooters usually benefit from those qualities.”
Another reason for his scoring drop is that Hawkins, a slow starter of some renown, came to training camp last year weighing 207 pounds, 12 over his playing weight.
“I kept myself in better shape this summer,” Hawkins said. “It was a problem last year and the Sonics let me know. I came into training camp so out of shape last year that it took me a long time to get into game shape. But I’m looking forward to having a great year.”
Which could include, whenever the time is right, asking Karl for a chance to play some point guard.
“I don’t want to play a whole quarter or anything like that,” said Hawkins, in almost a whisper. “I just want to spell Gary (Payton) for a little bit. I don’t know … maybe I want to prove something to myself.”
The Sonics waived center Mark Blount and forward Derrick Battie on Wednesday.