Sixth Man Rankings: Mike Scott of Hawks Has Become a Breakout Stretch Forward

When forward Mike Scott came to Atlanta Hawks training camp in 2012, he was labeled by then-coach Larry Drew as “a solid pick-and-roll option.”

In other words, although Scott proved himself to be a legitimate offensive weapon in his five years at Virginia (medical redshirt in 2010), no one really expected him to develop into more than a decent midrange shooter at the next level.

Scott was the 43rd overall pick in a less-than-stellar 2012 draft and entered the league as a 24-year-old. It was fair to assume Scott’s NBA ceiling would be as an end of the rotation player on a solid team.

Scott’s rookie season did little to make people change their assumptions.  He averaged just nine minutes per game and shot 47 percent from the entire field.

Now, just a year later, Scott has morphed into a dynamic offensive weapon. After attempting just one 3-pointer in his entire rookie season, Scott has launched 134 3-pointers this season, converting at a very respectable 37 percent rate.

Pressed into increased duty by injuries to Hawks frontcourt players Al Horford, Pero Antic and now Paul Millsap, Scott’s evolution into a perimeter threat is fully evident. Last Saturday, he scored a career-high 30 points against the Knicks, making 6-of-7 from the arc.

Look at the highlight reel. New York’s defenders had absolutely no idea Scott had added a 3-pointer to his arsenal:

Scott started the season slowly from deep. Through his first 30 games, he knocked down just 17-of-56 threes for 30 percent. Since the calendar changed, however, Scott has been on a tear. In his last 24 games, he is shooting 42 percent (33-of-78) from deep.

Even with an 0-of-2 Wednesday at Boston, Scott is shooting 11-of-21 from the arc since the All-Star break. That pace compares favorably over the same period with sharpshooting teammate Kyle Korver, who is 19-of-35.

For a guy who came into the league with the backhanded compliment of being NBA-ready – code for limited potential – Scott has developed into a player no one thought he would become. In fact, analytically, Scott has joined exclusive company as one of the best bargains in the entire NBA:

For one more  visual on how much he’s progressed this season, compare his shot charts from last season (on the left) to this season (right):

Clearly, Scott is no longer just the mere “solid pick-and-roll option” he was believed to be when he entered the league. And if the injury-riddled Hawks are going to hang on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they will need more from this emerging sixth man.

Now, on to the rankings.