Atlanta Hawks: All-Star Break Assessment

New Role

Dennis Schroder has always believed he could be a starting point guard in the NBA. He stated that to the media last season. When the Hawks traded Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers last summer the opportunity opened up for Schroder to become Atlanta’s starter at point guard.

He has taken the opportunity and run with it. He hasn’t been perfect, but Schroder has given the Hawks just what they need at point guard this season. He’s the perfect pick and roll partner for both Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, his three-point shot is improving, and at some point he should become a capable defender.

Schroder heads into the All-Star break averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 assists per game on 45.8 percent shooting and 34.5 percent from three-point range. Turnovers have been an issue, but that was to be expected. Schroder’s creativity and attacking nature naturally leads to turnovers. As he continues to become comfortable in his new role one would hope those will decrease.

Despite the turnover issues and the streaky jumper, I feel comfortable in saying that Schroder has been better than expected as a full-time starting point guard.