As we move ever closer to the preseason, let’s take a look at the goals for each player on the Atlanta Hawks as we head into the 2018-19 regular season.
Tyler Dorsey is one of the most intriguing players on the Atlanta Hawks roster moving forward. The second-year shooting guard out of Oregon showed flashes of his smooth jumper in limited playing time he saw last year and continued that in a big way in Summer League action where he looked extremely confident and comfortable.
The Hawks shooting guard position is full of depth with Kent Bazemore, Tyler Dorsey, and first-round pick Kevin Huerter all competing for minutes at the two spot.
The main goal for Dorsey should be to pick up right where he left off in the Summer League and to take advantage of the minutes that he sees when he does get his chance on the court.
The modern NBA loves knockdown shooters and Dorsey fits right in. If the Hawks find a trade partner for Baze it could mean that they have a ton of confidence in Dorsey’s ability.
Dorsey showed he had the ability to be a great rebounding guard in the Summer League also which should be a goal for him to prove he can do at the NBA level on a consistent basis. He averaged 11 rebounds a game in the two games he played in Las Vegas, which is a small sample size, but would bring a whole different aspect to his game. In his time on the court, Dorsey needs to prove that he is more than just a guy who can knock down open shots.
If Dorsey can add the ability to create plays for his teammates and become a strong rebounder to complement his already silky smooth jump shot, he will be a very valuable asset for the Hawks as this rebuild moves forward. He should see a decent uptick in the minutes he sees on a night-to-night basis, which he needs to take advantage of to prove that he could help this team in the future.
Depending on how much playing time he earns, I expect him to surprise a lot of people this season and showcase that what he did in the Summer League was no fluke. A strong season for Tyler Dorsey would be to average 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists a game in 2018-19.