NBA Basketball News
Luguentz Dort officially joined the Atlanta Hawks after moving from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the transfer market this summer. Even though the Hawks are not yet the main challengers for the NBA title, Dort feels satisfied being at this club.
Known as one of the toughest perimeter defenders in the NBA, Dort now collaborates with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels. While Atlanta still lags behind teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in protection under the basket, their defense remains solid in various aspects of the game.
The big challenge for Dort now lies in his offensive performance. Despite his less-than-impressive performance in the playoff series against the Spurs, his once-shining three-point shooting ability will be a crucial factor in the upcoming season.
Dort’s presence also brings some much-needed physicality and toughness to Atlanta. The loss to the New York Knicks in the previous round of the playoffs showed the long journey the Hawks had to go in building a team. The addition of Dort and Aaron Wiggins, his teammate from the Thunder, is believed to be able to have a positive influence on the mental formation of this team.
On the other hand, Dort praised Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who experienced a significant improvement in performance last season and won the NBA Most Improved Player title. Even though he experienced difficulties during the playoffs against the Knicks, Alexander-Walker’s potential to remain a key player for the team is very large.
“This is amazing. Nickeil is one of my closest friends. We played on the same team in high school and often faced each other throughout our careers. When I found out I was coming here, I immediately contacted him. He has been very helpful in this transition and I am grateful to be able to play with him again,” said Dort.
Dort’s enthusiasm also shines through when talking about Georgia and the Haitian community in Atlanta. “I know they have a big fan base and this city is amazing. I love being able to connect with the Haitian community and culture here,” he added.
Before talking about his move, Dort scored an impressive 25 points to give Canada the lead over Argentina in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers Americas zone. Even without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort was able to cover the absence of his former teammate with a significant contribution.
“Every time I’m on the court, I just focus on playing my role as best as possible and looking for the best shot. I’ve played with Shai for a long time, so I’m used to his rhythm,” concluded Dort after the match.
Photo: fiba.basketball
Article Tags: atlanta hawks, nickel alexander-walker
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