Kristaps Porzingis’ Hawks tenure was… underwhelming.
Not because he didn’t play at a mostly-elite level anytime he stepped on the floor – because he did – but he could never stay healthy. He suited up for a grand total of 17 games in Atlanta. His health, while a major negative factor in his short time with the Hawks, wasn’t the only thing limiting his overall effectiveness.
He faced what many high-level players tend to face when they depart from one of the league’s prestigious organizations. Any extra physicality or manipulation of an officiating-crew they were able to get away with in their previous destination gets wiped out. The leash becomes much shorter.
Lu Dort could be forced to adjust his game, for better or for worse
Enter Lu Dort – Atlanta’s most recent, and most notable, offseason acquisition.
While he’s mostly known as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders – along with Atlanta’s own Dyson Daniels – Dort is hated by many. During his seven-year tenure in Oklahoma City, he carved out a significant role on a championship-level squad, but also gained a reputation for being one of the league’s dirtiest players.
To be fair, many of the opposing injuries he’s been blamed for came as a result of physical, yet legal defense. The thing people grew frustrated with, though, was the lack of consistency to let both teams get away with a similar level of aggressiveness.
Mix that with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting a reliable whistle, more often than not, and fans grew impatient with the inconsistent officiating often going in Oklahoma City’s favor.
They also won – a whole lot – and that’s the worst thing a team can do in the mind of the casual fan.
In this new situation, there’s a real chance Dort is whistled for much more than he was when he was competing on the best team in the world. If the Hawks leap into contention, though, maybe they’ll keep letting it slide. Winning fixes more than it probably should.
Dort should fit in seamlessly, helping his transition into a new spot
Unless an injury happens, Dort likely won’t be among Atlanta’s starting lineup. An immediate drastic change in the nightly expectations regarding his play.
Maybe this will allow him to play as freely as he did in Oklahoma City, considering he’ll have much less of a spotlight on him.
His already-established chemistry with a few players on the Hawks’ roster should allow him to get comfortable fairly quickly. It should be a big season for Dort, regardless of how he’s officiated.
Let’s just hope he plays more than 17 games…
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