{"id":161057,"date":"2025-09-30T19:44:42","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T23:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=161057"},"modified":"2025-09-30T19:44:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T23:44:42","slug":"atlanta-hawks-media-day-3-key-takeaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/30\/atlanta-hawks-media-day-3-key-takeaways\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Hawks Media Day: 3 Key Takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excitement and new faces filled the air at Atlanta Hawks media day on Monday. 11 new players joined the roster from last season, eager to help the team take a big step in an open Eastern Conference. The Hawks had not practiced yet, with training camp beginning this week. In fact, Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a> met his new teammates just hours before the event started, after traveling back from Europe.<\/p>\n

Taking the court for their first preseason action on Oct. 6 against the Houston Rockets, head coach Quin Snyder and players told the media what they can expect after a promising summer. Here are three main takeaways from Hawks media day just before they begin training camp this week.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Hawks Media Day: 3 Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Dynamic Defensive Duo Can Learn From Each Other<\/h3>\n

Dyson Daniels<\/a> put together a historic 2024-25 season, averaging 3.0 steals and 5.8 deflections<\/a> per game. However, Atlanta’s perimeter defense crumbled when he went to the bench. This should no longer be the case after the Hawks signed\u00a0Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a>\u00a0this summer.<\/p>\n

When asked about playing alongside Daniels, Alexander-Walker pointed out several areas he can learn from the 2024-25 First Team All-Defense member. “His instincts that he has in terms of getting steals<\/a> … For me, I pride myself on on-ball defense, just making things difficult. Dyson’s able to turn people over at a high rate, and that’s something I can definitely add to my game,” said the Hawks guard.<\/p>\n

\"Atlanta
Feb 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) tries to protect the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite his ability to hound ball-handlers, Alexander-Walker hasn’t averaged 1+ steal per game since the 2020-21 campaign. Daniels can certainly help him in this department, but both defenders can learn from each other. Alexander-Walker, who established himself as a premier on-ball defender with the Minnesota Timberwolves, is a top screen-navigator who stays attached to a guard’s hip when fighting over picks. Daniels can improve in this area.<\/p>\n

\n

The top 10 in Ball Screen Navigation<\/p>\n

1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
2. Luguentz Dort
3. Miles McBride
4. Fred VanVleet
5. Andrew Nembhard
6. Kris Dunn
7. Max Christie
8. Alex Caruso
9. Haywood Highsmith
10. Cason Wallace<\/p>\n

Metric Explainer pic.twitter.com\/LHTjQDitky<\/a><\/p>\n

— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) January 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n