Atlanta Hawks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

5. Dewayne Dedmon will block 100 shots

The advanced statistics on Dewayne Dedmon’s productivity as a shot-blocker are simply staggering. On a per-36 minute per game basis, Dedmon has blocked 2.0 shots per game during the course of his career. The only problem is he has yet to play 36 minutes in a single game at any point in his career.

Dedmon has spent four years in the NBA, totaling 179 blocked shots in 224 career appearances, but with the Hawks handing over the starting center position to the seven-footer, he could easily double his rejection total.

San Antonio provided Dedmon with his first consistent playing time last season, keeping him on the floor an average of 17.5 minutes per game and starting him 37 times. Even in a limited capacity, Dedmon managed to block plenty of shots.

The 28-year-old totaled 61 rejections and blocked an average of 0.8 shots per game, third-most on the Spurs’ roster.

The Hawks brought in Dedmon with the hopes of him anchoring the paint, and if he manages to reject 100 shots — a feat only 13 players accomplished last season — his addition to the roster will be a savvy one.