Q&A: Anthony Tolliver

Courtesy of Chris Vivlamore

Q. What was your offseason like in the process of choosing to come to Atlanta?

A. It was interesting. It was a very long offseason, something I didn’t want to do. The whole offseason, for the most part, I was planning on going back to Minnesota. We had mutual interest. I definitely had interest from other teams, including Atlanta. Things were lining up but toward the end of free agency, and approaching October, things closed off over there. I just made sure we kept in contact with the Hawks and a couple of other teams. This situation opened up and it ended up looking pretty good for me.

Q. What makes this situation attractive for you?

A. I think I’m unique. I think I’m a guy if you put on this roster can do a lot of different things. There are other things that guys can do here but what I bring to the table is unique. Once I saw that, I really felt like this would be a good situation for me.

Q. What are those things that make you unique?

A. I think me being able to guard multiple positions. We have some guys who can do that but paring that with me being able to shoot and play multiple positions on the offensive end, I think helps bring more versatility to the team and more size.

Q. Do you look at the roster here and see that there are 13 guaranteed contracts here so maybe only a couple of open spots?

A. Not really. My mindset is once I sign, I’m here. I don’t really think about anything else but competing for playing time. That’s how I approach all these different situations. Obviously, ideally, my contract situation was not what I was looking for but at the end of the day I’ve been through this before. I’ve succeeded so it’s just another challenge to make me a better player.

Q. What indication did they give you as to what your role might be on the team?

A. Kind of like I said, be able to come in and be a versatile guy and play different positions, guard different positions, be able to spread the floor for our perimeter guys who are slashers. I think all those things put together makes this a very good fit.

Q. What were your thoughts about the exhibition opener and how this team is developing with so many new faces?

A. I think it’s going to take a little while. It was rusty but that is what you expect out of your first preseason game. You expect the team to get better though. Our first showing being a win, being competitive, everybody played hard so that’s always a positive sign. I think it’s something good to build on.