The mind of Al Horford
Can anyone truly claim to know what Hawks center Al Horford is thinking? Maybe those closest to him, but then again, maybe even they do not know how he views himself on the basketball court. Of course, that isn’t going to stop us from assuming, presuming, speculating, and generally pontificating about it.
Does Al think he’s a PF or a Center?
The debate that’s been going on nearly since he came into the NBA has been whether or not Al Horford is a power forward or a center. Many experts and pundits call him an undersized center, but that’s not the same as calling him a power forward. In fact, while many claim Horfod is not playing where he’s supposed to be, they also laud him for doing the job as well as he has. There are so many examples of this, perhaps none any more apparent (and interesting) than Dime Magazine, who names him to their top ten in a list that is comprised of who they think was a top 10 center in 2010. Here’s the kicker – the list is not a list of top 10 guys at center in the NBA. It’s a list of the top 10 performers at the position of center in the NBA, college, and high school for the year of 2010. While it may be one man’s (or a group working for a magazine) opinion, it still spells good marks for a guy they turn right around and essentially say is a power forward who deserves a big raise. Clear as muddy water, huh…
But how does Al see himself? That question has hardly been asked of Horford until recently, most notably after this past NBA postseason. The fact is, the man has not had a whole lot to say about it, and none of it seems to be volunteered. Al has done his job on the court , where he embraced the role of starting center and (as we all know) earned a nod to the all-star game.
The Evidence
Here’s the funny part, and I have to repeat it - Al hasn’t had all that much to say on the subject, as most of the quotes I can find on it are one-liners or otherwise very short. And in some cases, the information has been so much baseless conjecture that it couldn’t be trusted. When in doubt, always go back to local info, right?
When Hawks beat writer Michael Cunningham caught up with Al, this is what popped out of his mouth, presumably in response to a question:
“I’m fine with [center] but my natural position is obviously the four,” he said.
Cunnginham bumped into “The Boss” again later, and this time a little bit more perspective leaked out:
” ‘We need to get another big guy, another center, that’s able to help myself and Josh out,” he said. “We need to have someone to come in and have an impact. I think that is the position we need if we want to be any type of contender in the East….I don’t have a problem splitting time [at center], [ Al said]. I played a little four last year with Zaza in the game at the same time and I thought that was good. I know I am going to still play the five….I think we create a lot of problems when have an athletic lineup with Josh at the four, me at the five and Marvin at the three, [ Al said ] I think we create serious problems for people. I think that is one of our strengths as a team is we are so versatile.’ ”
The latest snippet, provided by avid Hawks fans Drmaryb and Astro Joe reveals a tad more perhaps, or not, depending on how you look at it:
“…’That’s what I’ve been all my life,” Horford said about the proposed shift toward PF.’ “
Needless to say, this isn’t any and every link I can find on this, so feel free to add anything you please in your posts, especially if it sheds more light on the subject (or anything related). But there we have it in black and white. Now….
What Does it Mean? What Conclusions do you draw?
On the one hand, it’s almost like Horford agrees with so many others in that he’s out of position at center. On the other hand, his actions on the court seem to speak louder than any words he or anyone else has spoken or typed. So, let’s ask (and answer) some questions.
1) Does Al truly prefer playing the 4 over the 5?
Well, he has to be happy about making the all-star team while playing at center, but he may feel that he is limited by playing almost exclusively at the position. He may feel that he has more to give, and would be more able to do that at the power forward position. What we haven’t heard as of yet is WHYAl thinks he is a natural power forward, as opposed to center. Unless I’ve missed something, there hasn’t been an opinion on that front from anybody, let alone Horford himself. Most attribute it to a height and weight ratio. As has been proven though, one cannot go on those two measurables alone.
2) Is this “new move” to play him more at PF more driven by Head Coach Larry Drew, or by Al Horford himself?
Keeping in mind that we still don’t quite yet know Larry Drew the Head Coach, I’ll err on the side of this being Drew’s idea. Horford is an unselfish player who doesn’t make demands like some in the League. And yet, I can recall him making comments during the season about providing more if he gets the ball more. Again, not something that seemed selfish to me at all, as Al had a point – the Hawks needed a threat in the post, and outside of Josh Smith (when he wasn’t getting distracted by wide-open 20-foot jumpers), they didn’t have it. My guess is that Larry Drew has wanted Horford more involved in the offense for some time, and now that he’s the head coach, we’re going to see more than the “12 or 13 points” that former coach Mike Woodson wanted out of him. Bottom line: Larry Drew may see more offensive potential in Horford than most, and playing him more at PF as a way to realize that potential.
3) What happens if Al ends up playing more center and less power forward than planned, out of necessity?
Horford has already remarked that he thinks the team presents quite a few matchup problems for opposing teams when he, Josh, and Marvin are in the game at their current respective positions. But he also talks of needing some help in the form of another center. Here’s the good thing, though: those short one-liner answers to the question are frequently met with the assertion that he KNOWS he will be playing center, and does not have a problem with it. I don’t think we need to worry at all about his mindset or how he sees himself position-wise until he starts talking and playing with a similar attitude as Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudamire (two big-time post players who don’t want anything to do with playing the center position), something I do not expect him to do. Then again, the day he starts putting up numbers anything like theirs while playing as a power forward would be the day the Hawks better get serious about adding a quality player at center who meshes well with Horford (translation: a minimum contract guy that doesn’t get signed until late July or August isn’t going to cut it anymore).
4) Playing more power forward, is this on offense or defense, or both? Where is Josh Smith when this happens?
Again, I’m guessing here. Before answering, I just about have to ask another question- but I’ll get to that in a second. I think it will be Zaza who plays center while Al is at the 4 spot, but that will depend on both offensive and defensive matchups. Larry Drew will probably go about this this the smart way by experimenting in training camp, practice, preseason, and in regular season games, to an extent. In other words, he will try different combinations of Al and somebody else at center, in an effort to create, exploit, and change matchups as the game dictates. Or, he will strike first by trying to dictate to opposing defenses. Either way, it should be interesting. As for the second half of that question, it’s a topic we always seem to try and avoid, but just can’t get away from.
If Al is playing the PF spot, particularly on offense…then Josh Smith can only be at one of three places – center, on the bench, or at (you guessed it) small forward. The former isn’t all that likely, and the latter will most definitely add fuel to a fire that has been burning for a while in blogdome.
5) Who will play center while Horford is playing power forward?
This comes down to matchups, in the end. Matchups on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. There will be times where Al is playing the 4 on offense, but playing the 5 on defense. Or vice versa, perhaps. Against bigger and stronger teams, I’m thinking we will see Pachulia or Collins at the 5. Of course, this also depends on what kind of players the opposing team has at power forward, as Al may or may not have trouble covering some of the quicker power forward types in the league, especially the ones who like to drift out to the perimeter and do their damage there. If he is in the game against a team that features this type of player, he may be better served playing the 5 on defense. Also, don’t be surprised to see Josh Powell get some time at the 5 against certain teams. If the free agent forward can hold his own against some of the less rugged big men, and the matchup is favorable, look for Drew to try this combination.
Ok, Your Turn…
Same five questions. YOUR answers.
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296 comments Add your comment
drmaryb (*_*)
August 13th, 2010
10:12 am
O’Brien
I say ownership and not the fans necessarily, because the fans have not been marketed to vey well at all.
Unless the ownership group is willing to sell ALL marbles?
I don’t see any savvy owner looking to join the Bad News Bears.
Too many Opines,
drmaryb (*_*)
August 13th, 2010
10:28 am
Take this Job and Shove it!
Astro Joe
I say the NBA.
The NFL is already already stacked to the ceiling in favor of the owners.
With the Franchise Tags being a weapon of “No Way Out!”
And the contracts being “Un-Guaranteed” and Performance Based (as they should be – IMHO), along with strict substance abuse regulations (a good thing)
…… and …. and …
I can’t imagine what else the NFL would need, however, I could see where the players might want some concessions there.
The NBA on the other hand, will want more pieces of the pie that I admit has to pretty large. They players will not give in easily, they like their life styles and will not go away quietly and without resistance.
Pay Cuts? I think I Not?
drmaryb (*_*)
August 13th, 2010
10:32 am
* typos galore. HeHe
^•^
~
Astro Joe
August 13th, 2010
10:42 am
I still say that it is hard to win fewer games, thereby obtaining a tougher 1st round match-up (and possibly on the road) and then assume that the 2nd round is a given. That requires a bit of a leap of faith.
Vava, Drew’s offense won’t likely keep us from doing better next season. How’s that for cautious optimism on the overall pending season?
Melvin
August 13th, 2010
3:10 pm
Astro,
If the Hawks could sweep the Cavs(Lebron-less) and Raptors(Bosh-less) along with beating up on some of the other weaker Eastern teams (Nets, Indy, Det, 76ers) than maybe they will have a good chance to win 50+ games this season….
Astro Joe
August 13th, 2010
3:25 pm
Melvin, 50 wins should be the minimum number of games won. Are there exceptions? Sure, go out and win 21+ road games and I’d be okay with <50 wins. But at a 5,000 foot level, 50 wins is the baseline (IMO).
Astro Joe
August 13th, 2010
3:38 pm
There must be a God… somewhere!
http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/goddess/the-love-of-halle-berrys-life/473?nc
Astro Joe
August 13th, 2010
4:36 pm
Dr. Mary, that’s why I think the NFL will have their stoppage, because it seems like there is less for the payers to give back, but that won’t keep the owners from locking them out.
Interesting to read that the players recognize the problems of long-term contracts for unproductive players… maybe they can have the opposite of a franchise label in the NBA… the Vampire Tag… for players who are sucking the life out of a franchise and the team’s ability to field a competitive team inside a hard-cap rule. Every year, a team could use 1 Vampire Tag to rid themselves of a player who exceeds a pre-determined percent of the team’s overall payroll. It would actually lead to more players getting higher salaries (as owners would be more willing to risk the gamble) and it would essentially create more free agents (which seemingly drives up average player salaries). And the owners get a an annual “do-over” card and fans don’t have to watch Eddie Curry rob them of a chance to watch a better product on the court.
doc
August 13th, 2010
9:11 pm
i guess folks are watching pre-season football.
niremetal
August 13th, 2010
11:38 pm
Nope, Rogers Cup
doc
August 14th, 2010
12:36 am
cant wait for the us open to be over around labor day so we dont have to have these interuptions. heh heh
Sautee
August 14th, 2010
11:16 am
AJ,
I figured you would be doing back flips over Drew’s announcement that Teague would have to “beat Bibby out” in order to start. But not a word from you yet.
Are you so disenchanted with the hire that you can’t give him props for doing EXACTLY what you argued all last year?
Melvin
August 14th, 2010
1:32 pm
For the last time. Childress makes it clear that he didn’t have a problem coming off the bench for the Hawks (so it must be another issue why he’s not with the Hawks). John Thompson segment(7 min mark) was good to. He spoke how its hard for a super player to accept a reduce role….
He’s comes on around the 30-min mark.
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2010/08/10/hang-time-podcast-episode-21/
niremetal
August 14th, 2010
2:18 pm
Childress said many times that he didn’t like the role the Hawks slotted him in. In some interviews he indicated that he simply felt that players were held to different standards, some that he didn’t like coming off the bench (or at least feeling like he wouldn’t be given a chance to earn a starting role), and some that he didn’t feel like he got the respect he deserved from the players and coaches. I can’t post all the links at once lest the blog monster eat it, but I’ll start a few one-at-a-time:
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/6/22/1530047/the-josh-childress-atlanta-hawks
niremetal
August 14th, 2010
2:19 pm
http://www.humanhighlightblog.com/2008/07/childress-disrespected-by-teammates.html
During the conversation with the Zone, Childress also discussed a point that THHB brought up last year during our interview with Childress—the lack of being a starter and the playing time that went with it.
This was CLEARLY something that Josh was interested in and was not afforded. Despite injuries on the team last season to other players, Childress started zero games for the Hawks. He was never allowed to earn the role, no matter how hard he played, and this bothered him as he talked to us last season.
But the headline of the call, the one thing we hadn’t heard is that this lack of starting also led to a disrepctful attitude toward him by his own teammates.
He felt cut by the labels that was placed on him. “The Energy Guy”, the “Rebound Guy”, and so on. It was clear he felt he had already been pigeonhold and that bothered him as well, and likely made it eaiser for him to take the money and run.
niremetal
August 14th, 2010
2:19 pm
http://www.hawksquawk.net/community/index.php/topic/268819-gamenight-the-next-good-ex-hawk/page__fromsearch__1
(That was a Mark Bradley or Jeff Schultz piece that’s been archived on the AJC website)
“To be honest, the opportunity to play will be important,” says Childress about what he would be looking for as a free agent. “That’s something that will be my main factor—where I can play the most.”
niremetal
August 14th, 2010
2:23 pm
The links to the actual audio of those interviews look like they are broken now, but I’m sure some of y’all remember them. Josh said multiple times that he was not happy with the role he had here, or at least the feeling like he wasn’t being given and wouldn’t be given a shot at taking on a larger/different role here.
Astro Joe
August 14th, 2010
7:35 pm
Sautee, I kind of think the choice was fairly obvious. I’m the guy who said last season that Teague likely wasn’t playing much because he couldn;t “earn it” in practice sessions. And there is no reason to believe that anything has changed since then.
Drew has said plenty of “right things”. I’m looking forward to seeing a more diverse offense, Smith closer to the basket and line-ups that force the competition to respond to our scheme. And mostly, I’m looking for another 50+ win season from the same roster and a competent head coach.
O'Brien
August 14th, 2010
7:54 pm
AJ,
It is your opinion that Teague was not earning it. I dont think that was the case. I think Woody did not know how to utilize the skill set that Teague has, because its different than Bibby’s.
I think Ray has shown a 7 game stretch of games where Teague got consistent PT, and he played well. So what happened in those 7 games? he played well in practice, but 7 games later, he wasn’t good enough?
Early last season, Dragic (Steve Nash’s backup) was not playing very well (and this happened on multiple occasions). And keep in mind that he is backing up a top 10 PG in Nash. But over and over, Gentry kept reassuring him to just play and stay confident etc, and continued to give him consistent PT.
This also helped to rest Steve Nash and keep him fresh down the stretch. And what do you know. Dragic was huge for them in the playoffs.
IMO, Woody was short sighted and did not know how to maximize players strengths.
Astro Joe
August 14th, 2010
8:07 pm
OB, I think a coach on the last year of his contract plays the guys who will most likely get him another contract. And in 2011-12, I suspect that Drew will do the same. This year, he could play Jason Collins at PG… but the following year, I expect self-preservation to rule the day.
One more thing, these are NBA players. I suspect that 98% of NBA players have a stretch to prove that they are worthy of staying (and playing) in the league. I’d imagine that a “mix tape” could be made of Adam Morrison, but that doesn’t mean he deserved consistent playing time in the plast few years.
But mostly, it matters not. The new head coach has stated that dude isn’t worthy (yet) of starting and I have not doubts that the new coach is exactly right.
Astro Joe
August 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
Dang, I’m good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecpCyBziEwA
niremetal
August 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
O’Brien,
I’m sorry, but Teague is several light years behind Dragic in talent. It’s not close. I watched Dragic before he got to the NBA, and he has court vision, shooting ability, and court awareness on both ends that Teague can only dream of. They both needed some maturity, but I can’t help but laugh when people compare the two. It’s not close, and it never was.
Astro Joe
August 14th, 2010
8:54 pm
It’s a faulty premise to believe that if every young, back-up PG received equal playing time, that they would have equal success. That eliminates things like skill set, Bball IQ, work ethic and numerous other tangibles and intangibles that influence success or failure.
O'Brien
August 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
Nire,
I’m not saying teague is as talented as dragic. But even when dragic had bad games early on, his coach stuck with him. One reason being he probably knew he would be needed in the playoffs.
AJ,
Obviously its all opinionated, but as bad as bibby looked at times, I can’t imagine teague looking worse in practice.
And I didn’t Think teague was ready to start last year (or this year). But when bibby was struggling, and the offense was struggling, teague did not even get a look.
Woody said he Would bring teague along slowly, and what happened? The owner said he didnt think teague was used properly, and now woody is out of a job.
I trust drew will find a balance between bringing teague along slowly, but still finding PT for him .
drmaryb (*_*)
August 15th, 2010
9:32 am
Appearances
It appears this Hawks teams has many usable pieces that can do some things if
personnel management is fully on top of it’s game. Coach Drew, is saying all the right things and that is a start in the right direction.
Should the players step up and be professional, then we can look to add the right pieces to fill out the roster which has glaring holes that definitely need plugging. I am not a fan of the “IF” school of thinking, but when you’re bound with duct tape from head to toe? What else can you say?
This has been a 6 year rebuilding riddles with many gaffes and major set-backs.
The fact that we are still competitive is definitely a plus, however,
Now is the Time to step on the gas!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 15th, 2010
10:24 am
* riddled with many gaffes …
doc
August 15th, 2010
10:40 am
“ducking and diving” sounds like rod had been around here to talk about marvin again.
Melvin
August 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
Nire,
I just had a chance to look at your links. Those articles are written from the writers point of view with not many (if any) direct quotes from Childs. As for the one quote you reference from Childs in your at 2:19pm, you left out his next statement that he wanted to re-sign with the Hawks.
““Hopefully that will be Atlanta,” continued Josh. “but this is a business, and you gotta play it by ear. For this year, I am going to do whatever I have to do to help my team win in Atlanta.””
Also, one of the articles pointed of that he had agreed to sign with the Hawks at 6yr/33 mil contract but was told wait on Smoove. A point that me, Doc and others made several times before.
“In the end, he had the well reported 5 yr, 33 million dollar offer and accepted it, only to be told to hold on. For a player that had already held on for too long (in his mind—and perception is reality), it was too much and he took his game overseas.”
Astro Joe
August 15th, 2010
2:41 pm
So is our man Pape Sy plaing for the French National Team?
niremetal
August 15th, 2010
4:16 pm
Melvin,
It’s pretty hilarious how you post quotes that contradict stuff you’ve said in the past and then act like it supports your position. I’m done talking about this with you. Your mind got made up about this as soon as Chill signed in Greece.
kwooden1
August 15th, 2010
6:28 pm
Nire,
Shooting ability is a skill which can be learned. Dragic current level of court awareness can be learned also, he’s not a gifted passer like Nash, Paul or Kidd. (they have always been great) Dragic is a better player now and may always be a better player than Teague, but Jeff is faster, quicker and can jump higher. Those are are talents, and you can’t learn them.
Astro Joe
August 15th, 2010
7:31 pm
KW, Jordan Farmar has some of those same athletic qualities AND he received consistent playing time from one of the top 3 coaches in the past 20 years. Sometimes, the difference between greatness and goodness is entirely up to the individual player and his personal discipline, determination and Bball IQ. Let’s see if Teague has the work ethic and IQ now that Drew will afford him every opportunity.
richbrave
August 16th, 2010
8:06 am
RAY:
“Zup dog? Holding the line down there in SAVANNAH? Clean out them bad guys. Thank you.
WIZARDS will suc once again………probably. Planned that way to get another lottery pick ala HAWKS.
Astro Joe
August 16th, 2010
9:22 am
richbrave, I read that McGee was diagnosed with asthma and has been able to improve his conditioning now that he is being treated for the issue. Strange how a guy could have access to good medical treatment at a Div IA university and still not have that problem diagnosed early in his college career. I read that Javale grew another inch and has put on some muscle. Who knows, now that he is receiving the right meds for his condition, dude may be ready to break-out. Wizards will have a lean year (or two) ahead but they may have some nice cornerstones to build a successful team for the long-run.
doc
August 16th, 2010
10:59 am
aj i am amazed at the lack of attn some guys get as pros. the guy has been in the league a few years and it took them that long to get he had a breathing issue? these guys should get the exec type of physical exams including respiratory down to the ability of the lungs to utilizer oxygen before even signing on the dotted line if not shortly thereafter.
dont even get me started on the head trauma that kids and adults get playing football that is just now being shoved down the nfl’s throats. funny i was arguing this to one of the greats in falcon history almost having my arguments fall onto deaf ears several years ago. this guy is someone very attached to the nfl pension plan. i think the story of john mackie got his attention as well as others and now they are beginning to institute cognitive studies before and after seasons which was one of the things i was arguing to him that should be done to include after a serious concussion which is as simple as a headache after a head injury. incidentally, this ignorance is worst where it is most important at the pee wee and high school level. heard the ex-ga great on 790 the other day decrying how this was a huge problem and one he experienced after a serious concussion where the lights went out and he was back in the game shortly thereafter in high school. it aint all about d 1 is my point where corners are cut for sure as athletes have few rights there. argue and you are gone it the password is my guess.
Astro Joe
August 16th, 2010
11:28 am
doc, yeah, I heard Pollack tell that story the other day on the radio. Scary stuff. I recall one of my friends from high school being knocked out in the 1st quarter and returning to play safety during the middle part of the 3rd quarter. Of course, we didn’t know any better than to cheer his return (as opposed to pelt the coach with the nasty burgers we ate during the games).
Back to Javale, should we assume that they don’t administer those lung-capacity type tests during the combines? Not only should the colleges perform exams on their student-athletes, but I would assume that before a team invests a few million on a player, that they conduct a battery of tests that provides the appropriate medical due diligence. Is it possible that the asthma just “popped up”? I assume not, but it seems really bizarre that somewhere between college, the combines and the first few seasons in DC, no one knew that dude had a respiratory issue. I guess they were too busy measuring his wingspan,standing reach and vertical leap, huh? Who cares if he’s out of breath after 2 trips up.down the court… dude is long and athletic. Scary for the players and DUMB for the teams.
vava74
August 16th, 2010
12:06 pm
Astro, Doc,
I think that McGee’s new found asthma issue is a smoke screen.
I am under the impression (90% certain) that one of the indicated/effective treatments for asthma is to administer steroids.
McGee is notoriously slight framed and some steroids would come very dandy…
richbrave
August 16th, 2010
12:28 pm
“………Wizards will have a lean year (or two) ahead but they may have some nice cornerstones to build a successful team for the long-run……..” ASTRO JOE
Ala HAWKS JOE. That appears to be TED LEONSIS” modus operendi. Stay bad until you get three or so lottery picks, back-fill with a few players already on the roster; add a couple of medium priced FA’s and roll.
McGEE has grown up and out. I understand he’s 7′1″ and 245-55 now. His reach has added about two more inches as if it wasn’t already prodigious. You know he played little h.s. or college ball. He’ll be 25 or so before he really comes into his own. The young man’s got a great deal to learn while his body’s finishing the growing process.
richbrave
August 16th, 2010
12:32 pm
Shout out to you doc. How the h*** are ya’? Ready for some intercollegiate football?
Astro Joe
August 16th, 2010
12:51 pm
vava, if that’s the case, we should have kept Solo and put him on the asthma treatment plan.
doc
August 16th, 2010
1:00 pm
vava actually roids are short term and very deleterious if continued long term. they are also the crudest form of “anabolic” roids around. they are also usually in an inhaled form which may not get the effect you are suggesting. anyway theophylline inhaler is usually used first along with some other ones before going to that measure. i imagine if the league has to look into it which they would have to do in the form of getting authorization to use these, is my guess, there would be major discrepancies between standard of care. so i doubt it.
ritalin in baseball is another matter for add. heh heh
richie doing well and glad to see your name surface. braves going to hold on? when are they going to improve those rispie numbers?
vava74
August 16th, 2010
2:27 pm
doc,
I knew more or less that the steroids are a crude (short term) treatment form for asthma.
that was not the point (saying that they were a good treatment).
my guess is that with the asthma treatment “made official and approved by the league” any positive test emerging from the use of prohibited substances which may be found in asthma treatments that are listed as PED will be covered…
As for Ritalin for attention deficit disorder, I already thought that maybe we could unlock the beast inside RandMo with it… we just need someone to provide the diagnose…
doc
August 16th, 2010
3:19 pm
vava we need a bit more info before jumping to your speculative conclusion on the diagnosis on mcghee. it definitely doesnt fit nire’s rules of engagement for the blog about owners much less appropriate players or coaches. heh heh, i personally think all we do is speculate here whether we think so or not. maybe it was a joke but again the roids for asthma are a very short term thing, like two weeks and dont build much. dont know about the specificity of roid testing but they probably can discriminate on that one too.
also
to the last item for rand mo.
kwooden1
August 16th, 2010
4:08 pm
For anyone that paid for the Summer Broadband League Pass, they have included all of last years games to the Archive. (but I can’t get to the Summer League games for some reason.) Just watched one of the Charlotte games which Bibby and JJ sat out. The guys looked terrible in the first half, down by 20, but made it a game in the 4th. Jeff played a lot in the 4th and looked really good. Also watched most of the Cleveland game that Jeff played in and wasn’t that impressed with his game, even though he’s stats were great. Looking at those games and the summer league games, he’s definitely improved. I don’t think he’s taken the starting spot from Bibby yet, but if he keeps improving he should by at least the middle of the season.
Astro Joe
August 16th, 2010
4:59 pm
Some chum for the blog sharks. Have at it…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/chris_mannix/08/16/offseason.grades.southeast/index.html
niremetal
August 16th, 2010
8:15 pm
No true center
Yeah, except for that All-Star.