Summer break Horford style
Al Horford (right) is eager to get things started for the Hawks this season. He's already in town and working out in preparation for training camp, which kicks off Sept. 29.
HAWKSVILLE – In the pantheon of awards Al Horford has won during his basketball career, being named Monday’s MVP of the John “Beans” Beckett Invitational probably doesn’t rank anywhere near the top (some people are into NCAA titles and stuff like that I guess).
But that didn’t stop the Hawks third-year center from celebrating a little bit after receiving the word of the honor as the crowd left the floor at the Hawks’ practice court.
“Yes,” Horford shouted in between laughter as he pumped his fist into the air on his way to the locker room. “Being 4-1 on my first day back is what matters to me.”
Jokes aside, and there were plenty of them delivered on and off the floor Monday, Horford’s glad to be back. His summer has been filled with work-related travel and activity, a summer break that probably felt more like summer school in this case.
After playing eight games in 10 days with the Dominican national team in the FIBAS Americas tournament in Puerto Rico, Horford took just a few days off before returning to the grind with an assortment of his Hawks teammates and other pros in daily workouts on the track and court.
“I know this is a big season for us, a big year, and that’s what you have to do,” Horford said. “This is what you have to do. If you want to get better you have to put in the time. So I’m here just like the rest of these guys trying to get it done.”
Horford worked with a team comprised mostly of younger players Monday, teaming with Hawks rookie point guard Jeff Teague and training camp invitee Frank Robinson to stay on the floor (winning team stays on until they lose) for most of the day. His presence on the floor was beyond noticeable, as he worked over big men from the opposing two teams (mainly veteran center Randolph Morris and rookie free agent and training camp invitee Garret Siler).
As much fun as he was having Monday, Horford acknowledged that the stakes are dramatically different now compared to what he was doing as recently as last week in Puerto Rico.
“It’s a big difference between just pro basketball and when you’re playing against other countries,” he said. “It’s a big deal. There’s a lot of heart and a lot of emotion. It’s such a big deal. It’s a lot of fun. It’s different basketball, but a lot of fun.”
For Horford and the Hawks, the real fun begins in a couple of weeks with the start of training camp. And after back-to-back playoff seasons the expectations are sky-high. With added frontcourt help in the form of veterans Joe Smith and Jason Collins, Horford is feeling better than ever about the Hawks’ chances of living up to their newfound hype.
“I like what we’ve done,” Horford said. “I’m happy we were able to get both those bigs and with Zaza [Pachulia] and then Josh [Smith] and myself, i think we’re going to be good. I’m excited. I’m looking forward to getting everybody in here and training togtether so we can get our chemistry down and be ready to go from the start.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
210 comments Add your comment
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
3:40 pm
reasons to be excited about the Atlanta Hawks: #46 Jamal Crawford’s crossover http://sbnation.com/e/795964
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
3:44 pm
Woody didn’t embrace Horford. Zaza was the starter, but he got injured. Horford got inserted into the starting lineup because he was better than Shelden, and he played fairly well for a rookie. Zaza didn’t play well when he came back from injury, and the gap between the two kept extending to this day.
Lets tweet this everywhere:
“Hawks aggressive rookie point guard Jeff Teague when for a vicious dunk and injured Josh Smith”.
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
3:48 pm
Lets tweet this everywhere:
“Hawks aggressive rookie point guard Jeff Teague went for a vicious dunk and injured Josh Smith”.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
Ray,
http://www.comcast.net/video/jay-leno-returns-to-primetime/1254366996/Comcast/1254411284/
Yeah he F-ed up big time.Everyone knows it. Check Youtube. The amount of video responses bashing him is incredible….and he deserves all of it.
Besides, That Beyonce video wasn’t even that great. It’s just three chick dancing in front of a white canvas…the wonam has like a gazillion awards already anyway….
The Huricane Katrina thing was comical and sad at the same time. I ovelooked that one b/c there was a good meaning behiend his motives….but did u see Chris Tucker’s face??? Classic!!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
3:50 pm
jerrywest, let’s not and say we did
rms
September 15th, 2009
4:12 pm
Does anybody know if Teague is considered a PG or a SG?? Is it too soon to compare him to any of the current guards in the league right now or does he look like he might be up there with the top PG’s of the league.
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
4:14 pm
Ariose,
In regard to the Hurrican Katrina thing, I’m not saying he was wrong (I disagreed with some of it), just saying his timing was awful. He’s just getting on my nerves. His music can be pretty good. But he screws it up by acting like an arse half the time. But anyway….
George Holman
September 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
You really have to like what management did during the off season. Let’s see if Woody can put it all together.
Ramon
September 15th, 2009
4:36 pm
So Sekou says Josh stroke is looking right!
Ramon
September 15th, 2009
4:37 pm
If Crawford doesn’t come in balling, Teague may very well be the 6th man this year.
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
Sekou sent Stackhouse to realgm front page.
http://www.realgm.com/
someone will get him soon.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
4:56 pm
Ray, I agree. Horrible Timing. I was shocked just like the rest of America…..and Chris Tucker!! LMBO!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
He should have just released a statemnt to the press. That’s the classy way to go about voicing your opinion.
Matt Smith
September 15th, 2009
5:14 pm
yes….114th…..best day ever
A Tribe Called Quest
September 15th, 2009
5:20 pm
Whatup Sekou?
Are we trying to add Sekou to this roster?
bigdave
September 15th, 2009
5:35 pm
i havent watched MTV in about 4yrs but i saw the clip, he looked foolish… and then “Lil Mama” (lip stick song; looks like Bow Wow in drag) pulled a pub stunt during Alicia and Jay’s performance…
worked to a degree cause now yahoo, ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” have done features on America and manners/civility…
about the Katrina remarks… hmm… could have been done better… i do appreciate him having an opinion and stance and not digressing. so many times front line celebs either have no comment or retract their statements not using their fame as outlets to evoke thought.
i dont like the cop-out he used in the Leno video…
Blast
September 15th, 2009
5:56 pm
Kanye West sucks big time. I saw the show and the stunt he pulled was ghetto, asinine, juvenile, disrespectful to the extreme, and portrayed black people in more negative light. There were so many other ways he could have expressed his views, and not take away Taylor Swift’s thunder. Reason I saw that bit was because I was at my friend’s place that night and she is into pop, country music and such. She said right before the winner was announced that Taylor Swift or Pink would win that award, cos she had seen all the videos, and she was right. Kanye was dead wrong. I never liked him or his music, and if I was a fan of his, I would have stopped buying his music. He was only mad he didn’t win anything. And when was he named Beyonce’s lawyer with the right to campaign on her behalf? I hope somebody f***cks up Kanye West good sometime soon.
On basketball? Get well quick, Josh Smith.
MannyT
September 15th, 2009
5:57 pm
@Ariose–Check out the first sentence of today’s blog for the Beckett Invitational. I’ll never be first because I read what he writes before I start typing.
@Sekou–still loving the Twitter stream next to the blog.
Kudos to the person that came up with that idea.
Hope Josh heals soon. At the same time, this may create just enough of an opportunity for someone to get extra time and shine in pre-camp workouts. I don’t know who, but this is another example of opportunity knocking due to injury.
@BigDave–I’ll take entertainment from entertainment folks. I can skip the opinions on bigger issues…except for Charles Barkley who was smart enough years ago to step away from the role model thing.
BWAF
KevinA
September 15th, 2009
7:05 pm
It would be interesting to see Hunter and Stackhouse fight for one of the last spots. If Hunter does not project replacing Evans in the next year or two, A Stackhouse might fit the bill for a one year deal.
Samuel
September 15th, 2009
7:36 pm
Let’s be real here. There’s a big difference in Katrina and some funky as_ awards show. I agree that that was stupid but most people I know said the Katrina statement was “Right On Point”.
Kanye needs to make his mind up wheather to be a part of the “system” or get out of it. can’t really have it both ways.
Unfortunate thing about Josh. Hopefully he’ll recover 100% and even get better with the “off hand” because of it.
Cuz,
Are all the staff at these workouts(trainers, coaches ect.)? If so, why do they perpetrate and call it “unofficial”? I not, they need to cool it until it is official.
KevinA
September 15th, 2009
8:01 pm
LOL the president said it best Called West a Jack Ass.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
8:26 pm
Melvin, Apparently the Spurs have signed your boy Curtis Jerrels
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/sierra/2009/09/15/spurs-add-guard/
MannyT, So true….but now I can never be first lol.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
8:27 pm
Manny, I saw it. I jut wnnaknow what it is….I’ve never heard of that one before.
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
8:39 pm
Samuel,
Agreed. Two totally different events altogether. Again, it’s the timing. Didn’t win an award and you’re pissed about it? Fine, then say something on Letterman or afterwards, but NOT when somebody else is getting their award and trying to thank the fans for it. Got an opinion on the federal government’s failures? Don’t we all, but the idea of that event was to get people to call in and donate money, while getting to talk to stars. I won’t say he was dead wrong about his timing, but it sure could have been better. Let’s not interrupt the flow of good vibes when people are donating money to a good cause by opening your mouth and making it seem like it’s all about you.
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
8:45 pm
Just want to let you guys know, the Hawks Hacks blog will be back soon.
Samuel
September 15th, 2009
8:49 pm
I think he was just trying to impress “B”. Didn’t work.
Sautee
September 15th, 2009
9:10 pm
Enough about Kanye. He doesn’t deserve our attention.
The only West I want to read about is Mario.
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
9:17 pm
Samuel,
I don’t think he wants to go that route. Not with Jay-Z. I heard there’s an empty seat next to Tupac and Biggie…
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
9:20 pm
Sautee,
Word. And we haven’t heard a word about him…
Hoops
September 15th, 2009
9:38 pm
Arthur Triche: Hey Hawks fans, be on the lookout for some interesting news tomorrow — I think you’ll like it. Over 3 hours ago.
Hawks fans this is a quote from Arthur Triche on Twitter. Could it be that the Hawks are about to sign Stackhouse? WOW!!!
Mystikal
September 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
Is this a hawks blog or what?? Screw Kanye and his crazy a$$. Why is this even a topic?
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:11 pm
The American Dream is a Wack Sandwich…..Dwayne Wade has male groupies too, Well Dam!!! 4$ at the door OMG…. U kill’n me man.. please u gotta stop!! hahahahaha! Let me guess they serving fish sandwichez in the back right. How about 22 oz colt 45’s. Did somebody jus roll up here in a dam tractor!!! O star Jones called she wants her uterus back.Some body light an incent-EWWW.
Ray- Kanye was off his meds sunday night, I thought it wuz funny at first “Beyonce had the best video eva” until i thiught about how he ruined her first award on national tv. Get ready for more its Kanye-Thatz what he do!
Mystikal
September 15th, 2009
10:12 pm
Don’t know how true it is, but Stackhouse would be a great addition. We needed some more depth behind Marv, think that was our only week spot. Now we have good size, plenty shooters, more ballhandlers/playmakers, veteran experience (playoff exp), and still have the youth and versatility that makes us dangerous. Can’t wait to see how it all comes together!!
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:21 pm
Dont be tard for The Party
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
Is this thing on….. Tap tap tap!!!! so im being monitored i see, Freedom Of Speech Dam It
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
Looks like you cant put Joe Smith on the back of a Jersey. So we will have two “Smith’s” this year. Not even initals…so no J.Smith Oh well…it woulda been funny though…
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2009/9/15/1032206/a-fantastic-piece-of-news-from-the
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:30 pm
Can we please stop the Kanye hate ….He did it – It was rude and disrespectful- Its over… Everybody in the lench Mob will be buying or downloading his music as soon as he drops another hot album…… Ray has it playing in his squad car right now…… ” I keep my love Lock down ..my love lock down…….. Well Dam!!!!
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:33 pm
Just kidding officer ….I saw what happened to Rodney King, Wow did I just say that -Oh well one to many Mai Tai’s…..
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
I put the Twitter feed next to the blog Manny (with an assist from a tech savvy friend of mine). Ha. I like that trick, too.
Sautee is right, we need to forget about that crazy West and talk about Rio. He’s nursing an injury right now so he hasn’t been on the floor with these other cats at the Beckett Invitational. But he’s been around, getting treatment for his injury.
Coaches aren’t there Steamboat. Not only are they not allowed, most of them are not even in town. This is something the players do every year. And it’s not just the Hawks, it’s players from all over. One of them is a cat from your neck of the woods. Courtney Fells (Shannon and NC State) has been in there working out the past few days. He’s pretty good, too. I spoke with him a little bit today. It’s a great look for guys like that to get on the floor with NBA players and for them all to get a good run in.
The old worry about a player getting hurt is useless. It could happen anywhere. A guy can twist an ankle walking down the stairs in his house or something outlandish like that. It happens, man. You just thank you lucky stars it’s not anything more serious than it is.
Whatup Tribe? Don’t flame that rumor. They’ve already alerted Fat Magic that they’re not interested in adding a fullback/point guard to the roster. Ha.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
Oh lord, now he’s accusing ray of black on black crime
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
10:49 pm
LOL@ Sekou!!!!!
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
10:52 pm
Stackhouse is just here working out. There’s nothing imminent with him and the Hawks.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
10:52 pm
Sekou, Don’t be modest. We know you got the sick crossover and a body built for backing down lazy defensive guards like Mike Bibby hehehe….
Big Ray
September 16th, 2009
12:17 am
IMUS,
Hey dammit, I LIKE that song. How’d you know I was pumpin’ that in my cruiser?! But ol’ boy is wrong. That wasn’t one of the best videos ever. In fact, I think the vid for “I don’t think you ready for this jelly” was better…
And why you gotta act like I’m tryin’ to beat a brotha down?
Ariose,
I’ve heard worse, and IMUS is just doing his thang (tryin’ to bug da fuzz), LOL!
Okay fine Mystikal so I strayed from the main groove! I’m sorryyyyy (like Dave Chappelle in “Half Baked”). Now what were we talking about?
Big Ray
September 16th, 2009
12:18 am
Sekou,
That “Fat Magic” ish was too funny. If they’ll sign a pg/fullback, then surely they’ll have no problem with a 5′11″ forward/nose guard….
bigdave
September 16th, 2009
1:48 am
MannyT…
well and true… and good for you. however, to my point, there is a major difference between evoking thought, and agreeing with or following someones views. you must remember the fan bases. sure they are just silly ole’ entertainers. though with lots of influence. in agreeance or not the dialog (be it classroom, dinner table, etc) it creates could be of value.
Samuel
September 16th, 2009
6:24 am
Yea. I feel you. Glad to see “My Boy” Courtney made it to town. He’s a good dude. Very mature for his age, no? And crazy hops and serious range. He had a bad Summer league(shooting wise) but hopefully he can turn “My Boy” Woody’s head enough to get an invite to training camp. What are his chances? He can do all the things Mario can on “D” plus a much better scorer.
Tell Woody he owes me one. LOL!
Willie Coyote
September 16th, 2009
8:11 am
I know I’m late but I have to say I’m a little disappointed that Deron Williams is all over Wade’s jock. That dude has enough refs lining up to take a knee; we don’t need other players trying to suck up to the cool kids too.
Courtney Fells
September 16th, 2009
8:41 am
Ima take Mario West’s spot on the team, yo.
Jones
September 16th, 2009
9:02 am
Sekou, any word on Flip’s plans? I know there’s no place for him on the Hawks now, but I appreciate what he added last year and hope he finds a good gig. He’d be a great asset for someone.