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.”
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210 comments Add your comment
Mystikal
September 15th, 2009
12:12 am
Um, first!
macaroni tony
September 15th, 2009
12:15 am
well second…
dooley
September 15th, 2009
12:15 am
The Hawks are going to surprise a lot of teams this year. EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS baby……
Mystikal
September 15th, 2009
12:20 am
I can’t wait for the season to start. Wish I could get a glimpse of how all the new pieces are meshing, especially Teague. I don’t think anyone has seen Jamal Crawford up close and personal yet, but sure to be interesting. Glad to hear Al was putting in work. Going against the international players I imagine he played against some well skilled, high basketball IQ’s. Which he already has, but with Joe Smith and Collins in the fold he can get even better. How sweet it is…
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:22 am
FOURTH!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:23 am
Doh!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:28 am
Yessir!!! Cant WAIT to stick it to Wade and the Heat!!!
BTW, Sekou….Care to get a Mo Evans reacton to the events that transpired today due to certain crybabys/nerds? It’s only fair that Mo know some dude is singling him out on the Hardwood right? It’s times like this where I wish we still had our resident Goon: F(Dot)Murray sigh…he was perfect for jobs like these.
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2009/9/14/1030060/72-reasons-to-be-excited-about-the
The Jazz have it coming their way too…..
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:30 am
Those two man…. Frick and Frak, I tell ya….
Mystikal
September 15th, 2009
12:31 am
Dwade still has his feelings hurt. Sure it’s hard to take ribbing from a lesser guy on a team that beat you. Oh well… LOL
doc
September 15th, 2009
12:49 am
not first
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
2:16 am
Ariose,
Wade can say what he wants. And he can say what he wants about Mo Evans. But I bet he won’t be saying too much when somebody reminds him of that time in a game last season, when he went to the rim, thinking he’d score and win the game. As I recall, he took flight, then he saw the shadow of a fearsome Bird of Prey. It all happened in slow motion for him, I bet. One minute he was flying towards the rim for the sure-thing dunk or layup. Next thing you know, Josh Smith swooped over him (and I mean OVER him), and that shot was gone.
Must have been how Carl Weathers felt in “Predator” when he tried to shoot the alien hunter and that mutha sucka came at him with those blades. Wade had about as much of a chance….
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
2:18 am
I would love to see Al Horford become a 15 and 10 guy.
Clyde
September 15th, 2009
2:53 am
Ray I would love to see Horford become a defensive stopper.
Kayne West
September 15th, 2009
4:57 am
I be playin point guard dis yea.
vava74
September 15th, 2009
5:30 am
I’ve been very quiet lately, for several reasons:
1. I’ve been busy;
2. You fellow bloggers have provided quality entertaining reading;
and, most of all,
3. I am having difficulties typing anything remotely logic since I am still trying to wipe out my smile after reading what J-Smoove (and the rest of the gang) have been saying about their off-season and their expectations for next season…
I am about to go from being confident that we will crack the 50 win mark to believe that we will get to the 57/60 win level this year!!!
I can’t wait for day 1!
R
September 15th, 2009
7:44 am
16th. I mean really, who cares?!?!?!?
rainman
September 15th, 2009
7:47 am
Hey Sekou, did you get to watch Horford in the ‘Beckett’ invitational?
I was curious if he had time to hit the weight room with all the off-season activities he had scheduled. I know there are not that many talented large bodies at center, but two or three of them happen to be in our own division.
R
September 15th, 2009
7:48 am
I meant who cares about the order. You guys remind me of some of my kindergarten students. I am excited about the Hawks this season. However, they are still the 4th best team in the East. All they did was to close the gap (a few games) to the 3rd best team in the East. This way they avoid a sweep in the second round.
Elliot Garcia
September 15th, 2009
7:49 am
No college for Al this summer??
smartguy
September 15th, 2009
8:11 am
FIRE WOODY!
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
8:14 am
Anyone trying to take what Mo said about Wade and Kobe and turn it into anything sinister is full of it. If anything, it was a sign of respect for two of the best players on the planet. But you can take a man’s words and twist them into a foolish pretzel of nonsense with Twitter. And no, I won’t fan the flames by soliciting a response from Mo.
I was there Monday rainman. Horford’s been working all summer. They all find time to work out in the summer. I don’t think there is any doubt about that.
Hay Maker
September 15th, 2009
8:19 am
Josh Smith is just a hi jumping guy Williams is not sure where he fits in onthis team and the Hawks need a point guard Bibby is not the answer anyone can hit a shot when the game is out of reach Joe Smith is as interesting as my big toe he is unable to take over a game and he is so laid back that it affects the rest of the team. Same old Hawks at the end of this season they will be saying wait until next year. Lenny Wilkens messed this team up years ago and they will never recover from it and I will never pay a dim to see them . Still mad after 15 years a judge told me a long time ago that this was not a good sign he was right.
The Truth
September 15th, 2009
8:23 am
Sekou
From what you have seen up to this point, what is your sense of the player’s impression of Siler?
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
8:34 am
20th.
and wait till Crawford shows up and scores 50 on the practice squad.
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
8:40 am
Mo is our 10th/9th man. He will get 5-10 minutes against Miami subs. Wade needs to worry about Collins who might break his leg when tries to drive on us. Collins could do that in 1 minute.
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
8:41 am
Somebody tweet that to Wade.
donkeydawg
September 15th, 2009
8:52 am
so sekou, i guess you are saying Wade is full of it? he is the one that had his feelings hurt.
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
9:01 am
That’s not what I amn saying donkeydawg. Yet another instance when someone’s words get twisted. Ha. I just don’t get why people love to take this stuff and turn it into something it isn’t. It’s a waste of time.
As for your question Truth, Siler has only been around the vet’s for one day (yesterday). My guess is that it will take a little more time for them to form any opinions on the big fella. Everyone agrees on one thing … he’s a big dude.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
9:07 am
Yeah, I guess hes just a lil bitter. But It’s really just uprofessional…Cryin’ just like he does to the refs…
donkeydawg
September 15th, 2009
9:14 am
i agree it is dumb to turn it into something its not. and this really isn’t anything. don’t think it deserves newspaper space. but i find it widely entertaining. twitter brings people close to the athletes. and it is funny to me that Wade would even comment about something the 8th man said about lifting weights.
the world is getting is smaller. but this might just be a sign that i have no life
donkeydawg
September 15th, 2009
9:15 am
plus it is sept. Us NBA fans are dying here!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
9:19 am
Sekou, I hear ya. Like I said, I let that Heat Fan have it who started this whole mess. I know Wade and Mo have done Converse events together in the past when they were both signed to them(wase is with Brand Jordan now) I figured Mo could just contact him and clear the air. I guess not. The playoffs must have really made him bitter. I know Mo and Wade had a few words and scuffles in the series’ but I didn’t think It was serious. I just dont want Wade coming at Mo with any kind of sinister intentions on the court(but I guess that’s the refs department……If they don’t get locked out this season
)
But can you beleive Deron Williams? What a kid. Remeinds me of some punks I knew back in gradeschool
Anyway, plenty of Hawks Fans let Wade know that he proabaly read the statemnts wrong, and that it would probbl take a 60 point effort for him to single handedly beat us next season, ’cause he still doesn’t have any help lol….Quinten Richardon Hah!!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
9:23 am
*Wade not wase lol…
newkid
September 15th, 2009
9:25 am
Sekou, thanks for taking the rational approach by avoiding the seeming epidemic of attempting to ‘make the news’ as opposed to ‘observing news’ when it occurs. Wayward and perverted attempts to make the news have so perverted many of those in your profession, some of those of us in the world of blogs and tweets have rather blindly taken to mimicry. I commend you for refusing – in this instance – the requests by others to contribute to the madness. Keep it up.
ILL-logical
September 15th, 2009
9:25 am
Sekou,
What’s the stautus of Mo-the other one:Momentum regarding the club at this point? Is there a palable sense that ,in the words of the Greenville Guy-our time is now?
doc
September 15th, 2009
9:27 am
r if you let that bother you you are at about the level of an impetuous kindergartner.
mo is our 11th man if things work as planned. funny folks forget how quickly d wades go is bruised when he pouted at a walk on named west stiffed him and celebrated. didnt wade get excited a few times in his career when he was put in a spot and delivered? let wade expend his energies trashing out 11th man. you just wont see him trash josh though. heh heh, the cat would bring down the house all over him and he knows it. d wade talking baby talk.
macaroni tony
September 15th, 2009
9:28 am
Ariose,
I feel you. The Hawks was the league’s punching bag for years, but now when people see that you can’t just push us around they take things personal. We should have beat the heat in five games if we were more healthier, but I can take the fact that we made it to the second round. Now we have more beef in the middle, and we have more scoring power. I love this month for sports, because every sports league is gearing up to rumble. I hope that Wade is ready to to bring the funk, because It’s ON: Go Hawks
macaroni tony
September 15th, 2009
9:37 am
We need another wing also on this team, we only have MW and Mo. Who could we get that want break the bank? I like GGreen. That would be another high flyer just like JS. Any thoughts?
rms
September 15th, 2009
9:38 am
37th…..
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
9:56 am
Ray & Doc, ROFL!!! Wade sure knows ho to “choose” his battles doesn’t he? Apparantly Wade skipped pre-school where they teach youm manners and how to respect you elders…er…opponets heh. If his comments were for Josh Smith, I think we’d all be slaivating at this point waitng for the ensuing dunk-fest.
Tony, I agree. We should’ve taken care of them earlier, but those darn injuries man. This month has really been excitng for sure. I was really wanted Buffalo to get that W last night though, oh well.
It’s funny how people forget that just ten years ago we were a consistant playoff team. It baffles me that the Hawks were associated with that (The NBA’s version of Siberia) label so quickly. It’s all good though, ’cause were about o run through the Leauge like never before.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
10:00 am
Tony, I like GGreen also, I don’t know whats going to happen though. Some seem to think that wemay sign stackhouse, who seems to have founda fountain of youth momentarily lol.
rms, You’ve just won a new plasma flat-screen HD Television!!! Give it up for #37 everybody!!!!!
BYC
September 15th, 2009
10:03 am
I’m excited at Josh’s quote from the other article, seems like he is finally gonna figure things out and take it to another level this year:
“I wanted to work more on my decision-making than anything. I handle the ball so much on the fast break and in transition that I wanted to make sure I’m thinking the game the way I need to be. I also worked on my handles and knocking down that mid-range jumper. I’m really not worried about the 3-point ball right now. We have so many guys on this team that can make that shot.”
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
10:04 am
and wait till Crawford shows up and scores 50 on the practice squad.
Ha! Yeah, thats what we wanna see!!!
Dos Hawkquis
September 15th, 2009
10:10 am
SEKOU,
I was reading MJ transcripts of his acceptance speech into the HOF. He was notorious for taking another players words and twisting it to motivate himself.
Obviously, DWade is doing the same thing.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”
macaroni tony
September 15th, 2009
10:11 am
If we sign SHouse then this would be a team that will crack the 3rd spot in my opinion. We are going to shock the world: It’s ON Go Hawks!
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
10:11 am
Well, Josh has passed the denial stage.
That’s a major step whether he completely recovers or not.
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:17 am
I would like to see Horford get more touches. I would like to see Woody utilize the weapons he’s been given proficiently. Mo is bulking up huh? Can we put some lifts in his shoes as well because he’s still 6′5 and a defensive liability against most SF….. He is not a SG atleast not by the depth chart.
So ahhhm…… Nirmental and Ariose were band geeks in high school i see- hahahahahaha! Bach,Mozart,Bethoven LMAO
We’z Cultured now…..LOL
Sekou-gotta give it up to Big Blue, they looked good Rich Rod has got those guys playing with attitude and passion.I must admit that I wuz routing for ND but im glad Big Blue is back to national respectability. Defense looked except for 33 – He looked horrible against Floyd…throw after throw going his way -no respect at all. Torschier is the real deal- that yung’n has sum wheels and is crazy cool under pressure.
Nir/Salim fan ……just for the record there is noting cool about playing the flute in the marching band …What else are yall hiding- Flag Team, Majorettes, Spirit Team Well Dam!!!!
O Randolph Morris is a jug of 3 month old jug of spoiled milk
” ” ” a strippers G string after hours of twerking
” ” ” a boat full of haitian refugees
” ” ” A bag of my old BDU’s after a 2 week feild exercise
” ” ” The smell of my socks after a 12 mile road march
Just Putrid is what im say’n yall……GOOD DAY
PD
September 15th, 2009
10:18 am
Sekou,are the Hawks going to sign Stackhouse or he is just passing through waiting to be invited to a camp from any team like Anthony Johnson is doing?
macaroni tony
September 15th, 2009
10:19 am
I don’t thank that JS should not keep trying to shoot three pointer on the practice floor. A lot of players learn how to shoot later in their careers. Hell Shaq is still learning to shoot free throws, the reason why I said that is because we made need that shoot from JS at point in the season. I just think for now that he should be more of a banger in the hole. If you do then he will be a 20-10 player.
I don’t care for players like Wade, Deron, Lebron, because they really think that they’re untouchable. But what JJ did to him in game seven made him look really small. It’s On: Go Hawks
youngstar from atlanta
September 15th, 2009
10:26 am
The hawks are gettin ready for the next step in the process. Every year we have gotten better. What the hawks need to do is pick up a sf(Gerald Green or someone with athleticism and can score ) to be complete. If you look at it we have added depth to every position except sf. I love Marvin but we can’t wait. Mo Evans too one dimensional. Just someone to stretch the offense off the bench
rms
September 15th, 2009
10:29 am
Ha, that was funny Aroise!! I could use a new flat screen T.V. to watch the Hawks kick butt in HD this season. Not to sure about signing Stackhouse, that just might be an too much for Woody to handle. He already got enough in the Dome of his, we dont need to overload anymore than it already is!!
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
10:30 am
If Mo Evans is an upgrade over Mario West, Stackhouse is certainly an upgrade over Mo.
Sign him up for minimum-Vet. Let the league pay most of his salary.
Stack would have the guile to guide this team & get his 6 fouls on LeBron/Pierce/Carter. He is a UNC guy, and probably knows the tricks on defending Carter better than most.
Get him Sund.
I MUS WRITE
September 15th, 2009
10:32 am
Hay Maker… Honestly do u even watch the games? We didnt get Joe Smith to take over the game-he is here for front court depth and veteran leadership, Mo has a role its called Defense and shooting the long ball. Last time i checked Mo is crazy athletic for a 6′5 guy…Ie the backwards two hand dunk on amir Johnson last preseason..AHHHH YEAH
Is this fool still talking about the team under Lenny Wilkins….wake up fam its 11 years later and all of those guys are gone-were u asleep in a time capsule or sumthing……..
Wait what was that Hay Maker????? The falcons are gonna be tuff to beat this year under Jerry Glanville…….Wake up fella LOL
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
10:36 am
Smoove needs to learn how to box out and rebound. That should be his top priority. He should be ashamed that with that kind of hops, he can’t average 10 rebounds.
Learning to shoot 3pointers should be his 173rd priority, way behind learning how to chop his trees.
lexluther
September 15th, 2009
10:37 am
Haymaker talks like he’s been smoking HAY. Get a clue…
The Truth
September 15th, 2009
10:37 am
Sekou
Thanks for the update on Siler (as vague as it is). I guess I am a bit antsy about his progress. Because of his limited basketball experience, he has the makings of a true Cinderella story that would be even better then Mario West. If I was Sund, I would sign this guy if for no other reason then to be the Team Cinderella Mascot. By definition, the term comes from the ending of the fairy tale Cinderella, and it implies unexpected success after a period of obscurity. In reality, that is the story of the emerging Hawks. The funny thing about these Cinderella stories in sports, some ends just as a fairy tale but some also go all the way to victory as I am remembering Jimmy Valvano and the Cardiac Kids (1983).
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
10:37 am
We could use Jerry Stackhouse’ guile more than Gerald Green’s athleticism.
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
10:39 am
We could develop Siler in the Dev-League. Don’t expect much from him this year.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
11:31 am
I Mus, loldont hat on the band…..you probably watched the movie Drumline like a 1,000 times
BTW, what a U hiding? Closet waterboy? ha!
rms, It might just happen lol. That would be information overload for the WAFFLE man. His bran would probably stop functioniing for a few minutes it we signed stack….DO IT!!!! Hehehehe…
Deron Williams hit me up on twitter. He was a little irritated ’cause I was making fun of him last night hehehehe…..well, thats what happens when you don’t watch what you say. You wake up an angy mob of Twittering Hawks fans. I hope he’s learned his lesson.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
11:33 am
*hate
*are
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
11:37 am
Sekou, Remeber when Siler said all of the Hawks Bigs looked smaller in person? I wonder how the big man felt after getting his lunch money taken away by Horford
BBgenie
September 15th, 2009
11:49 am
Hay Maker, Get a life!!! “STH” Stop The Hate!! Stick you Big toe, In your Big mouth!! Also if you don’t have cash to buy a ticket to a hawks game, maybe if you “STH” I will give you a pair of tickets to see the NEW Eastern Conference Champs play this season. Hawks in 7!!!!
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
11:51 am
Ariose – Now you are trying to make Siler mad. We’ll all come after you if he injures Horford. Stop when you are ahead.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
11:55 am
jerrywest, lol OK. But I doubt Siler could even catch Horford at this point hehehe…
MannyT
September 15th, 2009
12:23 pm
When do the Beckett Invitational shirts go on sale in the team store
What is the coaching equivalent of working on their craft in the summer? Do they go out and secretly coach some AAU practices?
A better reason for the Miami Heat folks to be on edge.
And poster number 43 wins the random crap prize for the day IF (s)he included 43rd in the post…oh well…better luck next time.
BWAF
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
12:26 pm
Very few people are noticing – the big 3 is becoming the big 4.
The organic growth, the continuity, the new found depth and the balance of youth and experience will make this team far superior to last year’s team. The depth will probably cut down on the number of injuries, and when the injuries will occur, the replacements won’t be 3rd stringers. Can’t wait.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:27 pm
R. Economics Make you poor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tx5xGq150o
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:33 pm
mannyT, LOL! And What the heck is a Beckett invitational?
jerrywest, I’ve noticed. They’re going to be good this year, especially since they finally have a replacement for James Posey(Daniels).
And we’re going to be on their level. The East better watch out, cause were coming. SE Division Champs!!!!! Lets GO!!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:35 pm
Miami’s finished(at least for this season)……good riddance.
jerrywest
September 15th, 2009
12:41 pm
Ariose – I was talking about the Hawks – not the Celtics. LOL. The big 3 = Celts,Magic,Cavs. Celts big 3 will slow down a lot this year. They’ll have much more organic decline than organic growth. Daniels is no Posey.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
12:42 pm
TYT on MJ’s HOF Speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r6SQbTpJYI&feature=sub
O'Brien
September 15th, 2009
12:51 pm
When is the last time we (Hawks fans) went into the season with such high expectations?
I’m thinking 50-55 wins, and a solid showing in the second round of the playoffs.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
1:01 pm
jerrywest, Oh. Gotcha….We Have a Big three? I think it’s going to expand to a big 7 or 8 this year for us though.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
1:02 pm
O’Brien, I agree 55 Wins. Book it, that’s m pre-season prediction and i’m sticking with it.
Nookah
September 15th, 2009
1:03 pm
I have enjoyed the posts from all of you here. I am also a big Hawks fan and have taken some blows over the years as we all know. However, regardless of the team we play this upcoming season they’ll have to bring it, as we are no longer the footstool of the NBA.
I too am very excited about this imminent season. Can Josh Smith really develop an effective mid-range jumper? If he is able to hit that 45% of the time, we will be very very dangerous.
Go Hawks!!!!
cp
September 15th, 2009
1:06 pm
I don’t think Stackhouse has much left in that tank. I would rather have Gerald Green but I doubt we sign him at this point. Would be a nice addition off the bench though. How crazy is it that Sheldon Williams has a new team but Flip doesn’t. I hope the guy catches on somewhere.
Ramon
September 15th, 2009
1:12 pm
Nookah, JJ and Bibby doesn’t hit their jumpers 45% of the time.
I’d rather have Stack over Green. With this lineup, I just don’t see Woody letting Green get in at any point, even more than West. Green is quite athletic but all his attributes have been listed on offensive side not on defensive. I just believe the team needs another back up wing who is more of a hustler and defender than a scorer.
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
1:24 pm
The first casualty of JBI is Josh Smith, who left during the first game today after tearing the webbing between his fingers on his left hand. He was going up to block Jeff Teague’s shot and caught his hand on the rim and needed seven stitches to close the wound. He’s fine, of course, but the action ended shortly thereafter.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
1:27 pm
SASHA PAVLOVIC HAS JUST BEEN BAUGHT OUT BY THE PHEONIX SUNS!!!!!! WE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS!!!!
RICK WHERE U AT!!!!! HE’LLL SIGN FOR THE VET MIN!!!!!!
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
1:29 pm
nOOO!!!!! MY SISTER TORE HER WEBBING ONCE!!!1 FOURTEEN STITCHES MAN…….HE WONT BE ABLE TO PLAY FOR A WHILE….THERE GOES ALL THE MOMENTUM HE HAD DURING THE SUMMER. NOW HE’LL BE AFRAID TO BLCOK SHOTS LIKE JJ IS AFRAID TO DUNK!!!!!!
Hoops
September 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
Sekou,
How long will Josh be out of action?
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
1:41 pm
My sis had her hand wrapped in goz forno less than a month if i’m remebering correctly…ugh.. Heis injury may not be as serious as hers was though…..hopefully…
cdog
September 15th, 2009
1:45 pm
IF GIVEN THE CHANCE SILER WILL GET A LOT OF PLAYING TIME. SIGNING STACKHOUSE WOULD BE A PLUS. I SEE THE HAWKS POSSIBLY CONTENDING FOR THE TOP SPOT IN THE EAST ALL OF A SUDDEN.WAY TO COME BACK AFTER A SLOW START RICK SUND.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
1:50 pm
I hope it was is right hand and not his left…..WE NEED THE LEFT ONE DAMMIT
The Truth
September 15th, 2009
2:06 pm
Ariose
About this comment:
“O’Brien, I agree 55 Wins. Book it, that’s m pre-season prediction and i’m sticking with it.”
Do you make any adjustments after hearing the news about Josh? Inquiry minds want to know.
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
2:11 pm
Don’t know that he’ll miss anytime. Training camp is two weeks away. He didn’t break anything folks, just needs seven stitches to close up a cut on his hand. Ariose is going off the deep end here. Ha.
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
2:14 pm
Josh will be ready for training camp. He should be fine for camp. Don’t start the panic train Ariose.
Sekou Smith
September 15th, 2009
2:28 pm
Just spoke with two people that confirmed Josh will be ready to go come training camp. Out 6-10 days from contact work but can still do everything else he needs to do. And should be cleared for full contact before camp.
BrittishAnger
September 15th, 2009
2:40 pm
Ahh, the excitement is palpable, the tensions in the training facilities matching those out in the Dome and whatever arena the Dream got thrown into because of booking dilemmas (sounds oddly familiar…). I watched a couple of those Dominican games on 360 and while Horford wasn’t the primary focus (Villanueva got that award), he continues to look solid and beastly with each passing season (dude looks like he could knock Rondo out cold with a good set screen). I like the layout for this team going into training camp, with a solid ten man rotation worth batting lashes about and some front court depth to finally quell my desires for somebody to fill that void. The only thing I think we need is one final swing guard; we’ve got nasty depth in front court and at PG (Bibby, Crawford, Teague is a nice rotation for that spot), but Mo Evans is the only back-up for Marvin short of rearranging the angles on any given night. One final security blanket, one final deep roster fill (Siler, of course; won’t back down on the young guy just yet), and this is going to be a team that will shock the world with how good it will be. I’m praying for third, I’ve got this feeling the Boston Three Party is now overcrowded and while they’ll be in the playoffs, they might be fighting Chicago a lot sooner for position than another first round exchange like last season…GO HAWKS, GO DOBBS, AND PRAISE VITALE!!!
PDubATL
September 15th, 2009
2:42 pm
That’s good news, and it sounds like people are starting to trickle back into the A. Any word on if JJ and Crawford are going to be hooping it up before camp? Will be interesting to see how their games mesh out on the court.
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
2:45 pm
Whew!!! Thanks for the info Sekou. I was seriously abut to sart with the Doom and Gloom for a minute there
Ariose
September 15th, 2009
2:48 pm
Truth, It’s still 55 after hearing about Josh lol! Thought you had me huh? lol….
The American Dream
September 15th, 2009
2:58 pm
Horford is the man. He reminds me of a young Junkyard Dawg. I want to remind all of you that I will be appearing at Johnson’s Tire location in Jessup, Georgia, tomorrow night. I will be wrestling a tag team comprised of Mad Man FM Bradley and Tony the Hawk Surrat. Tickets are four dollars at the door. Please come out and support the American Dream. I am a huge Hawks fan. I remember when I used to sit courtside with Fratello and go one on one with Tree Rollins down at the Claremont Lounge. Boy I sure do miss those good ol’ days. Now let’s get funky like a monkey and cheer on the 4th place Hawks who will likely get bounced from the playoffs by Dwayne Wade and Star Jones.
Hawk
September 15th, 2009
3:00 pm
The Hawks are horrible. They will never win a championship. The Bobcats hve as much a chance as winning the title as the Hawks.
Suku Duku
September 15th, 2009
3:01 pm
Wow! Do any of the writers that work for the AJC have any talent? They might as well be frying chicken down at the KFC.
newkid
September 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
Yet another attempt to ‘make the news’. C’mon man.
The Truth
September 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
Good news about Josh indeed. It seems like Teague is doing some serious balling if he got Josh all worked up to block his shoot perhaps to make a statement no doubt. I know Woody must be salivating about this kid. He might embrace Teague like he did Al Horford when he was a rookie. His minutes might be something more then replacing Acie minutes. I love our PG combination between Bibby and Teague. They seem to compliment each other quite nicely. Based on Teague’s draft profile, what he does the best (getting to rim) is what Bibby does the least. However, what Bibby does the best (catch and shoot) is currently a challenge for Teague. We can call this wrinkle the Hawks new one-two-punch.
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
3:37 pm
If Jeff Teague works seriously on his defensive game, the tandem he forms with Bibby will be perfect (and he’ll get more minutes). I don’t think we need to worry about his offense, according to the people who count. By the way, all the pre-draft analysis and assessments mean nothing at this point. His coaches and teammates have observed him, and have played with him. Their analysis is what counts, and what matters now. I’m gonna roll with that .
Al Horford is a defensive stopper. Unfortunately, he is all too often left to stop the opposing team’s frontcourt by himself, in addition to having to respond to the perimeter. This is where a better team defense has to come in. His 1.4 blocks per game put the lie to the idea that he was a non-factor on defense.
Kanye West is an idiot. I liked a fair amount of his music. However, this is the third time he has completely shown his ass and I’m tired of it. The first time he didn’t win any awards, he lost his mind and made all kinds of noise about it. Hey man, people are buying your stuff, you’re winning anyway. Then they had that thing for Hurricane Katrina, where various celebrities helped the effort by talking with callers. Kanye screwed that one up by saying what didn’t need saying (we all knew the Federal Government screwed up already, ok?) and nearly stopping the whole fund-raising effort altogether. Now he’s gone and ruined it for a first time winner by snatching the mic away and stealing her moment. The man has no class. I don’t give a rat’s butt about who won, and I don’t listen much to Taylor Swift. But no way did she deserve to have that happen. Beyonce had a lot of class and helped save the day.
Kanye needs to get his act together and quit showing himself to be an a-hole. Regardless of the validity or lack thereof of what you say, there is a time and place for it. He better learn that before somebody gives him a case of lead poisoning. Having beef with your competitors, particularly in the same music genre is one thing (and quite common, if not fake half the time), but this is something else. What an idiot. Pissed me off. Why’s he gotta act like that?
I wish he had done that to somebody like Aretha Franklin. She would have b!tch-slapped his ass right there on stage, on camera. And I would have laughed.
Big Ray
September 15th, 2009
3:38 pm
And let him say one wrong word about Beyonce. Jay-Z will have that ass.
Mystikal
September 15th, 2009
3:40 pm
Sekou,
Did it look like Teague was building some chemistry with anyone or whose games seem to mesh really well together on the court? Or still too early to make any such conclusions?