Atlanta Hawks: Catching up (again) with Al Horford
Caught up with Al Horford again, this time at Oglethorpe University during his summer camp for kids. The scene was about as loud and hectic as you might think. It’s always good for me to be reminded of why I don’t have (or want) any kids.
“The parents love it,” Horford said. “The kids do all this running around, and they are worn out when the parents come pick them up. They go right to sleep.”
The reports are that Al didn’t just lend his name to the camp like some athletes are known to do, but was hands-on with the kids. His father, Tito, helped out, too, running the kids through some drills. Bibby was there on Thursday.
Al held a camp in Michigan last summer and has two scheduled in the Dominican Republic next month, but this was his first local camp.
“This is my third year here so I figured I should do something here in Atlanta, [especially] since I live here, too,” Al said.
Before succumbing to the apparently A/C-less gym and those rambunctious rugrats, I managed to talk some business with Al. He offered insights on J.J.’s re-signing (good), Atlanta’s search for a center (important), a potential contract extension (no hurry) and the Heat loading up in Atlanta’s division (challenging).
Al said he’s happy the team re-signed Joe. He’s on board with ASG and Rick Sund’s philosophy that the Hawks still have the potential to get better so they had to keep pushing forward.
“I agree,” he said. “Everything is going well. Guys are still getting better. I think that is important to keep the team together. Like [Sund] said, we definitely don’t want to take a step back. It’s tough to build in this league.”
Atlanta is looking to add a center. I think that will happen through free agency rather than a trade. There are no indications the Hawks are actively seeking to trade any of their core guys but, like any team, they would listen to any offers that come their way.
They’d have to be very good offers, though. The Hawks still think this group can get better, and their focus is adding pieces to it, not “addition by subtraction,” Sund said. In other words, he’s not going to break up the core for a so-so trade.
Sund said the focus would getting bigs for the last three roster spots. That’s good news to Al, who thinks the Hawks definitely need to acquire a bona fide center.
“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.”
Al said he doesn’t necessarily mean getting a center to supplant him as the starter so he can move to power forward. Rather, it could be a scenario where the new center plays a lot of minutes and L.D. can mix and match from among the new guy, Al, Josh, Zaza and any other big guys Sund adds (a Jason Collins return is a possibility if he gets in better shape).
“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.”
He said he’s fine with that (it seems odd that an All-Star has to say that). He said he knows some fans and media seem to be more concerned about his position than him. But the way he sees it the Hawks have to play to their strengths, which includes a lineup with him at center.
“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.”
L.D. has talked about making better use of those advantages in the new offense and defense. Al said he hasn’t had that discussion with L.D. yet: “I am really interested to see what he is going to do as far as that.”
It’s also going to be interesting to see what the Hawks do as far as Al’s contract extension. The Hawks can offer him one that begins in 2011-12 and is worth up to five years and $82 million. The deadline for a deal is Oct. 31.
Al had said he knew the Hawks would take care of J.J. first. Now that they did, would he like to talk to them about an extension?
“We’ll see,” he said. “If the time is right. It is something that I will have to talk to my agent about. I know that the priority for the team was to re-sign Joe. We will see what happens the rest of the summer as far as the free agents if they are trying to get anybody else.”
The CBA complicates things for both Al and the Hawks. Atlanta will get the chance to retain Al’s rights as a restricted free agent next summer, but then what will free agency look like in the new labor deal? If Al signs an extension now it takes away some uncertainty but he can’t know now if he would be better off as a free agent.
“I really can’t get too caught up in that,” he said. “I really just have to go out and play. If something happens and I get an extension, great. If it doesn’t, I just have to keep playing and keep getting better.”
As for Miami, everyone seems to be predicting they will become an instant juggernaut due to the SuperFriends. They still have a lot of roster spots to fill but at this point is anyone wiling to doubt Pat Riley? Dude re-signs Wade, adds the other two stars and then carves out enough cap space to sign Mike Miller by sending away former No. 2 pick Michael Beasley for peanuts–a draft mistake that hardly anyone cares about anymore.
Assuming the Heat keeps building the roster with useful players, the Hawks could find themselves the third-best team in their division.
“This division is probably the toughest one,” Al said.
MC
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281 comments Add your comment
everything but the truth in the serum
July 10th, 2010
1:13 pm
WWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I HATE AL HORFORD I HATE AL HORFORD I HATE AL HORFORD I HATE AL HORFORD
WWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I HATE AL HORFORD I HATE AL HORFORD I HATE AL HORFORD I HATE AL HORFORD
WWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I WET MY PANTS AND SHEETS AGAIN TOO!!!!!
OK, I FEEL BETTER NOW.
ADR
July 10th, 2010
1:21 pm
I think we have to heavily pursue a trade with the twolves for Al Jefferson. This would possibly give us the best frontcourt in the east
cdog
July 10th, 2010
1:36 pm
JE JE, AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE.WE HAVE RICK SUND.SHAQ PROBABLY WILL GET TIRED OF SUND’S GAMES AND SIGN WITH SOMEONE ELSE
OK
July 10th, 2010
1:36 pm
Please sign this guy. I love it.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/03/02/shaq-responds-to-boshs-comments-by-calling-him-the-rupaul-of-b/
Truth-Serum
July 10th, 2010
1:40 pm
@ Bubba Crew Truth Hater./SMALL RAY
I LIKE THE HAWKS I WANT TO WIN. NOTHING PERSONAL, HAWKS NEED A CENTER! THERE ARE OTHER PLAYER ON THE TEAM BESIDE HORFORD@ Bubba Crew Truth Hater./SMALL RAY
I LIKE THE HAWKS I WANT TO WIN. NOTHING PERSONAL, HAWKS NEED A CENTER! THERE ARE OTHER PLAYER ON THE TEAM BESIDE HORFORD@ Bubba Crew Truth Hater./SMALL RAY
I LIKE THE HAWKS I WANT TO WIN. NOTHING PERSONAL, HAWKS NEED A CENTER! THERE ARE OTHER PLAYER ON THE TEAM BESIDE HORFORD@ Bubba Crew Truth Hater./SMALL RAY
I LIKE THE HAWKS I WANT TO WIN. NOTHING PERSONAL, HAWKS NEED A CENTER! THERE ARE OTHER PLAYER ON THE TEAM BESIDE HORFORD@ Bubba Crew Truth Hater./SMALL RAY
I LIKE THE HAWKS I WANT TO WIN. NOTHING PERSONAL, HAWKS NEED A CENTER! THERE ARE OTHER PLAYER ON THE TEAM BESIDE HORFORD@ Bubba Crew Truth Hater./SMALL RAY
I LIKE THE HAWKS I WANT TO WIN. NOTHING PERSONAL, HAWKS NEED A CENTER! THERE ARE OTHER PLAYER ON THE TEAM BESIDE HORFORD
Truth-Serum
July 10th, 2010
1:45 pm
CO-SIGN
LOL
July 10th, 2010
11:37 am
I have to agree, This is not a hawks blog site but a Horford fan club site. Its it possible to hear about and from other team memebers. Ive lost count of the Horford articles…didnt you just do another one last week? & the week before? I dont recall ANY Josh Smith interviews or articles which is foolish because he is an atlanta native.
As for as truth serum I never met the man but if he is tired of the AL Horford slant to the blog then I can see his point.
Give me a break!
July 10th, 2010
11:39 am
Ditto LOL. Lets hear from the other players.
OK
July 10th, 2010
11:40 am
U wanna see Josh Smith? Just go to freaking Marietta. He’s not bashful. I know he’s there at home ’cause he’s certainly not in suwanee with Mark Price like he should be. Gas must be too much for him.
Give me a break!
July 10th, 2010
11:41 am
Thanks for the support.
Back to square 1
July 10th, 2010
11:05 am
Give me a break!
July 10th, 2010
11:01 am
They have to do that to keep Horford’s image up. The rest of the players like Smoove, JJ, Crawford have enough talent to command attention. Horford is average is most categories, less than average in some, and above average in none.
Yea, me too. Id like to hear from the other players and this does seem a bit one side.
Exposed!
July 10th, 2010
11:42 am
Android = big ray
OK
July 10th, 2010
11:43 am
Maybe instead of a draft party this time, Josh can host a Free Agency Party! This time bring LeBoob, CB4, Cryabay Wade and the rest of their Groupies! Nice way to pass he summer. No jump shots involved SMH.
Exposed!
July 10th, 2010
11:43 am
Android is rays plant baby.
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
11:45 am
LOL!
Can we GET AN UPDATE BLOG ON MATT FREIJE? I HEARD HE WAS ON OUR TEAM 4 YEARS AGO AND I’D LOVE AN UPDATE ON HIM OVER MARVIN OR BIBBY.
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON ZAZA’S RESTAURANT?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON SMOOVE’S FAN SITE?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON JOSH CHILDRESS’ SHOES COLLECTION?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON HORFORD’S FLUENCY IN SPANISH?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON JAMAL AND NATE’S FRIENDSHIP?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON MICHAEL GEARON JR’S RECENT TRIP TO EUROPE?
CAN WE PLEASE NOT GET AN UPDATE ON SMOOVE’S WORK ETHIC, MARVIN’S SUMMER WITH SEAN MAY AT UNC AND HIS AFRICAN STUDIES DEGREE, OR BIBBY’S WORKOUT ROUTINE THIS SUMMER? OBVIOUSLY NONE OF US CARE ABOUT THAT STUFF
Back to square 1
July 10th, 2010
11:46 am
If you would just fall down and worship horford it will go well for you on this site and Ray will leave you alone, but If you dont act as if horfords 12 points and 9 rebounds is earth shattering then you will be barred.
Next week we will publish the 12 article this year on horford. Make sure you read it or else.
Mediator
July 10th, 2010
1:50 pm
Just for the record, no one is allowed to criticize horford on this site with out us branding you as a hater. It worked for the Illegal immigrants it will work for horford. If you feel that horford is anything less than God, you MUST be a hater.
ON THIS SITE HORFORD IS GOD!
We dont care about Josh or JJ or Crawford or Marvin.
If you arent satisfied with Horford’s 12pts and 9 rebounds you are a hater.
AND STOP ASKING FOR ANOTHER CENTER OR WE WILL TRADE JOSH AND GIVE THE POWER FORWARD SPOT TO OUR GOD.
KevinM
July 10th, 2010
1:57 pm
Let me follow up GeeMack’s comments and wonder if it is possible to acquire 2 big guys over what we have right now……
Give me Okafor AND Jefferson and move Smoove and Jamal while he is high valued because Jamal isn’t going to come back here with the limited minutes he will get.
Any 2 of Chills/Smoove/Jamal/Zaza and give the other 2 plus Bibby and we should be able to work with that.
We still have a MLE available and can bring a backup to Marvin/Joe.
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
2:09 pm
GET CARMELO. HE IS RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING
SUND GET YOUR ASS OUT THERE AND SIGN SHAQ.OVERPAY IF U HAVE TO. GOD
JoJo the Godfather
July 10th, 2010
2:20 pm
Johan Petro got a 3yr $10M deal from the Nets.
lewis
July 10th, 2010
2:34 pm
JEJE,
You are obnoxious in your methods, but more often than not I agree with you.
However,
CARMELO DOES NOT PLAY DEFENSE.
CHRIS BOSH DOES NOT PLAY DEFENSE.
RAY ALLEN DOES NOT PLAY DEFENSE.
LEBRON IS A FREAK OF NATURE WHO CAN BLOCK SHOTS BUT HE DON’T PLAY D.
KOBE BRYANT PLAYS DEFENSE. JOE JOHNSON PLAYS DEFENSE. MICHAEL JORDAN PLAYS DEFENSE. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD BRUCE BOWEN PLAYS DEFENSE.
Except for struggling to get fouled, JOE JOHNSON IS BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM.
AND FOR %&^*%^&WM$& $ HE’S ACTUALLY LOYAL TO HIS F@#%ING TEAM. JOE JOHNSONS FLOATER AND CATCH AND SHOOT 3 POINTERS WILL LEAD THE HAWKS OUT OF THE 2ND ROUND THIS YEAR.
That said, Joe is old and we really do have a maximum 3 year window.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2010
2:35 pm
Al Jefferson is not a center, plays no defense, and gets injured more than our current big men. Minnesota thinks so little of him as a center that they signed Darko and Nikola Pekovic to split time at center. Why the hell are blog people so infatuated with him?
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
2:37 pm
SIGN SHAQ ALREADY
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
2:39 pm
LEWIS,
I DON’T CARE IF I AM OBNOXIOUS. I SPEAK FROM THE HEART AND I KNOW MOST OF WHAT I SAY IS TRUE.
HERE IS MY PATH TO A TITLE/FINALS:
1) SIGN SHAQ. PAY HIM EXTRA IF U MUST. THE TICKET REV WILL SKYROCKET
2) GET A JERK LIKE MATT BARNES
3) GET A PG IF TEAGUE DOESN’T WORK OUT. TRADE MARVIN+BIBBY FOR BEST PG AVAILABLE.
U CAN DANGLE SMOOVE+MARVIN FOR MELO ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. THERE’S A REASON HE HASN’T SIGNED HIS EXTENSION YET.
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
2:40 pm
THE #1 GOAL THIS YEAR IS FOR DREW TO GET THESE GUYS TO GIVE EFFORT EVERY NIGHT AND AN OFFENSIVE SYSTEM WHERE EASY BUCKETS ARE PRODUCED
northcyde
July 10th, 2010
2:42 pm
LOL . . damn. Petro got a 10 million deal? These owners are spending money left and right. How dare Stern talk about how much money the league is losing, when you have owners willing to pay scrubs millions of dollars.
Shaq at the minimum is probably going to cost the entire MLE for maybe 2 years. Sund . . you need to throw that offer at him, and see if he bites. Give him the same deal as Jermaine O’Neal . . with a player option in Year 2, in case he wants to leave after the season.
KevinM
July 10th, 2010
2:55 pm
Najeh its not a fascination, but its more of an approach to improve our 1/2 court presence in the paint. We are not very good in the 1/2 court, and Al has no bulk to keep Dwight from moving at will.
While I haven’t watched must of Al Jefferson recently, the Wolves might move him for a minimum return.
That in itself might be worth the risk. I wouldn’t consider Dampier, Kenyon Martin, Eddy Currie or Tyson Chandler. I think Al J and a guy like Okafor might provide enough competition to keep both motivated.
Our team isn’t going to improve just by LD himself. We need bodies, and big ones. The C’s had their Garnett and a combo of Perkins and Powe their championship year. Neither are very good seperately, but very good as a unit. If we could put AlH/Emeka/AlJ together, we would have a more formidable frontline.
It will take better coaching for sure for underachieving big men, but we have to modify the frontline with a more imposing lineup. I have very little hope that Shaq would come here for any amount that Sund would offer.
Big Ray
July 10th, 2010
2:59 pm
Truth Serum ,
Sorry, but I just don’t have time to play with your personalities. You’ll have to play with yourself like you usually do. Horford is God? Uh, no, that’s blasphemous or sacrilegious, take your pick…but he is an all-star. Is it the Hispanic part that bothers you so much? Figures…
OK ,
That was too funny. I agree, sign Shaq for that reason alone: a sense of humor.
northcyde
July 10th, 2010
3:00 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2010
2:35 pm
Al Jefferson is not a center, plays no defense, and gets injured more than our current big men. Minnesota thinks so little of him as a center that they signed Darko and Nikola Pekovic to split time at center. Why the hell are blog people so infatuated with him?
*****************************
Only the people that really follow the league, would know that Al Jefferson, while good offensively, is terrible defensively.
You would have to play him alongside a very good defensive center ( Howard, Kendrick Perkins, etc ) to survive with him playing on that frontline.
What he brings to the table offensively, is almost completely canceled out by what he gives up defensively. In that aspect, he reminds me a lot of Zach Randolph
northcyde
July 10th, 2010
3:03 pm
I think Cleveland is going to get Jefferson, in exchange for that huge trade exception that they got from Miami in the Lebron trade. That move may be good enough to keep Cleveland a playoff team.
Big Ray
July 10th, 2010
3:04 pm
Najeh ,
Beats me. A couple of years ago it was a fine idea. But Jefferson has much to prove. For a minimal amount, I’d take the risk. But thinking he will improve this team on the defensive end is a joke. It should be obvious, like you said. Kevin Love took his job at the 4 spot, and he can’t really man the 5.
But watch Cleveland snatch him up. We’ll see…
Big Ray
July 10th, 2010
3:04 pm
@northcyde…..yep!
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2010
3:22 pm
“While I haven’t watched must of Al Jefferson recently, the Wolves might move him for a minimum return.”
Eveen if the Wolves want to, salary cap rules prohibit it. They would have to take back $11 million in salary. If the Hawks are planning to send Marvin and Bibby the other way, fine, but that move still doesn’t address any of the Hawks’ foremost needs when it comes to big men.
Big Ray
July 10th, 2010
3:29 pm
Co-sign…
Mystikal
July 10th, 2010
3:39 pm
Does anyone know how much $$ we actually have? I believe we’d committed 65$ million to 10 players after resigning Joe, leaving us around 5$ million. And then we have 5.7 million with the mid-level exception and just above $2 million from the bi-annual exception. That sound close to acurrate?
Dr. Callemout
July 10th, 2010
3:42 pm
Judging by truth-serums many personalities it seems that the guy hates himself and is very lonely.And I sense that he has a hatred for women and he watches porn and is a habitual self-abuser. Get help fellow before it gets out of control. Just a stern warning from a concerned person.
GO HAWKS! And please seek help truth-serum I sense a complete break down.
I MUS WRITE
July 10th, 2010
3:56 pm
Players I want gone- Bibby,Joe Smith,Collins, Evans. It will be hard to move Bibby at 6mil per but lets kep our fingers crossed.
Bring in Ryan Hollins,Shaq PG-Farmar SF-Barnes…..
Hollins is a legit 7ft with all kind of athleticism,Shaq is the beef we’ve been lacking in the middle, Barnes is an above average defender with 3 point range-he did a really good job on Kobe this year. PG- Bibby is old fat and slow,Teague has potential but his jumper makes me nervous. Im not sure he’s ready to be the man,which is why I didnt get in on the nickname fiasco last summer…..Uhhhm let the guy get his feet wet and lets see if he can actually play before we start handing out nicknames. Instead of JTO etc …his name should have been brick house. I sure hopr that yung’n is putting up atleast 500 jumpers a day – I would be happy if we brought in any of the following to play along side Teague- Farmar/Livingston/Ridnour
Teague/Livingston or Ridnour
JJ/Jamal
Marvin/Barnes
Smoove/Hollins or Mcgee
Horford/Shaq/Zaza/Morris
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
3:57 pm
HOW DO U SPEND THE FREAKING MAX ON JJ AND CAN’T DISH IN A LITTLE EXTRA FOR SHAQ? WTF IS THIS?
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
3:59 pm
ASG DIDNT EVEN GIVE A TEAM OPTION ON BIBBY’S THIRD YEAR. HE IS THIS BAD AFTER YR 1. IMAGINE HIM IN A YEAR’S TIME. THIS GUY THINKS BEING BIG AND MUSCULAR TRANSLATES INTO HIM BEING GOOD LOL
Dr. Callemout
July 10th, 2010
4:03 pm
JeJe please get control of your emotions.I notice you type 95% of your blogg posts in all capital letters.Did you grow up in an angry household.No offense but all caps still won’t get MC’s attention.GO HAWKS! Just to caution you to use more self control JeJe.
I MUS WRITE
July 10th, 2010
4:30 pm
Blog monster in full effect
Mystikal
July 10th, 2010
4:32 pm
Potential targets:
PG’s:
Flip Murray, Jannero Pargo, CJ Watson, Jordan Farmer, Rafer Alston
Luke Ridnour, Shaun Livingston
Wings:
Matt Barnes, Ronnie Brewer, Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Rasual Butler
Jerry Stackhouse, Damien Wilkins, Roger Mason, Dorell wright
Centers:
shaq, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Big-Z,
Theo Ratliff, DJ Mbenga, Josh Boone
And what is up with Josh Howard now, is he done? Is he over his little pity party for being an idiot,
cause he still has some game in him. If we can get the sign and trade of Chillz for Javale McGee I
will be good, despite whatever else does(not) happen.
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
4:40 pm
“JeJe please get control of your emotions.I notice you type 95% of your blogg posts in all capital letters.Did you grow up in an angry household.No offense but all caps still won’t get MC’s attention.GO HAWKS! Just to caution you to use more self control JeJe.”
Dude STFU. I bring the ratings to this blog. Every point I make is equally efficient, articulate, and accurate. Who the hell are you?
True Atlanta Fan
July 10th, 2010
4:42 pm
If the team cant resign Al, I will be very disappointed. I cant stand to see him go.
JeJe
July 10th, 2010
4:44 pm
Can we GET AN UPDATE BLOG ON MATT FREIJE? I HEARD HE WAS ON OUR TEAM 4 YEARS AGO AND I’D LOVE AN UPDATE ON HIM OVER MARVIN OR BIBBY.
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON ZAZA’S RESTAURANT?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON SMOOVE’S FAN SITE?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON JOSH CHILDRESS’ SHOES COLLECTION?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON HORFORD’S FLUENCY IN SPANISH?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON JAMAL AND NATE’S FRIENDSHIP?
CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON MICHAEL GEARON JR’S RECENT TRIP TO EUROPE?
CAN WE PLEASE NOT GET AN UPDATE ON SMOOVE’S WORK ETHIC, MARVIN’S SUMMER WITH SEAN MAY AT UNC AND HIS AFRICAN STUDIES DEGREE, OR BIBBY’S WORKOUT ROUTINE THIS SUMMER? OBVIOUSLY NONE OF US CARE ABOUT THAT STUFF
Ken Strickland
July 10th, 2010
4:56 pm
KEVINM-the major reason our half court OFF was so poor was due to us not having a half court OFF, other than giving the ball to one of our Bigs, having everyone clear out and let him go ISO. There were no cutters to the basket, and no back picks or slip screens. Bottom line, there were no options built into Woodson’s limited half court OFF. So, the player either had to beat the DEF by himself and score, suffer a turnover, or hope to get fouled. There was also no penetrating and dishing.
With us running more, and generating more player and ball movement, our half court OFF, as well as the players involved, should definitely improve. Hiring LDrew, and not rehiring MWoodson, won’t make the Hawks a championship caliber team, but it will put us in a much better position to become one.
We can talk about Woodson and his issues all we want, but the fact is, we won 53gms and advanced to the 2nd rd of the playoffs with him and his issues. If we eliminate his issues, and the negative effects they had on the players and team, and get more offensive and defensive production from ALL players, HOW CAN WE NOT IMPROVE?
northcyde
July 10th, 2010
5:11 pm
Mystikal
July 10th, 2010
3:39 pm
Does anyone know how much $$ we actually have? I believe we’d committed 65$ million to 10 players after resigning Joe, leaving us around 5$ million. And then we have 5.7 million with the mid-level exception and just above $2 million from the bi-annual exception. That sound close to acurrate?
**************************
You’re confusing the Salary Cap number and the Luxury Tax number.
Salary Cap is 58 mill . . . Luxury Tax is 70 mill
With us being at 65 mill, we’re already over the Salary Cap.
So the only thing we can use is the mid-level exceptions and/or bi-annual exceptions ( not sure if we didn’t already use that last year, when we signed Joe Smith and Jason Collins.
Basically, the most we can spend in free agency on one player, is the MLE ( roughly 5.8 mill ). Any pther moves we do will have to involve a trade.
O'Brien
July 10th, 2010
5:17 pm
Matt Barnes signed with the Magic last year for 2 years, $3.8 mil. Imagine how much better the Hawks would have been if we had signed him for 2 years, $3.5 mil per year (most of the MLE) last year?
Chances are he would have taken away Marvin’s starting spot (the same Marvin we are paying $7.5 mil per), and we could have traded Mo Evans. Plus that price is less than what Chills will get.
Unfortunately, we can’t afford him this year, because we need to use the MLE to sign a legit big.
northcyde,
I dont think we used the BAE last year. And I’m thinking the MLE will be used to sign a big, giving us 11 players. And the other 2 roster spots will be veterans for the minimum (or guys from the summer league roster).
UGA
July 10th, 2010
5:20 pm
No go for Dorrell Wright. Signed with the Warriors, 3 year deal per ESPN
UGA
July 10th, 2010
5:30 pm
We’re not getting Matt Barnes. He tweeted a couple days ago that 6 teams have contacted him and Atlanta was not one of them.
OK
July 10th, 2010
5:32 pm
U guys and your fascination with Matt Barnes SMH.
I like Ryan Hollins, If we could get him for Bibby and/or Mo Evans that would be great.
Then sign Shaq. We’d be real nice in the frontcourt.
northcyde
July 10th, 2010
5:43 pm
Ken . . the answer to that question is easy.
If your boy Teague isn’t ready to run the team, we’ll have no choice but to play either Bibby or Crawford to run the point. And if that happens, we may still have defensive issues on the perimeter.
But Woody is/was the root of all evil, until the season starts. Then we’ll really see who improves, who digresses and who stats the same.
R.J.
July 10th, 2010
5:47 pm
TruthSerum I worship horford just like a lot of the guys do on this site and like reverend cunningham is saying “whats wrong with worshipping Horford”, How else to you think He, Ray and myself get those free clubhouse seat?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2010
5:50 pm
Woody wasn’t the only problem. He was just the biggest one. Let’s hope Larry Drew is more solution than problem.
R.J.
July 10th, 2010
5:53 pm
TruthSerum if you dont think that horfords 12 pts per game is significant….you are probably racist. Ray is right, I notice you criticize horford’s stats and defense, therefore like Ray, I going to paint you as a racist.
Co-sign with Ray
dont criticize horford in this temple!
Wyatt Earp
July 10th, 2010
6:02 pm
Erick Blasco’s Top 30 NBA Centers
By
Erick Blasco
(Senior Writer) on August 16, 2008
4,203 reads
98 comments
4 likes
Bynum_crop_340×234
NBA centers are the biggest of the behemoths, possessing a frightening combination of size and strength. They’re usually in the best position to score because they set up closest to the basket, and are typically the final fortress of a team’s defense.
This list does not take into account a player’s future prospects or past salad days. The criteria is simple: Which NBA center is best suited to being an integral part of a championship team this year.
Due to the way some NBA lineups are presently constructed, a handful of teams have two potential centers in their lineup. For that reason, Antonio McDyess, Pao Gasol, Amare Stoudemire, Marcus Camby, Ben Wallace, and Jeff Foster are listed as power forwards, as they will probably play the power forward position in their team’s starting lineups.
No rookies made the list, as neither you nor I have seen them play in meaningful games against meaningful competition to know where they should be ranked. By all accounts, Greg Oden will be good. Nobody can accurately say how good.
With that said, the list:
1) Yao Ming—Houston Rockets
When Yao’s healthy, he has the right combination of strength, finesse, offense, and defense to be the best center in the game. He’s an uncanny mid-range jump shooter, a willing passer, and he’s comfortable in either box, though he has a noticeable hitch in his hook shots which allow smaller players chances to alter or block the attempt.
Also, because of his towering height, dribbling is a problem, as is passing on the move —meaning turnovers will always plague him.
He’s intelligent, humble to a fault, a terrific rebounder, and sets earth-shattering screens because referees let him move while setting them.
On defense, his massive frame is his best weapon as he towers over any attempts to post him up. Players with face-up skills cause him difficulty, and he’s often a half-step slow against ball-penetration.
Considering how crude Dwight Howard’s offensive arsenal and defensive instincts are, Yao is the reigning center supreme in the NBA until Howard’s brain catches up with his body.
2) Dwight Howard—Orlando Magic
Howard is already the best rebounder in the entire league, sets bone-breaking screens, is a ferocious dive-cutter, and is a gifted shot blocker. When he’s able to use his massive shoulders to muscle away an opposing defender, he has an effective, if simple, right hook from the left box, and a left hook from the right box with virtually no counter moves.
On defense, Howard is still learning the nuances of timing, footwork, and how to attack ball-penetrations, though his court-awareness is very low. Good post players and penetrators aren’t discouraged by Howard’s presence, and in an offense without Orlando’s spacing, his production would be limited to put-backs and the occasional right hook.
Still, the sky is the limit for this phenomenally talented youngster.
3) Rasheed Wallace—Detroit Pistons
If Rasheed Wallace wanted to, he could easily be number one on this list. His post moves and reverse-pivot counters are infinitely more advanced than anything Ming or Howard can put up in the low post.
He has range out to the three-point line. He’s a physical rebounder and screen-setter who can also handle some and pass. He’s an elite defender, both on-ball and on help.
Too bad he’s a coward who prefers to wallow aimlessly at the three-point line, and blames others (teammates, coaches, referees) for his shortcomings.
4) Tyson Chandler—New Orleans Hornets
Sure, his only offensive moves include dunks and tip-ins, but his defensive skills and athleticism are second-to-none.
The best all-around defensive center in the game, Chandler can guard the post, block a shot from the weak side, and even hang on the perimeter against big men with face-up skills.
Chandler is also smart enough to know when to set screens, and when to slip them and catch Chris Paul’s lob passes for dunks. He changes games with his defense and his athleticism alone.
5) Zydrunas Ilgauskas—Cleveland Cavaliers
Ilgauskas’ massive frame and long wingspan make him an elite post defender and rebounder, even against players with quicker first steps and first jumps. Zyggy Il also features a feathery jumper and an array of nifty hooks, turnarounds, and reverse pivot fadeaways with his back to the basket.
Unfortunately for Cavs fans, injuries have wrecked his feet, and Ilguaskas is a challenger for slowest player in the league. And while his post-up game is refined, it isn’t really potent.
Still, his power defense has been one of the main components to Cleveland’s exceptional defensive squads the last handful of seasons.
6) Shaquille O’Neal—Phoenix Suns
Shaq’s proven that he can still score around the basket with tremendous success, bang with slower players in the post, and take up space in the paint—which by itself is an effective form of defense.
As always, any opponent who can turn-and-face, and any screen/rolls targeting the Big Diesel will undoubtedly result in open shots. The difference was that in the past, teams could live with the tradeoff, since Shaq was single-handedly decimating opposing frontlines.
If not for the inconsistencies, the question marks, and the downright lack of prolific centers below Shaq on the list, he’d probably be farther down.
7) Andrew Bynum—Los Angeles Lakers
Bynum has a blooming right handed sky-hook, and a duck-under counter going back to his left, but all his post moves are predicated on finesse. He’s too small to be an effective screen-setter, though he’ll slip and cut with the best of them.
On defense, he’s frail and easily confused, traits that should gradually improve with age. Boxing out is another aspect Bynum hasn’t grasped yet.
What Bynum does have is valley upon valley of untapped athleticism, and the speed and agility to succeed off the ball in the triangle. He’s still a work in progress—albeit a talented one.
Jefferson’s undersized, and is a center only on the Timberwolves, but the man is powerful near the basket and is a threat for 20-plus points against any defender.
His defense improved last year, but is still a problem, as is passing, and stretching his offensive game out beyond ten feet.
Still, A.J. has developed into a reliable rebounder and post scorer on a team with absolutely no other offense. He’s the last guy on the list capable of someday being a good team’s centerpiece.
9) Mehmet Okur—Utah Jazz
A bit of an anomaly, Okur’s defense is all power, and his offense is all finesse. He has easily the best range of any center in the league—well beyond the three-point line. He also has an effective, if awkward, pull-up jumper, and will crash the boards with as much force as anybody.
He’s a solid post defender, though players who can spin quickly, or turn-and-go, leave him in the dust. Because he’s devoid of athleticism, Okur is subpar as a help defender, unable to block shots or get in front of players attacking the basket.
Since defending the post is one of the biggest concerns a team can have, and teams can rarely adjust to a three-point shooting seven-footer, Okur earns his bones in the top ten.
10) Jermaine O’Neal—Toronto Raptors
O’Neal’s always been overly content shooting 20-foot jumpers, and venturing into the low post only when being defended by a weaker, inferior player. He can’t pass, is turnover prone, is soft mentally and physically, is defenseless, overpaid, and a gust of wind can break his bones.
He’s athletic enough to sometimes put up points, but is one of the games true overrated players. Still, 20 points is 20 points, and there aren’t too many dynamic forces behind him in the list.
11) Chris Kaman—Los Angeles Clippers
Kaman isn’t dynamic enough to carry a franchise, but he does a number of things reasonably well. His swinging hooks, more often than not, are effective, he’ll try to make the appropriate pass, he’ll rebound, he’ll work hard, and he’ll defend.
12) Udonis Haslem—Miami Heat
Out of position at center, Haslem is a rottweiler, who’ll loyally perform any defensive job with a perfect combination of skill and aggression. He’ll lock down post-threats as well as big men who can turn and face. He’s a bear on both backboards, and is exceptional at screening and floating out to the wing to knock down 18-footers.
Haslem’s overall offensive game is limited, and he can be overpowered by stronger players on the defensive end. In truth, the less you ask of him, the better he’ll perform, especially offensively. Still, Haslem’s a fighter, and an underappreciated role player.
13) Kurt Thomas—San Antonio Spurs
Thomas can still defend the post as well as anybody in the league, and his mid-range baseline jumpers still ring true time and again. He’s getting up there in age, but he’s still reliable.
14) Emeka Okafor—Charlotte Bobcats
Okafor certainly is athletic, can rebound, and can block shots, but that’s virtually all he can do. He’s never developed any legit offensive moves, and gets all his points by crashing the glass, or crude, clumsy post moves.
On defense, Okafor’s athletic, but fragile, and can be pushed around easily by bigger, stronger players. Whether it’s been injuries or Sam Vincent’s inept coaching, Okafor’s never developed into what he was projected to be.
15) Andrew Bogut—Milwaukee Bucks
Bogut’s too slow, too unathletic, and isn’t talented enough to come close to justify being the first pick in the NBA draft in 2005. However, he’s big enough to be an adequate post defender, is a skilled passer, and has a decent right-handed hook around the basket. He’s mediocrity personified, which lands him smack dab in the middle of the list.
16) DeSagana Diop—Dallas Mavericks
Diop is probably the best post defender in the league, thanks to his diligent work ethic, quick feet, and massive frame. He’ll even move his feet on switches., and uses angles well to hang with guards and wings for a beat or two before being outraced.
His screens are massive, but he has poor awareness offensively and no refined offensive skill to hang his hat on. He can’t pass, or shoot, and is turnover-prone.
17) Anderson Varejao—Cleveland Cavaliers
When Varejao isn’t doing Sideshow Bob imitations, he’s actively defending, constantly hustling, rebounding, running, jumping, and flopping. His offensive game is non-existent, but he’s a madman on defense where his quickness and unbridled energy enable him to be a quality defender in the league.
18) Samuel Dalembert—Philadelphia 76ers
Dalembert is a big-time shot-blocker who’s much better defending from the weak side than the strong side as he can be attacked directly by stronger players. On offense, Dalembert has a somewhat reliable 16-footer, though he hoists too many bad shots for somebody with limited range and an iffy jumper.
19) Al Horford—Atlanta Hawks
Horford isn’t a very good defensive center yet, though the commitment to playing defense is certainly there. While he has the strength, Horford has to get tougher and be less disinclined to bump and bang. His post moves are limited, though he has a reliable elbow jumper and is a powerful rebounder.
In actuality, Horford is a power forward playing center on the Hawks only because of the franchise’s lack of quality big men.
20) Brad Miller—Sacramento Kings
While his numbers certainly look stable enough, Miller is one of the softest, slowest, most defenseless players in the entire league. His only skills that stand out are his elbow jump-shooting (easily duplicated by many), and his wonderful passwork (duplicated only by a select few).
There’s more to being a good center than simply being able to pick-and-pop and pass.
Wyatt Earp
July 10th, 2010
6:03 pm
19) Al Horford—Atlanta Hawks
Horford isn’t a very good defensive center yet, though the commitment to playing defense is certainly there. While he has the strength, Horford has to get tougher and be less disinclined to bump and bang. His post moves are limited, though he has a reliable elbow jumper and is a powerful rebounder.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2010
6:06 pm
Yeah, that’s real convenient… post an article from right after Horford’s rookie season. While you’re at it, you might as well post an article from the same time period about how Rajon Rondo is the 19th best starting point guard in the league.
Wyatt Earp
July 10th, 2010
6:08 pm
Re: Lamarcus Aldridge or Al Horford
Postby WorthyBlitz42 on Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:00 pm
Aldridge, he isn’t pathetic at defense and rebounding like Horford is, though he can be at times. Both of these guys are one-dimensional big men, basically useless if they aren’t making their shots. I still would rather have Aldridge, Horford just looks pathetic on the defensive end.
O'Brien
July 10th, 2010
6:10 pm
JJ’s agent said JJ was going to help with recruiting. Has anyone heard anything about who JJ might be targeting? Or was it just agent speak?