Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford: ‘I am going to war with who I’ve got’ (Update: Hawks sign Etan Thomas)
Horford and Hawks hoping they have enough guys who can do this. (AP Photo)
When Al Horford said earlier this summer that the Hawks needed to add an “impact center” to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference, I’m going to guess he wasn’t talking about Jason Collins (who had no impact for the Hawks last season) or Etan Thomas (whose impact lately has been blunted by injuries).
Yet as training camp approaches that’s what the Hawks have behind Horford and Zaza. They re-signed Collins early, struck out with Shaq (who had endorsements from both Al and Smoove) and Brad Miller and today added Thomas.
I bumped into Al at Philips today and asked him if that’s going to be enough to help the Hawks break through the ceiling that for this franchise has been short of the East finals for so long.
“I am going to war with who I’ve got,” Al said
What he’s got at center is Zaza, who came on at the end of last season and stacks up favorably against other NBA backups though he isn’t a stout deterrent at the rim; a leaner and apparently more-motivated version of Collins; and Thomas, a tough banger in the post who will try and show that injuries have not robbed him of his rebounding and shot-blocking ability.
Those three players plus Al, Smoove and Josh Powell will make up Atlanta’s frontcourt. That rotation, with L.D.’s plan to play Al at power forward and Smoove at small forward at times, is going to have to be enough.
Horford had hoped Atlanta would add an impact center who could split minutes with him at center and shore up the interior D against the likes of Dwight Howard and Boston’s frontcourt (and that was before the C’s added Jermaine O’Neal and Shaq). Now he will roll with Zaza, Twin and Thomas.
“I haven’t seen him, but I know that Jason Collins is coming in in great shape and has really worked,” Horford said. “He is a guy who could have been utilized a little more last year. And we’ve got Etan Thomas who will be here soon and he will be a great help, as well.”
After a long day of physicals with Atlanta’s medical people, Thomas had to smile when I asked him about his health. If he came through all the poking and prodding with passing grades, he must be good to go. “Everything is fine,” he said.
Why did he choose to sign with the Hawks?
“This is a great situation,” he said. “I was with Larry Drew in D.C. and I have a lot of respect for him. I like what he is doing here.”
Thomas said Drew made “no promises” about his role and just told him to be ready. Does Thomas think he still can provide the physical presence the Hawks are looking for?
“That’s what they brought me here for,” he said. “I’m going to put in a lot of hard work.”
Thomas, who will wear No. 36 for the Hawks, has earned a rep for physical, high-energy play around the basket.
“We need that inside toughness in here,” Al said. “The more that we have, the better.”
Jamal Crawford’s pending pay-me-or-trade-me request notwithstanding, it looks like Atlanta will send out the same top nine for 2010-11 as they did for 2009-10.
So how can the Hawks improve on No. 3 in the East and the second round of the playoffs, particularly with Boston still Boston, Miami shooting past them on paper, Orlando’s so-far unconquerable core still intact, and Chicago and Milwaukee creeping up from behind?
“I know that I’m excited personally with what Coach Drew has been talking about,” Horford said. “He wants to change the offense a little bit and do things a little differently. Having said that, it all depends on the kind of level that our key guys like Joe Johnson and Josh Smith [reach] coming in. Mentally, I think that’s going to be a part of how good we are as a team.
“I think there is room for growth. There definitely is. We have to work harder if we want to be any better because, man, the East. Milwaukee is better. Chicago is better. Miami is better, it goes without saying. It’s going to be an interesting year for us.”
The same can be said for Al, who is heading into the final year of his rookie-scale contract fresh off his first selection to the All-Star game. The Hawks can extend him for up to five years and $82 million by Oct. 31 or tender him to make him a restricted free agent next summer.
Indications are that the Hawks plan to make an aggressive push to sign Al to an extension but that process hasn’t started.
“I haven’t heard anything yet,” Horford said. “I think anything will start coming once training camp gets going. I am just kind of leaving to that to the owners and my representation and just seeing what happens. I am going to keep working hard and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
MC
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382 comments Add your comment
Hmmm
September 3rd, 2010
12:24 pm
Trade Mike Bibby and Mo Evans. Give them away if you have to. Just get it done Ricky Rick. They’re holding back the talented youth on this squad.
cp
September 3rd, 2010
12:25 pm
I would take Joel Anthony over Ham Hock Collins, Thomas, and Powell….Thomas is about done. This cat hasn’t been healthy in almost 5 years. There was a reason the Thunder stopped playing him and went with the youngsters, because Thomas was terrible. They said they were going to improve this roster, I guess that didnt mean this year.
Hmmm
September 3rd, 2010
12:42 pm
LOL the French PPL on Blogs know enough about us to prognosticate
Les Hawks ne vont plus progresser (à l’inverse de ces 5 dernières années). JJ les plombe pendant 5 ans, s’ils ne resignent pas Crawford meilleur 6ème homme, clutch et qui leur a fait gagner une quinzaine de matchs cette saison, ils vont se faire bouffer même par Milwaukee qui sans d’immenses moyens à fait une intersaison bien meilleure (pas dur en même temps) . Ils vont se retrouver 6ème à l’est (et encore faut voir ce que va faire Washington) et se bouffer les Bulls ou les Magics voire les C’s au premier tour de PO. Bref perso je n’en attends rien (encore moins de Sy mais bravo à lui d’être drafté c’est déjà çà super s’il joue déjà 15 matchs c’est cool). Pourtant le Trio JJ, Josh et Horford avait de quoi tout exploser mais ils sont alone (Williams est inconstant, Bibby a 102 ans et ils n’ont pas de taille sous les panneaux)
“The Hawks do not go forward (unlike the last 5 years). JJ the leaden for 5 years if they do not resign Crawford best 6th man, clutch and made them win a dozen games this season, they’ll even fluff Milwaukee without tremendous resources to make a offseason much better (not hard at the same time). It puts them sixth in the East (and to see what Washington will do) and eat the Bulls or Magic or even C’s in the first round of PO. In short I personally do not expect anything (let alone Sy but kudos to him to be drafted is already here if Super 15 games already played it cool). Yet the trio JJ, Josh and Horford had something exploded but they are all alone (Williams is inconsistent, Bibby 102 years and they have no size in the panels)”
Hmmm
September 3rd, 2010
12:45 pm
Atlanta est une des top teams les moins respectées de la ligue…
Reveillez vous les gars ! Tout le monde ne peut pas avoir l’effectif de Miami ou de Boston..D’une part, l’impact de joueurs de banc besogneux et appliqués n’est pas à negliger surtout s’ils arrivent à transmettre une bonne mentalité à l’ensemble de l’équipe ! D’autre part, ne sous estimez pas les bienfaits de la continuité. En cinq ans, Atlanta a su constamment progresser pour passer d’une équipe a 13 victoires à une equipe à 53 victoires. Ils ont un noyau encore jeune ( Willimas, Horford, Smith, teague..) et perfectibles.
Arretez de les sous evaluer en permanence !
“Atlanta is one of the top teams the least respected of the league …
Wake up you guys! Everyone can not have the personnel to Miami or Boston .. On the one hand, the impact of bench players and needy is not applied to neglect especially if they manage to convey a good mentality to whole team! On the other hand, do not underestimate the benefits of continuity. In five years, Atlanta has consistently progress to move from one team to 13 victories a team to 53 victories. They have a nucleus still young (Willim, Horford, Smith, teague ..) and perfectible.
Stop by to assess the time!”
Hmmm
September 3rd, 2010
1:02 pm
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2010/09/stb-le-havre-confirm-pape-sy-buyout.html
truthspitter
September 3rd, 2010
1:22 pm
Meanwhile, in news of teams trying to make real moves instead of hyping some imaginary offense. The Trailblazers are still willing to trade Rudy Fernandez and the Knicks want him. The Blazers want a 1st rd pick but the Knicks can’t give them there 1st rd pick this year because you can’t go 2 years in a row without a 1st rd pick. So, why don’t we offer our 1st rd pick in a 3 way trade in which the Blazers get the 1st rd pick, Knicks get Fernandez and we get Wilson Chandler? Why I will answer why, because that “Dumb Sund of a GM” is still on vacation.
Link:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqEQTt9GQjPFUYrFo4MHVGq8vLYF?slug=tsn-166829
truthspitter
September 3rd, 2010
1:26 pm
drmaryb (*_*) : T.I. is going right back he got caught with drugs Thursday violated probation
Rev in Tampa
September 3rd, 2010
1:28 pm
Pape Sy’s signing tells us something about Larry Drew. He wanted Pape. Listen to his excitement as he talks about Sy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUzS6e8EgUM
KevinM
September 3rd, 2010
1:30 pm
A fast breaking team in the playoffs? Now that right there is credibility down the tubes!
Fast break all you want at home, and against some teams, but when it comes down to executing, we live and die by the jump shot.
The mismatches inside……..they aren’t in our favor.
Right now we can’t guard a guard dog. Lester is going to have to get the core to buy in to his scheme….probably other teams haven’t seen the defense we’re going to throw at them. Hit ‘em with a backline of Al/Thomas/Zaza and Collins in a 4 man mulitiple position zone that kills them because of our ultimate talent advantage. If Orlando can play 4-1 offense, why can’t we install a 1-4 defense?
Love the optimism of a couple here……
dukester
September 3rd, 2010
1:33 pm
I have never in my life saw a fan base so hype about a player 8,000 miles away that is not even the best player of on his team. Ok guys you get hyped over International players like Yao Ming,The point guard kid from spain, Not players like Pape Sy. Why are the hawks paying 500,000 for the rights to a bench player I dont understand this. None of you have ever saw this kid play, whats the fascination with this guy please tell me????? We are talking about him like he is a savior!!
Hmmm
September 3rd, 2010
1:37 pm
He Played in the summer league. He was good. I’ve seen LeHarve footage. Again, he’s good. Better than ‘Rio and he certainly isn’t clumbsy like Marvin. Let’s also not forget that Mo Evans just flat out sucks and needs to be traded along with Mike Bibby. The kid will take someones spot eventually. Especially if Drew doesn’t play favorites.
Hmmm
September 3rd, 2010
1:39 pm
6′7 225 ’nuff said.
Ramon
September 3rd, 2010
2:06 pm
Dukester, I think Tony Parker was a bench player when San Antonio drafted him.
Rev in Tampa
September 3rd, 2010
2:06 pm
dukester, Drew obviously likes him. He sees something. He fits well with the TEAM: young, athletic, versatile & quick. Drew has been very clear that he wants to develop a TEAM – not throw some scrubs around 3 superstars.
I understand that fans want to pay their money to watch a superstar (the desire to bring in Carmelo), but there is no superstar that is coming to Atlanta who will give us an automatic bid to the Eastern Conference Championship. Had Carmelo been able to do it, he would have already done it with Denver. Even LeBron couldn’t do it in Cleveland.
Astro Joe
September 3rd, 2010
2:13 pm
Ham Hock Collins? Please, put that in the Hakws Blog HOF right now.
The Phoenix Suns of the East? When was the last time they made a finals appearance? Barkley & Thunder Dan?
KevinM
September 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Add to that Astro that Steve Nash is not working through that door.
We are still about finding an identity on this team…..and trying to get away from being a soft team.
The way we defend is a great example.
I know, Woody’s gone, all the demons are now exercised. I wonder why I heard that the players including our elite player say more than once that they wanted Woody back. When that didn’t work out, they went to get behind Lt. D. Now, is there still a country club atmosphere downtown?
Will any of the core be held accountable going forward? I’m willing to wait and watch, but no longer will I blindly support what I think is an average attempt to move this talent forward. And if nothing else, we are supposed to have talented forwards. Lord knows we’ve drafted enough of them.
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
CP – That’s my point – If Joel Anthony was on the Hawks, he would at best be our 3rd string Center – or battling Josh Powell to be the 2nd string PF. As it is, he’s penciled in to be the Heat’s starter at Center, or at the very least battle the 35 year old Z for that job.
Truthspitter – I would love to have Rudy or Wilson but we’ll see…Probably worth a 1st pick for Wilson. Haven’t check the salary – is it doable under the CBA? We aren’t able to take anything off for shipping a 1st pick towards luxury tax.
Ken Strickland – I’m probably not quite the “homer” that you are, but I do think people discount this team. Remember everybody saying fire Frank Wren? Now that we’re in 1st place, he’s a genius. Sund has made some very good moves in my opinion.
JustAThought
September 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
Hey Ken S.! Sorry if I only have history to by. Pheonix Suns of the east……..yeah right!
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
2:35 pm
Orlando’s 1 in 4 out offense is taught by none other than….Paul Hewitt of Ga. Tech. After Tech’s final four run, he was all the rage selling his DVD on how to run that offense.
Rule from old basketball coaches – you can never have too many shooters (and makers of course). That is exactly what Orlando is doing that kills ATL. – we double on Dwight, he kicks it to the open man for a 3. And we don’t have the horses down low not to double Dwight. So as Coach Van Gundy said – ATL, pick your poison.
And that’s 1 reason why we re-signed Collins, and signed Etan, so we could man up Dwight, and guard the perimeter.
JustAThought
September 3rd, 2010
2:36 pm
Oh Yeah…you forgot #8 – Ownership/GM who could not got out of it’s own way to save their own lives.
JustAThought
September 3rd, 2010
2:38 pm
And I guess what Boston did was just down right PATHETIC to you!
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
Rev – It was obvious if you saw summer league, Sy had talent dripping all over him, even though he only played in 1 or 2 games (can’t remember). I still say he is Mo’ Evans replacement next year if he adapts to the NBA game. And barring an injury, I think ATL is crazy not to send him to DLeague to allow him to adjust to the American game, and not just in practice. He needs game time prep.
Alade Aminu had talent dripping all over him also, he just seems so passive.
dukester
September 3rd, 2010
2:43 pm
@Rev @Ramon I respect your opinions on Pape Sy well why did he make it to the 2nd round. I mean i really believe we could have just have invited him over to play. Nobody else wants this kid. If he is so better that MARVIN!!!! Why sign Marvin to a 35 million dollar deal. We could have spent 500,000 to buy this kid out. Come on guys slow down with all of the hype. And Rev you talk about superstars not being able to win us a championship first i will say look at the last 10 teams that did win the title yes superstars were present. So will Pape Sy take us to glory??? And better yet who is Larry Drew??? He is the lamest duck coach in the NBA. Hey look I have no issue with Larry or Pape i cant have a issue. I have never saw either one of them produce at what this blog is so happy to have them for ie coaching and playing. I mean we complain about JJ but say what you want he has produced against the best for years. If you look at the international games Pape has not been playing against the best. Look at how the US has dominated. All I am saying is pipe down with this guy please. ASG has sold us a pipe dream.
truthspitter
September 3rd, 2010
2:44 pm
@ Steve:Truthspitter – I would love to have Rudy or Wilson but we’ll see…Probably worth a 1st pick for Wilson. Haven’t check the salary – is it doable under the CBA? We aren’t able to take anything off for shipping a 1st pick towards luxury tax.
Steve a good GM would have no problem making it work. We could send New York Mo Evans and our 1st. They could then send us Wilson Chandler and send the 1st to Portland for Rudy Fernandez. Mo Evans and Wilson Chandler work in a straight up swap. We could ask for a 2nd rd pick or future consideration from New York for adding Mo in, even though I think Mo is garbage and would be glad to do Mo and a 1st for Wilson, but Wilson is a free agent at end of the year, that’s why I would ask for a 2nd rd pick.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ykaquwz
JustAThought
September 3rd, 2010
2:46 pm
Steve W
Sund is a sham, been a sham and will always be a sham! That why the ASG hired him……a guy that had been out of the league for some years (see Seattle), and HE was the best guy for the job……..I believe you and Ken S. are either the same or both “HOMERS”.
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
2:47 pm
How ATL wins a championship:
We learn how to play playoff basketball. We’re definitely getting experience the past 3 seasons.
1) Teague develops very well, and Bibby remains a good back-up
2) Marvin takes the “Great Leap Forward” in his progress as basketball player
3) Horford and Josh take 1 more step up
4) LD is a very good coach, as are his assistants
5) The injury bug doesn’t hit
6) JJ and Jamal remain at their peak
7) We keep a good attitude on the team
That’s about it – it’s possible. Or else:
- Hire Tonya Harding to attack Dwight’s knee
- Get Pat Riley drunk, and have him sign a deal trading LeBron to the Hawks for Jamal, Marvin and 2 1st picks.
Hey, it works…
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
2:50 pm
JustAthought – I do try to be a realist – a couple of blogs ago, I was accused of being negative because we wouldn’t get Dampier or Shaq in the frontcourt. But once it’s over, it’s over,and you go with what you have…
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
2:51 pm
Sund did steal Jamal – and somehow made 3m dollars on draft day, while keeping a 1st pick. Been pretty good to me.
JustAThought
September 3rd, 2010
2:55 pm
He didn’t steal Jamal………Golden State drafted the young guy that play at Davidson (sorry I can’t remember his name), which meant someone had to go. Hell! you could of walk in off the street and made that deal.
cp
September 3rd, 2010
3:18 pm
Astro I think I will go with Ham Hock Collins from now on lol. I liked what I saw from Sy in his limited minutes. Had a nice handle, played aggressive yet smart defense ( mario was way too aggressive) and he took it to the rim….You cant discount a player just because he went in the second round. Arenas, Monta Ellis, Michael Redd, Boozer, Louis Williams, Milsap and etc were all second rounders. I’m not saying Sy will be as good as these guys but don’t discount second rounders. The Spurs have shown that you can find great talent in the second round.
terrell
September 3rd, 2010
3:47 pm
CP, the Hawks cant even find talent in the 1st rd, yet alone the 2nd. lol!
Daddy Long Long
September 3rd, 2010
4:16 pm
Buying Hawks season tix now that Etan is the “center” piece we’ve been needing. Let’s GO HAWKS! Welcome to Hawksville Etan!
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
SteveW
1st of all Ken Strickland is no homer.
(at least not in my opinion)
Rather, he is an “optimist”.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars,
or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway
for the human spirit.” ‘Helen Keller’
KS, certainly told it like it was in years past.
-Now-
That that he, Rev, myself & others see the positives
outweighing the negatives…..all of a sudden Ken’s a homer?
That’s funny.
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
4:29 pm
Grandad – not trying to down KenS in any way – I’m a positive realist also – Just my opinion he may be a little too positive sometimes – just my opinion however – Agree with much of what he says, as you can tell by the post.
SteveW
September 3rd, 2010
4:30 pm
Notice I just got called a homer as well….
doc
September 3rd, 2010
4:50 pm
stevew no prob as it is easy to misremember. much easier than first thought at my age.
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
4:51 pm
JustAThought
Since your not a homer;
[Why are you on the Hawks blog?]
Which team are you currently affilliated?
Miami?
Some fans are like that, they follow players
around from team to team. Nothing wrong with that.
They are just fans of certain players.
Women are like that, they tend to have crushes on
paticular players. [super-stars]
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
It’s like Jerry Seinfeld said;
about how players switch teams so much nowadays:
“We cheer for laundry”!
Of course he was talking about if you are a homer,
and you cheer for the team as opposed to the players.
Rufus1
September 3rd, 2010
4:53 pm
I want to see
I want to see what the Magic will do when 6′7 SY is guarding Nelson in the 4th qt…
I want to what happens when Jameer has to guard a 6′7 “Hyper Athletic” SY.
I want to see what this BLOG says if Sy becomes the starting PG.
6′7 Sy
6′8 JJ
6′9 MW
6′9 JSmoov
6′10 AL
I believe Sy is coming to compete for the starting PG postion….What BK want all along….A BIG PG!
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
4:58 pm
doc
Then there’s creative memory.
Just make it up as you go along.
When you’re our age just blame it on dementia.
Rufus1
September 3rd, 2010
4:58 pm
Perimeter D
Watch how much our perimeter “D” increases this year…That alone is worth 3 wins.
I don’t ever remeber Woody using Evans to Guard Duhon, Robinson, Jameer or Rose, but I bet that will change this year.
doc
September 3rd, 2010
5:07 pm
can optimism be grounded in reality or at least past performance instead of make believe and hope.
doc
September 3rd, 2010
5:09 pm
gd just read your note … optimism equals delusional dementia?
cp
September 3rd, 2010
5:20 pm
lol good point terrell. I’m talking about the second round and they can barely get the first round right. I still shake my head at the Sheldon pick. Its like everyone knew Sheldon would be a terrible player but BK. I remember him saying he called Coach K and asked him about Sheldon as if coach K was going to come out and admit that even he knew Sheldon was going to be atrocious.
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
5:27 pm
Rufus1 -&- (I think KS has alluded to this previously)
The funny thing is LD is/was the coach who should have
been coaching all along. Even though BK hired MW,
his [MW's] ways of doing things,
(I could not bring myself to say philosophy)
did not gee-haw with BK’s vision.
As for “Pepsi” do not try to put a wrapper
on him as versatility will be his strength.
Try this out, Joe, Jamal, Paps [1,2,3],
-now-
All three can play the [1], Joe & paps
can defend the [1], Joe & paps can defend
the [3]. Talk about versatile.
-Then-
[3,4,5]; Josh Al, Zaza,
-or-
Joe, Josh, Al
-or-
marv, Josh, Al.
My point:
We have alot more to look forward to, than some
of you more “pessimistic” fans think.
All in all;
I still smell a trade,
Not necessarily a biggie,
but a trade nonetheleass.
[before training camp]
-otherwise-
I couldn’t do:
G-dad’s T.O’t.D.
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
5:39 pm
doc
“An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full;
the pessimist, half-empty;
and the engineer will tell you
the glass is twice the size it needs to be”
Rod from College Park
September 3rd, 2010
5:49 pm
If this Papa Chow guy is as good as some of you say he is, there is no way Marvin should keep his starting job. So then, we will be paying 8 mill per to a bench player who can’t score over 13 points a game,even when he gets over 30 minutes a game. Sounds like the Hawks to me. Hawks will easily drop 2 or 3 slots in the standings this year if no other trades are made. This mgic offense stuff is very comical.
Rod from College Park
September 3rd, 2010
5:51 pm
Magic (motion) Drew offense
Jae Evolution
September 3rd, 2010
5:52 pm
I was never able to see Pape Sy in summer league, why is everybody so hyped up on him? From what I can tell he is a do-it-all type of player am I close here with that guess?
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
6:00 pm
Rod from College Park
It’s not Magic, it’s just “an” offense period.
Paps is not proven.
It’s what LD sees in him.
You, above all, should hope that PS could
potentially unseat Marv.
However, it still remains to be seen.
Still, nothing can be achieved w/o ‘hope’ & ‘confidence’.
Grandad
September 3rd, 2010
6:06 pm
Jae Evolution
Point forward, can guard four positions. [1-4]
Long, solid build, quick on def, willing defender.
Think in the mold of Scottie Pippen.
*note – I did not say he’s gonna be as good as Pippen!
Lefty (I think)?