Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford welcomes long stay in Atlanta as extension negotiations begin
Hawks, Horford begin negotiations on contract extension.
Over the next few weeks the Hawks and Al Horford’s agent, Arn Tellem, will work on the terms of a contract extension beyond 2010-11 for Atlanta’s All-Star center.
That’s the money side of the equation, and Horford said negotiations are in the early stages. After considering the other factors that play into his decision, Horford said he would like to stay in Atlanta for the long term.
“How do you see yourself with the team?” Horford said about his thought process. “Do you think the team is going the right way? Obviously, you have to factor in do you like the city you are in, [do you] get along with the guys [teammates]?
“All those things favor me because I feel like we are in a good position. We’ve been playing together. This is my fourth year with the team, and I love the city of Atlanta. So I am just waiting to see what happens with this whole thing.”
Horford is set to make $5.4 million in 2010-11, the final year of his rookie-scale contract. The Hawks have until Nov. 1 to come to terms with Horford on an extension that starts in 2011-12 and can be for up to five years and about $82 million under current CBA rules.
If the sides don’t reach an agreement by then, Horford would become a restricted free agent next summer if the Hawks extend a one-year, $7.1 million qualifying offer by June 30. The Hawks would then retain the right to match any offer sheets signed by Horford.
Hawks GM Rick Sund, citing his policy of not speaking publicly about players’ contracts, declined to comment on negotiations with Horford.
Horford, 24, was the No. 3 overall selection as an early-entrant prospect out of Florida in the 2007 draft. Eastern Conference coaches voted him to his first All-Star team last season and new Hawks coach Larry Drew recently named Horford as a tri-captain along with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.
This summer Horford, who is undersized by NBA center standards at 6-10 and 245 pounds, said the Hawks needed to add an “impact” center to be a contender in the East. The Hawks ended up signing free agent centers Jason Collins and Etan Thomas to veteran’s minimum contracts.
But Horford said he’s looking forward to Drew’s plan of playing him at power forward alongside Zaza Pachulia, Collins or Thomas.
“I think with Coach Drew’s new mindset, he plans to play me more at the four, which is encouraging to me,” Horford said. “I am happy about that. Obviously I still would like to play center, but if I can spend more time at the four, that would be great.”
MC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
175 comments Add your comment
Rufus1
October 4th, 2010
1:55 pm
Boozer Injury prone….Check Lol
He will miss 16-20 games that means the Bulls will be around 10 and 10 or worse, because the EAST HAS GOTTEN BETTER. Without Boozer they are still the same .500 team….
How could a writer think a player like Boozer could elevate a .500 team to top 5 in the NBA….Besides the fact he doesn’t play defense, but HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INJURY PRONE!!!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
2:16 pm
You take my Breath Away!
Hey Doc, yeah I’m pretty sure Vick will need 8 – 10 weeks myself.
Due mainly to the crack in the cartilage and ligamentous sprain.
Had, it been a weight bearing joint, that thing would have prolly
ripped away from the joint.
Can, you believe his supposed best friend (Me-Angelo) hit him
hard like that. And the phantom holding penalty to make it all
nullified? smh …
Here’s My Point: I would rather have Matt Ryan playing smart
and with that 6′5″ prototypical body frame (too see over the line,
and read defenses), than to have a “wild-cat” Vick playing reckless at
the most stable QB position on my Falcons team!
Matty-Ice like, (Drew Brees taken at #10 in the Falcons/Charger Trade)
or, Matt Schaub will take you to the Big-Game by playing that
traditional QB style of play. See Donnovan McNabb.
A QB has to rely on his running backs to run the ball.
Anything else – is uncivilized!
Live Fast – Die Young!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
2:23 pm
Doc
Also, Vick has never learned how to get down and slide.
He takes way too many chances.
A very, very poor decision maker IMHO. A Reckless young man.
I saw a presser today, where his team mate said, “You just
can’t got out and take those type of hits in the NFL.”
Smart advice.
A Tale of Two Hawks « The Kobe Beef
October 4th, 2010
2:34 pm
[...] to what will certainly be the chagrin of Crawford, Atlanta has entered extension negotiations with Al Horford. Horford is entering his fourth year in the league and the final year of his rookie [...]
wordsmithtom
October 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
DrMary,
Hope Vick gets well and comes back. We all need redemption: I take him at his word. That said, he needs let his fingers do the walking….passing the ball instead of running it. He much too small to be taking those kinds of hits.
Matty Ice looked bad throwing interceptions, but he was in that scrum trying to tackle that DB when Roddy ran him down. A lesser QB might have been rattled. At his own 10 yard line; less than 2 minutes and having just F***ed up. No, he threw his best pass of the game. No way Matty can run like Vick. No way he changes a game like Vick. But, if he leads like he did after that huge mistake, he can lead this team to the promised land.
That’s redemption.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
2:37 pm
Gotta’ talk about that Vick injury on the Hawks blog.
I had to. That Falcons Blog is intolerable, those fans are
“Off The Chain!”.
Not one intellectual amongst the whole Band Wagon!
Besides, we have broken this Hawks Team down like fractions
to the millionth decimal point! What, really, else is there to
say? But, to repeat the same words.
My Roget’s Thesaurus is hiding from me … When, I reach for it?
The pages – turn!
Let’s play Ball! And, see how we measure up!
Mike is back
October 4th, 2010
2:43 pm
Drmaryb, try DLed’s blog…he tries to keep it civil.
Grandad
October 4th, 2010
2:51 pm
What if Al plays [4] on offense & [5] on defense,
and Josh plays [5] on offense & [4] on defense?
Would that make everybody happy?
JoJo the Godfather
October 4th, 2010
3:10 pm
If you offered Horford $11 million next year with 10% raises for the next 4 years, that’s a total of $67.2 million…Sounds fair…Lock him up…Also keeps his salary under Josh’s on an annual basis, so no hard feelings there.
Grandad
October 4th, 2010
3:14 pm
Another concept:
Were playing a team, such as the LAL, Totonto, NJN or Dallas;
with a stretch [4,5] or (two bigs LAL).
We would be better served to have Marv guard Gasol, Bargnani,
T.Murphy or Dirk better utilizing his defensive abilities.
Al takes the other Big, while Josh guards the [3].
In those cases, neither team would have a [3] that Josh
could not handle. *(still allowing him to play help def)
My point:
When a Coach [LD] (not Wdsn) [obviously] uses versatility
and imagination in designing his match-ups, he gets maximum
use out of his personel. …..^…see above post…^…..!
The same thing goes for offense. (simple & easy with motion)
Exploit the other team’s weakness!
wordsmithtom
October 4th, 2010
3:18 pm
Grandad,
Other players weren’t concerned about whether Charles Barkley was a center, a forward or whatever. They were too busy trying to find a tire arm cause that was the only way they could stop him.
Let the coach figure out the matchups and let the players play. If they’re basketball players, they don’t need labels.
The Truth
October 4th, 2010
3:31 pm
“If they’re basketball players, they don’t need labels.”
Tell that to Al. He’s the one with the eagerness to be PF.
northcyde
October 4th, 2010
3:35 pm
Grandad, you still don’t understand. This is about what Horford likes and dislikes, not us. I would bet that it’s tougher for Horford to defend centers, than to go up against them offensively.
What is tougher on Horford physically? Scoring on Dwight Howard or Shaq . . or defending Dwight Howard or Shaq?
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 4th, 2010
3:47 pm
Hey everybody here are highlights from the scrimmage with a nice J-Smoove dunk at the end.
http://www.nba.com/hawks/video/2010/10/04/JoshSmithdunk-1431337/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2
wordsmithtom
October 4th, 2010
3:50 pm
The Truth,
My suspects are that media and fans are more concerned about this than Al. He didn’t bring it up, he answered truthfully to questions from the media. What are your druthers? Fair question. We have so little else to kibbitz about.
Northcyde,
Al can score on Dwight if he keeps hitting those midrange jumpers, forcing him out of the low post. Even better if he develops a jump hook. He probably can’t defend Howard, but not many men can, alone. That’s why we have bench bigs to give fouls. Al and JS at the forwards and center by committee against Howard. Run him till he sweats Kryptonite; foul him till he bleeds.
The Truth
October 4th, 2010
4:17 pm
Wordsmithtom
“What are your druthers? Fair question”
This is really not about my druthers, this is about Al’s. Hypothetically speaking, I would drathers Al plays where he’s the most comfortable. His public statements on the heels of an extension is no coincidence in this regard IMO.
GT Alum
October 4th, 2010
4:19 pm
drmaryb (*_*)
If you mean it’s never been a question who the Hawks consider the more essential piece, it’s never been a question to fans. Players seem to be too personally involved to pick up on those things a lot of times, though. Kinda like how Derek Lowe couldn’t understand why the Braves were trying to trade him lay winter, even though it was obvious to most fans.
Astro Joe
October 4th, 2010
4:50 pm
GT Alum, good point. I thought it was laughable that Lowe was confused by the trade talk… I guess dude didn’t look at his game log from the 2009 season.
Jo Jo, Josh signed an offer sheet with Memphis… if Al signs a bigger deal with the Hawks, he shouldn’t be upset, since he accepted the Memphis terms. Not to mention that Al is signing his contract after an All-Star appearance… bottom line, Al’s resume is far better than Smith’s was at the time of his deal.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
5:01 pm
5 on 5!
OK Grand-Daddy and wordsmithtom and others have all said:
It’s just Basketball in Motion!
Dudes on the playground just pick the best 5 players and
leave off the scrubs – right?
Terry Cummings
Charles Oakley
Rodman
Barkley
Jerome Kearse
Curry
Adrian Dantley
Craig Hodges
AC Green
James Worthy
Except for the PG’s, I have no idea who played what position?
Bangers and Rebounders! Every one on the floored played
hard and played defense.
O'Brien
October 4th, 2010
5:32 pm
KevinM,
I agree about the imbalance. We have 4 natural SGs on our roster (JJ, JC1, JC2 and Mo Evans). But no backup SF, and ours PGs are a second year PG with little experience and an over the hill vet.
Hopefully LD’s system will help nullify our roster shortcomings.
NBA Rumors: Hawks Looking to Extend Al Horford – Bleacher Report | Basketball Video Zone
October 4th, 2010
5:50 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
JoJo the Godfather
October 4th, 2010
6:54 pm
Anybody see Hollinger’s player ratings for this year’s Hawks players? Complimentary of Josh, Joe & Al, not so much for everyone else. Describes both Bibby & Jamal as “defensive liabilities with a capital L”.
As a reminder, Hollinger also has us at 46-36, and 6th in the east.
jason
October 4th, 2010
6:56 pm
if we do deal jaml at the deadline we should get teyshaun prince who can most definently help on offense and defense.
JoJo the Godfather
October 4th, 2010
6:57 pm
Nevermind the Bibby & Jamal quote…just realized he put Bibby’s analysis down for Jamal as well…Not that he is far off from the truth.
Fundamentals
October 4th, 2010
6:57 pm
Steel,
What’s more exciting in the highlight – Smoove’s dunk or Twin looking like a single running the break, dishing it and smiling the whole time. Dude looks good! Seems LD has inspired at least one player to change.
Proud of the good things I’m seeing from LD’s camp. Looking forward to the season!
Fundamentals
October 4th, 2010
7:08 pm
Looking at the second clip Bibby seemed a bit more light on his feet. Running, cutting, involved in the flow. Maybe it’s just a few selected clips, but I think LD can get the most out of this roster if they’ll unite. We all know the holes in the roster, we all know the contract issues. Real question is will they all buy in and maximize their talents? If they do we win and both in question get paid!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
7:24 pm
Mike is Back!
Yeah … DLed is somewhat tolerable.
Until, someone says the “V” word – then all he’ll breaks loose.
The conversation quickly degrades itself to – Hootin’ & Hollerin’
if you know what I mean – wink! wink!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
7:40 pm
GT Alum
I mean it’s pretty obvious who the Hawks and Fans Love.
Horford -vs- Jamal.
Horford hands down!
He battles the Big Men night in and night out!
He’s an All – star, with tremendous upside and youth.
The class act and tri-capitan … etc.
MsDee
October 4th, 2010
8:05 pm
Really liked what I saw in Teague and his shooting even though he made one obvious TO but who doesnt make TO’s in this league..also liked the ball movement and Bibby’s movement, he definitely looked lighter on his feet..Oh and #55 looked good as well!!
Mike is back
October 4th, 2010
8:48 pm
Drmaryb, I hear ya on MV…kinda LIKE mentioning Marvin…over hear. lol
Fundamentals
October 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
# 55 is our draft pick Jordan Crawford
Samuel
October 4th, 2010
9:28 pm
drmaryb (*_*)
October 4th, 2010
7:40 pm
GT Alum
I mean it’s pretty obvious who the Hawks and Fans Love.
Horford -vs- Jamal.
Horford hands down!
According to Who? I wouldn’t say that. They are pretty much even as far as production. I’ll take Josh. He is a bigger difference maker than Horford. He can change a game on defense and with his athleticism. Horford basically made the allStar team by defalt. Josh was #3 in blocks and #11 in steals among the entire league while the highest ranking Al earned was #8 in FG% and #10 in rebounding.
Josh puts more people in the stands which is not a bad thing either.
Sautee
October 4th, 2010
9:48 pm
errrr, Samuel,
Mayhap you should read drmaryb’s post just one more time.
Hint: Jamal, not Josh
SteveW
October 4th, 2010
9:50 pm
Teague is a jump shooter – shot over 44% from college three point land. I’m not worried about his offense. I’m concerned about his decision making as a PG. The guy is a gifted, natural scorer. He just didn’t have the opportunity to really show it last year (except that last game).
And if Jamal is out with a bad back, is this any more incentive to sign him? Just wondering…
I just don’t see any realistic way we re-sign Jamal unless a trade opened up some cash (say Bibby’s money going somewhere else or something). The money is just not available according to what ASG is willing to spend.
SteveW
October 4th, 2010
10:04 pm
I know many times pieces on a basketball court are interchangeable. 2/3 spots are often known as just “wings”. Sometimes you have guys, like Jamal, just listed as “G”, because he can play 1 or 2. JJ starts at 2, plays some 3. Same with Josh, starts at 4, can play some 3. But in the NBA, the 5 spot is many times totally different. There are 7-1 320 lb beasts in the 5 spot sometimes. A “smallish” 6-9, 6-10 guy just can’t handle these beasts. Pau Gasol is a legit 7-3 according to reports. Yao 7-5. Even Lopez and Haywood over 7-0 ft. Howard is only 6-10/11 or so, but what a freak of nature! So yes, some parts are interchangeable. And most times in HS ball, and even some in college, you can get away with not having some physicality on a consistent basis in the low post. But not in the best B’ball league on the planet. The NBA will exploit you. Maybe not every night, but on some nights. And yes, Al can rise to the occasion, but it doesn’t come naturally, and it does take a toll. And I would say, it probably increases the injury risk.
It is much easier to ask a smallish 4, say 6-8 240 to take on a large 4, say 6-9 270, than to ask a 6-9/10 245 5 to take on guys 20 – 60 lbs heavier on a near nightly basis. I’m with Al on this one. And whoever said Al wouldn’t be a dominate 4 in the NBA is watching a different game than I am.
And all that being said – we still have 2 of the top 18 rebounders in the NBA on the squad. And yes, I still would rather have 2 top 10 PF’s than not. But interior body on body D is a weakness we have. ZaZa can solve the problem if he will, but his game many times is too European – until the playoffs and he goes beserk!
SteveW
October 4th, 2010
10:05 pm
And 1 last comment for now – If Etan Thomas is fully healed, he may be the wild card this team needs. Yes, he’s smallish 6-9 – but he is a beast.
darrell starks
October 4th, 2010
10:13 pm
You guys are killing me with this etan thomas, and josh powel thing, not in one way did this organzation improve this team, the only positive thing will be among the hawks will be jeaf teague improvement other than that a big disaster in my opinion.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
October 4th, 2010
10:14 pm
ASG ARE FAILURE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
October 4th, 2010
10:19 pm
1.HEAT
2.MAGIC
3.CELTICS
4.BULLS
5.BUCKS
6.SIXERS
7.HAWKS
8.BOBCATS OR WIZARDS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
truthspitter
October 4th, 2010
10:27 pm
Good to see Teague can make a jumper in practice atleast. That’s the only truly positive I saw from the clips. On the other hand, he makes some dumb decisions because he is not a true PG and did not play that position extensively in college.
Grandad
October 4th, 2010
10:55 pm
wordsmithtom
“Let the coach figure out the matchups and let the players play.
If they’re basketball players, they don’t need labels.”
Thanks – wordsmithtom, If we keep preachin’ maybe it will sink in.
cp
October 4th, 2010
10:56 pm
Looks like Teague has really worked on that jumper. I like his ability to drive and kick the ball to the shooters. I think he will be fine although some on here will continue to bitch and moan about him.
SteveW
October 4th, 2010
10:57 pm
Darrell Starks – With Jrue, Evan, Iggy, and Lou, I might would agree with you on the Sixers. But they don’t have much on the inside do they? I like Speights and Hawes – Brand is probably gone physically/mentally , but just not much else there.
SteveW
October 4th, 2010
10:59 pm
We didn’t have many injuries last year; difficult to get hurt standing around in Iso-Joe/Jamal. The motion O, which I like, may cause a few more nicks, strains and bruises.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 4th, 2010
11:09 pm
darrell starks
even with the Boozer injury, do you still think the bulls will finish ahead of the hawks?
Grandad
October 4th, 2010
11:15 pm
northcyde
“Grandad, you still don’t understand.”
“This is about what Horford likes and dislikes, not us.”
What do I not understand?
I read people’s comments, and sometimes I respond to those comments.
[on this blog]
Al is quoted in the [print] media, I read the same thing as you.
I was not there for the interview and therefore was not privy to
the context. (Perhaps you were)
Al is entitled to his preferences.
Al is a good teammate and as far as I can tell he and Josh work
and play well together. [they get along]
LD will do what is best for the team. [stategically]
Sund sit on his hands all day & wonders why he can’t twiddle his thumbs? [no true [5] on the team] *(Championship caliber)
Now, tell me again what is it that I don’t understand?
truthspitter
October 4th, 2010
11:22 pm
Sixers will not see the playoffs. They have nothing to challenge anyway on the interior offensively or defensively.
It goes
1 Heat
2 Magic
3 Celtics
4 Bulls
5 Hawks
6 Bucks
7 Knicks
8 Wizards
darrell starks
October 4th, 2010
11:25 pm
ASG FAILURE WITH SUND.
1.TRADE BACK FROM 24 TO 26,31
2.TRADE 31 FOR 3MILL WHERE IS THE MONEY
3.3 FIRST ROUND PICK NOT ONE BIGMAN OVER 6′8 DRAFTED
4.TRADED A STARTER IN CHILL FOR AND SECOND ROUND
5.MADE NO EFFORT 2 SIGN SHAQ
6.COULD HAVE SIGN AVERY BUT WANT 2 GO CHEAP
7.COULD HAVE CALL ME FOR ADVISE BUT MADE NO EFFORT
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
October 4th, 2010
11:28 pm
This year Celtics team will be a traveling Circus. And this is after they waive Rasheed…
http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh576zG2EnjDBP9g2m
darrell starks
October 4th, 2010
11:28 pm
THIS WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN 2010 HAWKS WITH AVERY COACHING.
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, CHILL, JOSH, HORFORD.
BENCH JAMAL, MOE, MARVIN, ZAZA, SHAQ
RESERVE BIBBY, JAMAL 2
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!