Horford still sore, Hawks lineup changes on hold
- Al Horford said that, as of Thursday, he isn’t planning on playing Saturday. Said Horford, “It’s not really getting any better.” Horford tried to shoot at Thursday’s practice, but was still sore. He’ll give it another try Friday.
- Horford’s injury will preclude coach Larry Drew from implementing any lineup changes that he has talked about since the 34-point loss to Philadelphia Tuesday. “It is definitely still weighing on my mind,” Drew said. “The decision has not been made yet.” The team scrimmaged but didn’t have any out-of-the-ordinary lineups, Mo Evans said.
- Drew said the team is not actively pursuing a trade but is in a stance of keeping its ears open. Said Drew, “We’ll continue to talk about different things, look if there’s something that could potentially make us even a better ballclub.”
- If Drew was using his public comments about making lineup changes or considering a trade to get his team’s attention, it apparently wasn’t entirely effective. When the topic was broached with Evans and Horford, it was the first both had heard of it. Said Horford, “If Coach Drew needs to shake something up to make us better, I’m for it, and I hope everybody on this team is for it and understands it.”
- Evans believes the team’s success on the road and recent problems at home have to deal with a difficulty in playing as a unit at Philips Arena. The Hawks have an “us against the world” attitude on the road, but not at home. Said Evans, “I feel like guys play more lethargic and we play sometimes for our individual fans or whatever. … It seems like we’re more 12 individuals than we are as a team at home.” Guard Joe Johnson noted the distractions of playing at home. “We just have to block them out and just go out and play,” he said.
- Guard Mike Bibby feels he is getting out of a recent shooting slump when he said he “couldn’t throw it in the [darn] ocean.” After a run in which he made at least one 3-pointer in 27 consecutive games, Bibby has shot 10-for-37 (27.0 percent) from 3-point range in the last nine games. Said Bibby, “I felt like I was back today.”
Ken Sugiura, Hawks beat
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270 comments Add your comment
I MUS WRITE
February 10th, 2011
9:39 pm
Obrien- they are great players but hill has maybe 1 yr and nash 2….Not worth the trouble to me/
Craig – yeah that was a horrible trade huh? i got caught up lol
Ramon
February 10th, 2011
9:50 pm
I Mus, that equals 3 years. Thats 3 years more than any one else on our bench. And Grant will drop from 14 and 5 to nothing, in less than four months? wow.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
10:44 pm
“I would much rather have Thabeet than Josh, Thabeet will learn to block shots before Josh will learn how to quit taking stupid shots and just being a weak minded being.”
This is probably the single most idiotic statement I have ever read on this blog, and that’s saying something. By this logic, might as well trade Al Horford for Kwame Brown since Kwame will learn how to hit mid range shots before Al becomes 7 feet tall.
EmirS.
February 10th, 2011
10:46 pm
No matter who you bring in to start, fact wont change that you still wont go deep in the playoffs without a good bench. We are stuck like this until we make a major trade with one of our 3 All-Stars.
What really aggrivates me is that so many of you are making these ridicouls trades of sending 2 or 3 players away and in return getting only one back. That wont work for you, I’m sorry. We need to be the ones sending 1 player away and in getting 2 in return. If that means cutting someone to meet roster demands, then so be it.
You can get a PG, you can get a C, but in despite of either or both, you still dont have a supporting cast to back up the starters.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
10:52 pm
“The franchise makes excuses. The fans make excuses. The players make excuses. And people wonder why this town never sees its share of championships?”
Oh please. Here we go again blaming the fans. The Hawks have been in this city for over 40 years and HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS, let alone won a title. Aside from a few fleeting years in Nique’s prime, when has this team EVER made an effort to cultivate a loyal fan base? We have a GM and ownership group who thinks their fans are idiots — the only possible explanation for saying things like “Bibby is in his prime” — and would rather maintain the status quo of being the 5th best team in a 4-team conference instead of trying to win a title.
The Braves for 15 years tried to win titles, and the fans supported the team until it became obvious that they were no longer going to make an effort to remain among the league’s elite. The fans supported the Falcons when they had a superstar and support them now that it looks like they are headed towards becoming an elite team. The Hawks play in the most superstar-driven league out of all the four major sports, and not only do they make no effort to acquire a superstar or build a championship level team, but they pass on multiple superstars in the draft, pay a guy who is clearly not a superstar like he is one and try to dupe the fans into thinking he is one, and expect people to show up.
I’m a die hard fan — or, from another point of view, a sucker — and I’ve been a Hawks fan all my life, so I watch games and go to games and get on this blog to whine about them when they inevitably end the season on a bad note. But for the vast majority of Atlanta sports fans, who never warmed to the Hawks in the first place, what incentive is there to follow a team that has no superstar, no hope for winning a title, and no plan to improve upon their current role of 2nd round whipping boy?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
10:57 pm
“It’s funny that idjits think someone on this team not named Joe, Josh, Al, or Jamal is worth anything in trade. You could make a better argument than none of these four players would bring equal value back. And none is going to bring two good players in exchange.”
The other players on this roster can be traded if the Hawks are willing to take back equally bad contracts. I have posted a trade on here before that involved the Hawks sending Marvin and expiring deals to Detroit for Rip Hamilton. Problem is, when you have an ownership that is unwilling to go into the luxury tax, these kinds of trades are not going to happen.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
11:01 pm
“Joakim Noah/ Brewer for JC1/Smoove/ZAZA”
Chicago won’t trade Noah for Smoove if they won’t trade Noah for Anthony, but this is one of the few Smoove-for-a-center trades that would actually improve the Hawks (as opposed to making them worse or keeping them the same).
I don’t get what people see in Biedrins and Gortat. Biedrins has never anchored a good defensive team, is constantly injured, and makes 36% of his free throws, and Gortat in his first opportunity to get big minutes is averaging a whopping 10 points and 7 boards a game for a team whose defense has, if anything, gotten worse since he was acquired. These are the people who are supposed to solve the Hawks’ lack of a center?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
11:06 pm
“I think DWILL would be a perfect fit for this team, that said we would have to part with JSmith, dont know how I feel about that.”
I’d trade Smoove — or Joe or Al for that matter — for Deron Williams in a heartbeat. Williams would be the best player on this team instantly if he was acquired.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
11:11 pm
“Evans believes the team’s success on the road and recent problems at home have to deal with a difficulty in playing as a unit at Philips Arena. The Hawks have an “us against the world” attitude on the road, but not at home.”
Maybe we should start booing them at home.
slimjr
February 10th, 2011
11:33 pm
““The franchise makes excuses. The fans make excuses. The players make excuses. And people wonder why this town never sees its share of championships?”
Oh please. Here we go again blaming the fans. The Hawks have been in this city for over 40 years and HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS, let alone won a title. Aside from a few fleeting years in Nique’s prime, when has this team EVER made an effort to cultivate a loyal fan base? We have a GM and ownership group who thinks their fans are idiots — the only possible explanation for saying things like “Bibby is in his prime” — and would rather maintain the status quo of being the 5th best team in a 4-team conference instead of trying to win a title. ”
Well said Najeh…
When the Hawks step up. I’ll step up, @northcyde……………Until then, not going spend $3.30/gallon to ride down there to the yawn factory..Already know the out come…
Al maybe gone for the next Month, after that very nasty fall!!
It’s going to get brutal for the Hawks without Al..
Al is going to be missed more than JJ was because the schedule gets real now….
Atlgent
February 10th, 2011
11:34 pm
@ Najeh Davenpoop
You are one of the very few that always makes sense! And I do mean very few…
slimjr
February 10th, 2011
11:38 pm
Trade JOSH,MARVIN,JC1, picks whatever you want.1st born, cash for DWILL yesterday. He would instantly become the best player on the team by miles……………………..and miles……………………….
The next Walt Fraiser!!!!!LOL
vava74
February 10th, 2011
11:39 pm
Rod,
Lame arguments again:
Preamble: I’m not American so I had to research a bit.
A) to reach the playoffs in the NFL is more difficult than in the NBA.
B) Marino had 10 postseason appearances in 17 years including a superbowl loss against Montana’s SF.
C) Kelly led the Bills to 4 consecutive superbowl appearances.
D) Although both never won it all and came up short in the big stage, both reportedly played with heart
You cannot even begin to compare.
Mac never got past the first round WHEN he got to the playoffs.
slimjr
February 10th, 2011
11:42 pm
Too bad Najeh not the Hawks GM.. Probably won 2 Championships by now..LOL
slimjr
February 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
If Josh had played college ball, he’d be an allstar by now..Too bad he really could have used the time to grow up, mature and really learn the game…
lewis
February 10th, 2011
11:50 pm
Billups, Anthony, Afflalo for Joe, Marvin, Bibby, Jo Crawford and Mo Evans
lewis
February 10th, 2011
11:50 pm
Billups, Anthony, Afflalo for Joe, Marvin, Bibby, Jo Crawford and Mo Evans
darrell starks
February 10th, 2011
11:51 pm
BIBBY, MARVIN, ZAZA, AND 1ST FOR BIEDRINS, ELLIS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
February 10th, 2011
11:53 pm
STARTER ELLIS, JOE, JOSH, HORFORD, BIEDRINS
BENCH TEAGUE, JAMAL, DAMIEN, POWELL, COLLINS
RESERVE MO, ETAN
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
KevinM
February 11th, 2011
12:00 am
Man, if you could move that Joe Johnson contract, that would free up so much cap. Then JC1 leaves, you have flexibility like no other. 45M and you go get yourself a new backcourt.
And Barkley is saying what I have said for so long…Denver is a Top West team as configured, if they could rid themselves of the Melo drama.
Get past this deadline, and they may start playing much better together.
And for those who don’t like the defense Melo doesn’t play, you need to know that our offense as constructed is not going to get it done.
I am so ready for a fresh face or 2 in our starting lineup…and I don’t mean promoting the bench we have.
darrell starks
February 11th, 2011
12:00 am
I have been screaming for this trade since last year and now since warrior’s drafted curry, the trade make more sense for both team, warrior’s get a young smallforward in marvin and a banger with zaza plus a 1st round pick,
hawks get there point guard and there center.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Toledo Mud Hen
February 11th, 2011
12:06 am
Al is the equivilent of Jesus Christ with Hawk fans. Maybe on par with Buck Williams or Bill Laimbeer on an average day. He’s certainly no Karl Malone, Duncan, McHale or Barkley. He can’t guard anybody. Can’t post-up. Can’t defend the post.
Oh, but he can shoot a pick-and-pop midrange jumper. Whoop -tee-dooo.
Al really isn’t the problem, though. The problem is that Al, no better than he is, is what Hawks fans have to cling to. Pathetic.
darrell starks
February 11th, 2011
12:11 am
WARRIORS WITH THAT TRADE HAVE MAYBE 14# PICK PLUS OUR MAYBE 24# pick.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
Grandad
February 11th, 2011
12:22 am
Open for discussion: [ trade Joe ]
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4vnsq62
Houston might even go for it?
cp
February 11th, 2011
12:54 am
LD would have been better off saying nothing. i guess we will continue to watch Bibby get beat into a coma on the defensive end
Najeh Davenpoop
February 11th, 2011
1:30 am
Grandad, I like that trade for the Hawks, but I don’t think either team will accept it.
rusty
February 11th, 2011
1:30 am
SoWhats al being out have to do with still starting mb,you suck ld
Roundfield on Roundball
February 11th, 2011
6:34 am
Lewis is dead on about the atmosphere at Philips. Deadsville. Hell, I don’t go. Too expensive. Games are on TV. Tuesday night against the Sixers? Half the fans there were probably asking “Where’s Iverson?” It translates into a lack of effort amongst that segment of the Hawks roster always looking for an excuse to mail it in. Too many Mailmen on this team and in the organization.
Al Horford Update & Lineup Changes On Hold? | Volumestat.com : Urban Culture Guide For Atlanta | Internet Radio, Music, News, Sports & More
February 11th, 2011
6:52 am
[...] Al Horford is less than a sure thing to return to the lineup on Saturday night against the Bobcats. Ken Sugiura reports from practice today that “as of Thursday, Horford isn’t planning on playing [...]
Mike is back
February 11th, 2011
7:58 am
Ken Surg, I have not been able to see much or blog much of late…However, the guy I thought that had so much magic and swagger is really starting sound like a rookie coach…dude need to go back and review footage when he was first announce as HC…what a difference a day make.
Now you can’t make a personnel decision because one of your players is injured…jeeeeez…like I said…it’s becoming comical to listen to LD constantly contradict himself.
Sad things is…if his so called new lineup…hinges on AL so much…it probably not going to be that much different…anyway.
As much as I have voice my displeasure with young Teague…I still think Teague is the answer for LD…you want to radically change the makeup of the team…hoist young Teague into the starting lineup…what the heck…Bibby will physically continue to decline…he can say what he wants…his days are numbered as a starter…it is simply to physically demanding on his body.
Absent a trade…gone and throw Teague in fire and get it over with…and make these selfish vets accountable for him when he is on the floor…maybe that will make them play as a team.
I didn’t even put any caps in this one…cuz this is just a pipe dream. lol
Peace Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robert
February 11th, 2011
8:05 am
all you people saying trade Josh are idiots.He’s the only player on the team that is exciting and worth watching.Without him the team has no defense.Trade Joe for Melo,then we can stop dribbling the ball for 23 seconds and heaving up a last second shot.
Westurd
February 11th, 2011
8:21 am
Eff you ASG/Sund. Sick of your crap. Call me when you care. Can’t read anymore “no news” from you turds…..and I want my money back for the ishy product you sold me!
Westurd
February 11th, 2011
8:22 am
Hey Roundfield……you don’t happen to be Dan or Chris cause I know both those guys can ball.
Trojan
February 11th, 2011
8:50 am
The Hawks management should note how passionate the blog people are with the mere mention of a trade to IMPROVE the team.
doc
February 11th, 2011
9:13 am
mike grewat comments on LD. on the other blog before the backpeddling i suggested, is this rant frustration or panic? he seems to have lost that composure. two weeks ago, rotations set, line up set, i know what i got. now it is a totally different vibe.
KevinM
February 11th, 2011
9:16 am
Grandad, best trade idea you have had yet! We get our new backcourt, we remove ourselves from the Joe lottery, and we get a defending SF and put Marvin on the bench.
What’s so funny about that trade is that it immediately knocks 10 games off the Rockets success. Houston does have to do something though.
What about those reports that the Bulls need a SG? Do we tease them with JC1 at this time of the year? Would they give up the big man Asik because his minutes go away when Noah comes back.
KevinM
February 11th, 2011
9:18 am
If Joe leaves, who does Sund annoint as the chosen one? That would drop us to 2 captains.
Interesting to think about to have Martin and JC1 share time at the 2 and JC1 backing up Lowry.
Oh to move the albatross contract of Joe…..that would be magical!
O'Brien
February 11th, 2011
10:31 am
KevinM,
JJ’s contract isn’t that bad right now. Wait until year 3 and 4.
I’m glad the hawks kept him, but I wish we could have gotten him for a 5 year Max deal instead of the 6 year Max. And our 5 year Max would still have been more money than the Knicks or bulls 5 year offer.
KevinM
February 11th, 2011
10:51 am
OB, I agree, its fine now, but those latter years is going to really hurt this franchise. I don’t disagree that Joe is good for this team, but when you are talking about cap limitations, that contract is cap challenging to continue to grow this brand moving forward.
We will continue to have gaps of talent because we will be paying 2 PFs and 1 SG the most on this team going forward. You’re paying these 3 just under 45M for the next 2 seasons. That leaves you finding 9-10 more roster slots at 20M….that is going to be a major challenge going forward. Our bench will never be any stronger than it is today.
I am more for balancing the salary structure, but at the same time, I don’t think our core 3 is strong enough come playoff time.
If somehow we can get to the 3rd seed ahead of Chicago, I would call that a small victory for Larry and his new systems he has installed. To get to the top 3 should not be discounted, but it is all about the playoffs and what happens there.
I just feel the majority of this blog is in agreement that there is little chance we make any noise in a 2nd round based on what we have seen this year. You get to the 3rd seed, then you have something there. You avoid Orlando and Chicago in Round 1, you get a home court advantage if you consider that an advantage with this team.
I understand we’re young and we’re inconsistent, but we shouldn’t be so inconsistent and like someone said earlier, you have to compensate for any player loss you team incurs. I think it has been proven at this point that Al is the one most missed on game day.
ag
February 11th, 2011
10:56 am
Looking at the Hollinger Rankings, the Hawks are ranked 18th. Several below .500 teams including Indiana, Philly, & Houston and ranked higher than them. One thing that points out, their average winning percentage of teams played is .460 , the lowest out of all teams. So the Hawks have are 33-19 – based on that weak schedule. The second half of the season will tell us who the Hawks truly are
lewis
February 11th, 2011
11:01 am
47-35 – regression sucks
ag
February 11th, 2011
11:11 am
Again, the rookie coach needs to give his best Josh impersenation by grabbing his and making a change to the lineup. Again, we are not playing fantasy basketball, so you guys can kiss those trades away. He needs to start Teague and possibly bring Marvin off bench. Maybe we will leave Marvin in and see if he does better with Teague.
Tremaine
February 11th, 2011
11:12 am
What does Horford injury has to do with Bibby looking like an old man out there. Getting beat on the pick and roll and scoring 5 points a night can’t be to hard. “GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
KevinM
February 11th, 2011
11:18 am
ag, I think we all know who these Hawks are; they have played well enough to be considered in the top 4, yet their up-and-down results also tells you there are way too many issues on this team to make any noise in the playoffs.
This looks to me like a graceful exit come the first couple of rounds. I don’t think the 1/2 court offense has improved that much and we know where the defense is…you have too many teams able to do anything they want.
I’m glad Sund and Gearon are satisfied; its a shame that there may not be any noise in Philips come the playoffs.
Double Zero Eight
February 11th, 2011
11:20 am
LD should do as Bobby Cox did. Cox told Chipper Jones
he was giving him a few days off to rest him when he was
mired in a slump. Drew should tell Bibby he is giving him
2 games off to rest his weary legs.
If Sund was the GM, LD was the coach and ASG
owners for the Celtics when Rondo was drafted, Rondo
would still probably be coming off the bench and they
would still be assessing if he could play the PG position.
Tremaine
February 11th, 2011
11:23 am
Ev’rybody’s talkin’ ’bout
Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Magic, Spurs, Bulls
Kobe, Lebron, Wade, and Garnett
All we are saying is give TEAGUE a chance
All we are saying is give TEAGUE a chance
KevinM
February 11th, 2011
11:27 am
To add to those Teague supporters, if he isn’t the answer, then GO GET SOMEONE ASG!! How tough is this to understand?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 11th, 2011
11:29 am
“Looking at the Hollinger Rankings, the Hawks are ranked 18th. Several below .500 teams including Indiana, Philly, & Houston and ranked higher than them. One thing that points out, their average winning percentage of teams played is .460 , the lowest out of all teams”
Those rankings also take into account scoring margin, and the Hawks’ few blowout losses skew that number by a lot. I don’t really think scoring margin is that indicative of anything, but evidently the NBA statheads disagree. But between the SOS and the scoring margin, it’s not too surprising that Hollinger’s computers rank the Hawks so low.
Rufus1
February 11th, 2011
11:34 am
Why Al is SOOOOO important
15th in the league in P.E.R
Highest W.S(win share)7.5 on the team.
Highest EWA(estimated wins added)10 2nd only to D12
Al is more valuble than any other player on the team…Period!
IF I COULD DO ANYTHING AT 58% OTHER THAN SHOOT FREE THROWS, WHY WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE!
superiorblogman
February 11th, 2011
11:52 am
Najeh Davenpoop
February 10th, 2011
10:44 pm
“I would much rather have Thabeet than Josh, Thabeet will learn to block shots before Josh will learn how to quit taking stupid shots and just being a weak minded being.”
This is probably the single most idiotic statement I have ever read on this blog, and that’s saying something. By this logic, might as well trade Al Horford for Kwame Brown since Kwame will learn how to hit mid range shots before Al becomes 7 feet tall.
Look at yourself. You post more than anybody and never make sense. Just a bunch of wishy washy foolishness. You are as shallow as Rick Sund and the ASG, you deserve each other. I spoke of 2 people Josh Smith and Thabeet. With your logic might as well trade Obama for Reagan even though Reagen is dead. I spoke of specific people, smart dumb guy. I stick to my statement