Horford in lineup for Saturday night
After missing two games with a back injury, Hawks center Al Horford will play Saturday night against the Charlotte Bobcats at Philips Arena. Horford took part in the team’s morning shootaround and pronounced himself ready to go.
“I went out there and tested it out and I feel good for tonight,” he said.
Horford injured his lower back when he fell hard after getting fouled by the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and landed on his back in the Hawks’ Feb. 4 win at Philips.
“Just his presence means all the world to us,” coach Larry Drew said.
Horford missed the team’s win over Washington last Saturday and its 34-point loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday. Horford sat out of Thursday’s practice and then took in part in non-contact portions of the team’s practice Friday.
“It’s been a little better each day, and today’s the best I’ve felt since it happened,” said Horford, recently named to his second All-Star team.
Horford will start at forward as the Hawks will go with their “big” lineup with Jason Collins at center. Drew said that lineup was not the lineup change he had mentioned in the wake of the team’s lethargic loss to Philadelphia.
Prior to Saturday, Drew had said that any changes would have to wait until Horford returned, adding that he may “possibly” still tweak the lineup.
“Had he not gotten hurt, I still would have played it this way,” Drew said.
Ken Sugiura, Hawks beat
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75 comments Add your comment
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
6:23 pm
@Ken.
FYI Ken the fans are extremely frustrated with these BI-polar Hawks…If Sund does not make a move the Hawks attendance will drop even further…..Better things to do with the house money if we already know the outcome and its not a good one IMHO….
Tremaine
February 12th, 2011
6:39 pm
I agree slimjr
northcyde
February 12th, 2011
6:42 pm
I was hoping that Horford sat out until the All-Star game. It’s not like we’re in a “must win” situation tonight. If that man isn’t 90%, then he shouldn’t be playing.
Our reserve bigs need to step up and at least carry a little weight.
When the big lineup is ineffective tonight ( because Collins’ effectiveness is stopping offensive minded centers ), I wonder what will be said then?
This squad needed to face a little more adversity without Horford tonight. They learned how to be competitive and win without JJ, so surely they could’ve done the same thing without Horford.
Make those bench players step up, or stayed forever buried on the bench.
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
6:45 pm
Hawks can’t win without Al! Those blow outs happened with Al out..He’s more important to these Bi-polar Hawks then we once thought….
O'Brien
February 12th, 2011
6:45 pm
Sautee,
I dont expect the lineup change tonight. And I also said if there was no lineup change, then I expect to see a change in how minutes are distributed.
So I dont think he has to make a lineup change. Maybe he just reduces Bibby and Jamal’s minutes, maybe he increases Teague’s minutes etc
lewis
February 12th, 2011
6:47 pm
Lol @ NBATV telling atlanta fans to appreciate their 50 win team more. Lol @ them saying they’re doing an incredible job based on “financial restrictions” put on by the ownership. Lol @ fratello naming all the contenders offseason upgrades and having a puzzled look on his face as to how to analyze the hawks failure to do anything at all
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
6:48 pm
The Hawks bench is a D-….Thank you Sund……………………….
northcyde
February 12th, 2011
6:48 pm
Yeah slimjr . . cause God forbid that the fans go out and watch a team that wins almost 70% of their home games, no matter whom they play. And their home record in March has been flat out outstanding the past 3 years.
That’s why I say that some of the fans just make excuses sometimes. People find reasons NOT to support the team, but want to act all outraged when the team has a horrible game on occasion or the pitiful management does nothing.
It is what it is though.
I just hope that some of these same people don’t act like they were down for the Hawks from Day 1, if we do the improbable, and get to the ECF.
lewis
February 12th, 2011
6:50 pm
northcyde,
fans or not, we’ll all be shocked if the Hawks get to the ECF
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
6:50 pm
“Lol @ NBATV telling atlanta fans to appreciate their 50 win team more. Lol @ them saying they’re doing an incredible job based on “financial restrictions” put on by the ownership. Lol @ fratello naming all the contenders offseason upgrades and having a puzzled look on his face as to how to analyze the hawks failure to do anything at all”
PRICELESS………………..LOL
Tremaine
February 12th, 2011
6:57 pm
F 50 wins. WE WANT A CHAMPIONSHIP! This team is not championship material and management pretends they are like we are idots or something. Northcyde how would you feel if you would have wasted your hard earned money on the game against the 76ers?
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
7:02 pm
The Hawks in the past 3 years of playoff runs are 10-18, avg. loss on the road by 20 points. You think I give a crap about the regular season wins, when this group of professionals have major melt downs time and again when it really counts on National TV and the money is on the line?? Please…………………………..This team makes the ECF this year??????..Man I want what your’re smokin…LOL.You’ll be a great grandfather before this franchise makes it to another ECF….Or have crossed over to the other side……..
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
7:09 pm
Wow, Nique just said he’s going out on the line, he meant limb and declare the Hawks will go 5-2 on that monster road trip next week!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!! How that for cheering for the homies!!!…..
doc
February 12th, 2011
7:21 pm
lol
northcyde a few weeks ago i was saying folks ought to get out and see this team swying they played with energy and a good brand of entertaing basketball. since then two horrible blowouts one i witnessed last tues n person. as a season ticket owner i would like some company there. however t was my bad on that one as the team takes on a reflectin of its owners in not wanting to compete at all times content with fourth place in east.
i think i am doomed to this forever as i have already renewed. as we said last summer, fair team six deep. needed to do more after miami did what they did and at least make boston wesker by getting shaq as they knew perkins was out a while and we had no legit bulk to bring in. chips have fallen and the team is challenged to fnish strong in a system they should know by now.
cp
February 12th, 2011
7:23 pm
Mo before Marvin? wtf
terrell
February 12th, 2011
7:32 pm
Marvin on the ground again.
cp
February 12th, 2011
7:32 pm
Well Zaza has his one shot blocked by a smaller player average now he needs his 3 seconds call, illegal screen, and at least 2 fumbled passes.
slimjr
February 12th, 2011
7:32 pm
“Mo before Marvin? wtf”
LD did say he was going to make lineup changes after the blow out?? LOL
terrell
February 12th, 2011
7:34 pm
Even the Bobcats have better pg’s than the Hawks.
cp
February 12th, 2011
7:35 pm
Nice defensive effort by Jamal there smdh
cp
February 12th, 2011
7:37 pm
I would take Livingston over any pg on this roster right now.
Jake
February 12th, 2011
7:56 pm
Im so P.O right now!!!!!BIBBY IS SUCKING RIGHT NOW AND DREW REFUSES TO BRING IN TEAUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
February 12th, 2011
8:44 pm
Wow!
KevinM
February 13th, 2011
2:01 am
WOW, how many 2nd half disasters can you have in a season?
Larry should be starting to look uncomfortable in his coaching chair.
KevinM
February 13th, 2011
2:03 am
Dominique and Rathburn sure know their Hawks don’t they?
Rathburn: “its like the varsity versus the jv” in the 2nd quarter.
Nique: “this one is over!”