Atlanta Hawks at Knicks: Al Horford on Amar’e Stoudemire: ‘He’s a talker. All I do is bring my game to the court.’
New York–Yes, Al Horford said “you take it personally” when someone calls you out in the media the way Amar’e Stoudemire has done twice to Horford this season.
But Horford, not much for hype, says he will make his point tonight at Madison Square Garden against Amar’e’s Knicks.
“He’s a talker. He’s going to talk, you know what I’m saying?” he said at shootaround today. “All I do is bring my game to the court. That’s what I will do tonight.”
Stoudemire has tried to inflame what already promised to be an intense game after Marvin Williams and Shawne Williams scuffled during Atlanta’s 111-102 victory on Jan. 28. Both immediately after that game and again yesterday, Stoudemire seemed to question Horford’s toughness and declared that Horford “doesn’t want to see me.”
Horford seemed more amused than offended by that last part.
“I don’t understand what he means by I don’t want to see him,” Horford said. “Like we are supposed to be scared of him or something. Ain’t nobody scared of nobody. We are all grown men. It’s all good.”
Seemingly lost amid the fight and Amare’s tough talk is that the Hawks own two victories this season against the Knicks, who are being left behind by Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings.
Before the victory at Philips the Hawks won 99-90 on Nov. 27 at the Garden, after which New York won seven straight against mostly lesser competition.
“I walked out with the W’s the last two times,” Horford said. “So that’s that.”
Horford was productive and efficient in both games. In New York he had 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block and one turnover while shooting 7 of 14 from the field. In Atlanta he had 19 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block (against Amar’e) and one turnover while shooting 8 of 12 from the field.
Amar’e has scored more than Horford in the matchups but hasn’t been as efficient. In New York he had 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and four turnovers while shooting 7 of 15 from the field. In Atlanta he had 27 points, three rebounds, one assist, zero steals, one block and three turnovers while shooting 9 of 21 from the field.
And Stoudemire is down 0-2 where it counts most, though he’s certainly leading in sound bites.
“He’s making a huge deal out of this,” Horford said. “It’s just another game. I’m coming out ready to play, like I do everything night.”
Oh, yeah, the game.
Coach Larry Drew said he would use the “big” lineup again tonight, unless the Knicks go small with Amar’e at center instead of Mozgov.
“That would not be a favorable matchup for Twin,” Drew said with a wry smile.
As for all the noise surrounding the game, Drew the Hawks don’t need it to get going but said he’s always willing to use “whatever it takes to get my guys juiced up and motivated.” In this case, though, he doesn’t think he needs to say much to his players.
“They see it. They hear it. They got on the bus [for shootaround] telling me some things. They are aware of it. And they were expecting it. It’s not a thing about anybody being surprised.”
Al acknowledged that, in the end, the game could end up being a fun spectacle.
“We’re playing at the Garden, man,” he said. “It doesn’t get any bigger than this, at least for me. Any time I come to New York I am looking forward to it, pre-Amare Stoudemire and with him being here. So I am just excited to play.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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483 comments Add your comment
Wabe
February 16th, 2011
9:48 pm
whatever…
another night as a hawks fan.
typical ish.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
9:48 pm
With that one rebound, Teague has already surpassed Jamal’s combined rebound/assist/steal/block total for this game.
Samuel
February 16th, 2011
9:48 pm
That permanent press arrow shirt. 60-40
ATL FAN
February 16th, 2011
9:49 pm
he tends to only play in blowouts…
Tremaine
February 16th, 2011
9:49 pm
O’Brien, he only play when there is a blowout.
CONservative Johnson
February 16th, 2011
9:50 pm
Gets chippy so Larry Drew empties the bench; and finally gives Teague some playing time. Coach Drew is starting to make me think he isn’t the guy . . .
And why doesn’t Rathbun criticize anyone besides Josh Smith? He’s already proven isn’t the guy . . .
James
February 16th, 2011
9:50 pm
The thing that bothers me the most about the Hawks is the fact that they go away from what works for what doesn’t. Al was able to score against Amare without much trouble in the post all night, yet the Hawks decided not to give him the ball down low at all. It’s very disappointing, since the Hawks basically sealed their own fate in this one. We could have dominated through the post all night with Al and Josh, but instead we fell in love with the jump shot, and failed to get the ball inside, and it led to us getting embarrassed. Very disappointing.
Flea
February 16th, 2011
9:50 pm
LMAO that Teague only plays in blowouts. That is much too often though we need to cut back on his playing time
Jae Evolution
February 16th, 2011
9:50 pm
This teams philosophy on who should play is so stupid…Jamal has been chucking up GARBAGE all game, why the f*ck you going to keep him in the game.
Teague comes in and gets a end to end layup with no resistance…wow LD, you’re really starting to piss me off.
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 16th, 2011
9:51 pm
Teague stay gettin his stuff SENT.
Tremaine
February 16th, 2011
9:51 pm
Marvin trying to pad the stats.
bigdave
February 16th, 2011
9:52 pm
Al should have gotten the ball to close out the 1st half.
Amare does not want to foul. they should have fed the guy more. im not the biggest fan of Al’s offense but coach should have showcased him on the blocks today.. he didnt have his jumper ok.. however, against Amare, he still has and advantage down low.
Jae Evolution
February 16th, 2011
9:52 pm
Only team sadder than the Hawks right now, are the Lakers.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
9:52 pm
Teague looking like garbage defensively in garbage time.
ATL FAN
February 16th, 2011
9:52 pm
Anybody remember that 10 point comeback with 1 minute left with T-Mac against the Spurs some years ago? Anythings possible!!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
February 16th, 2011
9:53 pm
We laid it down big time. They have not fed BOSS nearly enough. Jamal’s string of ineptitude has continued. Please bring Sessions on! I hope its true. We need it bad.
O'Brien
February 16th, 2011
9:53 pm
And to think, the hawks were extra motivated this game…
Ok. So whats LD’s excuses going to be in his post game talk?
No energy? No intensity? bad shot selection?
Tremaine
February 16th, 2011
9:53 pm
Look how Teague fight threw the screen. “GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
Flea
February 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
FIRE LARRY. CLap clap clap clap clap
bigdave
February 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
hell Marvin might as well.. he came to play.
Lionhearted
February 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
Trade needs to be made
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
Orlando wins. Miami wins. Hawks head into the All Star break firmly in 5th place, with a brutal schedule ahead of them after the break.
Tremaine
February 16th, 2011
9:55 pm
Are you kidding me Najeh, at least Teague fights threw the screens.
Lionhearted
February 16th, 2011
9:55 pm
Shiit if I played for the Hawks I wouldn’t give much effort either. This team is trash.
bigdave
February 16th, 2011
9:56 pm
hopefully Jamal catches fire and carries us for a few games come 2nd half.. otherwise, should’ve moved him while he was hot.
that expiring is still an asset.. and the ONLY one if u ask me.. u trade Josh and you trade your defense.
lets see what Rick does.
O'Brien
February 16th, 2011
9:56 pm
Najeh,
Firmly in 5th place…for now. Hawks are 5 games in front of the Knicks (in the loss column). All it takes is for the Hawks to go 2-3 on their road trip after the break, and the Knicks go 4-1.
Just like that, the 5th spot could be in jeopardy
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
9:56 pm
“Anybody remember that 10 point comeback with 1 minute left with T-Mac against the Spurs some years ago? Anythings possible!!”
Haha… maybe the Hawks should trade for T-Mac then.
cp
February 16th, 2011
9:57 pm
Seriously wtf is up with Mo’s hair
Lionhearted
February 16th, 2011
9:57 pm
Does anybody seriously think this team is a championship contender????????
LOL whats the point of talking about where the hawks r in the standings? THEY ARE NOT GOIN ANYWHERE.
SteveW
February 16th, 2011
9:57 pm
Man, we’re stupid
Sautee
February 16th, 2011
9:58 pm
I wonder if LD has seen enough yet?
Flea
February 16th, 2011
9:58 pm
Meanwhile Ramon Sessions has 27 as Cavaliers look to take down Lakers….
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
9:58 pm
“Are you kidding me Najeh, at least Teague fights threw the screens.”
Yeah, he fought through it on the play after I posted that. The two plays before that, Amare murked him, and on one of them Teague damn near stumbled out of bounds after running into Amare.
Don’t get it twisted, I still think the Hawks should find a way to either play him or get something for him.
ATL FAN
February 16th, 2011
9:59 pm
Heres the video…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFAHrh0LPs
Man T-Mac used to be the man…
SteveW
February 16th, 2011
9:59 pm
LD may lose his job by not developing Teague. Trade Teague and let him kill us on another team for the next 10 years.
Sautee
February 16th, 2011
10:00 pm
O’Brien,
On the bright side (right) we scored 25 and won the 4th quarter.
That makes me feel SOOOOOO much better.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
10:02 pm
I remember that T-Mac comeback. That sh-t was crazy. So was Ginobili having a full head of hair.
The Most Overrated Player(s) In ATL History
February 16th, 2011
10:03 pm
Based on money and expectations
#1-Joe Johnson (might go down as the most over-paid BB in Hawks history-Koncak close second)
#2- Matt Ryan
superiorblogman
February 16th, 2011
10:04 pm
Here is how the game was won contrary to popular belief. The Knicks got 34 off the bench. The Hawks got 21 off the bench. 34-21=13. That’s how the Hawks lost, good night and trade Jamal, he is a little byatch, and is acting like he wants to be traded. Zaza is worthless and Teague will never learn.
Crawford, Zaza, and Teague for whatever you can get.
Samuel
February 16th, 2011
10:04 pm
Mo got that “sunroof” top. LOL!!
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 16th, 2011
10:05 pm
lmao
Najeh Davenpoop
February 16th, 2011
10:05 pm
“Based on money and expectations
#1-Joe Johnson (might go down as the most over-paid BB in Hawks history-Koncak close second)
#2- Matt Ryan”
At least Joe has won a playoff game.
lewis
February 16th, 2011
10:05 pm
Jamal should have a decent next game, based on his 1 good game 3 bad game rule.
ASG PLEASE SELL The Hawks!
February 16th, 2011
10:07 pm
Bump
ATL FAN
February 16th, 2011
10:07 pm
“At least Joe has won a playoff game.”
That’s rough lol
Sautee
February 16th, 2011
10:07 pm
LD, if we are “settling” over and over, why not PULL THE MFs that are “settling”?
Use your freakin’ authority, if you have any……..
Or, keep on letting them do the same thing over and over, while pleading with them to do better. Like THAT works.
AG
February 16th, 2011
10:07 pm
just a terrible loss. PLAY JEFF TEAGUE
James
February 16th, 2011
10:08 pm
Am I the only one who thinks it was a bit early to throw in the towel? I mean, the game wasn’t exactly close, but there were nearly 4 minutes left to play. I just with that the team had more fight in them, more passion, and I’m not talking about the kind of fighting that Marvin and Shawn Williams did. Just because you are down, it doesn’t mean you should quit.
Personally, I feel bad for some of our players when things like this happen. I can say that I wouldn’t want to be a big man on the Hawks roster, because the offense is too heavily dominated by our guards. Josh manages to get his attempts up, but typically he has to just take matters into his own hands and try to make something happen since the guards almost never give him and Al the ball in the post. Josh sometimes takes bad shots, but I can’t always blame him. As a player, it gets pretty frustrating when you are open all night long, but your teammates just won’t pass it to you and you end up losing the game. As a young player, I can vouche for the fact that is it pretty tempting to just take any shot available when you have been starving for touches on the offensive end all night. I’m not saying that you should do that, but it is tempting. Everyone plays a lot better when you share the all and do what works. They also feel a lot better.
It’s very unfortunate that we run the type of jumpshooting offense that we do. I guarantee you that you will not get very far in the playoffs when everything you do revolves around your guards, unless you have someone like Jordan on your team, and an extremely effective defensive team, because jump shots will only fall for so long.
I feel bad for guys like Al tonight, because you could tell he was playing hard, and he actually played very well against Amare on both ends, but unfortunately, his team took an embarrassing loss, and on the offensive end, he couldn’t do much about it since his teammates wouldn’t pass him the ball down low. Horford and Marvin are really the only guys who played well tonight. Bibby made some big 3s, but he also got abused on the defensive end. Horford and Marvin played both ends and had pretty good games, but unfortunately, since they are not focus points of our offense under coach Drew, we lost the game.
The only positive to take from this game is at least we know that we basically beat ourselves in this one, but that happens pretty often these days. Really, we sealed our own fate. We took a ton of bad shots that led to easy fast break points for the knicks. We made careless turnovers. We were slow to rotate out to shooters, we went away from Al and Josh in the post to settle for (and miss) jump shots, and on the defensive end, Drew put us into some bad matchups. His options on the perimeter were limited, but too many times I saw much smaller players trying to defend Gallinari, and I also noticed that Amare scored about 90% of his points against defenders not named Al Horford, yet Al only defended Amare for some of the game, since Mozgov is such a huge offensive threat, we just had to put Al on Mozgov. Also, instead of forcing New York to adjust to what we wanted to do, and taking advantage of our size inside, L.D. used a lot of small lineups, rather than trying to play big and pound them inside. Poor job by the coach and players in this one. I will spare Horford and Williams from any criticisms in this one, since they were the only ones who really came to play tonight, but everyone else should feel ashamed after tonight. Since it’s a team sport, everyone should really feel ashamed, but at least Marvin and Al tried to help the team win, and played smart basketball.
Tremaine
February 16th, 2011
10:08 pm
This game is a prime reason why we need to trade Josh Smith. Weak jumper is off tonight but he continue to shoot.
Lionhearted
February 16th, 2011
10:09 pm
Ramon Sessions 32pts 8asts
I doubt the Cavs will let him get away