Atlanta Hawks: Horford: Get a ’solid’ center, bring back Jamal Crawford
Al was at Philips to work out today. He said he worked out in LA with D-Rose, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love (they have the same trainer). He said he worked on his post game and driving to the basket, but more on that later.
Al had an interesting response to the persistent question about whether he prefers to play center or power forward.
“I am still going to keep playing both,” he said. “I think that Josh and myself we can bring a lot of problems to people. At times I am going to have to play the four and I think Josh is OK with playing the three. That way we stay very athletic and we can do different things.
“And I think that’s why we need big bodies here, a couple of solid bigs to come out here and help us out. I know there are quite a few of those out there in free agency and we should try to pursue them.”
Al doesn’t control the purse strings, of course, but that’s the most public prodding of the front office by a Hawks player that I can remember since I’ve been around. I’m told that ASG still haven’t decided if they want to keep building the roster by paying into the luxury tax; should find out more once the CBA is ratified and the league lifts the restrictions on teams commenting.
Al also said he hopes the Hawks re-sign Jamal because “he is a huge part of our team.”
“We are a much better team with him,” Al said. “We need his scoring and his presence.”
Al said his conditioning is about what it should be entering training camp. He said he was able to work on his game while playing last summer for John Calipari, the coach of that other school.
“I am really trying to get better with my shooting and with my post game, really trying to be more assertive in the past than I have with it,” he said. “Cal was my coach for the Dominican national team for the FIBA game, and with him his whole thing was a lot about driving and penetrating. That is something in my game I really didn’t do much before but I think I was able to do a little more of it this summer.”
My T-Mac take
I was kind of surprised at the negative reactions on Twitter to the T-Mac news. Then I realized that those who don’t like it assumed he would be the replacement for Jamal or otherwise believe the Hawks see him as a major piece, in which case I would understand.
But it remains to be seen what other moves the Hawks will make and what role McGrady will play. Once all that gets settled then we can determine whether he’s a good addition or not.
If T-Mac ends up starting and/or or playing 25 minutes per night then it would mean the Hawks are scary-thin. My take after watching him play for the Pistons against the Hawks last season and looking at his numbers is that he’s no longer cut out for that kind of gig. I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw it.
But I see no problem with McGrady as a 10-15 minute per night “point forward” who is a good passer (which the Hawks can use), just posted his best true-shooting percentage since he was an All-Star and is a pretty good defender: 14.0 opponent per as a shooting guard last season according to 82games.com; a positive defensive rating at basketballvalue.com, and decent Synergy numbers.
Aside from his passing possibly setting up teammates for higher-percentage shots–1.7 of his 3.5 assists per game last season led to baskets within 10 feet–McGrady isn’t likely to help diversify Atlanta’s offense, which needs it badly. He’s made 33.7 percent of his 3-point attempts in his career and 206 of his 515 field-goal attempts last season were long 2s. His 15.14 percent turnover rate also is high for a wing.
But T-Mac is a veteran who can be useful in a limited role, and what else do you expect for the vet minimum?
Etc.
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313 comments Add your comment
PaulieOldschool
December 8th, 2011
1:25 am
Hawks add McGrady 3-4 years after he’s capable of playing consistently and probably will call it a day. Same old, same old. Why does anyone care about this team again?
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
1:26 am
Man, that TMac video was tight! He’s another year removed from surgery. And his legs are still fresh, and younger than his age. The last couple of years he’s been working out with MJ and Pippen’s old trainer since the last surgery. For the minimum, you know he’s a better option than Josh Powell or Joe Smith was.
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
2:01 am
Ra’mon / ramon / Ramon / ra’mon
Okay – let’s try again.
You really bought that Josh learned the playbook 1st,
load of crap.
I suppose it’s not hard to learn to go stand on the right wing.
Al does more than those three items you mentioned:
[listed previously] He;
screens, moves w/o ball, good help dfndr w/o being sht-blkr,
helps and recovers well, hedges, switches when necessary,
rotates to help II, closes out well, boxes out, sets screens,
runs floor well, excellent passer, good on P & R, unselfish,
excellent FT shooter, clutch FT shooter, he avgs over 1 blk per,
constantly motivates teammates, excellent mid-range game,
strong around basket with ball, finishes strong, great hands,
and extremely quick on 1st step along baseline from short crnr,
reps the team very very well, so, what are you saying again ?
Do not compare to Okafor;
EO is closer in stature to D.Howard.
One must consider; (when making comparisons of Bigs)
hgt, wgt, strength, two foot vert leap, wing span, standing reach,
hand length, hand width, and “personality” which is shaped by:
both heredity and environment – when one compares -
A to B.
Otherwise you end up comparing such things as:
* a hedgehog to a mexican hairless
* Scarlett Johansson to Rosie O’Donell [that one made me sick]
* or *
* Finebaum to Limbaugh (hold on / that one almost made sense)
-g’nite everyone-
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
2:07 am
OX
thanx for the back-up.
OX
December 8th, 2011
2:35 am
Ra’mon,
Your basing everything on one playoff series? It’s obvious that Al wore down in that series, but the Asik, Noah and Gibson do that to a lot of players. But you forget that this “core” couldn’t even get to the playoffs until Horford showed up and he was the only one showing any leadership back then. The reason Josh hasn’t made an All Star team this long is because the coaches (voters) know he doesn’t give his all on every play and he he has terrible shot selection. The rest of the league
The fact remains that Josh is the one asking out of Atlanta, not Al. Why defend someone who acts like he doesn’t want to be here or recruit his boy Dwight here? Al is the one pushing the front office to make real moves. Josh is saying “Yall are always mean to me to I want to go to Orlando, Houston, Boston or New Jersey.” WTF that’s a team captain? Does that sound like someone committed to the mission? Like I said, only one of them sounds like he wants to build a winner here.
EmirS.
December 8th, 2011
3:16 am
Out of curiosity….
What are the chances Teague loses the starting PG position, to let’s say…..an Earl Watson. Why is it that I feel like Larry Drew can make that happen?
365
December 8th, 2011
3:18 am
http://www.deviantart.com/download/272903113/tracy_mcgrady_atlanta_hawks_by_rhurst-d4ih9e1.jpg
Worldwide Clyde
December 8th, 2011
3:27 am
I never hear Al saying he working on his defense.
FIRE LD
vava74
December 8th, 2011
4:19 am
northcyde,
Great post about Al.
Man up sissy! And Sautee: all that chatter about playing PF is what I qualify “smooth talking whining”.
If someone is smart – as Al obviously is – about managing his image, he will not “whine” openly BUT his constant chatter about us getting a big is “cover whining”.
AND using his father Tito – with whom he had a notoriously bad relationship – to convey the same message was a clear covert strategy.
Al is a top 5 Center in this league due to his mobility, athleticism and ability to open the floor with his midrange shot.
IF he combined that with playing AGAIN with courage, spunk, determination down low (WHICH IS NO LONGER THE CASE), he would be beyond solid.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
4:21 am
Grandad, let me break down this list that you made of things that Al “excels” (you must think he excels, because I said the rest he doesn’t stand out in).
screens= Mike Bibby used to set screens. Actually in a motion offense, who doesn’t set screens?,
moves w/o ball = This is something that Al does marginally well, not extremely well.,
good help dfndr w/o being sht-blkr = You say he’s a good help defender, yet I say he’s not more than average. Good help defenders who are centers, don’t have average PGs and SGs penetrating the lane and scoring on them.
helps and recovers well = Once again, this isn’t something that he EXCELS in. He’s marginal
, hedges, switches when necessary, = You say he switches when necessary. In other words he listens to his coach on defense. because the entire team switches when necessary. That’s something that doesn’t stand out again.
rotates to help II = Majority of help defense is rotating. How can you provide ‘help defense’ without rotating from your man, so this is the same thing twice.
closes out well = For a CENTER, he closes out great. but for a PF, its average.
, boxes out = I said previously he does the good things in rebounding.,
sets screens = once again this is something else you put on here twice,
runs floor well = again for a CENTER he does this extremely well, he’s probably the 6th quickest/fastest center in the league on fast breaks (McGee, Jordan, Howard, Bynum when healthy, Noah), but for a PF this would be average at best (Josh, Dirk, Amare, Bosh, Griffin, Garnett, Gibson, T. Thomas, Love, Ibaka, and etc).
excellent passer = When you say excellent passer for a big man, I think of Shaq, Garnett, Duncan, Walton, Dirk, and others. I don’t remember Al making many great passes. He just makes the routine swing pass. Rarely does he make a great pass out of double team.
good on P & R = Now this is something I will say he EXCELS in that I left off
unselfish = I’m not at the practices or in the huddles to know that he is unselfish. To a point, I think the greatest champions have a big of selfishness in them. And being too unselfish can be more harm than good.
excellent FT shooter, clutch FT shooter = for a Center he’s excellent and clutch in this. But for a PF (which he wants to be), he’s average, not excelling.
he avgs over 1 blk per = a block a game is not excelling or doing this great. Al is 18th among CENTERS in blocks per game, how is being in the bottom half excelling?And there are 8 PFs (and 1 SG) ranked higher than him on blocks. That is not excelling, that is average at best.
constantly motivates teammates = this he does well it appears, I can’t argue with that.
excellent mid-range game = I already stated he had a great mid range game.
strong around basket with ball = he’s not that strong around the basket with ball. He’s so rarely in the paint compared to other post players, that I don’t get a chance to truly see.
, finishes strong, great hands,
and extremely quick on 1st step along baseline from short crnr = Once again this is something at CENTER that he excels at. But when the last time you seen him go quick on a 1st step against a PF? ,
reps the team very very well = this is one thing I can say for the last 6 seasons ALL of the Hawks have done well while a member of the team.
so, what are you saying again ?
So you maybe added one or two things that he excels in. The number one factor of Al being an all star or an all NBA player is he EXCELS in staying healthy at a depleted position on the court. Other than that, as a PF he’s marginal at best. You can only truly have an understanding on how good or average Al is if you routinely watch other current teams play when they aren’t playing the Hawks.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
4:30 am
OX, Kobe, Carmelo, Iverson, Amare, D12, Garnett, Ray Allen, Lebron, Shaq, Barkley, Malone, and other first ballot Hall of Fame players have ALL made comments at some point in their career that if the ownership/management isn’t committed to bringing in great talent, than they would like to be traded! Josh does talk to D12 about joining the Hawks if management opens up their pocketbook for outside interest. Last off season, there were 5-6 Superstars/all stars who were free agents. Yet the Hawks didn’t arrange to meet with any of them. You can say they didn’t have cap room. But the Lakers still met with some of them. The Celtics still were attempting to maneuver to add a player of that caliber. The Hawks ownership have done nothing to show that they are committed to bring in championship talent. And you say why isn’t Josh lobbying other free agents to come. How can he lobby anyone to come, when the ownership has been (by their own admission) trying to sell the franchise for at least 2 years? Without a doubt, ASG is in the top 3-4 of worst owners to play for in all of professional sports (proven by their loss of one entire franchise). Josh trying to recruit someone, when we don’t even know what the budget is for the team, to come play here is about as dumb as a chicken following a turkey.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
4:33 am
On the potential roster moves:
T-Mac: if this means no Jamal – excellent; if it means no Wilkins, I think we are not taking a successful route.
Unless T-Mac has transformed himself into a late-blooming Sidney Moncrief (doubtful) we will be missing a wing defender WHO WILL NOT COMPLAIN about lack of playing time.
T-Mac, I doubt, will be happy with a 10mpg gig?
My view on T-Mac is that he has been a loser with a lack of conditioning discipline associated with a probable genetic tendency to get injured.
The fact that – at this age and having earned so much money – put so much effort in getting back to the court COULD be an indication that he will finally work like a pro and contrbute.
E. Watson: it would be an excellent move, PROVIDED that it does not imply dumping Hinrich.
People dismiss Hinrich all the time but he is the type of guy who brings “professionality” to a locker room and a lot of BBall knowledge.
He WAS FUNDAMENTAL against ORL in case everyone things that only the shooting of Jamal and JJ won us that series.
Defense AT THE POST (Collins, Zaza and even Hilton on a couple of key possessions) and on Jameer by HINRICH were FUNDAMENTAL to disrupt ORL’s game.
HINRICH played ALL OUT the whole series and until he blew his legs. That’s the kind of guy he is.
Removing him from the roster will definitively make us WORSE.
Brewer + Asik for Jamal:
Unbelievable if we get this done. BULLS would be FAR WORSE if they did this. FAR WORSE.
They would compound SUBTRACTION BY ADDITION (Jamal) with CLEAR SUBTRACTION (losing Asik and Brewer).
Brewer + CJ Watson:
Not very fond of this proposal. CJ can score in bunches and eventually could be a Flip Murray for us but I don’t feel very confident in his defensive game away from Thibs.
Buddy Grizzard
December 8th, 2011
4:42 am
For those of you thinking the T-Mac signing is to replace JC1, it’s actually to replace the production of Hinrich while he’s out injured. JC1 was already gone. And what do we get with T-Mac? More size and a better assist-to-turnover ratio then Hinrich. I’m really disappointed the Hawks are not bringing back Damien. We need as much depth as we can get for this compressed season. The Mavs won the title last year with the deepest roster in the NBA. We need Damien back.
“Doubt that Reggie would sign for the league minimum though. Would love to get Chuck Hayes here.” – northcyde
Both probably out of our price range.
“If you could get Kwame for the Vet Min, I think his athleticism would fit nicely with the Hawks.” SteveW
That ship already sailed. Should have got him LAST YEAR for the vet minimum but so many people on this blog acted like I was crazy. He went out and had his best season in 8 years and now….
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/33865/is-kwame-brown-now-too-pricey-for-bobcats
Ron
December 8th, 2011
5:07 am
Tell Josh to stop shooting all those damn 20 foot jumpers and we’ll get somewhere. Maybe then the crowds will stop laughing at him and this team.
Al hits the glass, so you can’t question his tougness. Has Josh ever averages 10+ rebounds with all of that leaping ability? Didn’t think so.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
5:38 am
Buddy,
Kwame suits a fringe playoff team BUT would not bring us anything remotely interesting.
Anyone thinking otherwise is, IMO, dead wrong. Do you really want to see Kwame in a playoff series against, for instance, the Bulls? Worst hands and worst bball mind in the NBA? Really?
Buddy Grizzard
December 8th, 2011
5:48 am
I’d rather have seen Kwame on the floor against CHI’s mobile, athletic big men in the playoffs then “concrete shoes” Twin. At least he can move. CHI’s front court dept killed us last year. I can’t believe there is even a discussion of CHI trading Asik to get Crawford. Didn’t they see how horrible he was against them? Don’t they know it’s their front court depth (coupled with Rose’s greatness) that got them as far as they went? Boozer’s not that great but they have Booz, Asik, Gibson and Noah, none of whom are stiffs. If CHI does that trade they will destroy themselves… that would be an Otis Smith-style trade.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
5:54 am
Buddy,
There we agree.
Where I can’t disagree is in seeing Kwame as a guy who would not shy away from any relevant action against CHI in the playoffs.
Collins was not a good match up against CHI and it was the fewer minutes given to Zaza than his play warranted that killed us in some crucial stretches.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
5:57 am
But even so, Collins could have been matched up with Azik for short stretches and wasn’t.
LD tried to match up Collins with Boozer who is known to have a good game AWAY from the basket.
How on Earth did he think that it would work?
Daddy Long Long (No relation to Eddie)
December 8th, 2011
6:00 am
What we need is T-Mac’s veteran leadership. Especially when it comes down to the playoffs. I was lower bowl vs. da Bulls and Jamal fizzled a bit. I hope he comes back and has a monster season for the Hawks!
Buddy Grizzard
December 8th, 2011
6:36 am
“How on Earth did he think that it would work?”
I think T-Mac is a big step in the right direction and if we get assets back for JC1, whom we were just going to let walk away, this team becomes very deep. This is something you really need for a compressed season… You need a deep bench where different guys can step up on those back to back to backs.
The x-factor is Las Vegas Larry. He had possibly the worst coaching performance in NBA playoff history last year. He needs to get his ish together and quick because the Hawks are up and coming. They will surprise people this year.
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
7:29 am
vava
Hot dang !
We agree !
I think cap’n Kirk is indispensible.
*[defense]
Perfect compliment to Joe and Teaguer.
It’s about time we agreed again.
O'Brien
December 8th, 2011
7:45 am
Despite T-Mac’s inability to advance in the playoffs, check his playoff “nimbers”;
38 playoff games, 28.5 ppg, 6 apg, and 6 rpg. And in 3 different playoff series, he averaged over 30 ppg.
If he can stay healthy, I like the signing. He will allow LD to go defense/offense sub with Marvin/TMac (assuming Damien is gone).
vava74
December 8th, 2011
7:46 am
Good to know that we finally get to agree Grandad
O'Brien
December 8th, 2011
7:48 am
Ra’mon,
If Dwight was here, I think JJ is willing and able to make the adjustment in his game to feed Dwight.
My 2 concerns would be 1) We would need JJ to knock down his open shots (he missed a ton of 3’s last season) and 2) LD. Does he know how to maximize D12?
Tremaine
December 8th, 2011
7:53 am
Tracy McGrady plans to sign one-year deal with Hawks.
YAWN…………………!
Wabe
December 8th, 2011
7:57 am
Co-sign Tremaine.
Tremaine
December 8th, 2011
7:58 am
Earl Watson is “leaning toward” signing with the Hawks.
YAWN…………………!
Tremaine
December 8th, 2011
7:59 am
Brad Wanamaker was at Philips Arena working out today and presumably will be on the camp roster.
YAWN…………………!
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
8:15 am
Ra’mon
1st things 1st
Alot of your problems are congruent
with the arguments on this board;
Al = [5] v [4] ?
In other words;
A basketball player is a basketball player.
* do not confuse previous statement with;
“needing bigger players and more rebounding” -Grandad-
What i mean is;
for example within motion offense,
you need not be a [4] or a [5] it does not matter …
if you have a specific skill, then you have that skill …
so use it to your advantage.
Let’s say you not running motion offense;
the Coach should put you in positions to be successful
according to one’s skills and not a designated position.
Example:
Josh is a better low post scorer than Al,
put his ass in the post.
That is a coaching problem, not Al’s problem.
[put your players where they can best succeed]
Now, back to being a basketball player;
you constantly mentioned,
Al is good at such and such if he’s a [5],
yet he’s mediocre at this and that if he’s a [4].
That’s assinine (sic). A player can run the floor or not.
A player has good hands or not. A player can finish or not.
Nooooooooo, says I, a player is a player is a player !
The same defensively;
Shane Battier is a “Great” defender, yet, he cannot blocks shots
such as Josh Smith.
But to say he is not a Great help side defender, thats nuts.
Just because he does not block shots ?
Sometimes it makes me wonder, the depth of knowledge,
of those I argue against, though, my friends [and adversaries]
on this board are brilliant in analysis and basketball acumen.
And thusly, No, help II is different from help I, help & recover,
hedging, switching when necessary … all needing a high
B-ball IQ and or some very sound coaching.
Along with the fact that do you even know what closing out means;
because, once again, closing out is closing out.
[4] or [5] has nothing to do with it.
However the man whom you are assigned to guard,
has everything to do with it.
If your guarding Bargnani [5] you had best strap on jets.
If you are guarding DeJuan Blair [4] not so much.
It’s all relative.
Everyone gets so wrapped up in #’s … [3], [4], [5] …
that’s all they are … a number.
I also can’t believe you tried to say “Love”,
when referencing – running the floor.
Yeah right – he runs the floor better than Al.
note;
random thought – (1) – Joe should post up more
random thought – (2) – Al & Josh have divergent talents;
they should work well together, be it [3] / [4] or [4] / [5]
example … high / low post. Al high, Josh low. *(coaching)
I suppose someone will pick at a nit & I’ll be back in a moment.
BLOB
December 8th, 2011
8:43 am
Grandad knows of what he speaks. That man has been around a court or two in his lifetime.
Josh is as talented of a player in the league, but it’s obvious that he has never been coached and allowed to do whatever he wants on the floor. That’s why he plays the game so freely and reckless. And we know Drew isn’t the one to get him in line; he’s just trying to hold on to his own job.
Exact opposite for Al. Everything is by the book and mechanical. You can tell Billy Donovan schooled him (and Noah) properly on how to play the game on both sides of the floor.
You need a Jeff Van Gundy or Larry Brown to make it all fit, and I believe you will see that next season if this one fails to meet expectations.
Just Joe
December 8th, 2011
8:45 am
The Chicago/Jamal/Atlanta triangle should be interesting:
Jamals needs Atlanta to help him get the contract he wants from the team he wants.
Chicago needs Atlanta to get Jamal and preserve the MLE for another wing player (Butler, Smith, Afflalo, Richardson, Battier, etc…).
Atlanta needs a reason to pay the luxury tax (Taj Gibson or Omer Asik).
If Atlanta balks, Jamal’s next choice appears to be New Orleans, which is why we heard yesterday of the Hawk’s interest in David West (S&T both ways).
Best case scenario to me: Chicago caves and gives Brewer & Asik for Jamal. Atlanta then signs a free agent PF like Troy Murphy. An Atlanta bench of Hinrich, Brewer, McGrady, Murphy, and Pachulia/Asik would be outstanding. Atlanta pays the tax, but its not my money, so I don’t care.
Just Joe
December 8th, 2011
8:55 am
Also, if CP3 goes West, and D Will either gets comfortable in New Jersey or tries to go to Dallas, I’d be checking in with the Knicks to see if a Chauncey Billups & youngsters for Joe Johnson trade would work for them. The Knicks have some decent young role players like T. Douglas, L. Fields, and recent draftees Iman Shumpert (2011) & Jerome Jordan (2010). Hawks would drop in skill level, but we’d gain some major cap space next year with Billups & Hinrich expriring for over $20M.
Barak
December 8th, 2011
9:01 am
Girls Girls Girls……..why all of this talk over the NBA? I mean come on it is only the NBA – the worst sport in the world….Thugs playing Thugs…..no entertainment value……Watch a real sport like Michelle and I do – cricket
Dukester
December 8th, 2011
9:11 am
ASG this is my 4th year of a request for a true center. Find a way to land Tyson Chandler or Nene and I will but season tickets. You have Zaza,Marvin,Hinrich all salaries that you need to try and move to get one of those centers signed. Yes we would love to bring Dwight home but I dont think it can happen. But we can still win. If you didnt see what Tyson Chandler brought in defense and rebounding to Dallas your blind. Lets go Hawks!!
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
9:39 am
Smhh….Keith Benson and Magnum Rolle are BOTH 6′11 (Legit) can we at least see what they can provide first?
And Has anyone seen 8-0 Mizzou play college B-Ball this season? They play Four out one in with a 6′7 PF as their center and they’re BEASTING ON EVERYBODY. I think they’ve only won one game where they didn’t do it by 25+ points Mizzou, Kentucky, and Duke are my choices to win it all this year.
Now that PF (Ricardo Ratliffe) is a man, doesn’t whine, just gets in there and mixes it up against bigger guys.
ICEMANcometh11
December 8th, 2011
9:43 am
T-MAC? he is not the Big Mac anymore he is the McRib without the sauce.
Slimjr
December 8th, 2011
9:53 am
Ramon, you are the man! Well said referencing ALL NBA TiTO Jr…. He is what he is marginal in most areas at best.With an above vintage 1950’s set shot..His help defense needs alot to be desired…
AND IT IS A SET SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW A JUMPSHOT WHEN I SEE ONE CAUSE I GOT ONE!
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
9:55 am
Horford = midget Duncan.
Mechanical and needs to get his own rebound to be affective. You won’t be assertive if the basket doesn’t go in and you’re not getting fouls.
Hopefully refs call the foul on his fadeaway ala Jordan……
» What’s going on in the basketball world Basketball 101
December 8th, 2011
9:56 am
[...] free agent Brad Wanamaker was at Philips Arena working out today and presumably will be on the camp roster. Wan…. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Brad [...]
dmr
December 8th, 2011
9:57 am
I am so glad the NBA is coming back. I mean where else can you find guys working their tails off while being sabotaged by their owners/management.
Sure we have the President and the U.S. Congress, but I am tired of complaining about them. Bring on the A.S.G. for another season of telling fans why signing Joe Johnson to a MAX contract was right and how fans don’t know anything about basketball.
Just warms my heart around the Holidays.
KevinM
December 8th, 2011
10:00 am
I don’t think you can trade players (KH)that are out while injured…now Marvin might fit this as well until he proves he’s healthy.
Do you think Sund is secretly waiting for all PGs to be plucked and he brings back Bibby? I wouldn’t put it past him.
Geemack
December 8th, 2011
10:04 am
T-mac’s conversation with himself during free agency.
Which playoff team has the worst starting SF in the NBA?
Lakers – I can’t touch Ron at this stage in my career.
Bulls – Deng will run circles around
Boston – PP the truth
Knicks – Melo is the man right now
Pacer – Danny Granger never
Heat – LBJ forget it.
Hawks – I could easily take minutes from Marvin Williams, even with age and injuries I’m better.
I’ll sign with the Hawks.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
10:14 am
Grandad,
Don’t ignore that a player, with a certain physical type and a certain tool set can be effective in a position and completely ineffective in another.
You can’t disregard the fact that at the PF slot, Horford’s midrange, slow and low release jumper will be heavily contested since opposing PF will close out on him just like Bass, Anderson and virtually everyone in the CHI front court did.
He shot .400 against ORL for crying out loud!!!! Miles away from Howard’s breath!!!!
In 09/10, during the regular season, even before he perfected his jumper, Al was doing a decent job on defense (on Howard) and scoring almost at will against Howard simply because Howard does not venture outside the lane.
But that elbow to Al’s mouth in which Howard ended up dunking and no offensive foul was called – you must remember that play – MARKED the beginning of Al’s eclipse as a strong man under the rim.
If Horford had the “huevos” that he needed to play as he should, he should have gotten up and decked Howard. A good head butt would have been the route to establish that he was not up to being decked and get no foul called on him.
The immediate effect – suspension – would have been negative but Howard would think twice next time (most of these guys are only hot air and I am truly convinced that Howard is like that) and the repetition of the scene (clear elbow to Al’s mouth and the ensuing blood) would have been a lasting image of Howard’s excessive free reign under the eyes of the referees.
As last year’s playoffs proved, you just have to accept that Howard will score on you BUT YOU NEED to fight him to make him work for his points and Al simply stopped TRYING to fight him culminating with the HIGHWAY that Al gave Howard in that 4-0 humiliation.
Yes, Howard is bigger and stronger BUT heart and savvy can beat brute force, in particular since Howard’s offensive game is mostly rubbish.
Look at Collins: yes, he is heavy, but it’s not only the weight that allows him to be effective against Howard, it’s how he moves his feet and how he is not afraid to take charges and be floored that gets into Howard’s peanut mind.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
10:20 am
smh this isn’t Mizzou basketball. This is 48 minutes against grown men, the NBA. They’ll hit you and wear you out before you run for 48 minutes.
You think Mac-Rib could play Mizzou style up and down. In a compacted schedule? Lol.
“Smhh….Keith Benson and Magnum Rolle are BOTH 6′11 (Legit) can we at least see what they can provide first?”
Keith Benson – 6′11, 230, same wingspan as Chris Bosh but shorter and lighter. HIGHLY. Doubt it. Albeit he has potential as a scorer if Horford can coax him along as a PF IMO.
Magnum Rolle – 6′10, measured 200 lbs. Last year. So what realistically 220 at best?
vava74
December 8th, 2011
10:22 am
Another example of what I say on this last paragraph were a few plays in which Hilton Armstrong – seemingly replicating Collins’ defensive game – forced Howard into several turnovers.
And Hilton is just marginally bigger than Horford.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
10:23 am
T-mac’s conversation with himself during free agency.
Which playoff team has the worst starting SF in the NBA?
Lakers – I can’t touch Ron at this stage in my career.
Bulls – Deng will run circles around
Boston – PP the truth
Knicks – Melo is the man right now
Pacer – Danny Granger never
Heat – LBJ forget it.
Hawks – I could easily take minutes from Marvin Williams, even with age and injuries I’m better.
I’ll sign with the Hawks.
1 year from now on the NBA wire: Josh Smith has been traded to [blank] for a draft pick for a team in disarray. They seem to be rebuilding around Horford a guy with a set shot and 2 FTA per game. He is not a point guard but 2 FTA per game.
Josh Smith can play PF and SF. HAwks will now have McGrady and Marvin WIlliams, a known bust, at SF and 2 FTA set shot man at the 4.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
10:24 am
Kito could not make the Dinamo Sassari’s fans forget Othello Hunter…
I think this may be a telling fact…
Astro Joe
December 8th, 2011
10:27 am
I, for one, don’t believe that D12 is a bonafide #1 scoring option. He simply hasn’t evolved his game in that manner. When a team loses when a player puts up massive points, that is usally a sign thathe isn’t a bonafide scoring option as the rest of the team is shut out while he does his thing. Howard needs a “coscoring leader if he is ever to achieve tremendous team success.
I can’t imagine a team with Jamal AND TMac… that just sounds like an episode of Basketball Wives waiting to happen.
Maybe the Hawks coaches are convinced that Sy is ready to be the tough-as-nails-wing defender that we need. If so, we desperately need to look at Troy Murphy or some other stretch 4 who can knock down jumpers from outside. Is Jason Smith a UFA? He is soft but has good size and range from 20 feet in.
One last thing, all these posts about the Hawks getting TMac 3-5 years too late ignore the fact that we would not have been able to afford TMac 3-5 years ago.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
10:29 am
Grandad, lets agree to disagree. Just woke up, and really don’t feel like typing that much at the moment. I understand your statement that players play, no matter the position. However, position does matter because it is how one receives accolades in todays NBA. Today’s power forward depth around the league is similar to the centers in the 90s (think about it, Rik Smits was probably the 9th best center in the league then. And would be the 2nd best in today’s NBA). Position is all about match ups. And 28 times out of 31 (NBA TEAMS) the best matchups is Al lining up against the opposition center compared to power forwards.
Astro Joe
December 8th, 2011
10:35 am
I’m not sure that blocking shots is very easy when you have been nudged into the third row (unless you are Stretch Armstrong). I wouldn’t hold out too much hope that Kito enters the league as a rim-protecting force. Let’s give him some time to adjust to the speed of the game and build some muscle mass first.