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
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
10:35 am
AJ, if you recall the Pistons won their lone title of the new millennium when they allowed Shaq to average over 35 points for the series, by playing him man on man, and concentrating on the perimeter players. This can be said for most pivoting centers in the league. If you check the high point games for Shaq, Wilt, David Robinson, Ewing, and Hakeem (or A’keem), majority of them came in losses.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
10:54 am
“Kito could not make the Dinamo Sassari’s fans forget Othello Hunter…
I think this may be a telling fact… ”
Yeah, I heard about that lol. Smh…Hopefully his ceiling isn’t as low as many have projcted it to be.
Astro Joe
December 8th, 2011
10:57 am
Ra’mon and that is how the Hawks won the Magic series last year. D12 ate Collins’ lunch (and it was a failry big meal) but the Hawks won the series by making Turkaglu, JRich and Arenas look like they no longer needed to be on the Magic. So any thoughts that Howard’s arrival would force Joe or others to re-think their game is wrong (IMO).
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
10:58 am
Good one Geemack. I agree. I think T-Mac sees a role for himself here. Dude isn’t that old. He’s had time to get healthy. I think if we contend, he’ll come through if he’s kept up his conditioning. Just depends on how LD uses his players. If he spreads the time and uses the bench effectively maybe we can keep guys healthy. If he abuses them, we’ll stumble in and quickly out of the playoffs.
Maybe
December 8th, 2011
10:58 am
I honestly don’t think the fact that Horford both worked by D12 was the reason for his cowardice. It was the fact that we got swept. I honestly believe if we had won or take that series’ to seven games, he wouldn’t have been so worried about D12.
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
10:59 am
Heat get Battier…
He is just abou as good as Mcgrady…I bet the Heat paid more.
Huh?
December 8th, 2011
11:03 am
““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.”
So what is he working on? Shooting? Post Game? Dribbling? Driving?
I have no idea what he’s trying to improve at.
What he should be improving: GETTING STRONGER and being physical in the post
Astro Joe
December 8th, 2011
11:03 am
Rufus, or Battier decided to chase a ring.
PEDRO EL GITANO
December 8th, 2011
11:03 am
Me gusta mucho la firma de T-Mac.Por el salario minimo para veteranos tendremos a un sexto hombre de mucha calidad.No espero que vuelva por sus fueros,pero nos va a ayudar mucho.Aun es joven,y motivado y sano podria callar muchas bocas.Watson es un base mediocre,pero daria descanso al prometedor Teague hasta que vuelva Hinrich.No creo que no necesitemos tirar la casa por la ventana para fichar a Chris Paul,el puesto de base esta bien cubierto creo yo.Ahora habria que conseguir a Monta Ellis,aunque fuera desprendiendonos de JJ.y para acabar de apuntalar la plantilla seria bueno firmar a Dalembert.
Yo no me desharia ni de Smoove ni de Jamal,pero si lo hacen solo espero que nos traigan a cambio a alguien con impacto(El citado Ellis o Dwight Howard,aunque este ultimo es casi imposible de conseguir).De momento vamos bien.Un abrazo a todos los que sueñan con un campeonato de los Hawks.
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
11:04 am
Orlando lost because Dwight couldn’t be as aggressive knowing that Gortat was gone. He had no backup support. He also quickly realized he had no teammates on the perimter as well. We didn’t beat Orlando and move forward, we met a lesser opponent and did what we should’ve.
Chicago series – we met an injured D-Rose and got punked by their bigs. Collins was too slow, Al & Josh watched Noah, Boozer, Asik and Gibson get the better of them with speed and muscle. We lost our confidence and didn’t play team basketball. Too many people just checked out. Will another year solve that? Not sure.
We still need a big and a backup PG, possibly a wing defender/shooter as well. Nothing really has changed.
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
11:04 am
AJ
That is a possibility..
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
11:05 am
The position is really who guards you, during the course of the game you could have a shooting guard on you.
And during the course of the game quicker forwards matchup on AL for multiple years now, Thats why the PF thing is bogus.
As far as scoring goes he needs a lowpost big man to carry his bags, set his table, set out the silverware and then spoonfeed him for elbow shots. Or his other function is he likes to dump the ball into the post.
And no matter who is guarding him Josh Smith has proven himself a bad post scorer. 1-on-1 bad.
Off a drive and dish and he’s right on the baseline, takes 1 dribble and dunks it on Noah’s face. Excellent.
Josh Smith is an excellent baseline’low post AREA scorer. You want him in that area, (against SFs his size) But not necessarily 1 on 1 int the post area where he gets smothered by length (Garnett) or quickness (Artest).
JUST LIKE AL.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
11:07 am
Maybe, how would that be the case, when two years before we took Celtics to seven games. And Kendrick Perkins is just as physical (if not more) as D12. I honestly believe Al problem is he is too good of a person to get down in dirty under the rim. The heavy foul on TJ Ford in Toronto, his 2nd year, changed a lot of the play of Al on defense. I really believe every championship team needs a jack@ss on the team who’s just annoying. And I think Al is too nice to be that way.
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
11:08 am
Sounds like you’re comments mean we don’t have an effective offense where players get the ball when/where they can be most effective? You’re relying on Smoove, Joe and Al to make some fantastic move repeatedly with success. Teams aren’t stupid, they’ll shut it down unless you have a real offensive set and plays. Are we too dumb to learn legitimate plays? Is that why we need “motion” to get guys open.
What ever happened to picks and setting up players for a specific shot?
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
11:09 am
Al’s work ethic dissappeared when he got the cash people. He’s no longer worried about proving himself. Now he does what packs the stat sheet, not the win column. I love the guy, but he’s just not the same type of player from his rookie contract.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
11:13 am
Horford bangs more than Elton Brand for crying out loud. Both the same height. But Elton can carry so much more weight. Yet he also shoots and handles with more finesse? Anyone want to point out the difference?
Wingspan
7′ 5.5″
Wingspan
7′ 0.75″
7′3″- Bogut, Chandler, Bargnani, Boozer, Jefferson, Ea.Clark
7′2- D.Blair, McGrady, Stoudemire, H.Warrick, D.Granger, Jord.Hill, Marr.Speights
7′1- Horford, KWAME, Noah, McRoberts all have 7′1
7′0- J.Leuer, C.Villanueva, P.Pierce, Carmelo, Lebron, R.Jefferson, Dam.Wilkins, V.Carter, Jos.Smith
6′11- Bryant, Motiejunas, Iguodala, Wade, T.Leslie, Z.Randolph, Hansbrough, Griffin, Kev. Love, Haslem, Landry
Dont hold your breath on Al “Kwame Joakim McRoberts” Horford becoming a scorer. Do NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH.
Worldwide Clyde
December 8th, 2011
11:34 am
“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.” – Horford
SMGDH. Is offense the only thing this man thinks about? How about learning to block a shot. How bout learning to take a charge. But all Horford wants to do is shot.
FIRE SUND
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
11:37 am
Does taking charges get you stats for your All-Star bid? Being 20-10 does!
Sad that Josh does the little things at times…until he sulks like he’s a teenager….and Horford gets the All Star bid repeatedly.
We need those little things from both players 100% of the time. Then we wouldn’t need a legit big. We just need TEAM oriented players for 1-12 on the roster who actually play their role every night.
Fundamentals
December 8th, 2011
11:40 am
All this comes from the Christopher Titus comedy routine on “Everybody gets a trophy”. This generation of players just don’t know how to give it their all. They play for themselves, not for the chance to win or lose by laying it all on the line regardless of the outcome.
Huh?
December 8th, 2011
11:41 am
“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.”
Yes. Exactly
O'Brien
December 8th, 2011
11:44 am
Battier is a very good signing for the heat. He provides defense and leadership. They still need help at Center though.
yoursporthouse the website
December 8th, 2011
11:46 am
McGrady is an upgrade because now we don’t have to see duck butt Marvin Williams on the floor. Al Horford, can you find a post game? You should have been working out with Olajuwon to develop some post moves. That’s what you need. I wish the Hawks could swipe Wilson Chandler and NeNe away from Denver.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
11:50 am
Battier is pretty redundant in Miami to me. If they brought back Jones with Miller, they’re still stronger at the wings, or as strong now that they’ve added Battier. However, they used majority of their mid level exception for tax paying teams, and now what do they have to pay a center or point guard with?
Melvin
December 8th, 2011
11:50 am
Is anyone going to translate that 11:03 post?
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
11:53 am
Battier to sign with Heat on Friday;
“at this point in career, winning is important”
-Battier- [paraphrase].
dad-gummit – This makes it much more difficult to …
-hate the heat- !
A significant portion of the mid-level. (reportedly)
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
11:56 am
If yawl don’t think Battier helps them …
then I give up.
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
11:57 am
I would put LeBron in the post.
No Joke !
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
11:59 am
LBJ @ the [5] immediately becomes the best Center
in the league.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
12:01 pm
Hawks fans this isn’t baseball. You don’t LEARN how to block a shot AFTER you win 2 NCAA titles. You don’t LEARN athleticism.
You either have it or you don’t. Funny thing AL, people still think you can be that “solid center”. They still think you’ll grow 2 inches and start blocking shots and actually shoot a fadeaway.
5 years in and they’re STILL waiting for a running hook shot. Olajuwon lol how’d that work for Dwight?
All Olajuwon told Dwight was to play like a guard and use his drop step and hook more. Dwight has a 7′4 wingspan. He had a hook shot.
Olajuwon told him to step out more and mix more finesse with his power. Olajuwon didn’t do anything but tell him to play more like a wing player.
Horford has that mentality but without the length. Horford doesnot even have the length to do a spin move aka the reverse pivot.
Has anyone EVER seen Horford attack-get cut off-spin back and score? You cut him off he passes. If he spins back he is not long enough to shoot and gets it rejected. Finesse in all the wrong places.
I’ll never forgive myself for thinking he was the next Amare.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
12:03 pm
Grandad, I didn’t say I don’t think Battier helps them. I am just saying they have bigger needs at the PG and C position to be using their entire mid level exception on a wing player. This deal makes you think they know that Mike Miller or Wade isn’t 100% to start this sprint of a season (compared to the 82 games). I am looking at the $3 Million and wondering why didn’t the Hawks pay that price to get get Battier (half the price of Marvin). But for the Heat roster, the move is questionable.
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
12:04 pm
Grandad
I understand that Battier helps them, but does he help them more than Mcgrady helps us….I don’T think so.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
12:04 pm
11:03 post Me gusta = I like. T-Mac = T-Mac. Does anyone REALLY want to Google Translate? Maybe its a harrowing story of how Big-Mac gave him a kidney. It better not be “Big-Mac still got it! You’ll see!” Bcuz no way I build with T-Mac at the 3, and Josh at the 4. instead of Josh Smith and a PF shooter.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
12:04 pm
Melvin, this is what Google translate the post as saying
I really like the signature T-Mac.Por veterans minimum wage have a sixth man of great hope calidad.No back on track, but we will help mucho.Aun is young, healthy and motivated and could shut many bocas.Watson is a mediocre base, but would break the promise Hinrich.No Teague until you think that we need not throw out all the stops to sign Chris Paul, point guard is well covered that I would have yo.Ahora Monta Ellis get, even pulling away from shore JJ.y to finish the template would be good signing Dalembert.
I did not fall apart or Smoove or Jamal, but if they do bring us just hope that someone in exchange impact (Said Ellis or Dwight Howard, although the latter is almost impossible to find). At the moment we bien.Un embrace all those who dream of a championship of the Hawks
vava74
December 8th, 2011
12:06 pm
Melvin,
Pedro says the following:
I like the signing of T-Mac. For the veteran’s minimum we will have a 6th man with a lot of quality.
I don’t expect him to be back to his old self, but he will help us a lot. He is still young and healthy and motivated, he could shut up many mouths. Watson is a mediocre PG, but he would give some rest to Teague until Hinrich comes back. I don’t think we should clean house just to get Chris Paul, the PG slot is well covered, I think. Now we should try to get Monta Ellis, even if we had to send JJ away. And to close the roster it would be good to sign Dalembert.
I would not trade Smoove nor Jamal, but if they do, I hope that we get in exchange someone with impact (the mentioned Ellis or Dwight Howard, being that the latter is almost impossible to get). For the moment we are going well. A salute to all that dream of a Hawks’s championship.
Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut
December 8th, 2011
12:07 pm
Translating 11:03
I really like the sign[ing] T-Mac.Por veterans minimum wage have a sixth man of great hope [quality]. No back on track, but we will help mucho. is young, healthy and motivated and could shut many bocas[moufs]. Watson is a mediocre base, but would break the promise Hinrich. No Teague until you think that we need not throw out all the stops to sign Chris Paul, point guard is well covered. Now Monta Ellis get, even pulling away from shore JJ. And to finish the template would be good signing Dalembert.
I would not fall apart for trading Smoove or Jamal, but if they do bring us just hope that someone in exchange impact (Said Ellis or Dwight Howard, although the latter is almost impossible to find). At the moment we good. One embrace all those who dream of a championship for the Hawks.
Smdh
vava74
December 8th, 2011
12:08 pm
Battier = Mike Miller just got amnestied
vava74
December 8th, 2011
12:09 pm
I am waaaaay better than google translate.
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
12:12 pm
LBJ @ the [5]:
*2nd best passing Big ever
*would avg 50 pts per
*would avg a triple double (pts, rebs, assts)
*would play – High, low, mid, pinch, short corner,
flash, duck in, strong as an ox posting up, slip,
pin, I cut, face up 1 dribble, mid range, – un-guardable !
Defensively – he could still match up on best match-up.
He would go from great to greatest.
At least that’s how I would use him.
I always liked to put my best player in the middle of the floor.
Get him the ball there.
It takes less work and energy than him having to get there;
then having to “start all over again”.
Same concept as with Joe or Josh;
I would do much the same.
But thats Coaching – getting your guys in spots
where they can be successful.
LBJ has been successful;
but has he won a championship ?
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
12:19 pm
Rufus and Ra’mon
I wasn’t jumpin’ on you guys.
Also as vava just said;
I knew they were gonna let Miller go.
Yes I think Battier helps them more than TMcG helps us.
Nothing against Tracy – different players – different qualities.
[also different teams, different needs]
-although we could have used Battier-
vava74
December 8th, 2011
12:25 pm
Battier is potentially a better and more complete contributor than T-Mac, hence is also commanding a lot more money AND selecting where he wanted to sign.
T-Mac was a huge physical and technical talent who coasted through practices and never developed the “intelectual” area of the game and never really showed a real “fire”.
Now, with his physical ability severely hampered/diminished, he is a role player with – probably – the wrong mindset (see the quarrel with Kuester).
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
12:26 pm
David West
The Hawks have inquired about him in a S & T …..Who is leaving if they do that?(Kirk and Draft picks or our PF)
FreshFromATL
December 8th, 2011
12:27 pm
Hawks show uncharacteristic sensibility with signing of Tracy McGrady
Rob Mahoney
Dec 8, 2011, 12:07 PM EST
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/08/hawks-show-uncharacteristic-sensibility-with-signing-of-tracy-mcgrady/
vava74
December 8th, 2011
12:27 pm
Grandad,
LBJ would never accept the punishment which comes with playing the C position.
He does not have the heart and, to be perfectly frank, his back to the basket game is questionable at best, so he would be high post C (nothing wrong with that but…).
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
12:28 pm
If the Hawks acquire David West, I couldn’t see them not making a move right after that. That would appear to be a two level move. But doesn’t David West duplicate what Al Horford does best? So Al and David playing together would still leave the team without a post threat.
vava74
December 8th, 2011
12:29 pm
Rufus,
It seems that Josh is gone under that scenario.
Ra'mon
December 8th, 2011
12:33 pm
Vava, that’s where you’re wrong about LBJ. LBJ LOOKS for contact whenever he drives the lane, no matter the size of the opponent. There’s not a center in the league (with exception of maybe Noah) who could handle Lebron from the high post. Playing post has more to do about quickness than it does size. People look at how Shaq as such a big force. But they discount the fact how quick he was. Hakeem was never larger than Ewing, Shaq, or Robinson, but he abused them because of the quickness. And truthfully Hakeem is only an inch taller than LBJ (with longer arms, but a smaller frame). So LBJ playing center isn’t a far stretch, and could have merit.
The deal is though, if Miami offered Bosh for Chris Paul, they would blow everyone out of the water.
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
12:37 pm
Grandad
I think T-mac will bring an attitude that the Hawks don’t have…ARROGANCE! This will be the most talented team he has played on and if he is70- 75% of what he was(Just 3 years ago), the team will believe they can win a title.
Rufus1
December 8th, 2011
12:39 pm
@Ra’mon
West is a low post scorer…He would allow Al to float like he wants.
Mike
December 8th, 2011
12:39 pm
I am starting to think that Sund has a something big going on, I never see him so active since that time we resigned Marvin, Bibby and Zaza.
Grandad
December 8th, 2011
12:40 pm
Rufus1
-noted-