Horford ‘frustrated’ by progess following surgery
Vivlamore reporting from Hawks practice.
Al Horford said Thursday he is “frustrated” by his progress as he works to return from surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle.
The Hawks All-Star center went through a full-contract practice with the team.
“Today was the first chance I actually got to play 3-on-3 half-court with the guys and I’m not where I need to be,” Horford said following the workout. “I had a deadline in my mind that I wanted to be back by the last game of the regular season … but I’m not where I need to be. That is a little frustrating for me.
“I’m going to keep trying to work, but I’m not there yet.”
The Hawks have four games remaining in the regular season with the finale a week from today. Horford didn’t put a timetable on his return nor did he offer the chances he could return in time for the start of the playoffs. The postseason would begin for the Hawks either April 28 or 29. However, he made it clear he would continue to work in hopes of seeing the necessary improvements.
“It’s awkward just because this is only the third time I’ve played with contact,” Horford said. “Once you get moving and doing different stuff that is when you start to realize [how far you have to go] and I feel limited. Any chance we get to practice, I want to get in there. It’s hard because I can’t expect guys to come out and practice just for me. They play every other day. If we get a full practice I’m going to try to get out there and keep progressing.”
Horford said that while he has been working on his game during the rehabilitation process, it’s the physical condition of his shoulder and the nature of the NBA that is the biggest concern.
“When you play in the post you have to have a level of physicality and you have to naturally be able to bang with another player and I’m not confident doing things like that yet,” Horford said. “The other thing is really keeping [my left] arm above [my shoulder] for a certain period of time, that is another weak point for me. Keeping my hands up defensively and if I can’t do that, I’m going to be in trouble. The last thing I want to do is hurt the team.
“It’s very frustrating because I was doing everything on schedule, my rehab was going well. … It’s just tough.”
Hawks coach Larry Drew said Horford will continue to work with the team and that the decision on when he will be able to return rests with the center.
“When he tell us,” Drew said of Horford’s availability.
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204 comments Add your comment
Admiral Snackbar
April 19th, 2012
3:26 pm
don’t come back no matter what. Horfy is too valuable to risk his long term health for anything! imagine re injuring that arm and having to drag that noodle around the rest of your life! not fun! be smart and listen to the docs.
AtlSouthside
April 19th, 2012
3:27 pm
I like Ivan more than Horford honestly.. Ivan is at least 2-3 inches smaller but twice as physcial, and his offensive game is what we need in our PF or C. Horford relies on the jumper too much. We’ll be OK in first vs Boston. We will need him in 2nd round for sure tho.
Astro Joe
April 19th, 2012
3:28 pm
Steve, but there are a TON of players that size who are clearly not elite shot-blockers (Theo, IMO, was an elite shot-blocker in his prime).
The Truth
April 19th, 2012
3:29 pm
“When you play in the post you have to have a level of physicality and you have to naturally be able to bang with another player and I’m not confident doing things like that yet,” – Horford
This comment by Al is interesting if we reflect back when Al suggested numerous times that PF was his natural position and not center. I’m sure Al after his injury and now watching Ivan (who also is a natural PF) has had an influence on his prospective about a PF switching to the center position. Ivan has embraced the role of playing center and has taken his game to another level as a center.
Once Al return (whether this postseason or next BB season), he will likely back-off his claims of playing PF because it’s his natural position.
That message out of his mouth was probably his dad influence anyway.
Big Lou
April 19th, 2012
3:31 pm
“Get Well Soon Al and, take your time bruh. Basketball is just not that important in the grand scheme of life. Forget about these rabid, irrational owners and fans – they don’t care about you.” drmaryb
We are all going to die some day. Might as well be banged up in the process.
But in the NBA, for the last 5-6 minutes of the game, you are not correct.” SteveW
Do you remember how many games the Hawks lost this year that came from that last shot? At least six games. That is with a time out and everything. The Hawks lose because they can’t close the last possession. They are usually in the game until the last play. Use the last two games against the Celtics for example, and the Miami game(Pargo missed three). The Hawks have not been closed out in the fourth quarter in the last 5-6 minutes often. Either it’s a huge lead by the other team, or they lose by the last shot attempt.
That’s all on the coaching staff. Period.
It’s not that difficult to double team ISO Joe.
Astro Joe
April 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
Can you chnage your working personality? If you are naturally in quisitive, can you turn that off and stop asking questions? If you are a natural leader, can you stop that?
Ivan is naturally aggressive. Big Ben was a natural-born “warrior”. So was Alnozo Mourning. You can’t simply take players of similar size or stature and decide that they should be Zo or Big Ben or anyone else. It doesn’t work that way in real life and my guess is that you can’t turn a choir boy into a stone-cold Konbe0like killer.
I like the Pierce and Joe comparisons from a skill (and close enough) size perspective. But Pierce has that Kobe/MJ thing and Joe does not. That won’t change. Josh won’t play within his sstrengths, Al won’t forget his shooting skills and settle for an Ivan type role, and it is unlikely that Teague becomes a true floor general. Ain’t happenin’.
Heisenberg
April 19th, 2012
3:37 pm
Theo could jump out of the building and had a mean streak,
Admiral Snackbar
April 19th, 2012
3:46 pm
“Boston is going to be a division champion. A non-division championship team with a record better than a division champion (or champions, plural) can be seeded higher — but just the single winningest non-division champion can do that under NBA rules. The Hawks are three games behind the No. 3 Pacers (40-22), who have won six straight but cannot catch their division-leading Bulls.”
does that mean we can’t get the home court?
Big Lou
April 19th, 2012
3:50 pm
“does that mean we can’t get the home court?”
If the Hawks have a better record, they will get home court over the Celtics.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 19th, 2012
3:53 pm
Girls Gone Wild!
Ok ok … Jlewis and BIG DOG. Why yalw wanna give the girls a hard time. I admitt, you are right tho, but hey I gotta’ root for the home team! LOL
Girls don’t have the physical ability to play above the rim, so they have to play on a string, together and below the rim.
prison mike
April 19th, 2012
3:54 pm
Just going to put this out there, Josh would have returned a month ago with the same injury…
prison mike
April 19th, 2012
3:55 pm
Throw a gotdam shoulder wrap on that thing and let’s go!
High-sider
April 19th, 2012
3:59 pm
Maybe Al [Horford] can pull a “Willis Reed” in the playoffs. Oh, wait a minute; Willis Reed made that emotional appearance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. I don’t think the Hawks are going quite that far [in the playoffs] this postseason.
http://www.nba.com/history/reedwins_moments.html
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 19th, 2012
4:01 pm
D12 is for Quitters!
FTPB: STRETCH
Thanks for that Howard update. Yeah man, I posted last week that I don’t believe Dwight has a herniated disc, more like a herniated brain.
He is like school on Sunday – no class. What gave me the conspiracy theory was that he supposedly flew to LA to see a specialist and reported he had a herniated disc.
However, he tweeted something about hosting a party with Josh in Orlando the very next day for a friend’s BDay party.
So, basically all we have is Howard’s word that his disc is herniated. I posted that I think he would never play another game for SVG. Personalities aren’t compatible at all. Sometimes, that just happens and isn’t anyone fault – it’s just a lot of bad chemistry between those two.
They are both very emotional at work and don’t trust each other. It’s time for SVG to move on and the TRAGIC just need a new voice. Nothing personal, their window just closed there.
Oh well, too bad for them, but we got problems of our own!
jlewis
April 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
Drmaryb, it was said with love. Danny Granger a notch below superstar? He is JJ lite, without the handles and the defense. The thing that gets me, is the praise of teams that are below or not better than the Hawks. The Hawks had a lot of players go down this year, I have league pass like i’m sure a lot of other bloggers. The teams and players people fall in love with are not better than the Hawks.
Slimjr
April 19th, 2012
4:13 pm
15-5 last 20(.750 clip) and their defense sux? Now that’s blowing it out of your azz. Pot calling the frying pan…LMAO!
Slimjr
April 19th, 2012
4:17 pm
Shut it down Robotus!
Slimjr
April 19th, 2012
4:19 pm
Friday night is probably the biggest game of the season for the Hawks.It’s a statement game, a must win on National TV too boot? Uh Oh!
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 19th, 2012
4:21 pm
I wonder if Horford is losing some confidence too because, he sees how easily he was replaced by Zaza and Ivan combo. Also, what does he think of Ivan’s contribution to the team in his absence?
I wish the beat writers would ask some introspective questions to Al for a change aside form his obvious injury
status. Most of us don’t expect him to return any time soon and don’t need a daily update on that per se.
I wanna’ hear some Larry King type questions to get underneath the outer layers. We want some dirt man!
I hope we play Boston with home court advantage, we owe them a beat down from 4 years ago. We already paid Orlando back, been there done that. Now it’s the old men of Boston’s turn for a 4-3 beat down. Hopefully, we can do it in six!
O'brien
April 19th, 2012
4:24 pm
I think Marvin on Pierce is the way to go. The only problem is, Marvin on offense late in the game becomes a liability. As disciplined defensively as the Celtics are, they will not let JJ or Josh have any easy shots, so we will need guys to step up.
I think they will double JJ, let Josh take the tough jumper, or pass the ball to an open Marvin. Which normally does not end well for the Hawks in crunch time.
High-sider
April 19th, 2012
4:27 pm
Slimjr,
Add Ving Rhames to “the list” for his role in the movie, “Holiday Heart.” Also, don’t forget about Terry Crews when played “Damon [Pearly]” in [the movie,] “Friday after Next.” Remember the “bathroom scene” with him [T. Crews] and “Money Mike” as played by Katt Williams.
O'brien
April 19th, 2012
4:27 pm
Like Woody before him, LD likes iso-JJ too much, because it hardly ever works against good teams anymore. But to be fair to LD, there are games in which he actually calls a certain play for the final shot, and the players don’t execute.
For example, against Detroit when the play was called for JJ to back his man down in the post (if they switched). Well, needless to say, the Pistons did switch, JJ had a shorter Stuckey on him, and still decided to take a fade-away jumper.
There is also the botched layup by Zaza at the end of the Nuggets game.
Sometimes, players need to execute.
briggy
April 19th, 2012
4:34 pm
hawks bench are better than celtics if hawks have homecourt i could see hawks winning the series. if not celtics probably win in 7. u could see this series in different ways. if hawks get embarasses against celtics like woody did against orlando and cleveland is drew back?
i read the celtic blogs on realgm.com and they dont care if they dont get hca. also celtics do not have a lot of depth
Slimjr
April 19th, 2012
4:38 pm
High-sider, red alert, shields up Scottie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This rabbit hole gets deeper the more you dig Sir!
Hollyweird is one sick group of Mf’ers……
briggy
April 19th, 2012
4:39 pm
hawks r at stage they need to break through like years ago pistons get by celtics, bulls get by pistons. they are famliar with the celts and bulls in playofs. knock them off make some noise.
also i stated before would love fo hawks to get donnie walsh for gm or even larry bird.
doc
April 19th, 2012
4:39 pm
stevew, i never heard karl say it was for “entertainment”. he wants to win it all.
briggy
April 19th, 2012
4:40 pm
Enter your comments here
Big Lou
April 19th, 2012
4:45 pm
“15-5 last 20(.750 clip) and their defense sux? Now that’s blowing it out of your azz. Pot calling the frying pan…LMAO!”
I was talking about the game versus the Celtics, where they allowed those old guys to put up 110 points. Don’t try to twist my words you simple minded wind bag. And no, their defense is not as good as the Hawks. They are 10th in points allowed, the Hawks are 4th. I hope the Hawks beat the Knicks again so I don’t have to see you for the night like last time, where you magically disappeared for couple days. Why don’t you hang around the Knicks board and stop polluting this blog with your nonsense.
We might have realists like Grandmaster JeJe and Dawgnole, but at least they don’t cheer for the other teams. They legitimately want the Hawks to be better. Why are you even on here? You seem like one of those girly flip floppers who can’t decide which team to root for.
Big Lou
April 19th, 2012
4:52 pm
“There is also the botched layup by Zaza at the end of the Nuggets game.” O’brien
That’s one example on how the players didn’t execute, yet this is Zaza we are talking about. Do you think the Lakers count on the final shot to be made by Barnes? Why draw up a play for captain McFumbles?
The whole point is to utilize the true closers(Josh and JJ), but write up plays that better utilize their strengths–the Detroit game earlier this season, for example. In that game they set up a screen for JJ on the top of the key, where he caught it, was wide open and shot it for the game tie.
Or, do what most teams with an actual coach do, force a switch from a pick and roll(like Pierce did against the Magic last night for the game clinching shot.
Why have a play where everyone sits on the perimeter, one guy drives to the basket, and he kicks out to… Josh for the three? Come on man. LD needs to make plays where Josh is in the paint. Remember the game winning dunk against the Magic last year?
I’m not saying the Hawks have a Kobe or Lebron, but they make it harder on themselves by the plays LD is calling at the end of games.
Big Lou
April 19th, 2012
4:55 pm
Lol
They made a Jeff Teague poster on the espn conversation board for the Celtics/Hawks game. I’ve seen an Ivan Johnson one, but this one is much more hilarious.
doc
April 19th, 2012
5:02 pm
on the other hand here is a snippet on a team i had a lot of love for about four years ago and sadly how far south it has gotten. funny how owners of teams in smaller markets can become a bit snarky to journalists:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/blazers-owner-paul-allen-posts-strange-octopus-themed-143804744.htm
big lou i dont think of them as realists but more cynics. realists are that, they size it up, set the appropriate expectation and if exceeded suggest that or if it falls below it your put the hammer down. in no way could one be called a realist or prophet for suggesting this team would not win the nba championship at the top of the season. look the basg isnt interested in more. however, these guys have played some ball this year with a main cog out, so give it up for them.
some things are out of the players control, but winning games and playing hard is and they have delivered fairly well this season except some games we all know about. karl expects those types of games every year, it is the others you have to control or getting more than expected like we saw last year or in second rounds with woody.
cynics are like that and the atlanta scene keeps them very happy. only so many trophies to go around and they usually go to bigger markets. maybe if they arent happy and arent really cynics and want to shift they should either move or become a fan of the yankees or lakers as the braves and hawks arent going to get it for them. remember, it was funny when the braves started slowly how they were quick with the editorial derision. now they are hitting the ball and winning, nary a peep.
drmaryb.[*_*].
April 19th, 2012
5:03 pm
Biggie Lou!
I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I’m gonna start calling you -
Biggie Love. LOL Anybody talk as much ish as you, need a catchy handle.
I just pray and hope you can live up to that name – If, you don’t like that, then imma call you “A WALKER!”
what … What?
Astro Joe
April 19th, 2012
5:22 pm
Mary, Al likely would be excited to play with Ivan. They are very different players. Not to mention that Al is younger. I know it has been a while, but Al is far superior to Zaza and Ivan. They may do some things better or as well but they don’t have the A-Z skills like Al. I hope that we get to see Josh,Al, Zaza and Ivan next season. 4 complementary and productive bugs on the Hawks would be a rare treat.
The Truth
April 19th, 2012
5:22 pm
“Al won’t forget his shooting skills and settle for an Ivan type role” – AJ
“Remember the way we were” – Barbra Streisand (75’)
Al 1st year as a Hawk transcended to the center position after a Zaza injury and never gave it back. Woody realized that Al was more athletic, more effective on the boards and finished better than Zaza. The perception then was that Al was an upgrade over Zaza as the main reason Zaza never got his starting job back. That was validated after Al 1st All-star appearance.
I and others have praised Al back in those days as being the “Yeoman in the middle”; the lunch pail guy who was the steady-hand of the core with his consistency. That role mimicked him during his college days as a gator. A double-double guy you can depend on, no matter the competition.
However, something happen along the way; Al developed an effective mid-range jump shot. So the offense shifted to featuring AL in a pick-and-pop role that he embraced. From that point, Al interest and attitude seemingly changed from being the “Yeoman in the middle” guy to fantasizing about being this exotic PF more interested in picking-and-popping while his once “yeoman defense” became secondary. With his dad in his ear promoting him as a PF out of concern for his longevity, perhaps also was a factor.
So Al has it in him to being again that “Yeoman in the middle” guy. He’s been there and done that. I’m sure he’s struggling with that “man in the mirror”, especially in light of his recent injury. Hopefully watching Ivan will help inspire him to become the man he once was.
vava74
April 19th, 2012
5:31 pm
The Truth
April 19th, 2012
5:22 pm
Fantastic post! Not sure if I fully agree, but well written.
Astro Joe
April 19th, 2012
5:39 pm
The Truth, that assumes that Al wants to be that type of player. Maybe he feels like being Reggie Evans or Michael Cage is a waste of his overall talents and skill set. He likely doesn’t want to simply be a smaller version of his college teammate (Noah). Personally, I don’t think he needs to apologize for being a 14/10 kind of player who also provides very good post defense.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 19th, 2012
5:42 pm
Looking Forward!
AJ, you’re so right. I can’t wait to see Al, Zaza and Ivan patrol and control the paint next year. Coach Drew will be licking his chops to play around with the big line ups.
Each player brings something different and necessary to the table. Drew has a team option next season, so they will definitely bring him back at that price.
Zaza has elevated his game nicely, he has just been so under-utilized in the past. We now know, what Zaza knew – he plays better with consistent and heavy minutes. It improves his timing greatly, when he rotates in and out like clock work.
Al Horford is Al Horford, you know what you’re gonna’ get on the nightly.
We can finally rid ourselves of the Twin Project and maybe go get Kaman in here too, we would be set for years. If not Kaman, I wouldn’t mind developing Fab Melo if, he is around in round 2, which I seriously doubt.
MVT is set at the PG. Josh is at PF/SF. Marvin is … IDK what Marvin is at that price? A sixth man with an unreliable jumper who defends and rebounds well?
____________
AJ man, who do we take in the draft, round 1?
SF – Terrence Jones (UK)
C – Project
SG – Project
What do you think we need next season from the draft?
Astro Joe
April 19th, 2012
5:45 pm
And I’d suggest you look at draft forecasts for Al. He always projected to be more than a lunch pale player. That one dimensional kind of projection was placed on Noah and not Al.
Big Lou
April 19th, 2012
5:47 pm
drmaryb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3×7UaAMn9Qw
The haters can sing this anthem all they want, but I’m not going nowhere. I don’t back down from anything, especially some internet troll.
Biggie Love, huh? The ladies who know me personally already know I live up to that just fine.
You can call me walker if you want, just make sure to end my misery with a bullet to my head.
vava74
April 19th, 2012
5:50 pm
Off topic:
http://m.guardian.co.uk/ms/p/gnm/op/srtVP_TtrMHnR-DQO91AOkg/view.m?id=15&gid=commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/apr/19/bill-cosby-erasure-race-trayvon-martin&cat=commentisfree
Astro Joe
April 19th, 2012
5:52 pm
Mary, Zaza is a free agent in about 15 months.So I would with draft a project center or an athletic wing defender (like Pietrus). I just hope they draft someone whose pilot light stays lit.
The Truth
April 19th, 2012
5:53 pm
Thanks Vava
“The Truth, that assumes that Al wants to be that type of player.” – AJ
That’s likely and is part of his “man in the mirror” dilemma
Junebug
April 19th, 2012
5:55 pm
The Hawks training staff sucks ..Al should be doing Yoga and Qi Gong to build mental and physical strength…In fact if Josh,Joe, Jeff,Marvin etc,etc all did Yoga and Qi Gong they would win the title.The Hawks are clearly the most talented team in the NBA .They just don’t have the mental toughness to win .
doc
April 19th, 2012
6:00 pm
astro dont know if you missed it but i compare ivan to the brandon bass type we have been missing for a long while. hope we can keep him.
doc
April 19th, 2012
6:01 pm
wow, someone has mentioned qi gong on the hawks blog. way out dude.
The Truth
April 19th, 2012
6:03 pm
“And I’d suggest you look at draft forecasts for Al. He always projected to be more than a lunch pale player” – AJ
Perhaps that was his projection but that’s what he was his early years as a Hawks. Besides, the “lunch pail guy” label means different things to different people. If you call Ivan a “lunch pail guy” he will no doubt take it as a compliment. He loves Nique description of him as 9-to-5 which is similar to being a “lunch pail guy” IMO.
Slimjr
April 19th, 2012
6:33 pm
Hey pal kick rocks..Dude I’m not going anywhere…Use the scroll key when I come around..
scroll buster———->
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 19th, 2012
6:37 pm
Does anyone at AJC care enough to PUT THE MOST RECENT BLOG on the TOP OF THE AJC HAWKS PAGE? There are like 4 different blogs to choose from. WTF is the Ivan back to ‘full status’ blog still at the top?
SMH
SMH @ Smoove throwing full court passes and then acting like it’s the teammate’s fault they were thrown away
Slimjr
April 19th, 2012
6:43 pm
“We might have realists like Grandmaster JeJe and Dawgnole, but at least they don’t cheer for the other teams. They legitimately want the Hawks to be better. Why are you even on here”
Why is this dude asking such a dumb azz question….Hit the scroll troll…There, I’ll use the Troll word out of context just like you use it….
DawgNole
April 19th, 2012
6:47 pm
SteveW
April 19th, 2012
1:15 pm
But here’s hoping…. 4 straight trips to the Semi’s would be nice in a win starved city.
__________________________
I’d much prefer one straight trip to the Finals.