Al Horford was one player Hawks couldn’t afford to lose (UPDATED)
Center Al Horford is the biggest of losses for the Hawks.
(UPDATED: 7:50 p.m.)
Not that anybody had been worn out by victory parades at any time in recent history (or ancient history). But it seems like the Atlanta pro sports world has been strapped to a wrecking ball lately.
Since last May, an NHL franchise was crushed by local ownership, then packaged, sold and shipped to Winnipeg. The Braves collapsed down the stretch of the season and missed the playoffs. The Falcons could’ve avoided a lot of pain by missing the playoffs, for when they got there they were dismembered again.
The Hawks had been our shining light. OK, maybe a 60-watt bulb. But they eliminated Orlando in the first round of the playoffs last season and gave Chicago a run in Round 2.
Then on Thursday, Atlanta gravity pulled them back down into the rubble.
Al Horford — the one player the Hawks could not afford to lose, the one player on the roster that other teams actually want, was counted out by an MRI. Horford suffered what had appeared to be a shoulder strain in Wednesday night’s loss to Indiana when he had his arm pulled back after having his shot blocked by the Pacers’ Roy Hibbert. But an MRI revealed a torn pectoral muscle.
This is not a day-to-day thing. It’s closer to a see-you-in-training-camp-next-year thing. Horford will have surgery and miss three to four months. It’s mid-January. The regular season runs through April 26. Do the math.
Hawks coach Larry Drew was asked what the Hawks will miss without Horford, other than the 12.4 points, seven rebounds and a couple of blocks and assists per game. His answer suggested this was like a live body losing a vital organ.
“Leadership and presence — that’s going to be sorely missed,” he said. “He’s kind of a glue for us. He’s a stabilizer. He’s a guy who huddles the team, who talks in the huddle. He’s a guy who’s not afraid to call people out. Certainly the guys respect him. You can see how guys respond to him.”
Horford is — was — the Hawks’ most important player. It’s not Joe Johnson, the five-time All-Star who too often disappears in big moments and has seldom exuded much in the way of leadership. It’s not Josh Smith, the athletically wonderful but occasionally head-scratcher of a player.
Horford isn’t a brilliant offensive player. But he’s as smart and consistent a performer as the Hawks have on the roster. He rebounds. He bangs. He distributes. Equally important, as Drew noted, is his presence off the court.
“I was hoping it was a strain and I’d rehab it for a couple of weeks and I’d be back,” Horford said.
That, the Hawks could manage. Every team has, or will have, injuries in this condensed season. But the Hawks couldn’t afford a debilitating one like this. What now — trade for Dwight Howard? That has long seemed like a pipe dream because Howard, an impending free agent, has said nothing to indicate he would be willing to sign an extension with the Hawks. And if the Hawks ever had a shot at Howard, Horford figured to be one of the players that Orlando would ask for in a trade.
What do the Hawks offer now — Horford with a torn pectoral, Tracy McGrady with back spasms and Marvin Williams with an ankle sprain?
Whatever it was that you believed the Hawks could achieve this season, adjust down. They’re probably still a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, although Drew said only, “I hope we are.”
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the team reacts to this loss. Said Horford, “All of the guys have to raise their game, help a little bit, and it all starts with Joe and Josh.”
Johnson was the eternal optimist of the group in the locker room Thursday.
“We still have enough talent to be an elite team in the East,” he said.
He gets points for being a rare ray of sunshine. But the reality is, it feels like a wrecking ball just hit another team.
By Jeff Schultz
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137 comments Add your comment
"Chef" Tim Dix
January 12th, 2012
5:01 pm
Just sucks. Al is the team.
OLD SKOOL
January 12th, 2012
5:05 pm
First
OLD SKOOL
January 12th, 2012
5:06 pm
We are in trouble!
John
January 12th, 2012
5:10 pm
Keep the Faith Mighty Birds of Prey fans…. The Hawks will play harder and overcome this obstacle. Big Al, take your time and get well.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 12th, 2012
5:11 pm
Great opportunity to blow up the core.
Outside Observer
January 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
Like you said Jeff, expectations have to be tempered. Horford is the best player on the team. Without him, realistic expectations would be making the playoffs and being competitive. The Hawks can’t win a championship without Horford
Grandmaster JeJe
January 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
Al Horford is not a leader.
This team has no leaders.
I did the math. 3 months from now is over half a month before the postseason begins.
Hail Munson
January 12th, 2012
5:18 pm
And I was actually beginning to care about the Hawks. Oh well, 5ish weeks till pitchers and catchers report.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 12th, 2012
5:19 pm
3 months from now is half a monthbefore the postseason begins.
And this team has no leadership
day old fries
January 12th, 2012
5:20 pm
time for Vakidis to step up.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 12th, 2012
5:21 pm
Smh
REAL
January 12th, 2012
5:25 pm
DURRRRRRRRRRRR HAWKS
YET ANOTHER…
Wild Bill
January 12th, 2012
5:26 pm
I don’t get all the praise for Horford, he disappears for long stretches of games, some games he don’t show up at all, I love the Hawks, and I think we will be okay
Whopper Dawg
January 12th, 2012
5:30 pm
Too bad, he was one of the good ones both in the game and out.
Matt
January 12th, 2012
5:32 pm
Blow up this team and get some draft picks. This year’s draft will be sick, and thh season is lost anyway with Al gone.
Nic
January 12th, 2012
5:37 pm
Really sucks! Al please get better soon.
bigdave
January 12th, 2012
5:43 pm
most important player?
Gwalk34
January 12th, 2012
5:44 pm
And the beat goes on….
Matt
January 12th, 2012
5:47 pm
Totally fouled on the play by Hibbert too. Clean block on the first, raked across the elbows on the second. No call. Typical day in the life of ATL sports.
bigdave
January 12th, 2012
5:48 pm
im actually excited about tonight’s game..
its show time..
Falcons4Eva
January 12th, 2012
5:59 pm
Just when we thought this team might be special, this sh!t happens.
We went from a potential 3rd seed to a 6th seed.
Nothing good happens to this team. EVER! Too good for the lottery, too bad for the Conference Championship.
Hawks4Eva
January 12th, 2012
5:59 pm
Oops…..
Vick Supporter
January 12th, 2012
6:01 pm
Damn. there goes the season
Hawks4Eva
January 12th, 2012
6:04 pm
Now we have to deal with the most clumsy, doofuss, misfit of a center if there ever was one….Zza Zza.
This guy – goofy Zza Zza – is the epitome of klutz. The most uncoordinated person on the planet when it comes to basketball. I just be damn. Just when I was excited about this team, this ish happens.
I swear, it does not pay to be a fan of ANY team in Atlanta -
moorman
January 12th, 2012
6:07 pm
like you said, not only did it hurt the current lineup, they cant improve because WHAT else would orlando want outside of horford? looks like they gotta go shopping for a another center…………..where is magnum rolle??????lol
Hawks4Eva
January 12th, 2012
6:08 pm
Can you say: 1st round EXIT our the playoff…..
Hawks4Eva
January 12th, 2012
6:08 pm
Back to Life….Back to Reality……
Hawks4Eva
January 12th, 2012
6:08 pm
The more things change…..the more the stay the same.
J.R.
January 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
I hate to say this, but Horford’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Hawks long term. Reason being, they were not going anywhere this year anyway and this FORCES them to FINALLY go out there and get a quality center in which they have needed for years. ZaZa is garbage, bargain basement filler who will not get you anywhere close to the conference finals. Marvin Williams is way overrated and soft as tissue paper. Jason Collins is a goon to come in and hack people. The Hawks need a QUALITY starting center to come in now. Trade Zaza, Marvin and a pick for a starting quality center. This way when next year comes around, the Hawks will have a formidable lineup with some toughness, which they deeply lack.
Ray
January 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
Can we stop being selfish for a moment, and wish Al Horford a speedy recovery? I’m disappointed too– but I want to see him recover 100 per cent! He’s a good young man and a great player!
steve brown
January 12th, 2012
6:16 pm
The Atlanta Spirit is looking for a new name and I think “Badkarma Corp.” is well earned. It is just unfortunate that the city and the players must suffer because of the “Spirits” legacy of screwing things up.
sports genius21
January 12th, 2012
6:19 pm
we can still be a good team without horford sure it hurts but we are a team thats how sports goes what matters is the guys that are healthy need to step up Go Hawks
Doom and Gloom
January 12th, 2012
6:26 pm
Bye Bye 3rd or 4th seed and another second round exit in the playoffs and Welcome 6th or 7th or even (8th) seed and a first round exit in the playoffs
TC
January 12th, 2012
6:27 pm
Jeff: What if the Hawks traded Horford now for Howard without the guarantee that Howard would resign ? It could be worth the potential risk at this point. Maybe have a non binding understanding? Thoughts?
TC
January 12th, 2012
6:29 pm
I actually think the Hawks will be fine. We have a deep bench.
how bout this...
January 12th, 2012
6:30 pm
If the Atlanta Spirit is looking for a new name, why not become The Southern Baptist Convention, they don’t want the name anymore… this would really mess with the typical Hawk fan.
TC
January 12th, 2012
6:32 pm
If we traded Horford for Howard even w/o a guaranteed extention, we would get Howard to make a major playoff run and if it worked well we would have a good shot at resigning him. With Horford out for the season it makes more sense to do this. The Majic could limp along and then have a healthly Horford next year. Could be a worthwhile gamble for the Hawks
Brownie
January 12th, 2012
6:33 pm
OK, someone take JR’s hash pipe away from him…..”trade Za Za, Marvin and a pick for a starting quality center”. What GM in their right mind would do that trade???
I like Al, in fact by far the most complete player on the team, but in reality his #’s are down from previous yrs by quite a bit. They’ll miss his leadership and defense mostly, but not his offense.
Josh has been playing pretty well, Teague is showing he belongs, even Marvin is showing some energy (maybe his bad back has been the problem all along)….the one player who looks asleep is our high-priced SG, Clueless Joe Johnson.
NOBODY will ever trade for JJ, so this team is doomed until that contract is over. This is a team that is built for speed and should be pressing the tempo constantly. But everytime JJ touches it, you can smell the burning rubber from the brakes being applied.
The Hawks are playing better this year even with no pre-season, not because the “core” is still there (check their numbers), but because the bench is dramatically upgraded. The only holdover is Za Za. Because of that fact alone, I think this team will stay close in more games.
If I’m LD, I tell ‘em to run, run, run (keep fresh legs coming) and if JJ can’t keep up, bury him at the end of the bench.
superiorblogman
January 12th, 2012
6:34 pm
Lotto here we come. I will take Anthony Davis over Drummond any day.
Doom and Gloom
January 12th, 2012
6:34 pm
Ivan Johnson, it’s your time to shine young man…. make us proud… (sighs) It sucks losing Horford, sorry about my “Gloomy” post earlier, the Hawks might surprise us….
Spyro
January 12th, 2012
6:36 pm
Jeff, I like Horford and all, but losing Smith would have the same effect as losing Horford. Al may be more consistent on offense, but Josh plays WAAAY better defense that Al. Al just doesn’t react well (or at all) enough when helping. For a big man, Horford is pretty bad at protecting the rim.
Spyro
January 12th, 2012
6:37 pm
Obviously, losing him still sucks. Get well soon, Al.
superiorblogman
January 12th, 2012
6:40 pm
Ivan Johnson is too erratic. He really does not deserve big minutes. Marvin, T-Mac, Al, and Hinrich all out tonight. Charlotte is the better team tonight.
superiorblogman
January 12th, 2012
6:42 pm
Josh Smith will take 15 jumpers tonight. He is in heaven what a ignorant basketball player
Bigman needed
January 12th, 2012
6:46 pm
Dwight howard is not coming here, period end of story. But you can get the #2 pick in dwight’s draft and the man who beat him out for ROY. That’s right omeka ofafor. Deal makes sense for both teams:
Marvin and zaza for okafor
Do it now ASG!
Beast from the East
January 12th, 2012
6:48 pm
Get well soon, Big Al.
tyger
January 12th, 2012
6:56 pm
Zaza Pachulia will fill the void:
2005/06 – 11.7pts 7.9reb 0.5blks
2006/07 – 12.2pts 6.9reb 0.5blks
ZaZa regressed as a backup to Horford and should excel with more minutes now. Since 2005/06, his overall game has improved and he probably will put up better numbers with extended minutes.
He appeared to lose confidence in the backup role, but regained some swag during the playoffs. He has some really nice low post moves but due to hesitantcy he blows alot of chip shots. He doesnt “flop” like he used to, which immediately improved his defense. He’s not a shot blocker but has improved in that area as well.
Let’s see how he responds tonight.
We have Hinrich’s expiring contract that was going to be moved sooner or later anyway. But that was supposed to be for the “missing piece” after a half season of evaluation. Now, that missing piece is a BIG, but what kind?
A minimum wage BIG or is there someone somewhere worth it available?
tyger
January 12th, 2012
6:57 pm
Matt Ryan/Roddy White for RG3!
ugakev
January 12th, 2012
7:31 pm
one word describes this….devestation
ugakev
January 12th, 2012
7:32 pm
bigman…that might could work
Let's Be Honest
January 12th, 2012
7:36 pm
BLOW IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bigman needed
January 12th, 2012
7:40 pm
Okafor is available. No way does new orleans want to be on the hook for his massive contract if they’re gonna lose for years to come and in fear of contraction! Kaman would also work for hawks but he is on an expiring deal and likely hornets could get a draft pick from any number of contenders. Hawks dont have that to offer.
Okafor would it in too. He doesn’t score these day, just rebounds and defends.
And if we get al back for playoffs, we could make some noise in the playoffs
Let's Be Honest
January 12th, 2012
7:40 pm
No surprise that Atlanta fans underestimated the value of leadership on a team, most of you haven’t see many LEADERS on your team teams so you think highlight dunks are everything. But that won’t get you far in the playoffs. No one else even wants to lead on this team lol:
Drew said it himself:
“… Larry Drew on Horford: ‘You can see when he’s out there how the guys react [to him]. He’s kind of a glue for us. He’s a stabilizer.’…”
Time to end this charade and build a winner. Ship out everyone except JT and AH, fire Drew and Sund, and let’s start it over next October.
chris
January 12th, 2012
7:41 pm
Been a rough year for Atlanta sports wise for sure Jeff, this sucks..this team plays well when its scoring and without Al and his presence we going to need another piece for sure….hope something can be done through the trade wire.
Let's Be Honest
January 12th, 2012
7:42 pm
So the goal is to make the 2nd round again? Make a deal to get embarrassed by the Heat or Bulls again? LOL… no wonder everyone makes fun of Atlanta fans. Idiots!
JSS
January 12th, 2012
7:42 pm
Why don’t all you multiple user-name suffers pick one name and stick with it!
I’m not for breaking-up the core with any possibility that Rick Sund and the ASG are any where around another lottery pick… Trade one piece maybe to get under the luxury tax. Go and get Mbenga or bring back Joel Przybilla, rather have Dan Gadzuric…
Michael Gearon, Jr.
January 12th, 2012
7:46 pm
I have a small penis.
Let's Be Honest
January 12th, 2012
7:48 pm
I haven’t seen one name mentioned as a potential trade possibility that is going to get you past the Heat and Bulls in the second round. You guys just want to make the playoffs, but don’t want to be champs. I get it.
88Hawk
January 12th, 2012
7:59 pm
Glad someone else besides me thinks Za Za is a clutz and no one covers him 2 feet away from the basket because he won’t take shots in every game. He does play better when TMac is in the game, but anybody else passes Za Za the ball, the other team knows he won;t shoot and if he gets under the basket, he’s immediately surrounded by 3 bodies with no where to go. How many times has Za Za had the ball taken away so far this season? Collins is on the bench, so Za Za is not the only holdover. So far, not very impressed with Collins. Who will take either of these 2 centers? No one! Even if we offered Jjjjjjjj oe Johnson and season tickets. Joe is playing great D, but he’s missing too many shots. umpredictable from game to game or quearter to quarter. Josh Smoove the same way. Marvin the same way. Jeff Teague, the same way. This coach does not know how to chew some a$$ during timeout and tell this team to play the way the should and know how? I blame the coach when this team is getting a new one from any other team. Tell Za Za to get it together or sit. Tell every player to get it together or sit, even Jjjjj oe Johnson.
steven A.
January 12th, 2012
8:10 pm
Grandmaster JeJe
January 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
Al Horford is not a leader.
This team has no leaders.
I could not agree more. Charles Barkley POUNDED the Nail RIGHT ON ITS’ HEAD ABOUT
this “TOO SOFT CREW”
steven A.
January 12th, 2012
8:10 pm
Grandmaster JeJe
January 12th, 2012
5:17 pm
Al Horford is not a leader.
This team has no leaders.
I could not agree more. Charles Barkley POUNDED the Nail RIGHT ON ITS’ HEAD ABOUT
this “TOO SOFT CREW”
steven A.
January 12th, 2012
8:12 pm
What did Al do against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs? He did didly poo, nothing, Joakim Noah dominated him.
steven A.
January 12th, 2012
8:14 pm
Noah dominated Horford in the playoffs last season. He exposed Als’ defensive liabilities.
Let's Be Honest
January 12th, 2012
8:28 pm
So you think the team is better off NOW? You think this team can beat the Heat and Bulls without their starting center? What’s the goal? Didn’t Gearon say ECF or bust in the offseason? No wonder GA ranks near the bottom in test scoring/education.
Let's Be Honest
January 12th, 2012
8:47 pm
Barkley also said he’d want Ivan Johnson over every Hawks frontcourt player except Horford.
BravesFan79
January 12th, 2012
8:49 pm
Lets be Honest: your a fool who listens to that Has-Been looser Barkley. Clearly what u have to say holds about as much weight as Barkley doing weight watchers.
BravesFan79
January 12th, 2012
8:55 pm
How about that has-been Barkley being jelous of Tebow. He will never be the man, or champion, that Tebow is, and is clearly jelous. I know a girl who “was” friends with Barkley, dudes a womanizing rapist scumbag. Hes lucky hes still alive.
BravesFan79
January 12th, 2012
8:58 pm
Steven A: Yea, because Barkley knows SO much about winning Champions right?? He even tried to piggytail on Drexler and Akheems Houston squad and failed at that.
WalterEgo
January 12th, 2012
8:59 pm
Agree with Najeh here. Great op to blow up the core. Our draft pick probably jumps 8 slots. However, I can’t see Orlando wanting an injured Horford as part of any deal nor can I see Howard re-upping with us if we trade JJ and JS and Horford never gets to play with him.
keepinitreal
January 12th, 2012
9:08 pm
The Hawks will still make the playoffs (the 9th best team in the East is probably the Bucks, and they’re a mess), but this probably drops them down a 7 or 8 seed, which means they’ll be one-and-done in the playoffs. Very unfortunate, because this team was showing some real promise. For the first time in a very long time, I thought getting to the Eastern Conference Finals was a possibility. Not anymore.
BravesFan79
January 12th, 2012
9:10 pm
Yea, blow up the core and be bad for the next 10 years… GREAT plan guys! Thats worked so well for other teams. Its why the Wizards are now on the verge of a world title right?
BravesFan79
January 12th, 2012
9:16 pm
Look at how long it took to get the team competitive again after blowing up the Mutombo/ Steve Smith, Mookie Blaylock team. Do we Really wanna go back to winning 15 games a year again? People say “blow it up”, but offer no real solution. Maybe you magically expect 3 superstars to pick the Hawks to go to like Boston and Miami. Or maybe you expect a few years of drafting high picks to make us title contenders. That method has worked so well for teams like the Bobcats and Nets!
tree rollins
January 12th, 2012
9:22 pm
Al’s the first decent center the Hawks have had since I played – it figures. This franchise is hurting man!
tree rollins
January 12th, 2012
9:28 pm
If they want to sign me or Dikembe for a short term deal I might think about helping them out!
Altie Kocker
January 12th, 2012
9:36 pm
LOL – superiorblogman, are you a troll from Charlotte?:
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/01/12/al-horford-was-one-player-hawks-couldnt-afford-to-lose/?cp=all#comment-433046
Mr. ATL
January 12th, 2012
9:37 pm
I like Horford and I’m sorry he’s hurt. But since I no longer attend Hawks games, it doesn’t much matter to me. Thanks to the Spirit, I’ve become totally indifferent.
teedub
January 12th, 2012
9:40 pm
I’m convinced Schultzie has never watched a Hawks game. Horf disappears just as often as Joe and Josh. We all know there isn’t a ton of leadership on this team.
The problem isn’t really the lost productivity or leadership…it’s more so that we don’t have squat on the bench to replace him. The 5 is the one gaping hole on this bench. I love ZaZa, but he can only play a limited role. There’s a time and place for him, and it’s not starting at the 5.
Hopefully Smoove can hold it down at the 5 and we can use the bench to prop up the 3 and 4.
tr
January 12th, 2012
9:52 pm
No Horford, Hawks win in blowout. hmmm
phil
January 12th, 2012
9:54 pm
This is LD’s fault.
Fire LD!
phil
January 12th, 2012
9:55 pm
tree rollins
January 12th, 2012
9:22 pm
Al’s the first decent center the Hawks have had since I played – it figures. This franchise is hurting man!
*****
you were far from decent, bonehead!
Bamaboy1
January 12th, 2012
9:59 pm
tr
January 12th, 2012
9:52 pm
No Horford, Hawks win in blowout. hmmm
It was a blowout to the Bobcats. Be realistic
Bamaboy1
January 12th, 2012
10:00 pm
tr
January 12th, 2012
9:52 pm
No Horford, Hawks win in blowout. hmmm
It was the Bobcats, be realistic….
JSS
January 12th, 2012
10:04 pm
The maligned Josh Smith goes all monster!!! Oh-oh Scoob!!
WE OWN TECH!
January 12th, 2012
10:15 pm
Can’t Kenyon Martin come back in march? We need to get him!
KevinM
January 12th, 2012
10:34 pm
Jeff, all-star Al is in no way more important than Jeff Teague, Teague has no valid replacement.
Al has backups and his backups aren’t complaining about playing and defending centers. When Al comes back, wanna bet he stays out of the middle even more?
Phil Lunney
January 12th, 2012
10:36 pm
The hawks played a good game tonight. I was very worried after seeing the injury to Al last night. But, this is my “annual I dream a Hawks dream” message. This is the time for the team to learn Drew’s offense, their defense hasn’t been this active for years. Then if they get Henrich back, they grow stronger and maybe Al for the play-offs. That is my hope, lucky it is MLK weekend, maybe Martin will shine his light on our Hawks. And Ivan does bring some energy and the Hawks need energy.
ATLien
January 12th, 2012
10:50 pm
I did the math and the team will be fine. Josh Smith is on his way to a MVP caliber year. All the haters can choke on their words as Josh steps up and puts it on his very capable shoulders. Horford was never the leader, he’s not even really a All Star. Good player…yes? The kind of player that a team just can’t live without? Not even close. Josh Smith is that player and all of you haters, including the head hater in chief Mr. Schultz, will be eating your words.
tree rollins
January 12th, 2012
11:31 pm
Agree Al is no all star calibre! I’m not even sure you could say that I was back in my day. All I can tell you is that Al doesn’t block enough shots!
tree rollins
January 12th, 2012
11:34 pm
Dikembe – now that boy knew how to block the shots – study some film while you’re out Al!
Tron5000
January 12th, 2012
11:44 pm
I like that Big Al is already calling out Joe and Josh to step their games up. Wish it didn’t take him going down for that to happen. And Schultzy, luckily I don’t have to worry about adjusting my expectations: These are the Hawks, so my expectations were already low to begin with. Been watching this team for 30 years. Fool me once…
tjy
January 12th, 2012
11:49 pm
This is a great opportunity for Josh to step up and become the best player and leader of this team. He’s always had that potential and based on how he’s played over the last few games, I think he’s going to do it. The Hawks will definitely miss Al, but sometimes injuries like this bring teams together.
Hawk to the Tawp.
January 12th, 2012
11:58 pm
Don’t worry Hawks fans… When Josh, Joe, and Jeff help get us the 3 seed, I will come back and lead us past the first round, and then we will beat Chicago in round 2. Then we will beat LeBron in the ECF. Next up, we will take out Oklahoma City in the Finals…
I will be back for a championship.
Hawk to the Tawp.
January 12th, 2012
11:58 pm
I am the Hawk that you don’t know of.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 13th, 2012
12:07 am
Schultz is the same guy who thinks the Hawks refuse to go over the cap.
hawks d
January 13th, 2012
4:38 am
we need to make a move for a veteran center who can put up a few minutes each night and protect the paint. Im a zaza fan but the guy is just too clumsy… We need a big man who can clog the lane.. Twin is useless, I dont really understand why, the guy is huge but so ineffective.
JUNGLE JIM
January 13th, 2012
6:58 am
To show the level of interest in the Hawks … Jeff’s column drew about 93 comments in 12 hours. If this had been a UGA or Falcons key injury – the reponse would have been at least 5 times that.
BulldogBen
January 13th, 2012
8:54 am
Feel awful for Horford but even with him everyone knows we can’t compete with the elite teams. This will just allow me to not start beleiving come playoff time.
BLECH. It’s a bad time for sports in this state when the only thing I have to look forward to in the next 4 months is the NCAA tourney (watching other teams) and The Masters.
*shudder*
coloradofalconsfan
January 13th, 2012
9:06 am
They will get someone. Maybe Hinrich and his expiring contract for Okafor. Probably will have to throw in a pick. Okafor can give you what Al gave and even more size. We will miss the leadership so hopefully while rehabing he can stay around team. But real key to this team is Josh and a keeping the vet like T-Mac healthy. Josh has raised his game this year. Very smart is hold back T-Mac vs Bobcats. We need him for the long run.
coloradofalconsfan
January 13th, 2012
9:07 am
BulldogBen, if you don’t think with Horford that we can compete with elite teams, you must not have watched the 4 games vs Heat and Bulls. 2-2 split and could have easily swept.
JSS
January 13th, 2012
9:12 am
JUNGLE JIM
January 13th, 2012
6:58 am
“Jeff’s column drew about 93 comments in 12 hours. If this had been a UGA or Falcons key injury – the re(s)ponse would have been at least 5 times that.”
And 95% of those comments would be gibberish… Sorry, but UGA (and college football fans in general) fans just blog about nonsense…
And word of advice, the people interested in the Hawks (and the NBA) generally hit the basketball related blog sites away from the AJC (no indictment on the paper), they hate nonsense gibberish…
Born2Buzz
January 13th, 2012
9:27 am
Get ready for more players going down with injuries in this crazy condensed pretty good against a bad Charlotte team last night. But the difference in this Hawks team is that we finally have a real PG in Teague. You can lose an important piece like Horford and make up for it with all the other bigs on the roster, but you have to have that PG to make the team go. I actually believe Johnson is right, there is still enough talent.
Jim
January 13th, 2012
9:36 am
100
Ted M
January 13th, 2012
10:09 am
Too bad for Al.
Whats attendence been like so far?
Ryder
January 13th, 2012
10:40 am
Funny thing is that last night their lineup didn’t nearly look as small as they do when Horford’s in there. Zaza may not have the offensive prowess of Al, but his toughness will be needed as this team can play a more halfcourt offensive style.
In this season the best team will be the last one healthy, and it’s a good thing Atlanta has depth (especially when Hinrich gets back). It comes down to four players, JJ, Josh, Jeff and Tracy. I’ve long written Marvin out as any type of threat.
DHunt
January 13th, 2012
11:22 am
My friends in other cities blew up my FB feed with the “Al is your best player” stuff. I don’t see it. Al is great guy, and has done a very good job as an undersized center. I wish him the best and a speedy full recovery. Meaning don’t even try to get back too soon and jeopardize your career.
But to think that the Three J crew can’t step it up and make a big difference here is nothing less than a total indictment of the coaching staff. As has been said, the Hawks have one of the best benches they’ve had in years. Zaza may be an offensive liability, but only if some fool tries to run an offense through him. In fact, our big Z may be a better pick and roll player than Al, because he will roll to the basket. He won’t make the shot, but he will get fouled, and he should make his foul shots. Given the chances, his medium range jumper can be as effective as Al. And he will roll to the basket, rather than away from it like Al is prone to do.
Properly used, Jeff, Joe, and Josh can be as effective a three headed monster as any in the league. So this falls to LD to get his team playing the right kind of ball, to use the talent he has, rather than trying to make them into something they aren’t.
Not losing hope for the Hawks yet. I wouldn’t be upset about making a move for a legit center, but I also wouldn’t be upset if they stand pat and work with what they have. What they have is a potentially stellar point guard. A shooting guard who can’t be stopped unless the coach allows him to dribble for 15 seconds at a time. And a power forward who can compete with any power forward in the league. If you can’t win with that, (plus a rejuvenated Marvin and a smart physical bench), then it won’t be because we didn’t have Al.
They showed the kind of team they can be last night against Charlotte. They also showed what kind of team they can be in the losses against a hobbled Miami team, and a Chicago team that didn’t really want that win, but took it because we gave it to them. That’s the difference between good coaching and horrible coaching. Coach ‘em up LD, and we still have a shot at a good playoff seed and a good run in the post season.
JSS
January 13th, 2012
11:27 am
@ Ryder…
It will interesting to see what Hinrich does now especially with the second unit once he is activated…
Therut
January 13th, 2012
11:38 am
If I see Zaza miss another two footer I think I will scream, but when all is said and done I bet his numbers will match Al,s. Al is not a true center and it is not his fault that he is playing that position. go Ivan
Vito
January 13th, 2012
11:38 am
Ok i am not saying he will be a star but we gave up on Sy for Pargo yea he will shoot but he suck we should have kept Sloan and Sy n let go of pargo n Stackhouse we could have kept stack as a coach or something we need players not a leader that dont play
jgsbirds
January 13th, 2012
11:54 am
i’m definitely down about the loss of horford. but this team can win without him. they played very well last night without al–grant it against the bobcats-but i think the offense flowed pretty smoothly without al last night. we’re still pretty good, so i think we’ll still get tot the playoffs–al hopefully will recover sooner than later and be rested and ready to go for the playoffs!
it’s the nba so i think we can still get to the tournament–at that point any thing can happen, especially if we have everyone back healthy at the right time.
go hawks!
Roger
January 13th, 2012
11:59 am
For those that have no appreciation of the man, Zaza Pachulia will be a pleasant surprise the remainder of the year, No Al, but a pleasant surprise. Go get ‘em Zaza!
earl
January 13th, 2012
12:04 pm
well maybe when can find someone that was not picked up to where it was gonna good for us plus hopefully now we can see what stackhouse has left in him
Jacquis
January 13th, 2012
12:09 pm
Honestly, could be the best thing to happen to this team. Let me explain. We have seen the ceiling of this team as is 2nd round maybe ECF is as far as we’ll go. Here’s to missing the playoffs and getting a little luck in the lottery. We could use another cheap talented guy, small forward, coming back with horford, josh, joe, and jeff.
Tremaine
January 13th, 2012
12:22 pm
Well this gives ASG an excuse/selling point for this years playoff failure.
ATLien
January 13th, 2012
12:52 pm
Watch Josh Smith people. MVP caliber year is coming. Rumor all offseason was he busted his ass working on that middle range jumper. And so far so good. JSmoove + midrange game = BEAST.
It is a shame about Horford. He is a pretty good player. Schultz wouldn’t know this, but 12 and 7 undersized centers that don’t play D aren’t really that rare, or valuable in the grand scheme of things. Further, people want to think he’s some kind of leader. I don’t see it, never saw it, not even at UF. Noah was the leader there. Zaza/Collins and whatever cheap FA they bring in will be adequate.
Teague us getting better every game. And it is a joy to watch him progress. He’s going to be something special as well. There’s noone in the league faster on the dribble that Teague, and he’s just scratching the surface of how to use that.
Cheer up real Hawks fans, losing Al I think in the end is going to help this team. He should be back for the playoffs, and others will raise their game in his absence. Let Schultz and the rest of the fake fans and haters pick apart every little flaw of every player show off their lack of hoops knowledge with all their out in left field trade ideas.
NFL Buzz | Latest NFL News and Info Hub - Let the Playoff Football Feast Begin
January 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
[...] asked what the Hawks will miss without Horford. … His answer suggested this was like a live body losing a vital organ,” Jeff Schultz writes for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Horford is — was — the [...]
rash
January 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
yall people are loosers a man gets hut and then all the post is about how sorry of a team the hawks is…get real he will be missed but this team is still good and they can sign a player to help …
jdewayneatl
January 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
Al is totally overrated on this team. You people act like we lost Dwight Howard. The fact is Al was only the 3rd most important player for this team, behind Joe and Josh. LD said it, Al Horford has developed into a role player (”he is a glue guy”). Come on, Al has not performed when he has needed to. We beat Orlando in the playoffs last year not because of Al but because of Collins, Zaza, Joe, Jamal, and Kirk. We competed against Chicago not because of Al but because of Teague and Josh Smith.
It is becoming very apparent that Al is on his way to being a much better Kurt Thomas instead of the Karl Malone type player that everything about him wishes it to be.
Shant
January 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
Al is a great player but you guys give him to much credit for what he does… Josh as far as iv seen has got no credit Its him that carry’s the team… When josh drives in no one not even Lebron can stop him. Joe johnson over payed? Yes! but hes doing what we need him too hes getting us our points when we need him most and hes the only shooting guard that can post up and score regardless…marvin williams plays great hes busting 3’s and he plays big, teague hes one of the fastest in the nba…our bench all vets but that’s smart we start off with fresh legs to take the lead and those old players keep the lead. Zaza doesn’t need more time he does not do that good during the season he does good in playoff …hawks have a great team they have to open and relize that no team has suched balanced players…everyone depends on some amount of players for ex. Heat= Dwayne,Lebron,Bosh… Orlando: Dwight, Lakers: Kobe, pau,bynum Clippers: Blake, Paul,Jordan… but for hawks every player that goes in is a threat that’s what other teams don’t have
jase
January 13th, 2012
2:17 pm
i think we answered that last night. sure it was the bobcats but they can be pesky and we blew them out by 30 POINTS. ivan johnson is a key player now and yes it hurts to lose horford but we are just fine. watch and see.
Maurice
January 13th, 2012
2:31 pm
Go Hawks!
yodaddybrother
January 13th, 2012
4:58 pm
Get Rasheed Wallace back here right now
Lea
January 13th, 2012
5:01 pm
I stopped reading when you called al our best and most important player. The one player we can not afford to lose is joe johnson not AL Horford. He will ne missed defensively and in some pick and pop situations, but this team can still be competitive without him.
Slimjr
January 13th, 2012
5:45 pm
They look bigger with overrated All NBA gone! Josh will be putting up Allstar numbers during this stretch!
Won by 30 last night and looked smooth on offense doing it! They’ll be a okay!
NATIVE SON
January 13th, 2012
6:10 pm
I for one, scratched my head when they picked Horford, but I came to see some value in him as a player. He was okay when he didn’t have to play a real dominant center, as he really is out of position. My problem is I don’t really know where he fits. His post moves are too deliberate, and his jumper is too flat. In the end, it shouldn’t be too hard for the Hawks to replace 12pts- 7 rbds. The Hawks real strength will be their bench.
Reggie
January 13th, 2012
10:38 pm
The only player on this team they can’t afford to lose is Josh Smith. To everyone who thinks the Hawks can’t make the playoffs in the Eastern Conf. without Al Horford please stop….you sound like fools.
tree rollins
January 14th, 2012
12:52 am
I’m planning on signing with them next week after I pass physical – watch for the Tree!
beejayrufino
January 14th, 2012
5:04 am
I think the Pacers, Magic, Sixers, Bulls, Heat and Knicks are happy now! But still my never changing loyal support is still for ATLANTA HAWKS, Go Hawks!!!
hawk-nest monster
January 14th, 2012
1:21 pm
I don’t know if Jeff Schultz has even watched the Hawks play. This season, Al Horford has been our Achilles’ heel. I love Al, but he doesn’t box out, and guards can rebound over him. His jump shot is great, but we don’t rely on it nearly as much as we did last season. That’s because we’re a legit team now, with a legit pg to run the show. He has no post game (and I mean NO POST GAME) and he doesn’t know how to set a screen. He’s a defensive liability, the opponents constantly exploit the mismatch at center. Al is a solid player, but this team will be better without him, trust me.
hawk-nest monster
January 14th, 2012
1:34 pm
and reggie,
well said. couldn’t agree more. J-smoov is one player we can’t afford to lose.
bobby
January 15th, 2012
12:09 pm
I say cut our losses with Grady cut him and never look back, i would sign Gilbert Arenas to replace him. And go after Ilgauskas to replace Hoford,
Watch out for that Tree
January 16th, 2012
3:55 am
Sorrry no chance Joe Johnson say we are elite team of what losers is what u mean with Josh(give me ball are will cry)Smith Joe(say it ain”t so)Johnson and rest gang of idiots we have shot i say now cause we playin lame teams be 39-27 record but as fast you can Micheal Gearon Jr co-loser owners with rest of the jerks of owners which shultz still kiss ass on them will lost in first round 4-0..and we will blame it on 1. The Nba strike as always 2…blame the thrashers for it cause cause owners to sale team and they were happy when sale died,,3, Blame the braves are the 4th reason Bad GM and no True center n Point Guard1…The end and i still never set foot in Phillips arena see any basketball are see wimpy women play!
Mediocrity
January 16th, 2012
1:37 pm
It doesnt really matter…..Hawks are not title contenders anyway. They will still make the playoffs, lose in 1st or 2nd round. Yes they are better with Horford, but still not going to beat the Heat or Bulls in the playoffs even with him. Good team, not Elite….just like every other Atlanta sports team the last few years.
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
6:33 pm
Really???? 5 and 0
Jim
January 16th, 2012
8:28 pm
Horford and Teague are dependable players simply because they learned to play the game against good college competition and had good college coaches to teach them. Josh Smith is, and will always be, a misguided missile. The NBA does not develop talent. If the players bring no basketball intelligence with them, they won’t pick it up miraculously in the NBA. If our hopes ride on Smith, we are fooling ourselves. It ain’t gonna happen.
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
11:12 am
Now D12 has put the Clippers on his list as a potential next stop! No surprises there?
Birdman
January 18th, 2012
11:08 am
I agree Horford is a legitiamate NBA star and a winner on and off the court. No head to toe tatoos on him. Sorry Dennis Rodman wanna be(s). Maybe we will finally get a center good enough to start in the NBA, and put Horford at power forward. It took year to get a point guard after fans were begging. Now while Joe & Josh are still in thier prime get a center and we can really challenge in the playoffs. I’m just sayin’,I wanna be season ticket holder!
Birdman
January 18th, 2012
11:14 am
Tree,
They are no longer getting extra long beds like at Clemson to come back for the Hawks (laugh). You were the straw at Clemson and the Hawks, so now you can come a coach our big men if Drew will let you. We could definitely use a shot blocker, defensive minded, TEAM PLAYER! You were a great teammate and ambassador for the game.