LD names the Hawks team captains!

[JTB]

Meet the Captains

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

By Jon Newberry

Hawks head coach Larry Drew didn’t waste any time naming the team captains for the 2010-11 season, choosing Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith on the first day of training camp.

Three captains is more than most teams have, and for a league where only 12 players are active for each game it might seem a bit overkill. But if you look at each captain, they bring completely different aspects of leadership to the table.

First off, they are each All-Star caliber players. Joe was an All-Star starter last year, Al was a reserve, and Josh was probably the most deserving player that was left off the team. Let’s break down how each player adds value to the Hawks:

Joe Johnson –

Joe is the classic “lead by example” captain. While his quiet demeanor is often exaggerated by the media (his teammates will tell you repeatedly that he is not as quiet as you think), Joe’s actions and his work ethic speak louder than any of his words. Joe is consistently among the NBA scoring leaders despite the fact that he does not benefit from many easy shots or dunks. Joe is always in prime condition physically and can be found going through shooting drills on the practice court as often as anyone on the team.

Al Horford –

Plain and simple, Al Horford is a winner. The guy won back-to-back national championships at Florida and hasn’t missed the playoffs as a professional. Most people remember Zaza facing off with Kevin Garnett back in the ’08 Playoffs, but it was Al, showing great leadership even as a rookie, who made a statement a game earlier. Horford “allegedly” guaranteed a Hawks win and backed it up by hitting a clutch shot late in the game, creating more controversy. But I digress.

It is not Al’s confidence that makes him a good captain (that helps) but it is his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. It was evident early in his career that Horford was going to find a way to win in this league, the only question was how long it would take before he was able to assume a leadership role in Atlanta. Today’s decision to name him as captain signals that time has arrived. It is definitely a positive move for the Hawks.

Josh Smith –

For most fans Smoove is probably the surprise pick out of the trio. He isn’t a leading scorer and doesn’t appear to be extremely vocal on the court or in the huddle. The reason you might think Josh isn’t vocal is because he is doing his talking when the other team has the ball. The man who finished second in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting last season is constantly directing traffic on defense, helping teammates (and himself) stay in position. His leaping ability and athleticism definitely leave an impression, but getting in position to block shots and steal passes is a more cerebral skill.

So one day is in the books and the Countdown to Opening Night marches on, but now the march is led by a very impressive trio of captains.

link:http://hawksbasketblog.com/2010/09/28/meet-the-captains/

this is somewhat weird to me! most teams only have one captain but here we are with 3 captains! weird but i kinda like that for our atl hawks! this could workout. dont know what LD is up to or trying to prove but sounds like he has something up his sleeve and it so far it looks to be a good start, atleast in my book. GO HAWKS!!!!

Edited September 28, 2010 by JTB

[spotatl]

Why not go with 12 captains since they all bring something different to the table?

[bonethugz]

umm, mike bibby isn't......

[sturt]

umm, mike bibby isn't......

My thought exactly... Smoove was just quoted as saying in the NYT piece that Bibby's leadership is most critical. A little strange. Then again, maybe they thought it would be stranger to have a captain sitting on the bench for so much of every game (?).

[gsuteke]

Joe has earned it, horford above everyone else deserves it, and our team lives and dies by how Smoove plays. He is the X factor.

I think Drew chose well.

[Swatguy]

Joe has earned it, horford above everyone else deserves it, and our team lives and dies by how Smoove plays. He is the X factor.

I think Drew chose well.

I believe the players should have selected the captain.

[RT3]

I think Smoove was assigned the role in hopes that he will assume more responsibility and hopefully act more mature since he is now in a leadership role. Could work, who knows.

[DrReality]

I think this is a move to spread out the leadership. JJ was last year but what kind of leader was he in the playoffs. Al is a real leader. Seems making Josh one is a way to help him step up.

[coachx]

Joe has earned it, horford above everyone else deserves it, and our team lives and dies by how Smoove plays. He is the X factor.

I think Drew chose well.

I agree.

Drew is taking a different approach in attempting to help Smoove mature. Smoove talks in depth about how he knows he must conduct himself differently now. I like how, in this 1 instance, Drew has made public what he expects from Smoove as far as his maturity on the floor. I also like how they directly discussed the rule changes limiting player's physical reactions to ref's calls.

Bibby is a the veteran leader by default. It tough to have you "captain" sitting on the bench in 4th quarters ever game. He is a great locker room influence and communicator.

I'm really looking foward to the season. With some growth from Teague and maturity from Smoove this team could really suprise te skeptics. Drew knows better then any one what this teams needs to improve on.

[BusBoyIsBack]

Best 3 players on the team. Our own Big 3 if you will. The 3 all-star caliber players. And hopefully as stated by others, Smoove responds to the leadership role.

[Diesel]

I think this is a move to spread out the leadership. JJ was last year but what kind of leader was he in the playoffs. Al is a real leader. Seems making Josh one is a way to help him step up.

I see it differently.

I think that LD is more personal with the players and he is using this team captain label to make things easier in the lockerroom.

Smoove and Horf probably despised Joe being the team captain.

Smoove is coming to a time in his career when he's one step away from being an allstar, he probably wants to feel appreciated. With the rocky road that Smoove had with Woody, I see this as being LD approach to Smoove being honey to Woody's vinegar.

Horf on the other hand is in a contract year and has talked about not staying in Atlanta. He has also been a leader in the lockerroom vocally. I think this is LD recognizes what he has.

LD probably knows that him promoting Horf and not Smoove would have been devastating to Smoove. Smoove has an ego. He needs to be pampered some.

I think this is just LD playing Psychoanalyst.

[coachx]

I see it differently.

I think that LD is more personal with the players and he is using this team captain label to make things easier in the lockerroom.

Smoove and Horf probably despised Joe being the team captain.

Smoove is coming to a time in his career when he's one step away from being an allstar, he probably wants to feel appreciated. With the rocky road that Smoove had with Woody, I see this as being LD approach to Smoove being honey to Woody's vinegar.

Horf on the other hand is in a contract year and has talked about not staying in Atlanta. He has also been a leader in the lockerroom vocally. I think this is LD recognizes what he has.

LD probably knows that him promoting Horf and not Smoove would have been devastating to Smoove. Smoove has an ego. He needs to be pampered some.

I think this is just LD playing Psychoanalyst.

Well said.

[Lascar78]

The 3 ownership groups probably couldn't agree and each picked a captain.

This is no big deal, but 3 captains in the NBA is a joke.