AJC: Horford in the Middle

[lethalweapon3]

Where he at? In the middle.

(Courtesy #cvivbomb)

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-hawks/2013/jul/15/horford-prepared-stay-center/

“I was hoping to play more in the power forward position," Horford said. "We couldn’t work things out with Zaza (Pachulia) and he had to leave. I understand that now I have to go play some center. I would like to play a little more power forward. I was talking to coach (Mike Budenholzer) and the way that the offense works, the 4 and the 5 are pretty much interchangeable. I feel like Paul and I will be able to complement each other.

"Having to guard the big 5 night in and night out, I felt took a toll on me so I’m hoping they will be able to find a big body, a big player to be able to help. For sure, there is still some (roster) building to be done.”

When I read Al saying, "the way the offense works...", I heard that in Kevin Hart's voice.

~lw3

[Wretch]

Horf is quietly making his case again.

[Jody23]

I feel for Horf and have ever since he came in the league. He's definitely frustrated and so am I. They really are going to shorten his career by continuing to play him out of position.

[Guest]

When Horf talks about him and the 5 all I hear is someone complaining. Which then confuses me, I thought he was our leader and the ultimate competitor?#gogata

[Wretch]

Where he at? In the middle.

(Courtesy #cvivbomb)

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-hawks/2013/jul/15/horford-prepared-stay-center/

When I read Al saying, "the way the offense works...", I heard that in Kevin Hart's voice.

~lw3

...and +1 for Monie Love! :D

[Admin]

I watched the Miami Dolphins (Dave Pornstache in particular) literally "run Ricky run" Ricky Williams out of the NFL over a 3 year period of time where he set the all-time and still record for most carries in a 3 year period by a single running back. He was begging for some relief and wanted someone to share carries or for the offense to throw the ball more but they kept on forcing him to tote the rock and it eventually forced him out of football and into all the craziness that followed while he tried to heal his body.

I'm not saying that this is the same situation with Al, but having to defend some of these bigger 5's has to really take a toll on him mentally as well as physically and he's been saying that for years now. I am simply dumfounded that after all of these years we haven't found a C to pair with him yet and I hope that he doesn't end up holding it against us or that his body doesn't starting breaking down because of it.

[Mutombolievable]

I watched the Miami Dolphins (Dave Pornstache in particular) literally "run Ricky run" Ricky Williams out of the NFL over a 3 year period of time where he set the all-time and still record for most carries in a 3 year period by a single running back. He was begging for some relief and wanted someone to share carries or for the offense to throw the ball more but they kept on forcing him to tote the rock and it eventually forced him out of football and into all the craziness that followed while he tried to heal his body.

I'm not saying that this is the same situation with Al, but having to defend some of these bigger 5's has to really take a toll on him mentally as well as physically and he's been saying that for years now. I am simply dumfounded that after all of these years we haven't found a C to pair with him yet and I hope that he doesn't end up holding it against us or that his body doesn't starting breaking down because of it.

Side note - my lord ricky Williams was an absolute freak of nature! Running him into a pile of 300lb dudes is a bit different than Al playing center, no?

Edited July 15, 2013 by Mutombolievable

[coachx]

Side note - my lord ricky Williams was an absolute freak of nature! Running him into a pile of 300lb dudes is a bit different than Al playing center, no?

16 games getting maybe 10-15 carries us the middle ( with helmet and pads)..........compared to 82 games without helmet and pads and some of these centers are pushing 300 pounds. Not to mention your falling on a hardwood court rather then some cushy sod turf.

The post game gets physical underneath fighting for position on both offense, defense, and rebounds. Plus you take all those hits when your air born and totally defensless.

[Sothron]

I am honestly shocked Horford has not requested a trade at this point. He never wanted to play center and yet every year he's stuck there.

[macdaddy]

Its not like a shockingly unusual thing to do though. Look around the league. How many teams are starting a 7 foot, 300 pound guy at center? We need someone to play against a couple of the bigger guys for sure but there wasn't a center in the finals that's any bigger than Horford.

[Jody23]

I'm almost ready to demand a trade for him. It's ridiculous.

[AHF]

I don't feel bad for Al and think he has been successful at center but did expect we would have a quality big man by now for match ups where he can't physically handle Shaq, etc.

[Brotha2ThaNite]

I don't understand it because I saw a stat were his stats are much better at Centr. lol

Could some of you who know all these cool Basketball stats website check this out (ie The different of Al playing PF and C)?

[MaceCase]

At least in the past we could go big InThe starting lineup or spell Al with Zaza/Petro/Dampier. Who is the backup 5?

[HawkItus]

I watched the Miami Dolphins (Dave Pornstache in particular) literally "run Ricky run" Ricky Williams out of the NFL over a 3 year period of time where he set the all-time and still record for most carries in a 3 year period by a single running back. He was begging for some relief and wanted someone to share carries or for the offense to throw the ball more but they kept on forcing him to tote the rock and it eventually forced him out of football and into all the craziness that followed while he tried to heal his body.

I'm not saying that this is the same situation with Al, but having to defend some of these bigger 5's has to really take a toll on him mentally as well as physically and he's been saying that for years now. I am simply dumfounded that after all of these years we haven't found a C to pair with him yet and I hope that he doesn't end up holding it against us or that his body doesn't starting breaking down because of it.

My only question is guys like Kurt Thomas, Diaw have done it and do it without complaint. Al is equal parts physical and mental to me.

[swolehawk2]

I assume Petro will be brought in, but maybe there are trying to trade for someone like Gortat or Biedrins.

[DrReality]

Thing the subtle words by Al are likened to someone else yelling. He's not one to complain but the issue really has to do with matchups. At times he uses his size to his advantage and others he gets taken advantage of. We need a BIG big

[Guest]

I guess Zaza was asking for more money than the Hawks were willing to pay.

[Guest]

AL is such a competitor. If it was anyone else in today's game they would have asked to be traded like 30 times by now. Horford is really playing in the wrong era. I wish he was a hawk in the 80's and battled with Nique every night. So refreshing to see somebody like Horford actually still exists in the NBA.

[RonMexico]

Al is the man. i'd let him play PG if it made him happy.