The Horford Question.

[Diesel]

The Horford Question

Is he ready? Is HE Ready? IS HE READY? That's the question that Atlanta Hawks fans are quietly asking themselves about the last remaining piece of the Billy Knight Era, Al Horford or Horf (if you will). Thus far, Danny Ferry has done a job of ridding himself of everything that said Billy Knight. It's almost as if he believed that anything Knight brought in was plague ridden and not fit for this team. When you look at it, what Knight used as his core: Johnson, Smith, Williams, Horf, Larry Drew, and sometimes Zaza was sent away with nothing in return. Ferry traded and ignored them all so that he can have his precious capspace. Like I have said in previous posts, Ferry is going to do what Elitest do. Trust only himself and upkeep his own standard. However, it brings us back to Horf. Horf is the last of the Mohicans. Just call him Uncas.

The question of his readiness is at hand. He has been surrounded by efficient, physical players to match his efficiency and physicality. For all the years that he has been called Bawse, now is the proving time. He has to be the first option scorer on offense and leader in the lockerroom. For what it's worth, he has already shown great leadership by welcoming every incoming player personally. The good news is that there will be a few familiar faces in the person of Teague, Korver, and Lou; however, this time, there is no JSmoove to back him up on defense or to kill him softly on offense. There is no Larry who will draw up ball movement plays instead of focusing on position specific plays. So people want to know what should Horf do to get ready? Here are the Dieselputers answers.

1. Perfect the Pick and Roll.

Horford is a face up, high post player. He is perfect for the screen and roll and pick and pop. He has to master that part of his game. Some say he should work on his low post, we will address that in point two. However, the Pick and Roll and Pick and Pop is the offensive scheme that will happen when we fall out of transition. Horford has to be really fluid with this because this will be how our hard points will be generated.

2. Make a case for bringing in a 7 footer to play Center.

Horford is naturally a PF. He should petition to play PF. The league is getting big again. Horf should be banging with the likes of Bynum, Lopez, Hibbert, and Oden. Since he is the leader of the Hawks, we need to realize that all of that banging is too much on him. We can't have him physically distressed. Instead, we should bring in a big who can run the floor and fight down low and allow Horf to play the PF. My suggestion is trading for Gortat. He's a 7 footer with Speed. We've missed out on everybody else. Horf has to be at the 4. IF we can't get Gortat, wait a while and pitch for Asik. While Asik is not as fast as Gortat, he brings the defense we need.

3. Defense, Defense, Defense.

Smoove's one great attribute is that he understood defensive spacing. Horf needs to be the guy who directs our defense. He needs to be able to bark at players and tell them where they need to be.

4. Your twin Millsap is not a twin at all.

I see a lot of people saying that Millsap and Horf are the same. Not really. Millsap actually shoots better from distance and Horf shoots better in the midrange. I think Millsap may be our Sf parttime and PF parttime. IF so, we will be a very tough team. Horf has to learn and build chemistry with Millsap. Especially if we get a true 5.

5. Teague and DNice are your friends. Take them out and feed them.

Horf has to learn how to lead these two young points. Not just on the court, but certainly off it.

If we do those things, we will surprise many. But it's up to Horf.

[IllestPamfilis]

HELL YEA SHAWTY HORFORD IS DAT DUDE. NAWMEAN?

Edited July 30, 2013 by IllestPamfilis

[HawkItus]

Larry Drew as part of BK's core? Beyond that though I agree that Horf needs to be the man. And that isn't all on the Hawks. He has to make himself the man as well.

[Diesel]

Larry Drew as part of BK's core? Beyond that though I agree that Horf needs to be the man. And that isn't all on the Hawks. He has to make himself the man as well.

Larry Drew was as much BK's core as was Joe Johnson.

The interesting thing about LD is that LD ran Woody's offense. While Woody put the breaks on some of LD's master plan, there was a great part of that plan that remained even after Woody was gone. Mainly the ball movement. Woody preferred and still prefers that the ball stops and you play the more efficient isoball, but Woody loved the details of cross court passes and movement without the ball that LD preaches. When Woody left, we continued the movement and cross court passes and the thought was that we would also do away with iso ball. BUt Smoove would have no parts of that.

Horf won't get the opportunity to remake LD's offense in his image. I get the feeling that he will be fed PNR or he will be gone.

[Guest]

Who is Dnice?

[rd79]

Who is Dnice?

i guess Dennis

[Diesel]

Who is Dnice?

New PG. Dennis. D-Nice.

[NBASupes]

Larry Drew was as much BK's core as was Joe Johnson.

The interesting thing about LD is that LD ran Woody's offense. While Woody put the breaks on some of LD's master plan, there was a great part of that plan that remained even after Woody was gone. Mainly the ball movement. Woody preferred and still prefers that the ball stops and you play the more efficient isoball, but Woody loved the details of cross court passes and movement without the ball that LD preaches. When Woody left, we continued the movement and cross court passes and the thought was that we would also do away with iso ball. BUt Smoove would have no parts of that.

Horf won't get the opportunity to remake LD's offense in his image. I get the feeling that he will be fed PNR or he will be gone.

Last year, LD ran the motion offense. That wasn't what Woody ran.

[DrReality]

Horf hasALWAYS been ready. Except when hurt

[benhillboy]

I expect to see a considerably stronger physical specimen in Al this year. If Bud can translate Spurs ideals as well as I think he can, I'm sure he sees the similarities between Al and Tim and knows the biggest difference is strength in establishing early position against their man on both ends. Tim was probably stronger than present-day Al in his rookie year. I truly hope Al is totally over the back and pec problems so he can add a little muscle and see if he can't push his man a couple feet further on D and catch a couple feet deeper on O. I love Al and the automatic 15 footer and all, but it's high time for a little block bullying, especially if his minutes are gonna be predominantly at the 4, which I think they will.

Edited August 1, 2013 by benhillboy

[Diesel]

I expect to see a considerably stronger physical specimen in Al this year. If Bud can translate Spurs ideals as well as I think he can, I'm sure he sees the similarities between Al and Tim and knows the biggest difference is strength in establishing early position against their man on both ends. Tim was probably stronger than present-day Al in his rookie year. I truly hope Al is totally over the back and pec problems so he can add a little muscle and see if he can't push his man a couple feet further on D and catch a couple feet deeper on O. I love Al and the automatic 15 footer and all, but it's high time for a little block bullying, especially if his minutes are gonna be predominantly at the 4.

2 Words. Polish Hammer.

Actually, I think that Al or Millsap will be trade bait for somebody like Asik.

[JTB]

Im not worried about Horford and never will be...I know he can continue to be very consistent and that he can be a better leader. The guy just has it in him. Im not worried about Milsap he isnt some ignorant player coming to team up with Big Al...these two guys are about business and I know they will get along.

At this point team chemistry isnt something Im worried about with this team. The players we have on this hawks team is completely different from other years! We have so many guys that have hardworking traits, heart, energy, Bangers in the paint! Im just not so worried about those things Im more worried about the skillset of the team and coach bud being able to get Teague "ALL" out of him.

[GameTime]

2 Words. Polish Hammer.

Actually, I think that Al or Millsap will be trade bait for somebody like Asik.

Al Horford for Asik? Rockets will be gift wrapped a title.

[DJlaysitup]

...Like I have said in previous posts, Ferry is going to do what Elit(i)sts do. Trust only himself and (only keep up to) his own standard....

Not to go too far off topic D...but of course DF has a "Master Plan" that will show him to be the best (or one of the best) GM's in the league. I wouldn't call that "elitist"...just guys with big egos. Some come up with new approaches (like BK)...some want to show they can get the best players...they all think they are smarter than the next guy.

It comes with the territory.

Edited August 1, 2013 by Marilyn

[Diesel]

Al Horford for Asik? Rockets will be gift wrapped a title.

OF course if AL Horford is traded to Houston, we would get more than Asik. Maybe Asik and Chandler + Filler.

IF Millsap goes, then yeah.. Millsap for Asik.

Point is that after the season starts, I think Houston will be looking for relief from their logjam.

[DrReality]

Horf is the cornerstone like Duncan is. They share same character leadership work ethic. He won't be traded

[DrReality]

Horf is the cornerstone like Duncan is. They share same character leadership work ethic. He won't be traded

[hawkman]

Horf is the cornerstone like Duncan is. They share same character leadership work ethic. He won't be traded

A lot of players share the same character, leadership, and work ethic as Duncan. But what Horf lacks is Duncan's post moves.

[AHF]

A lot of players share the same character, leadership, and work ethic as Duncan. But what Horf lacks is Duncan's post moves.

And more. That isn't a knock on Horf. Duncan is one of the greatest in NBA history.

[Diesel]

Sometimes I get the feeling that some squawkers believe that just because we got Bud as a coach that Horf will automatically change into Duncan.

Duncan is prolly the best PF in the history of basketball... that's considering Karl Malone and Charles Barkley and Bob Petit...(well, when you roll out Petit, now it's a competition.).

However, Horf is barely an allstar. He has to develop his post play and a goto Move. Horf's defense is not on the same level either. Horf is a face up PF who may excel in the PNR.

Here's the thing. Millsap may be just a bit better in the PNR. He has more experience and he has a better shot from outside so that he can be PICK and POP material. IF Horf Struggles and Houston comes offering Asik and Chandler. I'm taking Asik and Chandler + Filler all day.