February 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford had a busy weekend capped by his first appearance in the All-Star game and followed that with two hard practices for the Hawks. Yet late Wednesday night at the Staples Center it was hard to tell Horford didn't get a weekend break along with most of his teammates. Horford punished the Clippers for a career-high 31 points while making 12 of 15 shots and helping the Hawks score 70 points in the paint. "I had two really good practices, and I felt good coming into the game," Horford said after the Hawks' 110-92 victory. "The guys were finding me, and I was getting a lot of good looks. I was finishing plays and making them pay." Clippers big men Chris Kaman and DeAndre Jordan paid ..."
February 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
For a while Sunday night it appeared Joe Johnson's first All-Star start would be forgettable. The Hawks guard barely drew iron on his first shot . He went to the bench with no points in six first-quarter minutes. But then Johnson helped the Eastern Conference heat up later in the half. Johnson scored on one of his familiar isolation dribble moves with a turnaround jump shot. Then he collected LeBron James' save from out of bounds and made a 3-pointer. Finally he took a long pass from Derrick Rose for a fastbreak dunk. Johnson helped key a big run to end the first half, and the East went on to a 141-139 victory over the Western Conference in front of a record crowd of 108,713 at Cowboys ..."
January 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
NBA Eastern Conference coaches voted Hawks guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford to the All-Star team, the league announced tonight. The Hawks last had two All-Stars in the same year in 1998, when Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith both made the team. It's the fourth straight All-Star selection for Johnson but the first for Horford. The Hawks selected Horford with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Florida and he's already an All-Star at age 23. "It's like a dream come true for me," he said. "When you're playing basketball as a kid, you envision yourself making it to the NBA. And once you make it to this level, you work so hard to get to an All- Star level. "It's just a ..."
January 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
NBA Eastern Conference coaches voted Hawks guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford to the All-Star team, an NBA source confirmed today. It's the fourth straight All-Star selection for Johnson and the first for Horford. The Hawks last had two All-Stars in the same year in 1998, when Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith both made the team."
January 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford's practice regimen is a little bit like his game: methodical but effective. Before or after Hawks practices, Horford puts up dozens of shots from different spots on the floor. Assistant coach Tyrone Hill and usually another assistant or staffer shag rebounds and pass to him. The sessions typically last about 45 minutes. Sometimes, Horford takes several shots in a row from one spot on the floor, like the baseline or the elbows. Other times he shoots from two spots, shuttling back and forth between shots. The jump shot is always the same - feet squared to the basket, the slight lift, the high release and the held follow-through. He also rehearses his repertoire of moves at the ..."
January 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford's practice regimen is a little bit like his game: methodical but effective. Before or after Hawks practices, Horford puts up dozens of shots from different spots on the floor. Assistant coach Tyrone Hill and usually another assistant or staffer shag rebounds and pass to him. The sessions typically last about 45 minutes. Sometimes, Horford takes several shots in a row from one spot on the floor, like the baseline or the elbows. Other times he shoots from two spots, shuttling back and forth between shots. The jump shot is always the same – feet squared to the basket, the slight lift, the high release and the held follow-through. He also rehearses his repertoire of moves at the ..."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Five members of the Atlanta Hawks were included on the 2010 NBA All-Star ballot, which was released earlier today. Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson are among the 24 guards on the Eastern Conference ballot. Josh Smith is among the group at forward and Al Horford is one of 12 on the ballot at center. Voting will continue through Jan. 18."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford fell in love with the NBA 15 years ago. He just wasn't sure the game loved him back. Like millions of young boys who grew up bouncing basketballs in their sleep, the Hawks' starting center had that childhood dream. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, he remembers stealing any glance he could at the league, but rarely seeing any hint of himself in the reflection. "When I was growing up there wasn't really one guy you could point to and say, 'He's just like me,'" said Horford, whose father, Tito, was the first Dominican-born player to play in the NBA, when the younger Horford was still in diapers. The sort of attention that international players inspire these days didn't exist ..."
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After a reasonably injury-free preseason the Hawks came crashing back to reality Sunday. Al Horford sat on a corner table with wires hanging from his ankle (courtesy of a twisting in Friday's loss in Orlando) and Mike Bibby joined him later on wire duty (on his non-shooting wrist) after jamming it during a drill in practice. That scowl on Hawks coach Mike Woodson's face, also a product of Friday's dismal showing against Magic, immediately turned into a look of worry. Woodson hadn't planned on either his starting center or point guard being questionable for Wednesday's regular season opener against Indiana at Philips Arena. But as of this morning there's some concern that one or both of ..."
August 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks center Al Horford has joined forces with fellow NBA stars Charlie Villanueva and Francisco Garcia on the Dominican Republic's national team this summer. They are being hailed, along with former NBA player Luis Flores, as the "Dominican Dream Team," in their homeland. The FIBA Americas Championship will be played from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, played in San Juan, Puerto Rico."
May 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford's right ankle is a problem again for the Hawks. Horford said his ankle began bothering him in the second half of the Hawks' Game 1 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday night. Wednesday morning, it kept him off the practice floor. It could keep him out of the lineup for Game 2 Thursday night. "If I had to say right now, I'd say probably not," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said after practice when asked if Horford was going to play. "He looked good before halftime. But the long break must have done something, because he was having all sorts of trouble after that. "I'd rather give him a couple of days of rest and have him healthy for Game 3 [Saturday night at Philips Arena] rather than pushing ..."
May 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks center Al Horford will not play tonight in Game 6 of their first round playoff series against Miami. Horford sprained his right ankle before halftime in the Hawks' Game 5 win and did not return. He joins fellow starter Marvin Williams on the inactive list for the game. Williams will miss his fourth straight game in the series with a sprained right wrist, an injury he suffered late in the Hawks' Game 2 loss to the Heat. The Hawks lead the series 3-2 and can clinch a berth in the Eastern Conference semifinals, against Cleveland, with a win tonight. That series would begin Sunday afternoon in Cleveland. If the Heat wins tonight they'll force a Game 7 in Atlanta Sunday afternoon."
April 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks center Al Horford is officially listed as a 'game time' decision for Game 6 Friday night in Miami. Horford's sprained right ankle was "better than expected" at Thursday's practice, according to Hawks coach Mike Woodson. But he said that he would start Solomon Jones if Horford does not play. "We'll just see how he feels," Woodson said. "But it would be ambitious to game plan with Al out there with the starters." Horford said the Hawks' training staff did such quick work on the injury after he landed awkwardly in the second quarter of Game 5 Wednesday, that he felt much better than expected Thursday morning. "It's better," Horford said. "I think I'll be ready to go Sunday either way.""
April 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks center Al Horford sprained his right ankle with 2:32 left to play before halftime and missed the second half of the Hawks' Game 5 against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at Philips Arena. Horford had to be helped to the free-throw line after being fouled on a baseline drive to the basket by Heat star Dwyane Wade. Horford came down awkwardly on his right leg after being sandwiched by Wade and Heat swingman James Jones. Game 6 is Friday night in Miami, and Horford's status for that game will be determined sometime before the Hawks depart for Miami on Thursday afternoon."
March 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Joe Johnson has played phenomenally well during the Hawks' five-game win streak. Yet even he realizes that he's not the only player that pushes his team from good to exceptional when he's going well. Johnson fingered his frontcourt tandem of Josh Smith and Al Horford as the culprits for his team's success last week. The Hawks went 5-0, including home wins over Detroit, New Orleans, Utah and Portland. Smith and Horford played starring roles. They're both averaging double-doubles during the Hawks' current seven-game home stand, which continues tonight against Sacramento. "When you have two young big men that make plays on both ends of the floor it's a whole new ball game," Johnson said. "I ..."
February 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford of the Hawks scored 10 points in the NBA Rookie-Sophomore Challenge Friday night in Phoenix. Horford, playing for the sophomores, also had three rebounds and one assist as his team beat the rookies 122-116 in one of the events at NBA All-Star weekend. Former Georgia Tech standout Thaddeus Young scored 13 for the sophomores, who were led by Kevin Durant's 46 points. The NBA All-Star game is Sunday."
February 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Most NBA players will scatter across the map this weekend to get far away from basketball. Not Al Horford. The second-year Hawks center is just getting started. He plans on using Friday's Rookie-Sophomore game during NBA All-Star weekend as his latest opportunity to regain the swagger he lost to a 12-game injury absence last month. "I need to get out there and continue to get back into the game shape I was in before I got hurt," said Horford, who scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in last year's exhibition in New Orleans. "I'm probably more fired up for this game than anyone else playing in it." That does not include Hawks coach Mike Woodson. He thought Horford had a shot at ..."
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Good luck trying to figure out who was happier to see Al Horford back on the practice floor. The Hawks' starting center was ecstatic Monday to be at work full time after missing the last 12 games with a bone bruise in his right knee. His teammates were just as happy considering their recent struggles. The Hawks were 5-7 record without their leading rebounder and best post defender. Horford should play Wednesday at Minnesota, but that is contingent on how his knee responds. "It's definitely a big boost to have him coming back," Josh Smith said. "We've missed his toughness." Horford went through an entire practice for the first time since suffering his injury during the second half of a Jan. ..."
January 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Though he is rapidly recovering from a bone bruise in his right knee, Al Horford is still set to return to action around the middle of next week and not any earlier. "I'm doing things now that I couldn't do a week ago," the Hawks center said before Monday's game against Miami at American Airlines Arena. "Just shooting the ball and just doing some light running. The last thing is to get back to jumping off my leg. Once I do that I'll be ready to go." When that is has been debated intensely over the past few days. Hawks coach Mike Woodson didn't think Horford would make the trip here and to New York, for a game Wednesday against the Knicks. But Horford was the first player on the Hawks' ..."
January 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford accompanied the Hawks to Miami for tonight's game against the Heat, but is not expected to play. On Sunday, Hawks coach Mike Woodson said Horford would not make the trip."
January 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
If Al Horford continues to progress in his recovery, he could return to practice later this week and might get back into action for the Hawks late next week. After missing eight games with a bone bruise in his right knee, Horford has begun some light running. He will not travel with the Hawks to Miami and New York. But, if all goes well in his work with trainers in Atlanta, he could practice with the Hawks on Thursday. The Hawks have back-to-back games against New Jersey and Milwaukee Friday and Saturday. After that, they have three off days to practice leading into the game at Minnesota on Feb. 4. That could be a target date for Horford's return. "That might be enough time to really get ..."
January 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Zaza Pachulia has lived the last year and a half by the words "stay ready." Now that motto will be tested. With Hawks starting center Al Horford out indefinitely with a bone bruise in his right knee, Pachulia will have to carry the load in the middle. And he might have to do it for a while. Horford will miss the Hawks' three-game Western Conference road trip this week and possibly much more. "We're looking at anywhere from five to 10 days," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "So it puts some extra pressure on Zaza, Solomon [Jones] and Randolph [Morris]. And we're probably going to have to look at playing a little more small ball with Josh Smith playing some at center." Horford was injured in ..."
December 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks center Al Horford made his way back into the Hawks' lineup after missing Saturday's loss in Dallas with a sprained right ankle. It was the 14th game this season the Hawks have played without either Horford or Josh Smith, the only two starters on the team to have missed games this season with injuries. Without Horford or Smith, or both as was the case during a loss to Indiana, the Hawks are a totally different team, according to coach Mike Woodson. That's especially true on the defensive end. "We don't have an inside presence when both of those guys are out," Woodson said. "Al Horford anchors our defense on the backside and Josh the same thing. … Our rebounding and shot blocking was ..."
July 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
With an excused absence from the Hawks' rookie/free agent minicamp last week, Al Horford could have headed for the beach in his native Dominican Republic for a little rest and relaxation after his rookie season. But there he was Monday, on the Hawks' practice court with everyone else. Horford showed up ready to work, eager to get some practice work in before leaving for Las Vegas and his stint on the USA Basketball Select team. Horford will be part of a group of young NBA stars charged with preparing the Men's Senior National team for the Beijing Olympics. He sat down with Hawks beat writer Sekou Smith after practice to talk about his whirlwind rookie season, his busy summer and ..."
July 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford has been named to USA Basketball's Men's Select team. The Hawks forward will help the U.S. Olympic team prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China next month. Horford was named along with nine other players: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Jeff Green (Oklahoma City), Luther Head (Houston), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia), Kevin Martin (Sacramento), O.J. Mayo (Memphis), Derrick Rose (Chicago) and Rodney Stuckey (Detroit)."
June 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
It was only a little over a month ago that Al Horford was swapping jagged
elbows with Kevin Garnett, exchanging bons mots with Paul Pierce and finishing a
disputed second for the NBA rookie of the year award.
Tuesday, the Hawks' most promising player sat in a University of Florida
auditorium, soaking in the social significance of the Teletubbies. It was about as far away from his last assignment — the Boston Celtics — as
he could stray. (Although, if you squint hard enough, Tinky Winky does look a
little like Sam Cassell.)
Welcome to Television and American Society, one of two classes Horford is
taking this summer while making a slow trek toward a degree in ..."