January 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks have passed a series of increasingly difficult tests following the loss of Al Horford. A bigger challenge is now before them. In a battle of division leaders, the Hawks (11-4) travel to Philadelphia (10-4) for a game Friday night. It's a game that will challenge the Hawks, especially without the scoring, rebounding and defense of Horford. The 76ers rank third in the NBA in scoring average (101.0), second in points allowed (87.4) and first in point differential (plus-13.6). The game also is on the road, where three of the Hawks' four losses have come."
January 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Eventually the opponents will get tougher, and the Hawks will take to the road. Maybe that's when they no longer can patch the hole created by Al Horford's injury as they have during their current three-game winning streak without him. By then the Hawks might discover they can't keep their Eastern Conference playoffs streak alive at five years while missing their All-Star center. That's not the way the Hawks see it. "If you look at the East, it's pretty much wide open," Hawks forward Tracy McGrady said."
January 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Larry Drew said the team is not in a hurry to make a roster move to fill the void left by the loss of two-time All-Star Al Horford. Horford will miss three to four months with a torn pectoral muscle in his left shoulder, the team announced Thursday. He has yet to have surgery. Drew said Saturday morning that the team will continue to evaluate the situation. "There is nothing been discussed [about a roster move]," Drew told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Right now we are still in the evaluation stage because we are [at home] for another three games."
January 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Questions remain on how the Hawks will handle the loss of Al Horford. With the two-time All-Star lost for three to four months with a torn pectoral muscle leadership must answer: -- Who will fill Horford's role and minutes? -- Will the Hawks make a roster move? -- Can the coaching staff keep the team on track for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance, the loss compounded by a compacted NBA schedule? The Hawks learned of the severity of Horford's injury hours before Thursday's home game against the Bobcats, a blow Josh Smith termed "devastating." Joe Johnson and Smith will be counted on to pick up much of the loss of Horford, on and off the court. Horford, fourth on the team in minutes,"
January 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In one instant, the vibe around the Hawks shifted from the possibility of contending for an Eastern Conference title to simply cobbling together enough victories to qualify for the NBA playoffs. That's the impact of the torn left pectoral muscle suffered by Hawks All-Star center Al Horford. An MRI on Thursday confirmed the tear, and Horford said he plans to have surgery that would sideline him for three to four months. Under the most optimistic time frame, Horford would return near the end of the regular season and be ready for playoffs. But if Horford needs the full four months to recover he essentially would be out for the playoffs."
January 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks say Al Horford will miss 3-4 months with a torn pectoral muscle suffered during last night's 96-84 loss at Indiana.. Horford is to get a second opinion on whether to proceed with the surgery. Under the most most optimistic time frame, Horford would return in mid-April. Atlanta's final regular-season game is scheduled for April 26. "It's disappointing news," Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. said. "Al is a big part of our success. Hopefully he will be back by the playoffs. The tough part is we have been playing hard and playing well. We will have to try to get through it. We're a veteran team and we have to find a way.""
June 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Al Horford was by far the biggest man in the gym this past weekend as he towered over the 120 or so kids at his basketball camp at Emory University. But when Horford returns to the court to play center for the Hawks, he's considered undersized for his position. For the second consecutive offseason, an emerging storyline is if the Hawks will add a full-time center so Horford can permanently slide to his preferred power forward position. But the bigger question might be if Horford will figure larger in Atlanta's offense in 2011-12. Horford was by far the team's most efficient scorer last season but ranked just fourth in field-goal attempts per game. "It will be interesting because I've"
May 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
There have been none of the usual text messages in the past few days between Hawks center Al Horford and Bulls counterpart Joakim Noah. Instead, the college teammates and close friends have exchanged bumps and pushes during a physical Eastern Conference semifinals series. "We are out there boxing out and wrestling around," Horford said before Game 3 on Friday at Philips Arena. "It's all good. That's the way it is. It's fun. It's basketball." Horford and Noah teamed to win consecutive NCAA championships at Florida before entering the 2007 NBA draft. Horford said it's still "weird" playing against Noah. "It's different," Noah said. "Me and Al shared a lot of great times together in college."
April 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Larry Drew said he had no second thoughts about his decision to sit center Al Horford for more than 20 minutes of the team's Game 2 loss to Orlando on Tuesday. Drew removed Horford from the game after he was called for two fouls within the first three minutes and left him on the bench until after halftime. The Hawks struggled to rebound and score over that time, and Horford is the team's best rebounder and most efficient scorer. Horford, a two-time All-Star, played just 26 minutes in the 88-82 loss and finished with the two fouls. Drew almost always handled Horford the same way during the regular season. "It's one of those things you hate to come out of the game and sit out for"
April 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
L.D. slept on it and came to the same conclusion as he did after he game: Sitting his best all-around best player for the final 21:50 of the first half in attempt to avoid foul trouble was the right move. Asked today after practice if he had any second thoughts on the decision, Drew provided a similar explanation as last night: "When he picked up the early two fouls it put it us in a bit of a bind. You don't anticipate your starters picking up two early fouls like that. When he went to the bench, had we hit a bad stretch at the start of the second quarter to the middle of the second quarter, I would have put him back in. We actually had a really good stretch in the middle of second"
April 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
For most of the season Hawks center Al Horford has expressed frustration and skepticism about his team's approach to defense. So it's noteworthy that even Horford has been impressed with Atlanta's defensive commitment lately. "I'm actually happy," said Horford, a team captain. "In the past I haven't felt like that. Guys are really buying into defense. Even though we struggled defensively, we found a way." Atlanta's four-game winning streak entering Sunday coincided with their best four-game defensive stretch since late December in terms of defensive efficiency (points allowed per possession). The Hawks stymied Eastern Conference bottom feeders New Jersey and Cleveland and then did the same"
March 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Chicago Bulls will be in town on Tuesday night, which means Hawks center Al Horford could be ready to have another big statistical outing. The last time the Hawks played the Bulls, Horford had 31 points and 16 rebounds. Following the game, Hawks forward Marvin Williams said it appears Horford relishes playing the Bulls because of his friendship with Joakim Noah, the Chicago center and his former Florida teammate. Horford has averaged 13.5 points and 10.1 rebounds over his career against Chicago, among the best numbers he's posted against any Eastern Conference team."
March 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
While emphasizing that he's not making excuses, Hawks coach Larry Drew said a few key players are a little banged up. Center Al Horford's left ankle, which kept him out of the team's win over Portland March 12, is still bothering him. Forward Josh Smith is feeling the effects of his sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Guard Joe Johnson has had a sore left hand since the preseason."
March 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Al Horford, the Hawks' normally stoic center, had some passionate outbursts the past two times the Hawks played New York. Horford said it's no coincidence they've happened against the Knicks, who will play their final regular-season game against the Hawks on Sunday at Philips Arena. "It's emotional," Horford said. "It's one of those teams that potentially you could see in the playoffs. There are some games that fire you up more than others. I'm usually fired up, but I love playing New York. "Ever since I've got here in the league, Madison Square Garden, the Knicks -- it's a big deal. I'm always excited." The stakes have been raised for Horford and the Hawks because of recent circumstances."
March 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With Josh Smith out and the Hawks' offense flailing, center Al Horford delivered a performance worthy of his status as a two-time All-Star. Matched against his close friend and former Florida teammate Joakim Noah, Horford rallied the Hawks to an 83-80 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night at Philips Arena. Horford matched his career scoring high (31 points) and added 16 rebounds in a rugged performance. "Al won't admit it, but I think it's personal, not in a bad way," Hawks forward Marvin Williams said. "Noah brings out the best in him." Down by 19 points late in the second quarter and on the verge of reprising meltdown losses from earlier in the season, the Hawks held the"
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Al Horford and Joakim Noah wanted to soak in the glory. Horford, Noah, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green -- the foursome who arrived together at Florida as freshmen and led the Gators to two consecutive national titles -- had just returned to Gainesville after the second championship, won at the Georgia Dome in 2007. They piled into Green's Chevy Impala for an impromptu victory parade. One small problem. No one seemed to notice the four oversized young men rolling through campus. "It wasn't always like that, trust me," said Noah, laughing at the memory. "We just wanted to go back to school and get some love, and everybody was too busy for us." On Wednesday night at Philips Arena, they'll pay"
February 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Once the hoopla of All-Star weekend is over and the NBA goes back to work, the Hawks will have 27 games left in the regular season. They also will have no good reason not to become a true contender in the Eastern Conference, both of the team's All-Star representatives said this weekend. "I think all of the excuses are out the door," Hawks guard Joe Johnson said. "We can't hang our hat that we are a young team anymore. We can't say it's a new coach. It's just put up or shut up." The Hawks (34-21) stand one game behind Orlando for fourth place in the East. The top four teams in each conference earn home-court advantage in the first round. The Hawks staggered into the break, losing three of"
February 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Yes, Al Horford said "you take it personally" when someone calls you out in the media the way Amar'e Stoudemire has done twice to Horford this season. But Horford, not much for hype, says he will make his point tonight at Madison Square Garden against Amar'e's Knicks. "He's a talker. He's going to talk, you know what I'm saying?" he said at shootaround today. "All I do is bring my game to the court. That's what I will do tonight." Stoudemire has tried to inflame what already promised to be an intense game after Marvin Williams and Shawne Williams scuffled during Atlanta's 111-102 victory on Jan. 28. Both immediately after that game and again yesterday, Stoudemire seemed to question"
February 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks are trying to maintain momentum on a tough road trip, and the Knicks just trying to keep a winning record. That's why when the teams play Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, there doesn't figure to be much talk about the fisticuffs and resulting exchanges in the media between All-Star players that marked the last time they met. Yeah, right. This is New York, after all, where juicy story lines get all the oxygen they need. So Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire, when offered a chance to reiterate his distaste for Hawks center Al Horford pounding his chest to fire up fans during that Jan. 28 game, obliged. "It's going to be a very, very intense game after what happened in Atlanta,""
February 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After missing two games with a back injury, Hawks center Al Horford will play Saturday night against the Charlotte Bobcats at Philips Arena. Horford took part in the team's morning shootaround and pronounced himself ready to go. "I went out there and tested it out and I feel good for tonight," he said. Horford injured his lower back when he fell hard after getting fouled by the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin and landed on his back in the Hawks' Feb. 4 win at Philips. "Just his presence means all the world to us," coach Larry Drew said."
February 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Six days after taking a hard fall, Hawks center Al Horford still was unable to practice Thursday. As a result, coach Larry Drew said the lineup changes he has been considering since the team's stagnant 34-point loss Tuesday to Philadelphia will wait. "We won't make a change with Al being out," Drew said following practice Thursday. "We'll see how things go." Drew had said Tuesday that a lineup change or even a trade before the Feb. 24 deadline might be necessary to shake the team out of a comfort zone. Drew said a lineup change still weighed heavily on his mind, but that he hadn't made a decision. The team scrimmaged Thursday, but did not use any out-of-the-ordinary groupings. Drew added"
February 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Al Horford said that, as of Thursday, he isn't planning on playing Saturday. Said Horford, "It's not really getting any better." Horford tried to shoot at Thursday's practice, but was still sore. He'll give it another try Friday. - Horford's injury will preclude coach Larry Drew from implementing any lineup changes that he has talked about since the 34-point loss to Philadelphia Tuesday. "It is definitely still weighing on my mind," Drew said. "The decision has not been made yet." The team scrimmaged but didn't have any out-of-the-ordinary lineups, Mo Evans said."
February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
"
Have you ever seen or heard a 7-foot-1, 270-pound man beg? Stand near Tito Horford the next time he picks up the telephone to call the Hawks' front office. "I've been begging [general manager] Rick Sund and the Hawks for the last three years - please get a center so my son can pay his normal position," the elder Horford said Tuesday from his home in the Dominican Republic. "He can't push guys out of the box like I could. If he moved to forward, he would have a longer career." We suspected Al Horford would be a great NBA player. We watched him play on two national championship teams at Florida. It follows that when the Hawks drafted him third overall in 2007, we were overcome with the"
February 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks center Al Horford said he plans to play against Philly at Philips tonight, four days after he crashed to the floor in a collision with Clippers rookie Blake Griffin. "I think I should be OK for the game," Horford said after participating in shootaround this morning. "I think as long as I go out there and feel OK and I feel right, I think you can play through some pain. I'm actually encouraged [because the play] looked really bad. But fortunately it is not nothing serious on my back or anything." Horford missed Atlanta's game at Washington on Saturday and didn't practice Monday. He's missed two other games this season, sitting out games against New Orleans and Charlotte last month"
February 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Al Horford's drive to the basket with the clock counting down in Friday night's win over the Los Angeles Clippers was noteworthy because the Hawks center was fouled hard and then wobbled to the free-throw line to score the game-winning points. To his recollection, it also marked the first time a last-second play had been drawn up for him in his 3-1/2 seasons with the Hawks. Almost exclusively, that's been the domain of guards Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford and Mike Bibby. Horford wouldn't mind another crack at it. Named to his second All-Star team last week, he said, "I think that Josh (Smith), and I as well, in any position, we can make big shots." Coach Larry Drew said the situation"
February 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Center Al Horford sat out Saturday night's game against Washington with a lower back injury sustained in the team's Friday victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Horford said he would be ready to play in the Hawks' next game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. After arriving at the Verizon Center on Saturday evening, Horford tested his back, which he injured after getting knocked to the floor on a hard foul by the Clippers' Blake Griffin on a last-second drive to the basket. He was still sore. "It just didn't feel good enough to play," Horford said. Horford was OK with the foul, which was called a flagrant foul 1. It gave Horford two technical foul shots and the Hawks the ball after"
February 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Eastern Conference coaches voted Hawks guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford as reserves for the NBA All-Star game, the league announced tonight. It's the fifth straight All-Star selection for Johnson and the second in a row for Horford. Both players represented the Hawks in Dallas last season, when Horford played in reserve and Johnson started after Allen Iverson was unable to play due to injury. This year's game is set to be played on Feb. 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Johnson, 29, has been named an All-Star in all but one of his six seasons in Atlanta. He signed a six-year, $123.7 million free-agent contract with the Hawks last summer. "It means a great deal to me to be"
January 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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For the first time since Dec. 29, all hands were on deck for the Hawks. Forward Marvin Williams returned from an 11-game absence because of a back contusion. Forward Al Horford came back from missing two games for a sprained ankle, and backup forward Josh Powell was on the bench after a one-game suspension. Williams was ready to go after being out for about 3 1/2 weeks. Without anything to do but rehab, "I was miserable," Williams said. "I feel bad for my cousin and my brother because they had to put up with me." Horford, back after missing his first two games of the season, likewise was ready to return."
January 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
When Larry Drew got the job as Hawks coach, he took what many viewed as a big question for Al Horford and turned it around so far until opponents now have no answer. The knock on Horford was that, despite his considerable talent and skills, he needed to become more effective scoring in the post against bigger and stronger players. Drew didn't deny that, but he also told his All-Star center that he would need to force bigger and stronger defenders away from the basket, where they aren't as comfortable. "Can he post guys? Yeah, he can post guys," Drew said. "But the strength of his game is the ability to pick-and-pop." It's a simple play that's commonly used in the NBA. The center sets a"
January 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Their pride restored after an embarrassing defeat, the Hawks now look forward to renewed health. Center Al Horford (ankle) and forward Marvin Williams (back) appear set to return for Atlanta's game at Milwaukee on Wednesday. Joe Johnson (knee) and Josh Smith (knee) sat out practice Monday but both continued to play after incurring their injuries and should be fine. If all four players suit up at Milwaukee, Atlanta would have its regular starting lineup available for the first time since Dec. 29. "For the most part, I think everybody is going to be OK," Hawks coach Larry Drew said Monday. "Should have everybody back tomorrow." The Hawks won 103-87 at Charlotte on Saturday, the night after"
January 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Just as one injured Hawks starter (forward Marvin Williams) is making progress in his return to the court another (center Al Horford) might be forced to miss time. It has been a recurring theme for the Hawks, who haven't been able to keep their rotation intact for more than a week or two at a time because of injuries. Horford's status is in question after he suffered a sprained right ankle Tuesday at Miami, while Williams has missed the past nine games with a back bruise. Horford twisted his ankle when he landed awkwardly after taking a shot in the second half of the Hawks' 93-89 victory. He didn't rule out playing against New Orleans on Friday at Philips Arena. "It is still kind of up in"
December 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks center Al Horford's bruised right shooting hand isn't getting better, but for now his plan is to wait and see if it eventually improves. After the Hawks' victory at Milwaukee on Monday, Horford said he would have an MRI performed after X-rays were negative, but he eventually changed his mind. "I didn't think it was necessary," he said Wednesday. "I just think it's a matter of, I've had several injuries to it and it takes longer to heal. I was getting concerned because it wasn't getting any better. It feels somewhat better today." Horford said he's accumulated injuries to the hand over his three-plus seasons with the Hawks. The latest flare-up came after he was hit on the hand in a"
December 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks center Al Horford said today he decided against having an MRI for his bruised shooting hand. Horford said after Atlanta's victory at Milwaukee Monday that he would get more tests for the hand after X-rays were negative but he changed his mind. "I didn't think it was necessary," he said. "I just think it's a matter of, I've had several injuries to it and it takes longer to heal. I was getting concerned because it wasn't getting any better. It feels somewhat better today." Horford said he's accumulated injuries to the hand in his three-plus seasons with the Hawks. The latest flare-up came after he was hit on the hand in a game against Indiana on Dec. 11. Horford hasn't missed any"
December 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Hawks coach Larry Drew insists there will come a time when center Al Horford is called for two fouls before halftime and Drew doesn't take him out of the game. It hasn't happened yet, though. The latest example came during Atlanta's 89-77 loss at Miami Saturday, when Horford sat the final 6:28 of the second quarter after he picked up his second foul. Horford ended up playing just 31 minutes and finished with 22 points and nine rebounds -- and only four fouls. It followed a familiar pattern: Horford, Atlanta's most consistent player, has a productive game despite fewer minutes because of two early fouls. "I was OK with it," Horford said. "Obviously it's frustrating because you want to be"
November 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Hawks and Al Horford have agreed to a 5-year, $60 million contract extension. Atlanta's All-Star center and his agent, Arn Tellem, met with the team this afternoon finalize the deal, which also is expected to include performance incentives. The sides had until the end of business today to reach an agreement or Horford would have become a restricted free agent next summer. "It happened like I've been predicting–down to the wire," Horford said today after practice. "When we finally kind of agreed on everything, I was super excited." Horford's deal is similar to the contract extension signed by Bulls center Joakim Noah, whom he teamed with to win two NCAA championships at the University"
October 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
If the Hawks and All-Star center Al Horford are to reach an agreement on a contract extension he said it likely won't happen until just before the deadline. Horford said Monday the Hawks and agent Arn Tellem, who have been in discussions for nearly a month, are set to meet at the end of the week regarding an extension to the contract he signed as the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2007. If no deal is reached by the end of business Monday, then Horford would become a restricted free agent next summer once the Hawks extended him a qualifying offer by June 30. "I kind of have thought this all along, but I think it really is going to come down to the last day," Horford said. So far only two 2007"
October 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After three seasons of increasingly productive play from center Al Horford, the Hawks have decided they want him for the long term. The feeling is mutual for Horford, who said team officials and his agent, Arn Tellem, have started negotiations on a contract extension. The Hawks have until Nov. 1 to make a deal with Horford on an extension that begins in 2011-12 and can be lengthened for up to five years and about $82 million under the NBA's current labor agreement. Horford will make $5.4 million in 2010-11, the final year of his rookie-scale contract. After considering other factors influencing his decision, Horford said he would like to be part of the team's future. "How do you see"
August 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(scroll down)
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It's unclear what Crawford really thinks is apt to happen if he does deliver a pay-me-more-or-trade-me-now demand. Because the Hawks aren't apt to pay anyone more. Public statements notwithstanding, the Atlanta Spirit seems uninterested in paying one in-the-red cent of luxury tax. Beyond that, there's a more pressing matter: What to do with Al Horford, who means even more to this franchise? Horford can become a restricted free agent at season's end. The Hawks would prefer he not test the market because they know full well he'd be coveted from sea to shining sea."
July 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Caught up with Al Horford again , this time at Oglethorpe University during his summer camp for kids. The scene was about as loud and hectic as you might think. It's always good for me to be reminded of why I don't have (or want) any kids. "The parents love it," Horford said. "The kids do all this running around, and they are worn out when the parents come pick them up. They go right to sleep." The reports are that Al didn't just lend his name to the camp like some athletes are known to do, but was hands-on with the kids. His father, Tito , helped out, too, running the kids through some drills. Bibby was there on Thursday. Al held a camp in Michigan last summer and has two scheduled"
April 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Entering the season center Al Horford had two personal goals. He's already achieved one by making his first All-Star team. The second will require him to collect 82 rebounds over the next six games. That would give him an average of 10 per game, which would allow him to average a double-double for the season. After a 14-rebound effort last Saturday against Detroit, Horford needed to average 13.7 over the next six games to achieve this goal. He would become the first Hawk to average a double-double since Dikembe Mutombo in the 1999-2000 season. Asked about it Saturday, Horford didn't know the specific number of rebounds he needed and wasn't going to look it up."
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."