Horford Moving From Center To Power Forward

[Rashi]

Hawks coach Larry Drew has told Al Horford that he wants him to spend more time at power forward this coming season.

"[Coach] Larry Drew told me he wants me to play as a 'power forward' next season rather than at center," Horford said.

"I can agree on a lot as a player because that's what I've been all my life," he continued.

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://msn.foxsports.com/fse/baloncesto/story/Horford_un_delantero_de_poder&sl=auto&tl=en


I am not sure if this move will be good or bad for the Hawks. I mean if Horford does well as a PF, then what will happen to Josh Smith? Will he be coming off the bench?

[Atzar]

Or maybe they think Josh Smith is quick enough to get minutes at the 3.

I don't know.  I think it'll be a disaster if Smith comes off the bench - he was arguably the Hawks' best player at times last year.

If they try to move Smith to the 3, I wonder if we could pluck Marvin Williams from them. 

[jr_3421]

Disregarding where Smith plays, the real question is whole is gunna play C? Zaza? I think this makes their team worse overall.

[timepiece33]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

[Gainesville Celtic]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

No, no i wouldn't.

I find Perkins fairly underrated even on parts of Celticsblog. Perk is a very good starting center in the NBA, which are hard to find. Guys like Marvin Williams are, on the other hand, relatively easy to find.

I also think Perk>>>>> Williams in the leadership department which will becoming increasingly important in the post-KG/Allen/Pierce era...

[Junkyard Dawg]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

no.  no.  no.

[freshinthehouse]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

No, no i wouldn't.

I find Perkins fairly underrated even on parts of Celticsblog. Perk is a very good starting center in the NBA, which are hard to find. Guys like Marvin Williams are, on the other hand, relatively easy to find.

Well said.  Perk does a lot for this team, off and on the court, that can't be measured.

[xmuscularghandix]

PG- Bibby
SG- Johnson
SF- Smith
PF- Horford
 C- Pachulia

G- Crawford
W- Williams
B- Powell

That’s how i’m rolling.

Maybe go after a guy like Kwame as your 3rd Big.

Moving him to PF is a good move, him being your Center LITERALLY is the reason they got embarrassed last year.

[csfansince60s]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

How about Perk and Sheed for Marvin and Zaza? I think I'd do that. Center by committee with Shaq/JO/Zaza and the wing for now and the future in Marvin W.

[Snakehead]

Josh Smith IS Atlanta's best player, so he better be starting still.  I actually really like the lineup of:

1 - Bibby
2 - J Johnson
3 - Josh Smith
4 - Horford
5 - Zaza

In theory.  If they had picked up a better C (like Shaq) I would of really liked that lineup, but as is it still is viable.  You give up some shooting ability but that team can crash the boards strong and be really tough inside.

This team proved they can't handle Dwight Howard at C at all, so it was obvious for them to legitamately contend they will need Horford to be a PF, not a C.  With that much size they can hopefully body Dwight and Horford and Josh Smith are two great guys to be bringing in help defense against Howard.

Josh Smith at SF is not perfect, but although he might give up some quickness he is a great athlete and certainly will bruise other SF's.  He will be a matchup NIGHTMARE in transition with that lineup.


Also, Marvin Williams is then a bench guy and is that much better in that role than he is as a starter.

I think they do keep using their regular lineup against most of the league but against Magic and other big teams inside (probably us included) they will try this sort of lineup.  I think it has upside for sure.

[Who]

I presume Horford meant he'd still be starting at center alongside Josh Smith at power forward but now he will also be playing 5-10 minutes a night as a backup power forward.

Otherwise, the Hawks would be a worse team.

Going away from the Josh Smith + Al Horford pairing up front would be a mistake. Trying to turn Josh Smith into a small forward at this stage of his career would be a mistake. Reducing their team's jump-shooting / spacing for bigger lineups in an attempt to alter their offense would be a mistake.

[Celtics4ever]

Its his true position.  He would really own with a good PF beside him.

[kozlodoev]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

How about Perk and Sheed for Marvin and Zaza? I think I'd do that. Center by committee with Shaq/JO/Zaza and the wing for now and the future in Marvin W.

How about no?

[Celticsbloke]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

How about Perk and Sheed for Marvin and Zaza? I think I'd do that. Center by committee with Shaq/JO/Zaza and the wing for now and the future in Marvin W.

Why the desperation to get Marvin freakin Williams? He's just another average SF who does nothing particularly well. You would give away Perk and Sheed for that?

Trading Perk means you have to:
- Find a good enough defensive centre to handle the Howard's, Bynums and Gasols of the world (good luck)
- Commit a truckload more money to your centre position than you can spare

Unless you're trading for Bogut or someone, I can't see how the Celtics benefit from trading Perk. 

[Birdbrain]

Would you trade Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Maurice Evans?

How about Perk and Sheed for Marvin and Zaza? I think I'd do that. Center by committee with Shaq/JO/Zaza and the wing for now and the future in Marvin W.

How about no?

Short and sweet. 

Has it been noted who will play Center for Atlanta if he moves?   And if Smith moves to the 3 that's awful lineup with regards to spacing, IMO.