Al Horford: Atlanta Hawks’ New Vocal Leader?
By John Buhler
Every team in any sport needs to have that undisputed vocal leader both in games and behind the scenes. For the last two seasons, the Atlanta Hawks’ most outspoken was SF DeMarre Carroll. He best epitomized what it took to succeed in HC Mike Budenholzer’s system. Carroll did his job of being the Hawks’ best wing defender and that it got him a lucrative four-year deal with the Atlantic’s Toronto Raptors.
-= Related: Atlanta Hawks: Changing Atlanta’s Pro Basketball Culture =-
While Atlanta will certainly miss the Junkyard Dog’s on-court presence, perhaps what the organization will miss the most about DeMarre Carroll is his dynamic role to motivate guys with his voice. Coach Bud will find a way to replace DMC’s production on the wing, but who rises up and commands authority verbally in the Atlanta Hawks’ locker room? I believe that man is PF/C Al Horford.
Live Feed
Betsided
Al Horford is a 3x NBA All-Star and should have made his second All-NBA team last year (Pau Gasol over both Horford and Paul Millsap, Really???). Al is the most tenured player on the Atlanta Hawks after being selected 3rd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft behind Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. Given his ability to thrive playing out of position at center when he’s best suited to play a traditional power forward role, Al Horford makes the short list of the Top 25, possibly Top 15 players in the National Basketball Association heading into 2015-16.
We saw last year how Al Horford took control of leading the second team defense right away in Coach Bud’s system. He would anchor the unit down low like he was Golden State’s Andrew Bogut. It took a bit of time for Al to fully understand Bud’s offensive philosophy in 2014-15.
Remember The Boss tore his pectoral muscle the Day after Christmas in 2013 and missed two-thirds of the season, Bud’s first year in Atlanta. But once Big Al found his mid-range touch during the 19-game winning streak, he was back to Rockin’ the Suburbs better than Michael Jackson did. No bricks were had with his smooth as silk stroke from the outside.
Many would suggest that PG Jeff Teague needs to become the Atlanta Hawks’ next vocal leader. And while I like Jeff Teague, he’s soft-spoken and would rather lead by example with his play on the court than by his voice. I look at Al Horford leading in a Matt Ryan, Freddie Freeman type of style as a guy who embraces being the face of a franchise. Teague who will still lead but more like Julio Jones or Nick Markakis with his play doing the talking for him.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Hawks Look to Continue Momentum Tonight Against Portland
- Joel Embiid Leads Sixers Over Hawks On Monday Night
- Atlanta Hawks: John Collins Playing His Best Basketball Of Season
- Atlanta Hawks Win Second Straight Against the Dallas Mavericks
Al Horford seems like the most logical choice to assume DeMarre Carroll’s vocal leader role, it can really be anybody on the Atlanta Hawks’ roster that commands the responsibility. From Kyle Korver to Paul Millsap to Kent Bazemore or Mike Muscala, any of these players could elevate to primary leaders in the locker room. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter who it is but someone does have to take control or else the Atlanta Hawks won’t have enough tenacity to get back into the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016. I really hope that Al Horford becomes that guy. Believe me when I say that this is the hardest part of replacing DeMarre Carroll.
Next: Atlanta Hawks: Lock for Top 4 Seed in East in 2016?
More from ATL All Day
- Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
- Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
- Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up