Horford Interview with Sekou

[Hawks]

http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports ... _0720.html

Q. So much has been made about you playing out of position at center last season, but where are you most comfortable and where do you see yourself being move effective now that you have a year under your belt?

A. I could play a little more [power forward] if they need me to, but I feel comfortable playing at [center] and [power forward]. That's actually one of the reasons that I feel getting Josh Smith back here is so crucial. Because I feel like we have some great mismatches when the two of us are out there together. I think it's what makes both of us more effective, being out there together. We never got totally overwhelmed by anybody. And I can't imagine being out there and him not having my back on every play. What we really need is for [Zaza] to come in and play big minutes so when we do decide to go with different lineups, me playing some at power forward and even Josh playing some at small forward, we have guys that are up to the task.

Q. So much is being made of the free agent status of both Josh Smith and Josh Childress, do you look at the landscape and start peeking ahead to what that's going to be like in a couple of years when you're in the same position?

A. It concerns me because I want to know what I'm working with and where we're going. I don't want to be in a situation where I have to drag something out into training camp and the season starts and you don't know what's going on with your teammate and stuff like that. I'd rather that everything be done, they take care of business now and we're good to go without any unnecessary distractions.


Horford is willing to continue to play out of position if it means keeping Smoove. Also keeping Smoove and Chill or losing them could impact the Hawks when it come to re-signing Horford.

[evildallas]

Good interview, real good read. I loved this part:

Q. For so long you've been known as a Florida Gator. Has that changed now with the Hawks making the playoffs and the exposure you guys received from that series against Boston?

A. It's funny, that's all anyone [in Gainesville] wanted to talk about when I was down there. I've been home and other places and it's all anyone wants to talk about is the playoffs. It used to be all Florida all the time. But lately it's been about the Hawks. It's weird, it's like some people have actually forgotten that I went to Florida, and it's only been a year [laughing]. I realize that the playoffs was the first chance a lot of people had to see us since we didn't have any nationally televised games before that, so we're still sort of basking in that glow. But everywhere I go people want to talk to me about the Hawks and what we did in the playoffs.

Al is so solid on and off the court. I'm glad he's a Hawk.