Horford centers Hawks

[HMFFL]

The Hawks don’t keep a statistic for how many offensive touches a player gets during a game.

If they did, second-year center Al Horford might have smashed his career record during Wednesday’s preseason game against Phoenix.

His nine field goal attempts was just slightly above his season average from his rookie year. However, the Hawks’ repeated attempts to get Horford the ball marked a strategic shift.

“I don’t know what that was about,” a smiling Horford said after Hawks practice Thursday. “The two games before that I didn’t barely touch the ball. I guess I just have to stay ready.”

He better stay ready. Hawks coach Mike Woodson said he intends to craft a post-up game to complement Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby on the perimeter. If Wednesday was any indication, Horford will be the focal point of this new inside attack.

“We’re going to have to go to Al more,” Woodson said. “I’ve got to find a way to get him more shots. And he’s got to make a commitment to work harder at developing some more low-post moves where he’s just not predictable. And I think he can do that. But it’s just a matter of me utilizing him more on the block and getting him the ball.

“It gives you a stronger weapon if you’ve got a guy you can throw the ball into in the low post and command double teams. I think Al can do that. If he starts to score a little more consistently we can give it to him even more. Plus he makes free throws, which allows him to become a double thereat.”

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