Josh Smith or Al Horford??

[ray ray]

Let me start by saying that I'm a Suns fan and I just want to see who the Hawks fan value the most. Al Harford is up for a contract extension this year. The Hawks front office just spent a lot of money on Joe Johnson and have a lot of money invested in Josh Smith as well. From an outsiders view, it seems hard to have three players making high dollars in your organization. I might be wrong but like I said, its from an outsiders view. I truly believe that Al is going to be a great PF. In the other hand, Josh seems to have a lot of potential but somewhat hasn't filled it like most of us expected it. I know that last year he started putting it together but I'm not sure to what extent.

If you had to choose who would you pick? Josh or Al?

Like I said, from an outside view, it seems unlikely that the Hawks will not be able to keep all three (Joe,Josh&Al) at their salaries. ( What I'm hearing is that Al is looking for a contract similar to Josh Smith).


*** btw, thanks for Josh Childress, he's going to fill the void that Shawn Marion left.

[azuresou1]

Josh is actually slightly underpaid for his production - if we locked up Horford to a similar contract I'd be ecstatic.

It's tough for me to say who I'd rather have - Horford seems easier to build around, has better leadership, and is 'safer,' but I think Smoove STILL has more upside. Smoove has the talent to be a top 10 NBA player - Horford does not.

But personally I'd hate my life if we had to shed either.

[parson]

Thanks for dropping by. I know your team has a cloudy future, so it's nice for you to take the time to worry about our (potential) problems.

What with Nash being 36 and leaving soon, you'll have to find help for Dragic, whose frantic style won't work when he's the everyday starter.
Richardson is in the last year of his contract ... isn't he looking for a max contract?
Grant Hill is 38 and finishing up his contract.

And the rest of your roster is pretty much overpaid backups -- to which Childress will fit in just fine.

Thanks again, and say hey to Amare and Kerr.... nevermind.

[evildallas]

Hard call. Josh Smith has freakish natural ability and Al Horford has the composure and mindset of a winner. I would do whatever was needed to keep both (I didn't want to resign Joe), but if I have to choose I take Josh. When his head is straight he is both a solid player and a spectacular one. Al's head is almost always straight and he is almost always solid, but he is rarely spectacular. The biggest drawback for Al is that he has problems with length. A taller opponent makes it hard for him to get shots off and causes him issues on the defensive glass. Length hurts Josh too, but his athleticism can often lead him to overcome anyway.

[blueandgold]

Pacers want Al.

Brandon Rush, D. Jones and a 1st round pick.

[HMFFL]

It's really not a hard call for me so Al Horford is my choice. Josh Smith relies on his athleticism too much and still fails to box out his opponent. Al Horford on the other hand is more boring, but I feel we can depend on him, and his situation at the 5 tends to hold him back due to the larger 5's around the league he guards.

Josh Smith did have a career high in rebound last season but he should be averaging ten or more and he is only holding himself back from achieving that number. Josh Smith is probably the more valuable player due to his overall stats (steals, blocks) so I understand if most of you pick him over Al Horford.

[dms269]

Pacers want Al.

Brandon Rush, D. Jones and a 1st round pick.

I hope you don't mean those 2 and the pick for al.

[azuresou1]

Pacers want Al.

Brandon Rush, D. Jones and a 1st round pick.

Hawks want Danny Granger.

Zaza Pachulia, Mike Bibby and a 1st round pick.

[Jamaaliver]

The truth is, man, we Hawks fans have been split for the last couple of seasons over whom to build around at PF.
J Smith is more spectacular, no doubt. But he is also moody and inconsistent.
Horford is steady and a proven winner, but not an elite player.

I, personally, would trade Smith and make Horford the building block of our team. I think you can pencil him in for 15 ppg and 10 rpg for the next ten years as the starting forward. He will avg a double double for the rest of his career and be the cornerstone of a steady team defense. Think Ben Wallace, Dennis Rodman (without the antics).

But I prefer consistent and steady over spectacular and erratic.

[killbuckner]

THe Hawks will let Jamal Crawford leave in order to keep Joe, Josh, and Al. Simple as that.

[Kevin Willis]

Both. But if a choice had to be made - Horford.

[Skyhawk1]

Horford is way more valuable. Have you seen the Hawks in the playoffs?

[HoopsGuru25]

Horford is way more valuable. Have you seen the Hawks in the playoffs?

This post makes no sense. Both played well in the 2010 playoffs(statistically). Horford was bad(possibly due to injury) in the 2009 playoffs while Josh was decent.

[#1 pick]

Horford but both are really good and important.

[ray ray]

FYI: According to a radio station here in Phx (KTAR 620 Gambo&Ash), the Suns are ready to throw the bank at Al Horford next offseason. They Suns are going to have close to 30 mil of free salary.

**Edit: not sure if its true or not. I'm not trying to troll but that's what they are saying**

[azuresou1]

Hawks would match everything.

[misindapistons1]

Smith's contract is up 2012. Can you afford 3 max contracts? $60 million on 3 players?

[azuresou1]

You do realize that a max contract for Al Horford is not the same amount as a max contract for a veteran, right?

[misindapistons1]

Ok, im sorry its a few million less. Can Atlanta afford three max contracts?
2012
Joe Johnson 21 mil
Horford 17 mil
Smith 16 mil
54 million

[evildallas]

Ok, im sorry its a few million less. Can Atlanta afford three max contracts?
2012
Joe Johnson 21 mil
Horford 17 mil
Smith 16 mil
54 million

2011/2012
Joe 18M
Josh 12.5M
Al max 14M

yes, they can afford that.

2012/2013
Joe 20M
Josh 13.3M
Al max 15.5M

yes, they can afford that.

After that it is another story as Josh is up for another deal, but his market value will depend a lot on how he continues to develop as a player. Athleticism only goes so far on that 2nd big contract. Marvin will be in his final year at this point which should make him movable. Joe Johnson's contract will choke the team sooner than later (Jamal Crawford next summer), but it wouldn't be until 2013/2014 at the earliest that it forces a hard decision on the core (Joe/Josh/Al). It is more likely that rotation players get replaced on the cheap to make ends meet for the ownership.

The other thing to consider is the impact of the new CBA. Likely the maximum contract length will become shorter by a year or two and other restrictions may be in place affecting the price tag.