Fansided

Atlanta Hawks counting on Al Horford

By Andrew Melnick

Nov 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) celebrates a victory against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Mavericks 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) celebrates a victory against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Mavericks 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks were able to make the playoffs last season even though their best player, center Al Horford, was limited to 29 games. With Horford set to return next month, many believe the Hawks could be one of the league’s most improved team despite their quiet (at least in free agency) offseason.

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According to Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders, the Hawks are really banking on Horford’s return.

"The Hawks are in the midst of seven straight seasons of making the playoffs. In some NBA cities this would be cause for a ticker tape parade. But Atlanta still lags in the middle of the pack in league attendance and the general buzz surrounding the team during their recent playoff streak has been generally lukewarm. Dedicated Hawks fans are tired of first and second round playoff exits and truly desire to compete for Eastern Conference supremacy on a yearly basis. However is this the year it all starts? The Hawks didn’t make any splashy moves in free agency this summer and are heavily counting on Al Horford to return to form after his season ending injury suffered last season. There’s talent in Atlanta, probably more than at any other time during the current playoff streak, but the league has also improved."

If Horford is healthy, he, big man Paul Millsap and point guard Jeff Teague form a very formative trio. Of course, the Eastern Conference should be better as a whole. The Cavaliers have become the favorite after adding LeBron James and Kevin Love and the Hornets added Lance Stephenson, which should help them climb the ladder in the Easter Conference as well. Plus, the New York Knicks, who finished just behind the Hawks last season, could show improvement.

Horford averaged 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 56.7% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 68.2% from the charity stripe. In his seven-year career, the third-overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft, has put up 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 54.1% from the floor, 34.5% from three and 73.5% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

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