Rookie Horford spreads his wings
The rookie was not supposed to lead his team in scoring. Not in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs, against the league's best regular-season team.
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Yet Al Horford, the 21-year old Atlanta center who was cutting down nets with his University of Florida teammates just last spring, posted 20 points and 10 rebounds in the opener of the Hawks-Celtics series Sunday night. If anything positive emerged out of the 104-81 loss for Atlanta coach Mike Woodson, it was the play of his talented rookie.
"He was unbelievable," Woodson said. "He played like he has been in the playoffs all season. We have got to get all the guys playing at a higher level for the upcoming games."
Horford's performance showed why many consider him the Rookie of the Year. Horford not only drained 7 of 10 shots, he also knocked down 6 of 7 free throws. The rest of Atlanta's starters converted just 14 of 49 field goals.
"You look at how he's made us better, the presence he brings on both sides of the court, he helps us a lot, especially as a rookie," Atlanta guard Joe Johnson said.
Maybe Horford can credit a little bit of that success to his college experience. As a junior at Florida last season, he was part of the first men's team in 15 years to win back-to-back NCAA titles.
The success only meant it was time for Horford to head to the NBA. Atlanta took Horford with the third pick. His Florida teammates Corey Brewer (Minnesota) and Joakim Noah (Chicago) were selected seventh and ninth, respectively.
In two years, the Gators experienced more national exposure than the Hawks. Yet Horford was cautious not to give his college experience too much credit in preparing him for the NBA playoffs. Hours before taking the court, he told reporters he would know how much it helped after the game.
"We'll see how it goes," Horford said earlier in the day. "I kind of know what the postseason feels like. That's important."
Woodson was looking for strong performances out of Johnson and Mike Bibby, who represented the Hawks' only playoff experience. While the Celtics focused on the veterans, Horford took advantage of his opportunities.
The Hawks and Celtics matched up three times this season, with Atlanta losing each contest, but Horford averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.
As the Hawks rallied to earn their first playoff berth since 1999, Horford's play attracted attention for the league's rookie of the year award along with Seattle's Kevin Durant.
Before the series, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Horford would be a strong candidate for the honor because he "has played in more meaningful games, in my opinion, and has come up big in those meaningful games."
Horford said he is appreciative of the number of people who respect his play.
"Any player that plays wants to be considered for an award like that," Horford said. "I'm very fortunate to be one of the guys nominated. I really appreciate it when people talk high of me. And a guy like Coach Rivers has been in the game a long time and that really means a lot to me."
Few believe the Hawks can upset the Celtics, but Horford said he and his teammates cannot worry about being underdogs.
"We're going against the team with the best record in the NBA, the best team in the regular season," Horford said. "I'm excited about the opportunity, and I want to make the most out of it."
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