To what degree would Horford made a difference in...

[sturt]

...our current series, assuming he'd been able to return healthy and fully game-ready?

...our final record, assuming no injury occurred at all?

...our post-season accomplishments, assuming no injury occurred at all?

Just curious what kind of answers emerge.

[ATLHawks3]

He'd provide us with an elite pick n' pop game, and he'll help relieve the pressure on Millsap for scoring. I also believe that our rebounding would be much better, and if we had him in this series, we could've easily been the favorites to face the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

[benhillboy]

I think Al is worth 3 less points allowed on D and 3 more points scored on offense. It would be only right to assume he'd have his best season as Sap, Kyle, Junk, and Jeff have arguably had. We'd be a 2 or 3 seed. If Al were to come back right as the playoffs started we'd be done with Indiana, Charlotte, or Chicago in 5. We'd take care of Brooklyn, Toronto, or Washington in 6.

After our last convincing win agaisnt them, I believe Miami dodged us, so we'd have a puncher's chance against them too. Spo and Pat knew there was a possiblilty of losing that first game and have the world come down on them and questioning Wade, although I'm sure LeBron would hang himself before he lost to us.

I'm not even the biggest Al fan, but he is basically Aldrige Lite: score a little less, bang a little more. Not too many substitutes or better alternatives to 20 and 10.

Edited April 28, 2014 by benhillboy

[Gray Mule]

We wouldn't be in this series with the Pacers. Why?

Because we wouldn't have been the 8th seed.

Hopefully, he will be 100% healthy next season. We should have our

draft pick back from over seas and we should have this year's draft

pick.

That will mean that three roster spots now occupied will have to

vacate. Who will go? Hawks may do a two for one trade or they

could do three for one.

Also, we have our other Hawk out for the season and he will be

back from his injury and rarin to go. Something will have to give.

[Ruckus]

With Al, our defense instantly becomes better.

With Al, our offense instantly becomes better.

With Al, the pressure is off Pero to be more than the role player he was brought here for.

With Al, we have more depth.

With Al, we have our leader.

[DS17Fanboy]

With Al, alongside Kyle, we would have the most fabulous looking team in the playoffs. Banging those boards and stroaking those threes, if you know what I mean.

Edited April 29, 2014 by DS17Fanboy

[Carmine]

Guaranteed ECF appearance IMO

[DrReality]

He would've made a huge difference. But I think it's made the team we have play hard and get tough without him. It will benefit us next year.

[Admin]

Well I'm pretty sure at the very least my Horford jersey wouldn't have been a massive jinx in this series. So there's that.

[Buzzard]

When Horford went down we were averaging over 102 ppg, since that time we have averaged just 98 ppg during the regular season. Our FG% took a hit as well. What have we missed?

A pick and roll player, a pick and pop from 15 to 18 ft, kick outs to 3pt shooters from the foul line in, a better positional defender than our other centers...Both Horford and Millsap made all star games due to their sound fundamentals and hard play. We have missed him but we still have to play on!

[Guest]

Al would have scored more that Antić has - that I know!!

[turnermx]

With Al back in the fray next season i feel we will be even more dangerous. The loss of Al this season has hurt Saps FG% and developed DMC and Teague's scoring ability. His return next year will make us contenders(even more so?) in my opinion! Lets go Hawks!

[Guest]

I wonder if Bud and staff will develop Al's post game. Not deep post but more do his moves. We can still find open shooters if Al can have a consistence post move that requires a double team.

[Admin]

Al would have scored more that Antić has - that I know!!

But would Al have punked West in game 1 like that? I'm not so sure.

[GameTime]

I wonder if Bud and staff will develop Al's post game. Not deep post but more do his moves. We can still find open shooters if Al can have a consistence post move that requires a double team.

At this point I just want Horford to keep working on his face up. He has gotten really good at it throughout the years.

Back to the question:

Are we really comparing a 20-10 big to another big who is averaging 3 points, 3 rebounds with a 20% FG and 17% 3FG in 25 minutes this playoffs.

We would of swept this Pacers team.

[cam1218]

At this point I just want Horford to keep working on his face up. He has gotten really good at it throughout the years.

Back to the question:

Are we really comparing a 20-10 big to another big who is averaging 3 points, 3 rebounds with a 20% FG and 17% 3FG in 25 minutes this playoffs.

We would of swept this Pacers team.

Exactly. I think some of us forget how good Horford is sometimes.

[gsuteke]

I wish he could play. I know there's a difference between being hurt and injured and he was injured.

The was is what bothers me. It seems like the Hawks have capped the media on Horford we don't even know if he's practicing at this point.

[NJHAWK]

A lot of these 3's we have been shooting and making would not be happening because Al would naturally command a lot more possessions down low where the Pacers defend well. Im not sure he would be a good thing for us vs the Pacers.

Edited April 30, 2014 by NJHAWK

[HawkItus]

with Al our pick roll becomes lethal. Right now once Jeff and Sap start to twirl the defense rolls off of Pero and chances the 3. With Al if they did that he would crash the lane for some easy Oops or kill with that midrange shot. We are talking 60% shooting verses what 30 % at best with Pero?

[frosgrim]

Sultan, that avatar is hilarious.

Back to the topic: Horf makes the Hawks an even better team. Hibbert still would have problems as Horf would draw him out of the paint on pick and pops and other mid-range spot-ups.

During the regular season, a healthy Horford would have given us 7-10 more wins.