Al Horford is still recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. (USATSI)
Atlanta Hawks star big man Al Horford has not been cleared for contact yet, and the team will be cautious with him as training camp begins, head coach Mike Budenholzer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore:
Q. How is Al Horford?
A. He has made good progress. I think we are excited about having him back and healthy. I still think he's got some hurdles to clear. He is not at 100 percent right now but I think we anticipate by opening night and through camp him getting to where he is totally cleared and ready to go. He's had a heck of a summer. Al is diligent and works hard and takes care of himself so I think that will all be in a good place.
…
Q. Is he cleared for contact?
A. He'll be held out of contact early in training camp. He'll progress through and get to where he's got full clearance in everything but at the start of camp there will be some limitations.
Horford tore his right pectoral muscle last season and only appeared in 29 games. It should be noted, though, that in those 29 games under Budenholzer he played the best basketball of his career. If healthy, Horford is an elite player capable of lifting the Hawks into the Eastern Conference's upper tier. If he's not healthy, the team will almost assuredly be mired in mediocrity again. Atlanta is doing the right thing by staying patient with Horford untli he's fully ready to go.
Basketball Hot News
Kendrick Perkins to miss start of Thunder training camp, clearing way for Steve Adams?
Younger? Check.
More talented? Check.
More productive? Check.
Add healthier to Steven Adams’ advantages over Thunder starting center Kendrick Perkins.
Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman:
On Thursday afternoon, Thunder GM Sam Presti announced that incumbent starter Kendrick Perkins had recently strained his quad. Perkins will miss the start of camp and be reevaluated in two weeks.
Does this clear the way for Oklahoma City to move Adams into the starting lineup, maybe even keeping him there permanently?
Slater:
The rest of Presti’s preseason press conference, which was littered with defense-first, stick-to-the-plan statements, would indicate that Perkins remains the favorite to keep his starting role.
Oh.
The 21-year-old Adams impressed as a reserve last season, and he’s ready for a bigger role – especially when Perkins, who has become too slowed with age to help much on the court, is above him. To be fair, Perkins possess leadership value, which is why the Thunder didn’t amnesty him.
One of the only on-court advantages Perkins can claim over Adams – and it’s debatable how relevant this even is – is more experience with Oklahoma City’s other starters.
The Thunder’s most-used lineup last season – Russell Westbrook Reggie Jackson, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Perkins – outscored opponents by 5.8 points per 100 possessions. Swap Adams for Perkins and that advantage jumps to 32.7 (!) points per 100 possessions.
However, the lineup with Adams played just 28 minutes, so we’re dealing with an extremely small sample. Would Oklahoma City maintain such a large net rating in the long run with Adams? No way. But would it be substantially higher than with Perkins? I think so, and the Thunder should use him more to find out.
Adams will work more with the first team while Perkins is out, and that will diminish Perkins’ advantage of more comfort with Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and Jackson. Rookie Mitch McGary should get more reps, too, and this could him get ready for a rotation role this season.
When Perkins returns, maybe he’ll immediately re-join the starting lineup. The Thunder have been stubborn about this. But maybe Adams uses this as an opportunity to change the rotation once and for all
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