Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: Al Horford is not ready to declare himself 100 percent following the torn right pectoral muscle that cost him most of last season. However, the Hawks center is close. He spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in advance of the regular season about his health, expectations for the season and his future in Atlanta. Q:What are your expectations for the team for the upcoming season? A: More than just expectations, just anxious and excited to get started with the regular season. I felt the team we finished with some momentum last season, and I’m glad to be back and help build on that and be a part of it this season.
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: Fifty wins is a significant total in the NBA. That would seem to be the case for the Hawks, who won 38 games and made the playoffs despite a below-.500 record last season. Here are five reasons that a 50-win season is not out of the question for the Hawks.
Adam McGee of HoopsHabit: Taken with the 15th pick of this year’s NBA draft, 23-year-old Adreian Payne could have a big future with the Atlanta Hawks. On paper, he looks like a perfect fit for the type of system that the Hawks have implemented under head coach Mike Budenholzer, so now all that remains is for him to play and develop. The Ohio native had an excellent senior year with Michigan State, but now that he’s in the NBA, that doesn’t stand for much. Instead, Payne will have to emerge from the Hawks’ congested front court rotation if he wants to leave his mark.
