Al Horford didn't win rookie of the year. He didn't lead rookies in scoring. And he wasn't the media darling that some other rookies were. But while most of his rookie classmates were at home sipping piña coladas and getting caught in the rain, he was battling the eventual champion Celtics to seven games with the Atlanta Hawks.
Going into his second year, there are even more expectations on the 6-10, 245 Forward-Center from the Dominican Republic. But after seeing how he embraced a leadership role as well as plugged in 10 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game (making him the only rookie to average a double-double), it's hard to bet against the former 3rd overall pick from the University of Florida.
We caught up with Al the other day just as training camp had started to ask him about last season's playoff run, the loss of Josh Childress, and his goals for his sophomore season.
FH: What was the biggest thing that you learned last year?
AH: I think the biggest thing I probably learned was how to figure out how to play every day. It's a huge adjustment from college. There's a lot more games, and you have to learn how to bring your A game night in and night out to keep up with the rest of the guys. You have to be able to keep that edge.
FH: Even though you're a rookie, you're one of the guys that was mentioned as a leader in the locker room and on the court. Is that a role that you embrace?
AH: Definitely. I think that whenever you're on a team you do what you can to help and I'm a big competitor. I want to be able to do big things with our team. So if that means stepping in and speaking my mind on things or if something needs to be done, I want to be the kind of guy who can step in and do that. Even though I was a rookie last year I feel like I can contribute to that.
FH: When you're facing established guys like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, does that affect you at all? Or do you have to ignore it to just go out there and compete?
AH: You can't really look at it and sit down and admire everything they've done, simply because they're competitors just like us. They're trying to accomplish the same goal we were. So when I go out and play you can't get caught up in that. You have to be on edge. It's the playoffs, you're facing All-Stars, if you're at that level you have to step up and not get caught up in who they are and just play.
FH: What did you do over in the Dominican Republic, since I know you're from there?
AH: I was down there a couple of times this summer. I visited some family. I played in a tournament with representatives from the Dominican teams, and that was one of the highlights of this summer.
FH: Reports had you linked to being given an offer to play for the Team USA select team. Were those reports true?
AH: I don't think anyone ever came up to me and offered me a spot. I think they said maybe in the future if I kept playing the way I was playing I would be considered for a future Team USA Team.
FH: And that influenced your decision to play for the Dominican team?
AH: Not necessarily. I'd never played international ball. I wanted the opportunity to play for a team in international competition. It was never a question of "Which team do you want to play for?"
FH: What did you work on in the summer as far as your game goes?
AH: The biggest thing I worked on was my shooting, and being more assertive in general. That was something I needed to improve. And my post moves, I needed to learn how to settle in and focus on those.
FH: What are your thoughts on Josh Childress leaving for Greece?
AH: Obviously, it's unfortunate from our end. Childress was a great player and a big part of our team. But at the same time he was doing what was best for him. We have some guys coming in who should be a big addition to our team. And with them coming along, we should be fine.
FH: Can you ever see yourself leaving the US to play overseas?
AH: I highly doubt it. It not only has to do with money, but there are a lot of other factors that go into that kind of decision. We're fortunate to be able to play in the United States and I value that too much.
FH: How have people reacted to Josh not being around early on?
AH: It happened so early on in the summer, we had time to adjust. Most of us have had time to say goodbye and wish him luck.
FH: With the struggle the organization has had with Childress and the problems re-signing Josh Smith. I know that they just engaged your option for your last year, are you concerned about negotiating an extension with the Hawks?
AH: I'm not really looking that far ahead. I hope if I keep playing as well as I have, that they value me enough to take care of me. But if they don't, there's always other teams and other options. But that's a long ways down the road.
FH: Do you keep in touch with the guys from Florida?
AH: I try and keep up with them as much as I can. Corey and the other guys, we stay in touch.
FH: What are your goals for the coming year?
AH: I have a lot of goals. But the team is even more driven. We had a lot of trouble with consistency last year and I know we want to improve that. We want to not only go back to the playoffs but make a run in them. That's really where the focus of my goals are.
FH: What do you do in your spare time?
AH: I like ping-pong, and to go swim. I watch a lot of movies, I like to read. Lately I've been playing a little Wii, I'm keeping connected with that.
FH: What are you reading?
AH: It's the Spanish novel. It's got this really long name. I can tell you the author. Isabel Allende.
FH: Do you feel like Mike Bibby was an upgrade at point?
AH: He was a big help. Having a veteran like that helped my game a lot. I feel like we're in a good place with him going into the season.
