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Atlanta Hawks: What Does The Future Hold Without Al Horford?

By Jonathan Savitske

Mar 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) is defended by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) is defended by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Perception

Atlanta is a superstar-hungry city and has craved a star for years. With top free agents consistently eschewing Atlanta for other markets, the signing of Dwight Howard is good for the Hawks in the minds of some fans for the perception of the team at a national level.

While Dwight Howard is by no means the superstar he used to be, he still carries with him the personality and image that he has had for years. This is great news for the Hawks, and hopefully portends good things for the future.

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Of course with Dwight Howard’s image comes baggage. He is oft-maligned for his poor attitude and work ethic — especially when he is not the center of attention.

Though he is coming back to his hometown and will undoubtedly pack Philips Arena for fans to see Atlanta’s native son return home, the Hawks as a team are unselfish in nature, and have no room for a primadonna.

The Hawks would not have signed Howard unless they vetted him completely, believing that he could change. Given his struggles in Houston, I believe Howard came to Atlanta to rehab his image and to prove he can play a team brand of basketball.

Of course he must practice what he preaches, and that is the scary part. The signing could pay off in a huge way for the Hawks if he can jettison his past issues and embrace the culture that Mike Budenholzer has instilled in Atlanta.

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    • If he can’t though, Howard could become a toxic presence in the locker room, threatening to destroy everything that the Hawks have built over the past few years.

    It is encouraging to know that Bud comes from the Gregg Popovich coaching tree, where there is a track record of rehabbing players like Howard into productive team players.

    The loss of Horford is a big loss for the Hawks organizational culture, but not really on the national stage. Horford is one of the best all-around guys in the league and is an incredibly leader on both the team and within the community.

    His loss will be felt most in Atlanta, where his affable personality and overall congeniality will be sorely missed. On the national stage though, the media won’t even remember he played in Atlanta.

    He was never considered a star with the Hawks, but now has received the notoriety he has deserved for years in Boston.

    Next: Depth.

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