Horford's a class act! | Hawks

By MannyT

December 12, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

It’s good to hear that TJ has movement in his limbs. It was a scary moment to see.

I am glad to hear that Al stopped by to see him. A good guy does good things. Happy to have him in the ATL.

I also appreciate the beat writer that keeps a good blog going.

Thanks for all you do Sekou.

By SQUAWKER

December 12, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Prayers are with you, TJ!

Sportscenter actually did a good job disclaiming that Al Horford was a nice guy. I hope Al can forgive himself, too.

By SalimFan

December 12, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this

I agree defenetly. I was there at the game tonight a few rows up from where it happend and the foul really did not look that bad. I really hope TJ doesnt have to miss more than a few games. He had to miss a whole season the last time this happend to him.

Horford expalined what happend on sportscenter tonight and cleard everthing up.

By Ron Mexico

December 12, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this

Ford was abusing the Hawks all night. That was the only way they could stop that sumbitch.

By Stephen

December 12, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

I pray that TJ is not hurt too badly. I can’t believe that his second game back and he gets injured again! Hopefully he’ll be back in action soon.

By Horford Rox

December 12, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

Hopefully Ford recovers quickly. That being said, now opponents are aware of what a trip to Layup Land at Philips might cost you!

By P**

December 12, 2007 2:02 AM | Link to this

F*** YOU HORFORD YOU F***

By KW

December 12, 2007 4:27 AM | Link to this

Our prayers are with TJ, I hope the injury is not serious and he will be back soon. Wouldn’t want to see this happen to anyone who plays in the league!

By KW

December 12, 2007 4:30 AM | Link to this

Our prayers are with TJ, I hope his injury is not serious and he will be back playing ball soon. I wouldn’t want to see this happen to anyone playing ball.

By John

December 12, 2007 5:19 AM | Link to this

My Prayes are with you TJ. All of Atlanta’s sports teams need to take notice of what the hawks have done. The Hawks have brought in high quality players such as Al and the Josh’s, high quality coach in Mike Woodson and hvae a team that is beginning to give the city something to be proud of.

By Dawgs

December 12, 2007 5:44 AM | Link to this

Looks like we know the stuff P** is made of…

AlHo is definately a class act and a tough guy to boot.

Here is to hoping Ford is ok!

Go Hawks!

By ray

December 12, 2007 7:01 AM | Link to this

Enjoyed the win against Orlando, and kinda figured we might lose to Toronto. Still, the team has improved, Joe is becoming Mr. Big Shot again, and Josh is finally becoming the true game changer he has had the potential to be. And let me not fail to mention my boy Al Horford.

And for any haters, you KNOW he didn’t mean to hurt TJ Ford. That ain’t Al at all.

SEKOU, I hear you on Horford. However, I have to add this: Woodson catches a LOT of flak from me on stuff, but I can’t deny what I saw on the tube last night. While you were no doubt right there (in person no less) in Horford’s defense, Woodson was the first man to step up and out from our side in his defense. The man gets mucho cred for that. I saw him headed right toward a livid Sam Mitchell. Good to know he’s got these guys’ backs.‘Nuff said.

I’m enjoying the improvement. How long was it last season before we won 10 games? Winning more games makes nearly everyone look better, doesn’t it? Hope we can hold it together and continue this type of record (or better) throughout the season. And for any “I told you so” types who are now raising their voices from the back of the bandwagon you just climbed on: This is the first 20+ games. Enjoy the ride, but be ready for the long haul. This could still easily go in either direction.

However, it’s inevitable that there will be the usual number of suspects who thrive on using a few wins and a momentary .500 record to either validate senseless things you’ve said in the past (like, we’re a LOCK to make the playoffs) or any nut-job ideas you have now (like, we don’t need any other players ever, this is the roster of the future NBA champs). But I suppose there would be no such thing as sanity if insanity did not exist. Oooop…too early for philosophy…

By doc

December 12, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this

myk, from last blog ….. what water man? not funny as we watch buford puddle shrink.

i was disgusted with their pick of petrino last year as they knew the man had NO sense of loyalty. thought singletary or the tech guy would be better. they got what they deserved. what is it, you sleep with dogs you get fleas? i guess we have all had enough of dogs for the rest of our lives.

blank may be out of his league. football payers are not of the same ilk as middle managers at home depot and are very much their own persons. still cant believe the league hasnt come down with several fines as meangelo, white and others really flaunted disrespect to the whole of the nfl not just the ownership and coach of the falcons. funny i remember a little sad little waif driving around with “free paris” on the back window her car. really when do some folks get conscious of what is really out there to get free or need real help?

i can say free me and the falcons of mckay as he has shown he has no capability to evaluate players from the draft or hires into the organization. it is going to get worse for the clampetts. oh yeah they are gone.

glad to know ford is okay though i would rather hear it as a formal release. he took a scary tumble. sam mitchell lost his composure and needs to next time make sure his player is alright rather than take on the opposing bench. he should be fined for his action. the league should ackowledge it was just as undesirable as the two suns who really “left the bench” last year to check on a teammate and much more inflammatory. i dont know which coach it was but someone finally went to ford instead of inciting a brawl and took some appropriate action to stabilize his neck and call for medics.

well which way now, back to .500 or return to the dregs? stay tuned.

By A Thinking Fan

December 12, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this

Get well soon TJ!!!

By JC

December 12, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

I’m glad to hear that there is no bad blood between the teams. Al Horford is a high class guy.

By STRETCH

December 12, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

I just felt bad for Horford, cause ESPN was and is still running the clip every 5 minutes!

When the Hawks were on their 3 game winning streak, you couldnt find a Hawk clip ANYWHERE on all the ESPN channels!

ESPN has always been an overly biased network when it comes to the Patriots, Yankees, and Cowboys and Lebron James or anything bad coming out of Atlanta!

Also, i live in Florida currently and cant make it to the games, but from the highlights and looking in the stands, its clear to see Atlantians be who they are, NON-SUPPORTERS! There had to be 6, 000 people at the game last night.

Right now, its tough to be a fan of any ATLANTA sports teams!

By Hawksville Resident

December 12, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Easy Stretch! A lot of the people you are talking to (people who are taking the time to blog about the Hawks)are supporters. Keep in mind that was a Tuesday game versus Toronto. That’s a hard sell in any market! I’m not saying this is Green Bay, but let’s keep everything in perspective. There’s a lot of back story about the Hawks alienating fans to consider before issuing a blanket statement like that.. The Hawks are now winning back there Fanbase slowly but surely. It’s just not fair to judge fan support by what you saw on a Tuesday night, especially when over 15000 prople came out the game before that vs. Memphis.

By mavid

December 12, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Horford impresses me more and more every day.

I hope TJ makes a full recovery. That was downright scary.

By Rukus

December 12, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Accidents like this happens in sports. What impressed me most is the way Toronto players character. Imagine if it was teams full of hot heads? Hope TJ will be back someday.

By D.J.

December 12, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

by Toronto resident. I watched the game last night and T.J was killing em’. Hesitation dribble, pull up jumper and some no look passes to go along with it. It’s sad to see the game end like that. I appluad the staff from both teams especially the Hawks staff. I think if it wasn’t for Woodson it could have been a lot worse. Sam looked like he was ready to tear sombodys head off but Woodson kept calm and collected. You could tell Horford didn’t mean to hurt him. Right when the play ended he had an expression of ” oh man what did I do”. I commend him for going to the hospitaland my prayers go out to T.j….Knowing him he’d be back playing tonight if he had a say in it.

By D.J.

December 12, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

by Toronto resident. I watched the game last night and T.J was killing em’. Hesitation dribble, pull up jumper and some no look passes to go along with it. It’s sad to see the game end like that. I appluad the staff from both teams especially the Hawks staff. I think if it wasn’t for Woodson it could have been a lot worse. Sam looked like he was ready to tear some bodys head off but Woodson kept calm and collected. You could tell Horford didn’t mean to hurt him. Right when the play ended he had an expression of ” oh man what did I do”. I commend him for going to the hospitaland my prayers go out to T.j….Knowing him he’d be back playing tonight if he had a say in it.

By PNG

December 12, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Ron Mexico said: Ford was abusing the Hawks all night. That was the only way they could stop that sumbitch. And we say: you are the only sumbitch, you are the shame of Hawks or any NBA fan.

By mavid

December 12, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Also, thanks for this article Sekou.

I know Horford will get at least 1 game suspension per league rules, but hopefully that is all. It was clearly an accident, and I hope this doesnt shake his confidence at all (which has been supremely high all year).

By Mike

December 12, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Thanks Sekou, This blog is very well deserving for someone that has been a delight to watch since the day he put on the Hawks uniform. Everyone knows Al is a good kid. I�m not at all surprise to hear that Al went by the hospital to check on TJ. This kid plays old school basketball which is refreshing. The best of luck to TJ and a speedy recovery.

I thought Woody exhibited a lot of class in way he handling of the situation. I keep asking myself when are we going to use our short quick penetrating guard to cause the kind fits TJ gave us last. Meaning Salim if course. Well thats a discussion for another day.

Big Al if you read the blogs, �Much Love Bro� you were hustling trying to make a play like always.

God speed TJ get well soon

By I.MUS WRITE

December 12, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Get well soon TJ we are pulling for you down here. Horford’s foul was hard but It didnt look intensional or anything so let’s put this to rest. Class Act: Horford is definitely that- He went to the hospital after the game…. nuff said

I would’nt have picked any other player in last summers draft at this point. MY GAWD: Can we please stop with this Mike Vick garbage. So sick of seeing that on TV all dam day. OK we get it you lied about killing dawgs,smoked dope,and funded a criminal organization…. Go to Fed camp and do you time. ONE MORE THING-Roddy White you are an idiot—-“Free Mike Vick” … What the hell for -he admitted he did the crime.

By Willie Coyote

December 12, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

It was a hard foul that happened to hit TJ in an awkward position. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, I don’t think they would have ejected Horford because it was obviously an accident. I’m glad to hear he’s moving and hope he can come back. I don’t know if his previous injury had something to do with last nights injury or if it was just a bad strain/stinger. If it did have something to do with the previous injury, I have to wonder who cleared him to play and if there was something that was ignored in his health evaluation.

As for the game, what the hell was Josh Smith doing out there. His shot selection just killed any ralley the team made and made it impossible to win that game last night.

By Bubba, Lower Forty

December 12, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Hi y’all!! It was good to hear that Al was worried enough about TJ to spend that amount of time in the hospital. All the comments I’ve heard from the Raptors are the same ilk; he didn’t do that on purpose. Al is a solid, solid foundation for this team. If he doesn’t win the rookie of the year award, he will be the roy in my book. Good to have you, Al.

By mykhalc

December 12, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

SEKOU, very nice post on BIG AL. no doubt he is a class act!!!

BIG RAY, on point about WOODSON bein’ in the thick of things to keep SAM MITCHELL in check. and like someone said the players are to be commended for their positive actions of the situation also. here’s to a quick recovery for TJ!!!

like i said in the previous blog, i’m enjoyin’ the team’s new found way of playin’ some great team ball. i can live with a ‘L’ when it comes with the ‘team’ effort they are displayin’!!!! they really do look as if they have discovered their ‘identity’!!!

By Dirty Horford

December 12, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

“It was clearly an accident”

Oh really? Maybe its just me, but flailing your fist into someone’s face sounds like a deliberate action. Doing it while your opponent is in the air is both classless and dangerous. Horford was trying to “man-up” in front of his teammates and home crowd after being emasculated by TJ all game long. Like a child throwing a tantrum, he threw his fist. Bravo. Maybe someone should inform this supposed “class act” that he should leave this garbage back in “The ‘Hood.”

As far as the post-game words and gestures, its obvious that Horford is putting on a facade to save face, further fines and suspension. I especially loved his illogical rationalization about being confused by some physically-impossible mid-air move that TJ allegedly made. I was half-expecting him to blame it on some magic bullet from a gunman in the grassy knoll. When can we expect his inevitable wife-beating rationalization? “Um, she made this move where she was like, um, putting on her shoe, and then the dog came in cuz it was, um, chasing a bee, that um landed on her face and um, I tried to smack it with my fist like, um, 15-20 times.”

By Kevin C.

December 12, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Lots of class from Horford. Same can’t be said of the likes of Ron Mexico. I hope your kids don’t grow up to play any sports. If they do, you should hope they don’t do well. Imagine if this was to happen to your kid? Just sickening.

By Josh from Toronto

December 12, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

I’m a Raptors fan, but in a larger sense a basketball fan. I think Horford wanted to foul TJ hard, but no way he wanted to harm him. I feel badly for both players, and I hope it doesn’t derail, even temporarily, what has been an incredible rookie campaign for Horford. I think the world of this kid and I hope he can shrug this off and remain agressive. I can’t speak for all Raptors fans, but I think that Al’s reputation as a good, hard-working, and most of all CLEAN player remains intact.

By Jp

December 12, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

It’s great to hear that Horford went to the hospital to see how TJ was doing, but that in no way excuses what was an entirely reckless play in which Horford was out of control. What was he doing swiping down on a player like that? There is a clear distinction between a hard foul and a flagrant and careless one. That was an absolutely bone-headed play, and Horford deserves a severe reprimand at the very, very least. Thankfully TJ seems to be doing reasonably well, but that still does not excuse Horford. Good intentions, class acts, or anything else in retrospect should not excuse anyone from having to face the consequences of their actions.

By smartguy

December 12, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Dirty, you obviously didn’t even see the play. First, AH did not hit TJ with his fist. It was an open palm, just as he would to block a shot. Second, if you hear the explanation, and look at the replay, you can see that TJ totally faked AH out. AH thought TJ was going up for a normal layup, when TJ made the adjustment to a reverse (under the basket). The place AH attempted to block (and ended up hitting TJ) was the exact place where TJ would have been if it was a normal layup. If AH wanted to hurt TJ, he would have pounded him over the shoulder, and sent him down with much more force. Finally, AH’s reaction immediately after the play showed there was no intention to injure (these kinds of expressions are even admissible evidence in court).

Your comments show just how clueless and classless you are. Al Horford is indeed a class act. You can have your own opinion based on one play of one game, but I will rely on virtually everyone in the basketball world who personally know this guy, and all have nothing but good things to say about him (on and off the court). Your wife beating analogy is so disgusting and ignorant, that your whole poost is hardly worth responding to, but there ya go. I guess that lack of sunlight has made you cranky and delerious.

By TJ

December 12, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

If only Ford’s neck had not whiplashed when he hit the floor, then this wouldn’t be the case, it wasn’t a senseless foul, just unfortunate. Hopefully, this doesn’t make Al timid on the court. He’s a high character guy, such a blessing for this franchise. From one TJ to another, my prayers go up for you, that a full recovery will occur quickly.

Looking at the box score play-by-play, two things jump out, TJ Ford = 26points & JSmith = 7 turnovers. That’s the game right there. I said it yesterday, they had to stop the drive and kick out, because everyone in Toronto shoots threes, including Chris Bosh, whose shot was falling today. I’m surprised Mario didn’t get a chance to guard TJ. Maybe Acie should’ve started last night, younger legs recuperate faster on a back-to-back?? Oh well..

There were a lot of layups missed last night, particularly by Josh Smith. This loss is good for him right now. He knows that when he flops, the team flops, and that he needs to hold it together mentally. He’ll play well on Friday. Looking at his game log, he’s due for a good showing, especially with 2 days off.

Nice to see Chils back, we’ll need him against the Pistons. Whatever the gameplan for that first game in Detroit (when Billups got “fouled”) they should stick to it. Rebounding and smart athleticism will be the key. Mario West on Rip, maybe? Eh..

Go Hawks, I expect a victory…

By Andrew

December 12, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

He should get three or four games - Intent is irrelevant in the NBA - ask the Phoenix Suns… Very flagrant foul, and should be punished for his actions… But he does seem like a good guy…

By Thane

December 12, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

I think it was clear that Horford didn’t mean to do quite that level of damage on Ford, but the intent to flagrant foul was obvious. If he wanted to foul him, he could have swung at Ford’s shooting arm, or wrapped up his waist.

I havn’t seen a mugging like this since Bertuzzi sucker-punched Moore a few years ago in the NHL - in that case too, there was an attack but without the intent to do so much damage.

A one game suspension isn’t nearly enough. He should be out for as long as Ford is, if not the rest of the season. The NBA needs to crack down on dangerous fouls.

By George

December 12, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

While I’m sure Horford didn’t mean to hurt TJ to the extent that he did. It was a ridiculously STUPID play.

The game was already out of hand, TJ had a clear path to the basket and Horford takes a UFC style swipe with his right hand to a guy that is half his size. So instead of getting ball, he clubs him in the head and then twists his neck.

He deserves a suspension just for the sheer stupidity of the play. I don’t care if he’s a rookie, he should know better then that. Somehow I don’t think MENSA will be calling Al anytime soon …

By I.MUS WRITE

December 12, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

KEVIN C- Can you add (poster) DIRTY HORFORD to RON MEXICO…. straight up rediculous

By cp

December 12, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Looks like some of the people over at the Falcons blog are making their way over here. Hopefully Ford will be ok I know Horford did not try to hurt the kid. As far as Roddy White as it has been a big discussion, i have no problem with him supporting his friend. Maybe a bad choice of words but at least they showed they are still thinking about him. Maybe a I support Vick or we wont forget you Vick shirt would have been better but its freedom of speech.

By Floze

December 12, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Thane - what a reference - that reminds me that one time eyeball jones smacked lady Bay down by the laundry mat - she never saw it coming - do you know what I mean hockey guy????? Ehh??

By JB

December 12, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Kudos to TJ & Al. The finger to the guy with the “Layup Land” comment. Al fouled hard, as he should have. However, NOBODY wanted that outcome.

That said, I’ve gotta add my voice to those who point out that he was killing us all night…..as do most quick point guards. This remains the greatest indictment of Knight’s work—and the best explanation for Woodson’s W/L record (though he’s always had too much class to voice it).

Sekou, what in TARNATION is Speedy doing to get better—besides knitting, that is?

By DOB's EGO

December 12, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

Your blog is so much better than David O’Brien’s. You aren’t full of yourself like he is and you actually concentrate on Sports. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Mike

December 12, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Great news on TJ!!!

Woody it�s hard to dogg you sometimes because you�re a class guy, but if you have any hope of remaining an NBA coach, you have mature and learn how to use your bench. Why is it so hard for to put Salim, Mario, and Solomon in the game for extended minutes. These guys need playing time to perform just like the starters. You can�t keep giving these guys garbage time. At some point the coach has to grow up just like he demands that his players grow up.

All we have been hearing from you and BK is that this year these kids have to grow up. When will be time for this young coach of the Hawks to grow up and take advantage of all the multidimensional talent on this team? When will we let our small penetrating guard with the deadly aim cause math-up headache for our opponent? Will Joe, Marvin, and Salim ever be on the floor together? These are outside scoring threats that open things up for guys like Smoove, Al, Shelden, Chill, and Zaza.

What the Hell good is having these guys on the team, if you�re not going to play�em. Woody you can�t keep running your starters in the ground. What type of leader goes to battle with half of his troops?

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Willie Coyote

December 12, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Suspend him? Some of you people are too sensitive. If he wasn’t hurt at all then noone would be calling for a suspension. His intent did not reflect in the outcome and it just so happened that TJ was in an awkward position. TJ has gotten over it and I suggest some you should come down off your perfect perch and get over it.

As far as the “hood” comments, why don’t you take a hunting trip with Dick Cheney or take a walk in the middle of I-20.

By I.MUS WRITE

December 12, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Thane- Bertuzzi should have done some jail time. He punched a defenseless player from behind -then drove the guys face into the ground. On top of that he admitted he was given the order to attack from his coach… R U saying Horford’s foul was of that barbaric nature???

2 years ago Stephen Jackson and Artest were in the stands beating the crap out of some fans and they got 25-30 games and you want Big Al gone for the year because of a hard foul… come on

By Jim

December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Obviously he’s going to be suspended - the question is length - three games seems reasonable.

By ryan

December 12, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

I was surprised to see the highlights last night of this incident because I didn’t peg Horford as a dirty, sadistic player and I really felt for Ford because of his injury before. But it is so refreshing to know that Horford had the decency to visit him in the hospital. That shows an incredible amount of maturity, responsibility and just a lot of good will. Horford is a professional in every sense of the word, I don’t care if he is a rookie. Next step; don’t foul like that in the first place!

By Disco

December 12, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

From a Raptor fan, I agree that it was an accident. He was going for a hard foul, no question, but there was no intent to injure. I suspect he’ll get a 1 game suspension which is fair in my opinion. Good to see most of the Hawks fans showing some love for TJ.

By jake

December 12, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

i hope tj be fine he is my favorite nba player

By john

December 12, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

In TJ falling to the ground like that, was clearly accidental and a hustle play on Al Horford’s part. If anyone knows anything about basketball they can understand what took place last night. It is unfortunate that this happened to TJ, due to his past injury issues with his spinal cord. I wish that both TJ, AL, and both organizations can move on from this issue, on a positive and healthy note.

By Josh

December 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Thats great that a columnist from Atlanta thinks Horford is a class act but the fact is he did put a star player in the Hospital. Accident or not Horford should learn to control his body. How many people have you seen Shaq put in the Hospital? None! So stop patting Horford on the back for a blatant idiot foul.

By rondel samuels

December 12, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

hortford, its good that you wentand check on t.j that same night at the hospital thats good sportsmanship.

                p.s
                from Belize City
                Centural America

By Patrick

December 12, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

hope u feel better tj.

By Dawood

December 12, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

i was really happy to see th performance of T.J but then even the win seemed like it was a big loss. Horford was my fav rookie but after that i hated him but after reading how much he cared i honestly think horford is a great player on and off the court.

By Dawood

December 12, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

i was really happy to see th performance of T.J but then even the win seemed like it was a big loss. Horford was my fav rookie but after that i hated him but after reading how much he cared i honestly think horford is a great player on and off the court.

By Josh

December 12, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Thats great that a columnist from Atlanta thinks Horford is a class act but the fact is he did put a star player in the Hospital. Accident or not Horford should learn to control his body. How many people have you seen Shaq put in the Hospital? None! So stop patting Horford on the back for a blatant idiot foul.

By Corey

December 12, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

I was at the game and probably the very few fans that were going for Toronto. But I knew from the second it happened that Al Horford never meant it. I watched Al since his days of Florida and he has always been a class act. Im happy to hear TJ is doing better and will be flying back to Toronto. I was down on the first level and it happened so quick when he hit his head on the floor. It almost looked like after a couple seconds he was going in almost a seizure which really scared me. But for anybody that watched the game and is a Toronto fan, we all know we wont lose a step with Jose’ Calderon coming in a and starting. Gte well TJ GOOOOOO Jose’ CALDERONNNN.

By rondel samuels

December 12, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

hartford its very good that you went and look for T.J at the hospital that good Sportsman ship.

From Rondell Belize Centural America

By rondel samuels

December 12, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

hartford its very good that you went and look for T.J at the hospital that good Sportsman ship.

From Rondell Belize Centural America

By Ray Santos

December 12, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

I’ve played/coach basketball for more then 45 years, we all teach hard foul to be used as part of intimidation but not to hurt, TJ Ford was well ahead at least 10 feet and Horford was beat, Horford is a young guy and he only did what he was told to do, HARD FOUL. He wasn’t thinking, this is NBA, HE DID WHAT WAS TOLD TO HIM. I hope Horford learned from this experienced. We all pray TJ will be OK and no permanent damaged done.

By Pete

December 12, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Good Stuff Al!!!!!!! God Bless TJ

By Prince

December 12, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

I am in no way a Hawks or Raptors fan but Al not only proved to be a descent human by his genuine actions but allowed everyone to know that there is more to being a tough guy. I salute you on showing remorse for your unintentional foul, that caused TJs hospitilization. Lets now focus on prayers that will bring about TJs full recovery.I trust that you will keep checking on his progress even after the hospital stay

By nick

December 12, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

i think the hit to tj fords head was inexcusable considering ther was no reason to be hacking at that point in time and al horford will be a great player but i will never like him or watch him play with any respect any more. Tj get well soon.

By Davis P Freaky D

December 12, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

I too had the reaction of Sam Mitchell at first view of the foul, but after reviewing the incident a few times it’s clear that the foul was unintentional. TJ is a warrior, and I’m sure we’ll see him with the speediest recovery.

Go TJ and Go Raps!!

By Raptors fan05

December 12, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

All respect to Al Horford, it was clear right away it was a complete accident based on Al’s immediate reaction.

TJ hope you’re well very soon.

By Pete

December 12, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Josh leave it alone man!!!!! Shaq does not chase down players on the fastbreak!!!! Just leave it alone…..It was an accident by hard playing rookie.

By Jack Bauer

December 12, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

call a b****** foul on smith again see what happens!!!

horford threw down the gauntlet!!!!

By toronto

December 12, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Toronto Raptors a hard sell in any market? 4th in the East last year? 20+ win turn around? I wouldn’t say so.

10-13,000 people on any given night is embarassing. Toronto averages 18-19,000 per game no matter what the team.

Don’t use playing a team as an excuse. You should be supportive no matter who you play.

By Mel

December 12, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

Raps fan here:

GET WELL TJ!!!

My respect for Sam Mitchell went up during this game…this guy trully cares about this players on and off the court…there was passion and concern for TJ, all I know is that if Im a raptors player having a coach like that would make me ready to run through walls

By Angry TO Fan

December 12, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

**#! you Forford. ATL just gets p** off for losing so much.

By hasan

December 12, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

i hope that the NBA doesnt suspend Al Horford, as a rookie, that wouldnt feel good, & it may effect his career. im a huge toronto fan, and from toronto, but i like Horford’s game, and i have to say that im impressed with a rookie who can get a double double on any given night.

Get Well SOON TJ FORD.

By Julian

December 12, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

This entry is ridiculous….how is it that the player who flagrantly and unnecessarily hard fouls another player by swiping at his head from the back(he did not even come close to the ball) at the end of a losing game is a class act? Because he is remorseful? Of course he is - just like many people are after they realize they’ve done something way out of bounds and have been caught…Germany was remorseful too - does that make them a class act? That other Atlanta players showed concern has nothing to do with the act that was committed. Seriously, ANYONE upon realizing how they just fced up so badly would act that way, esp. when you’re worried about a suspension. I’m not saying maybe he wasn’t remorseful but that does not mean what AH did was excusable and certainly not that he’s a class act. Call it for what it was - a cheap shot from a dirty player on a losing team.

By Mary

December 12, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

i love you al! i hope that ford gets better soon..

By Disgusted

December 12, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Man, I don’t know what some of you people are thinking saying that it was accidental or unintentional. He viciously swung for TJs head. It was no accident. He wanted to do a hard foul and he got one. It may have been harder then what he intended, but still. I hope he gets 5 games at least. He could have ended TJs career. And I really hope he feels bad for what he did for a long time.

By Dominick

December 12, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Sorry to hear what happen but with christ all things are possible so stay in faith be well.

By Rza

December 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Wussup to everyone just wanted to say I hope TJ does well and makes a full recovery soon cause we need him, i’m from T. O and when i say the play i knew there was no intention big Al does not seem like to b a dirty player he’s just a really good young player who plays till the last second. Just a really bad accident

By Kamil

December 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Guys I just want to say,

God bless America,

K

By newkid

December 12, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Eveyone can have his own opinion, but everyone can’t have his OWN facts.

Best to TJ and Horford.

By Orlando Rivera

December 12, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Julian, you’re full of sh*t! He stepped up and took responsibility for his actions. Anyone (besides you and Skip Bayless) else would’ve done the exact same thing. He tried to make an honest play for the ball and TJ just faked him out that’s all.

I’m sure you’re so perfect that you never did anything unintentionally. They’re grown men with compassion.

I tell you what: How about I “accidentally” kick your a** from pillar to post and then come back to apologize later.

By perry armstrong

December 12, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

I was upset and sadden about the incedent. I wanted fly from my home in Toronto and wail on Harford, but then when I saw the replay and heard all the extra comments, I praised everyone that was involved. T.J. I am glad to know that you are going to be okay. Get well buddy!! For Harford you showed class and respect for others. This action and reaction is a model for all players and fans and coaches in the NBA, and other sports throughout the world.

By Allan A

December 12, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Honestly, I was watching the game last night and I was sick to my stomach to see what happened there last night. TJ Ford has seen too many of these injuries and thank God the reports are saying hes okay. When TJ went down last night i really felt for him…like he was family. AND RESPECT to Sam Mitchell for standing up for his player. I would have done the same thing….even worse I would have pulled down that whole arena..I couldn’t imagine the anger and frustration that would have caused him. Especially with all the injuries the raptors have been plagued with. When they win the championship one day, they’ll more than deserve it.

GET WELL SOON T.J. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU BRO!

holler

By Quentin Pulliam

December 12, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

HOPE ALL IS WELL

By Allan Tacsuan

December 12, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

I am from Toronto and naturally I’m a Raptors fan. I saw the game and the replays and there’s no doubt in my my mind that Horford did’t intend to hurt TJ. I’ve also been a Horford fan since his Gators won the first of their two NCAA championships. I know he is not a dirty player and I was proven right when he went out of his way to visit TJ at the hospital. I just hope TJ recovers as quickly as possible because the Raptors need him. I also hope this incident won’t tarnish Horford’s image in the League because I see a very good player in him. In a couple years he and Howard will be the best centers in the East.

By Felix

December 12, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

It’s good to see that there are still members of the media taking time to write about things that are meaningful…..”Great Job” I also want to thank you Sekou for being a silent mentor and positive influence during my infant stages of journalism at the Commercial Appeal and at Jackson State. Thanks

By TorontoBrett

December 12, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

This shows how classless the Atlanta HACKS and Harford actually are. Ford was embarrassing Acie Law all night and this was a blatant swipe at his head with a minute left in a game out of reach. Harford should be suspended and fined indefinitely. Don’t try to defend this kid, it�s easy to be sorry after but that act was inexcusable. What a joke.

By Chris Beckford

December 12, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Get well soon T.J. Your homeboy Riddla.

By JHazz

December 12, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

I was shocked to read the following…

“By Horford Rox

December 12, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

Hopefully Ford recovers quickly. That being said, now opponents are aware of what a trip to Layup Land at Philips might cost you!”

“By Horford Rox

December 12, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

Hopefully Ford recovers quickly. That being said, now opponents are aware of what a trip to Layup Land at Philips might cost you!”

The people that wrote these comments are as bad as the people in the arena who were aplauding as TJ was on the ground being loaded onto a stretcher. While I appreciate the concern that has been shown for TJ from most people, its is posts like this that make Hawks fans look horrible.

The foul by Horford should not be applauded, encouraged, nor dismissed. I understand that a good hard foul here and there is part of the game. But there is a difference between hacking someone’s arms going for a rejection and slapping down and back on a players face while they are in the air. This was not an attempted block, Horford’s arm was no where near the ball. Also, while this may have affected TJ more than others because of previous injuries, any player that landed the way he did would be hurt… past injury or not. The foul pulled his head back, while his momentum carried his body forward. There was nothing TJ nor anyone else receiving that foul could have done. According to reports he was unconcious initially. A loss of conciousness is not caused by previous injuries, its caused by a hard blow to the head. While I do not think that Horford intended to hurt him as severely as he did, I do think he wanted to inflict some damage. I do think that the league needs to act swiftly on this and I think that the suspension should be quite harsh. Hitting people in the head, especially in the manner tha Horford did should not be tolerated at all. This is for protection of the players. If players know that the consquences for such actions are high they will not put themselves in positions where it could happen… even accidentally. I think Horford should be suspended for at least 20 games. It should be noted that he shows remorse for his actions, and did not want the result that came. However, accident or not, not having control over your body and inflicting a devastating injury on another player due directly to your own lack of control needs to have a stiff penalty.

I may sound biased… and yes, I am a Raptors fan… but this is more of a basketball issue… headshots need to be looked at as hitting from behind is in hockey. Even in the UFC there are rules about headshots (none to the back of the head). I will also say that I think Mitchell should be suspended a few games. Even though I understand where he is coming from, rules are rules.

Hopefully when Horford gets back to playing he will continue a fine rookie season and go on to have a great career.

Hopefully TJ is able to make a full recovery and get back too playing sooner than later!

By Baller

December 12, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Harford lacked Judgement in his actions with only 1:30 left in the game. Although I like his game I didn’t like his lack of judgement on the play. I pray for TJ’s full recovery especially knowing his past health concerns regarding his neck.

By Trevor Dible

December 12, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Glad to hear T.J.s’ okay

By Fresh

December 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

THIS IS B****** HOW ARE YOU GONNA CALL HIM A CLASS ACT WHEN HE FULLY SMACKED TJ IN THE FACE. THIS WAS NOT ACCIDENTAL. WATCH THE REPLAY YOU IDIOTS. Get off Horfords Testicals. F*** HORFORD. WATCH OUT WHEN YOU COME TO TORONTO

By Baller

December 12, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Harford lacked Judgement in his actions with only 1:30 left in the game. Although I like his game I didn’t like his lack of judgement on the play. I pray for TJ’s full recovery especially knowing his past health concerns regarding his neck.

By ewils

December 12, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

what was ford’s injuries?

By Justin

December 12, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Horford is a joke of a basketball player. That was an intentional hit on TJ Ford which can be clearly seen in the his follow through of his arm. I would love to slap Horfords mom like that, see how she liked it, then i would go to the hospital to make it all seem like an accident.

By Zack

December 12, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

The Hawks have great potential, coming from a Toronto fan, I think they will be a force come 2 or 3 years. And about the TJ/Horford thing, the rook obviously didn’t mean it and this is the NBA, just another night at the office.

But Horford needs to learn that he is a big guy and he can’t recklessly swing his monstrous arm trying to block a layup by a 165 lb/6 foot guy. Next time maybe grab his arm or grab him by the waist.

By Rob

December 12, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

why is it now when ever somebody gets taken down hard and injured does everyone try to get the playr suspended forever- it was an accident on Als part, i have been taken down in a game in much the same way (it hurt lots) but it was just an accident- sure he coulda just left it or fouled him more gently but he was obviously going for the ball. Thane you tnhink he should be suspended for a year you are mad (Carmelo anthony punches a guy on purpose gets 15 games, you want Horford gone for the year for accidently hitting him, crazy). Horford will get a one game ban and that is enough- i sense from him that he already feels bad and he will have learnt from this.

By LetsGoRaps

December 12, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

“I think that�s what no doubt played into the reaction of Sam Mitchell, who could have caused even more ruckus to ensue were it not for the level-headed reaction of so many of the players, from both teams, and Hawks coach Mike Woodson, all of whom tried to calm Mitchell down.”

Are you serious? …

Sam Mitchell had every right to do what he did.

Sekou, I do not think you thought this article through thoroughly enough when writing it.

By mars

December 12, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Who commits a foul like that with a lop-sided score and so little time left? What’s the point? Mistake on Al’s part? Sure! Excusable? No!

By ice man

December 12, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Some one please answer this for me! WHY THE HELL WOULD HE FOUL HIM THAT HARD WHEN ATL IS DOWN BY THAT MUCH WITH LITTLE TIME ON THE CLOCK?????? Not a class act to me!!! T.J. GET WELL SOON..1

By RA

December 12, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

There’s one thing about it. Even before he went to the hospital Al Horford stood in that locker room after the game and answered the hard questions, no ducking out, now shots at the media, just a man, facing up to what happened. If I’d had any doubts on the type of person that the Hawks drafted last June, I don’t anymore.

By honest_abe

December 12, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

raptor’s fans = pathetic…..

go away!

stupid canadians…heh

By j

December 12, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Watched the game last night, and although I don’t believe it was not Horford’s intent to hurt Ford, he certainly was trying to foul him hard.

Given the time left in the game and the decision well in hand I think a suspension is warranted.

By Smart Raptors Fan

December 12, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Get well soon, T.J. Thank you Al Hartford for being a class act AND for helping Bold: Jose Calderon get more minutes! Blessing in disguise? Only if Raptor fans WANT WINS! JOSE at the point = more wins than T.J. at the point!

By Gary

December 12, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

T.J I wish you all the best and hope you get well soon with a quick recovery! God bless.

By mich

December 12, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

i am srry 2 see wat happen 2 u in was a scary moment and all mi wishes go out 2 u

By S. Rein

December 12, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

As a Raptor fan, I appreciate the way the Hawk organization responded and of course Al H, in particular. Sports stations and newspapers have all carried that message here in T.O. Noone wants a player hurt and you could see the genuine anguish on Horford’s face after it happened.

By Manyel

December 12, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Was Up to the Toronto Raptors.I really hope that T.J. Ford comes back soon and be with the team.T.J. is one of ma top 10 point guards I hope T.J comes back and help Chris Bosh and his Teammates.

By horfordisaloser

December 12, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

I HATE HORFORD!!!! HE IS DEFEINITELY NOT A NICE GUY. DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT HE HIT FORD HARD ON THE HEAD?? HE WASN’T EVEN GOING FOR THE BALL. HE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR THE REST OF THIS SEASON!!! AND PLUS, HE IS JUST A ROOKIE. HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME.

By Raps 4EVA

December 12, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

who ever that ‘Ron Mexico’ degenerate is he should be shot, stuffed and displayed so people can see what a true idiot looks like. TJ was killin them cause they were not playing well and he was. you don’t deserve to watch basketball or be a fan of any NBA team. keep your childish comments to your self, moron. come up here and i’ll make sure you never watch a game…. good luck TJ, hope ya feel better soon, we need ya!!!

Da Truth!!!

PS. now thats real talk…

By RA

December 12, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Let’s Go Raps. Somewhere over the past ten years, maybe fifteen years, people forgot that this is the NBA, the No Babies Allowed League. I’m old enough to remember very well the old days when going to the hoop in the east was a dangerous occupation to say the least. Back in the day, guys like Robert Parish, Bill Lambeer, Antione Carr, Rick Mahorn, and so on and so forth would be all too quick to make the personal introduction between a player and the basketball court, and it was never accidental. It used to be a very rare occaision in the eastern conference where you’d see someone get fouled and get the shot up, much less make it. You didn’t see eastern conference teams score up over a hundred points because they had to fight and scrap for everything they got. Those were the days of the legal hand check my friend. Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt,God knows, but the east in general, and the Hawks in microcosm need to get back to the point where point guards thought twice about venturing into the land of giants. I’m just saying.

By Thomas Brady

December 12, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Spanish ppl play dirty like that… TJ kid is too weak to play pro basketball… too weak.

By Steve Tanner

December 12, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

It was a lazy foul but did not appear intentional. Hope TJ is back soon. Thank God after Calderon, who is just as good as TJ, dislocated his finger in the third quarter, had it popped back in and came back in the game a few minutes later. The Raptors would be in serious trouble if they didn’t have TJ and Jose. They are, no question the best point guard tandem in the NBA. In many stat categories they are both ranked very high. Ford could be turn out to be a player like Iversen (without the drama), and Calderon could be the next Steve Nash. Go Raps!

By Steve Tanner

December 12, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

It was a lazy foul but did not appear intentional. Hope TJ is back soon. Thank God after Calderon, who is just as good as TJ, dislocated his finger in the third quarter, had it popped back in and came back in the game a few minutes later. The Raptors would be in serious trouble if they didn’t have TJ and Jose. They are, no question the best point guard tandem in the NBA. In many stat categories they are both ranked very high. Ford could be turn out to be a player like Iversen (without the drama), and Calderon could be the next Steve Nash. Go Raps!

By Thane

December 12, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

I.MUS:

It’s clear that Horford didn’t intend to do the damage he did, but that doesn’t mean it was an accident. He clearly swung for Ford’s head, and clearly meant to give him a VERY hard foul. He’s responsible for the results of his actions.

But to compare Bertuzzi and Horford. Let’s review.

Bertuzzi: Hit Moore in the head from behind. Horford: Hit Ford in the head from behind.

Bertuzzi: Moore’s head hit the ice as he fell, causing more damage. Horford: Ford’s head hit the ice as he fell, causing more damage.

Bertuzzi: Doing what he was told to do. (enforcing; showing Moore he can’t get away with things) Horford: Doing what he was told to do. (flagrant fouling; showing TJ he can’t get away with breakaways)

Bertuzzi: Didn’t intend to put Moore in hospital. Horford: Didn’t intend to put Ford in hospital.

Bertuzzi: Acted recklessly, and was sorry about his actions afterwards. Horford: Acted recklessly, and was sorry about his actions afterwards.

Bertuzzi: Suspended indefinitely. Horford: Possibly only a one game suspension?

Which is the league that supports violence against its players? Which is the league that turns a blind eye to violence?

It doesn’t matter that Horford didn’t mean to hospitalise Ford. The fact is, he did. The NBA needs to send a message that head shots (especially from behind!) are not acceptable, at all. Even if you are a ‘class act’.

By Urb

December 12, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Good Story. My prayers are also with TJ. As for the guy with the negative words for Al, you need a hug. God Bless!

By Nick Crawford

December 12, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

As a rabid Raptor fan i am happy TJ is going to be ok.Horford showed class in the manner he has handled the incident. Nick

By Baller

December 12, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

TJ’s past injuries include a bruised spinal cord which required surgery to fuse two vertabre. He missed a full season and a half. What is it with Toronto’s luck with injuries, it’s a good thing Toronto has a lot of depth. I’m assuming TJ won’t be in the line up for a while now.

By Kemp

December 12, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

that foul was not a class act. It was a dirty-flagrant foul that caused T.J. Ford to get injured that is absolutely against sportsmanship! Al might be concerned and he might be a great guy out of the court but he should be more careful if he wants to be a great player on the court!

By Traceman

December 12, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

`

By RA

December 12, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Okay, this is getting rediculous now. We’re not talking about a career head hunter and we’re not talking about league where occurances that happened last night are matter-of-course and an example needs to be made to stop them. Now the beaver made a mistake. He was put to bed without his dinner. I don’t see a need to beat him.

By patrick

December 12, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Great news that TJ is up and walking. Thanks for the updates Sekou! Also props to Horford and the Hawks organization for their concern and handling of this. I’m sorry so many Raptor fans reacted angrily. Here in Toronto we’re just a bit sensitive when it comes to TJ, given his past injuries.

By Dean Edwards

December 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Please,

I TIVO’ed it and watched it over and over. Al was at least 2.5 feet from touching the ball, which means it was intentional. Not even an effort by Al to get ball.

He’s in for a long career every time he comes to Toronto, I’ll be first to be yelling out what a thug and punk he actually is, not this alter boy you portray him to be.

The whole organization should be ashamed of that spectacle and Al needs to be suspended at least for two games without pay for what he did. Maybe that will help him learn how to be a professional.

By Dean Edwards

December 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Please,

I TIVO’ed it and watched it over and over. Al was at least 2.5 feet from touching the ball, which means it was intentional. Not even an effort by Al to get ball.

He’s in for a long career every time he comes to Toronto, I’ll be first to be yelling out what a thug and punk he actually is, not this alter boy you portray him to be.

The whole organization should be ashamed of that spectacle and Al needs to be suspended at least for two games without pay for what he did. Maybe that will help him learn how to be a professional.

By Dean Edwards

December 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Please,

I TIVO’ed it and watched it over and over. Al was at least 2.5 feet from touching the ball, which means it was intentional. Not even an effort by Al to get ball.

He’s in for a long career every time he comes to Toronto, I’ll be first to be yelling out what a thug and punk he actually is, not this alter boy you portray him to be.

The whole organization should be ashamed of that spectacle and Al needs to be suspended at least for two games without pay for what he did. Maybe that will help him learn how to be a professional.

By Jennifer Lopez

December 12, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

y the heck would u do that horford i hope u goo to jail u hoe i luv TJ n now ur tryin to kill him kik him ut of the NBA David Stern

By luk3

December 12, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

It�s easy: Horford is a m******* son of a b*** :). I hope you the worst thing Al.. I wish you will break your back and never can come back to play basketball.

By Ermir

December 12, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Before watching what Al had to say and reading about him going to the hospital I actually thought he meant to do it but now i know that it was an accident, and i forgive Al.

But best of all to T.J I hope he gets well soon and we see him on the floor again doing what he loves most.

Get well soo T.J We’re all praying for you.

I feel really bad that had to happen to you.

By RapsMVP

December 12, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Who knows if its a flagrant? all i wanna see is ford playing again

Prayers to you TJ!!

By Traceman

December 12, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

I was at the game and the play happened right in front of me. There is no doubt that Al did NOT intend to hurt TJ and the play happened EXACTLY as Al described it. Both guys were running hard and Al thought TJ was going to lay the ball up on the right side. Al went for the block but TJ, as a smart player would, tried to go for the reverse layup while using the rim as a shield to prevent Horford’s block attempt. Unfortunately, Al caught TJ’s head as he was going for the ball and it resulted in a scary fall. NONE of the Raptors’ players reacted negatively toward Al because they saw the play and they knew what happened was unintentional.

I understand Mitchell’s reaction from an emotional perspective given TJ’s injury history but he calmed down when he realized that none of the other players thought it was a dirty play. I am just glad that TJ seems to be okay. He played a tremendous game and I hated to see him go down like that.

Finally, for the IDIOT above who said that the Hawks fans were cheering BECAUSE TJ was being placed on the stretcher, get a clue. The fans were clapping to ENCOURAGE TJ and to show him support (as most fans do when someone is carted off).

By Grace

December 12, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

I agree that was a class act, but then again I think everyone in their right mind would have done it. He will need to show some kind of remorse because his actions right after the incident didn’t show it. He didn’t even run to TJ. He was high fiving fans on his way off the court. I know he’s a rookie and all, but what a bonehead.

I don’t want to sound negative, but I won’t be surprise if he went to the hospital so his suspension won’t be as harsh compare to not going at all. After all, he needs to show some kind of remorse so Mr. Stern will believe that it was purely an accident.

TJ, get well soon. Take your time to rest yourself.

By Harry Hawk

December 12, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Let’s see…

Ford was taking an awkward angle to the basket because he didn’t want his shot to get blocked. Horford was expecting Ford to put the ball up off the glass on the short side, so he jumped in the air. When Ford switched over to try to score from the left side of the basket, Horford was caught. He took a swipe and caught Ford in the head. Horford visited the man in the hospital after the game. If Ford doesn’t think Horford’s flagrant foul was intentional, neither should you, Raptor fans. (I know some of you are rational, of course. I appreciate your clear-headed posts.)

If the roles in this situation were reversed, I’m a Hawks fan who would be thinking that T.J. Ford is a stand-up guy and a class act not only for apologizing, but for going to visit Horford in the hospital. So many people rip players in the NBA for the culture they seem to represent. Most NBA players (and most athletes in all sports) are decent, caring people who don’t want to see others get hurt. I guarantee you that Horford will be smarter in the future because of this mistake. It seems that T.J. Ford will be okay, which is the most important thing. Thank God for that. Good luck to the Raptors and the Hawks this year.

By Patman

December 12, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Al Horford doesn’t have to explain anything to me. He is not a dirty player and I know he didn’t intentionally try to hurt anyone. Thankfully TJ Ford looks like he’ll be okay and I think it was real classy of Horford to go to the hospital to see him. this guy is no bill laimbeer and shouldn’t be thought of as such.

By colin

December 12, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Horford is a disgrace to the NBA. Ford burned him and watch his eyes on the replay, he intentionally tried to take his head off. This is a case of a rookie trying to make a name for himself the wrong way. At least 20 games is the minimum suspension deserving for what could be a career ending display of stupidity and lack of class. That’s right Horford has no class, I’m not fooled by his phoney apology.

By HC

December 12, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

AH should be suspended for a few games, plain and simple. And while he is sorry and didn’t mean to injure T.J, his intention was to foul him - hard and as such, needs to pay the consequences.

By Kyle

December 12, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

For what it’s worth, I’m a Raptors fan, and it’s nice to hear that Horford really did care. I’ve been a fan of his since he was at Florida, and I’ll continue to be as he plays for the Hawks. We can just pray that TJ has a quick and full recovery. (Nicely written article, by the way).

By Vache Ovasapyan

December 12, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

That was a nasty fall, i couldnt see it the 2nd time becuase of the pain he was in. I wish T.J well and hope he gets back on the court. He’s an amazing player.

By disgrace that is Horford

December 12, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I’m curious if TJ actually thinks Horford accidentally tried to decapitate him, I doubt it. The class act here is Ford by diffusing the situation by accepting a half hearted apology on a clear attempt to injure. Props to TJ for doing the right thing and trying to keep this ugly situation from completely blowing up. Ford is a class act, Horford is not, you’re pathetic and even your mother should feel ashamed.

By JD

December 12, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Who let these Canadians in here?

First of all, it was an unintentional event. Yes, TJ Ford was getting to the rim with ease, but to suggest that this kid was ‘intentionally’ trying to harm him, or was told to intentionally foul him goes to show just how much you a) know about the game of basketball and b) how little you know about Al Horford.

First of all, we see people getting faked out of their socks every night by crossovers and such - that’s why it’s called a ‘FAKE’. Secondly, if you look at the way that TJ Ford jumped and the way Horford reacted, you’ll clearly see that he was faked out by the initial move and couldn’t stop himself from hitting the young man in the face. I understand that you’re angry, but it wasn’t the initial hit that you’re mad about, it’s the way that he landed and how long he laid there on his back. And by the way, when was there time for a coach to tell Al Horford to ‘intentionally’ foul him? I seem to recall that there wasn’t a timeout or anything going on at the time. Did you hear a coach say ‘Slap him down!!!’?

If you remotely follow this team, which by some of your comments you don’t, you should know that Al Horford comes to play hard every night - all of the Hawks do. But to suggest that he’s a dirty player, a ‘thug’, or anything otherwise, is so very unlike the player that has come in here and worked hard to get where he is.

It was a scary moment, given TJ Ford’s history with neck and spinal injuries, yes. As a fan you have the right to be angry. But don’t focus your anger in a manner that it kills the confidence of a young and rising star in this league. Boo him in Toronto if you want, but if you know nothing about his character (as evidenced by the fact that he did go to the hospital to check on him personally, AND wanted to personally speak with him regarding the incident) leave it out of your rants. In the end, though, you see what you want to see.

By Karlos

December 12, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what everybody is on Sam for. He didn’t realize it was unintentional, first of all. Later, he calmed down. Also… people say he was trying to start a ruckus instead of looking after his player. Mitchell is half the reason TJ was brought to Toronto - Mitchell was TJ’s assistant coach in Milwaukee and liked him and wanted to give him a second chance in Toronto after his injury. There is nobody on that court more sensitive to whether or not TJ was OK than Sam Mitchell. That’s half the reason he rushed over. The other half was he was p** - which I think is totally understandable. After he realized it wasn’t intentional, he calmed down. And if you watch him after, you can see he keeps gazing over to where TJ is with pain on his face. His eyes even look a bit teary - as if he’s really concerned that it might be another injury like before, but he’s trying to keep it together and hope for the best. After the game, his interview says it all. He walks out and says that he thought they played well but all he’s concerned with is TJ and that’s all that really matters at this point and then that’s it! That’s all he says, he tries to walk away so he can go to the hospital, only to be hounded by insensitive reporters.

Trust me, Mitchell was as concerned as anyone.

Ps. For the record, we all know Al didn’t mean to hurt TJ. Just an accident.

By JD

December 12, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Get well TJ Ford……and for all you people that think that it was a dirty play - EVEN HE (FORD) SAID THAT HE KNEW THAT IT WAS UNINTENTIONAL!!!! Let’s drop the social commentary on a hard-fought basketball game that had an unfortunate ending.

By mark

December 12, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY Just another American trying to stop the Raptors from winning the title

By JD

December 12, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

Just caught my own blunder - third paragraph shouldn’t contain a first of all - my bad, but I hope you know where I was coming from…..

By june

December 12, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

hey if ya’l are too concerned about him getting hurt.. then don’t let him play! he is bound to get hurt if he plays basketball duh! Sam Mitchell is just trying to protect his player? the only way you can protect your player from getting hurt is to have him sit on the bench.. AND DO NOT LET HIM PLAY! it’s common sense raptors.

By Arjen Pakvis

December 12, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

get well soon TJ

By JHazz

December 12, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

Traceman… I didn’t say “because TJ was being put on a stretcher… I said “as TJ was..” Big difference. If you watch when Horford was walking off the court to the locker rooms after being tossed fans were applauding him and pumping their fists… watch the replay, it happened. Granted when TJ was being taken out some fans were clapping as a show of support. But these are two different incidents… at one point some fans were cheering Horford. Now, they were probably drunk, and may not have known of TJ’s past injuries. But the fact is that they were celebrating the display of force that Horford used, as if saying “thats what happens when you step in our paint” (much like some of the comments above). Watch the replay and you will see the fans I am talking about… and you will see that I am not making it up. Those people that were applading Horford’s actions should be ashamed.

And for the record… I am not suggesting that this happened… I am stating a matter of fact.

Jeff

By Will

December 12, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Horford should be suspended for 10 games for that move. I don’t care if he’s sorry or not. There is a minute and a bit left, and your down by eight, you don’t foul someone from behind. This was not a playoff game, and there never will be a playoff game in Atlanta with the terrible way that they are playing. I will be happy to boo Horford with every chance that I get when th eHawks come to Toronto.

By Will

December 12, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Horford should be suspended for 10 games for that move. I don’t care if he’s sorry or not. There is a minute and a bit left, and your down by eight, you don’t foul someone from behind. This was not a playoff game, and there never will be a playoff game in Atlanta with the terrible way that they are playing. I will be happy to boo Horford with every chance that I get when th eHawks come to Toronto.

By b

December 12, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

that is b.s. im sorry…a smack in the face, pulling down on his neck while tj is torching the hawks…

class acts don’t take cheap shots, it wasn’t a hard foul…he had no chance of getting the ball

the hawks are pretenders now, they’ll be pretenders five years from now…no wonder there are no bodies in the stands…and the new jerseys are cheese…

By colin

December 12, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

JD please tell me you have a greater intelligence than what appears from your posts. Not all Raptors fans are Canadians, ever heard of upstate New York? All people have biases and this alters there interpretation of events, even Hawks fans. How would you react if Shaq clobbered J. Smith in the back of the head and sent him to the hospital? In a play where a players eyes tell it all, inocent intention is difficult to buy.

By Rey

December 12, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

That’s absolute garbage, Al Horford should get suspended for at least 2 games. I can’t wait to see that clown in Toronto…a nice welcome will be waitin for you Al. My thoughts & prayers for T.J Ford and his family

By alejandro #1 fan

December 12, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Tj Ford i’monly 14 years old Im a small guy but my feelings are pretty big and im sorry to have seen what happened to you yesterday i hope your not hurt

Also yur my favourite player

By alejandro #1 fan

December 12, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

htgt

By I.MUS WRITE

December 12, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

SEKOU: next post please, this one is getting really stale with all the shifting of blame and finger pointing-unfortunate incident, we all wish the best for TJ… Thane- I can kinda see where you are going,but… no No way in hell u compare Horford to Bertuzzi. Hard foul vs. A vicious attack. Its really bad that TJ got hurt -but AL was doing what we all praise him for .. not quiting or giving up-playing until the horn blows, the guy is relentless… Not that this makes any difference but AJ could have done the same damage or even TLUE- TJ’s condition leaves him open to these type injuries… with that said get better young guy.

By jive

December 12, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Look at the facts and not the excuses.

Horford hit Ford on the head hard and put him in the hospital. It was impossible for Horford to make any block. There was way too much distance between him and the ball. Horford simply lied that he was trying for the ball. His arms would have to be 2 feet longer.

Horford was more concerned about absolving himself of blame afterwards than anything else. So he goes to the hospital afterwards to save his career. Great!

By Paul

December 12, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

intentional or not, you can have all the class in the world once the damage has been done so to whoever wrote this article, obviously you’re a hawks fan, so tell me this: can anyone take that hit back? no! can anyone bring t.j. back to the floor tonite against the mavs? no! does anyone care about how many games he’ll miss and how this will impact the raptors, because some rook lost control on the floor? no! so please don’t be talking about class and how horford is this and horford is that.. horford got beat on the play, he should have let go, he didn’t think of the consequences of his hit, and that’s exactly what dirty players are all about.

paul.

By Abdulkareem

December 12, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

GET WELL SOON TJ!!! it was very nice and considerate of Horford to go visit him.

GO RAPS GO

By clmtigr

December 12, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Yeah but just ask Terrance Moore. We should have drafted Mike Conley Jr., not the stud and class act who is Al Horford.

By Sami

December 12, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Hey TJ, you had an awesome game against the Hawks, sadly thats the only way you could be stopped. Very unfortunate that it happened to you, with you the best of luck and hopefully the Raps can with without the Little Engine, Hope you have a speedy recovery!

By Atl Flavor

December 12, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

TJ is very fast and quick. He is one the BEST players in the league. I pray TJ gets well soon. He is verrry Fragile. I knew he had a bad fall a couple years ago, but I didnt know he had a Spine condition. Should he be playing if he is 1 bad play from being paralyzed?? ALL you folk attacking AL dont have to listen to the Atl folk saying he is not dirty. Listen to the folk from Florida and his high school and AAU teams.Does he get Techs? Does he get thrown out of games all the time?? Al is not a DIRTY player. This kid went back to school AFTER winning a championship and won another 1!! He has been in the Lime light the last few years. If he was dirty the whole world would have already known it. Just a bad play.

By jive

December 12, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Bertuzzi is also a class act and a great teamate. He is a great team player and did exactly what was expected of him and made a typical hockey play on Moore. In fact when he hit Moore on the head from behind someone else was hitting Bertuzzi’s head from behind. Bertuzzi’s play would have been just another Hockey play if not for the injury to Moore.

By Rob Ellion

December 12, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

That was a nasty fall. Im glad that he is okay, for the his sake and he is an awesome player to watch. Get well soon TJ.

By Patrick

December 12, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Meet Al Horford, the “class act”! Ive watched that foul over and over again, and IN NO WAY this was an accident. The only accident was TJ�s head bumping the floor, but Horford clearly intended to foul him hard. I dont care if Horford is a nice guy off the court, he didnt bow down to apologize to Ford, he stated "he outfaked me" instead of just admitting it was a stupid foul, he didnt say anything like “I�m sorry” or “I feel bad for what happened” directly after the game. How can you hate on Mitchell for being mad???Hes been in the league long enough to know whats an intentional hard foul! Of course I dont know Horford personally, but this was plain and simple a dirty play. You can see in the slomo that he didnt stop in his motion but aimed at TJs head and pulled through. Take a guy down from behind down by ten with one minute left (in a meaningless game)? CLASS ACT! Sure, Horford is a rook and all, but dont be fooled by his lame excuses. Fouls are part of the game, and the NBA is about a lot of money, but classy players dont foul like that. I dont say Horford intended to hurt him, but to call this one unintentional is just plain ridiculous! Maybe Horford is a nice person, but this was a dirty play period.

By JD

December 12, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Colin

Yes, I have heard of upstate NY; ever hear of Spanish Harlem? First Ave and 110th buddy…..

First of all, Shaq wouldn’t be hustling down the floor to ‘clobber’ Josh Smith, he would be hustling down the floor to play defense on an opposing player, which is what Al Horford was trying to do. And if you inherently think that every breakaway play is going to result in a hard foul, then what is the point of even playing the game? So don’t give me that nonsense about ‘intentionally’ trying to hurt TJ Ford because you can’t sell that. I could see if he made an after gesture as if he were throwing him to the ground, but that was never the manifestation of the play. Even a layperson that doesn’t follow basketball will tell you that first and foremost you attempt to defend the player. That being said, if you look at the replay, you see two players jump, the player attempting to score adjust to lay the ball up on the opposite side of the rim while the other player misjudged his actions in thinking that he was going up on the strong side of the rim, and an unintentional hit to the face (which, if you watch, basketball players will get hit, elbowed, scratched, etc.). I myself had a bad taste in my mouth after it happened. If you’ve played the game and experienced a similar injury, you never want to see that happen. But seeing the type of person that Al Horford has presented himself to be throughout the first 20 games of his young NBA career, this was not a dirty-type play. The thing about this is that the appearance and eventual outcome of the situation was unfortunate. Let’s not try to be biased for a team and look at it for what it is - an unfortunate incident for BOTH players involved.

GET WELL TJ FORD!!!

By f*ck Horford

December 12, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

I would love to slap Horfords mom like that and see how he liked it. Oh and i would go visit her in the hospital to make it seem like an accident. This brings up the debate about violence in sports all over again. Big DUMB athletes should learn to keep their cool…f*** tools

By Jack

December 12, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

It was a bad foul, poor choice of action. It was late in the game, a game which the outcome had already determined. It was a stupid, unnecessary foul. Horford could have challenged the shot rather than swatting hard downwards. It would have been more understandable if the game had been close or even if it was during mid-game. I completely believe that Horford is a classy guy, and had no intention of hurting TJ Ford. His reaction immediately proceeding the foul shows that he was very concerned. However, with that being said, Horford still made a terrible mistake, and should be held accountable. This writer(blogger) should not defend Horford as extremely as he has. His blog almost seems to want the audience to be empathetic towards Horford, not Ford. Not once did he mention Horford made a mistake, but instead continued to dish out compliments to the rookie. The writer applauds the effort Horford made to go visit Ford in the Hospital, and this is my main point about this writer being a completely horrible, and bias writer. Horford should not be applauded for this, the visit to Ford is what is expected. The bar must be set fairly low if visiting someone you just seriously injured is applauded for. In no way am I saying Horford is a horrible person, and should be severely punished, but like I said, he made a mistake, a rookie mistake, and should not be applauded, or congratulated on an effort made to visit Ford. I truly believe he is a classy guy, but a mistake is a mistake. Yes, accidents can’t be avoided, but stupid accidents can. There is no need to defend Horford, he knows what he did, he is sorry for it, and has taken responsibility. This writer however, finds going to visit an injured player is worthy of an applause, it doesn’t say much about him as a person. Could it be because this writer isn’t classy enough to do the same? Judging by the title of his article: “Horford’s a Class Act!”, the exclamation point practically blurts out, “Nope, I have no class!”

By Hawks Fan

December 12, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

All, if you watched the game live, in real time, you saw that Al legitimately went for a block. It was just an inadvertant hard foul (not even flagrant). The unfortunate injury did not match the foul, folks. And the game was not over at that time. Let’s get real. (Earlier in this season, Acie Law received a much more brutal inadvertant foul (which was not called) under the basket, after the whistle was blown, in a home game agains the Bobcats, I believe.) Plain and simple, TJ (like former Hawk Dermarr Johnson) previously suffered a devastating spinal injury that really renders him in a precarious position resuming his career in a sport that is very physical.

By Jack

December 12, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

It was a bad foul, poor choice of action. It was late in the game, a game which the outcome had already determined. It was a stupid, unnecessary foul. Horford could have challenged the shot rather than swatting hard downwards. It would have been more understandable if the game had been close or even if it was during mid-game. I completely believe that Horford is a classy guy, and had no intention of hurting TJ Ford. His reaction immediately proceeding the foul shows that he was very concerned. However, with that being said, Horford still made a terrible mistake, and should be held accountable. This writer(blogger) should not defend Horford as extremely as he has. His blog almost seems to want the audience to be empathetic towards Horford, not Ford. Not once did he mention Horford made a mistake, but instead continued to dish out compliments to the rookie. The writer applauds the effort Horford made to go visit Ford in the Hospital, and this is my main point about this writer being a completely horrible, and bias writer. Horford should not be applauded for this, the visit to Ford is what is expected. The bar must be set fairly low if visiting someone you just seriously injured is applauded for. In no way am I saying Horford is a horrible person, and should be severely punished, but like I said, he made a mistake, a rookie mistake, and should not be applauded, or congratulated on an effort made to visit Ford. I truly believe he is a classy guy, but a mistake is a mistake. Yes, accidents can’t be avoided, but stupid accidents can. There is no need to defend Horford, he knows what he did, he is sorry for it, and has taken responsibility. This writer however, finds going to visit an injured player is worthy of an applause, it doesn’t say much about him as a person. Could it be because this writer isn’t classy enough to do the same? Judging by the title of his article: “Horford’s a Class Act!”, the exclamation point practically blurts out, “Nope, I have no class!”

By Kurt

December 12, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

what a sh!tty writer, biased Atlanta loving writer. Yeah his a classy guy, so what, he did something wrong, don’t defend you’re loverboy. Loser. Get a life man, learn to friggin write unbiased articles. Ford got hurt, Horford said sorry, and defended himself. He doesn’t need YOU, to speak on his behalf loser. You suck.

By Rob

December 12, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Horford is A BUM!, the Hawks Organization are a Sack of no talent individuals. How in the world do you mistake a guys head for a ball. I understand the intention was to get a rejection or foul, but c’mon he had more than enough time to realize TJ made a nice move and he did not have a chance to get the ball, yet still HORFORD THE BUM still swiped hard at TJ’s Head and did not make any attempt to even soften his fall. as Anthony Parker said WHY WHY WHY? why would you do something so harmful at the end of the game, when your team already knows you all will lose?

Mitchell had all right to start pick a fight with woodson because he is the coach who dictates in most cases what happens,i don’t believe for a second that hit wasn’t intentional its obvious thing to say it wasn’t on purpose, of course AL HORFORD doesn’t want to be labelled as a bad guy, and the organization doesn’t either, but fact is they made a wrong move a very wrong move, and those guys are in for a rough time when they get to TORONTO. the nba should take a hard line on horford for such a dumb headed play.

By New to ATL

December 12, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

The myth about NBA players is they only care about themselves and their bling. It is so refreshing to hear about Al waiting at the hospital for confirmation about TJ Ford’s well-being. If more professional athletes showed their human side, maybe they would not be labeled as selfish. Thank you Al. Tito should be proud of you.

By TJFordFan101

December 12, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

If Horford does not get punished severly for this, it will encourage more such fouls in the future. The foul was obviously intentional, go watch the video on youtube if you havent seen it. No matter what Horeford says after the fact changes that fact. TJ ford lit them up for 28 points and 8 assists and stripped them of the ball to guarantee the win. HOrford knowing that the game is unwinable decided to foul him acros the head. Im sure he didnt mean for tj ford to get severly infured but yet thats the way it turned out, just because of a dirty play. Horford intentionally injured our star player on a flagrant-2 foul and deserves to be, at the very least, suspended for an extended period of time.

By Raptors fan

December 12, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry Ford your team this time is going to win the cup and you going to be number 1 He never do it for you can get out of the game I’m your fan i love how you play.

By boyscout

December 12, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Was the hard foul necessary when a game was long decided?

By Hawks Fan

December 12, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Hey, biased loser carpetbaggers. Have you ever been to an NBA game and sat in the lower level seats? Have you ever played any organized ball? Have you ever supported your new home’s team? (I presume you live here, chumps. So adapt, a little, eh?)

Delta is ready when you are, so take off!

By GM R

December 12, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

Shameful behaviour yet again by ESPN. How could they lead the morning program with this incident - surely the Petrino situation alone was more newsworthy. I don’t know what the Hawks have ever done to upset ESPN but this is just one of a string of put-downs. I have in the past seen 3 successive highlights of Hawks games on ESPN that failed to show one Hawks basket, even in a game they won. Mind you ESPN don’t discriminate against the Hawks alone - they dis the Braves fans every opportunity they get as well, and don’t ask Tennessee football fans about ESPN. In my view sports fans in the south should boycott ESPN and the owners of Atlanta sports teams should ban them from their stadiums. The only way they will change is if they are hit in the pocket - just look at how they no longer disrepect soccer now they have an eye on the Hispanic sports fans.

By Gurjit Singh Thiara

December 12, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

Ford get better soon. But as well for AL Hofford he should be atleast fined by the NBA. But still he is a good sport so I thank him for going to the hosipitial when Ford was hurt. WE LOVE YOU T.J FORD By: Gurjit Singh Thiara From Brampton ONTARIO 30 LEXINGTON RD.

By puddi

December 12, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

seriously horford tht was gay on j man you sukk just cuz he stold the ball off of you and everyyting and he’s better you have to hit em tht hard man your not tuff…..TJ FORD!!!

By T WOLF

December 12, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

First off I hope TJ is all right. He’s a great player. Al didn’t mean to hurt him, he is a good. This just shows how well of a job Billy Donovan does at the University of Florida raising his players into classy individuals.

By pete

December 12, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

I had respect for Horford but now… god da. Hit the head of TJ was the worst thing to do to me. I love watching him play.You might go after the game and apologize and say ” It was not intentionnal… I’m a dump a rookie and i don’t want to accept that you beat me on that play…”

I Pray for you TJ! recover soon! I hope you will be right on january 6th against Clevelands!

By T WOLF

December 12, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

First off I hope that TJ is all right. He is a great player. Also Al didn’t mean to hurt him, he is a good person. This is just another example of how well a job Billy Donovan does at the Universty of Florida raising his players into great individuals.

By Ben

December 12, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

there is no way that foul was accidental. al horford meant to foul intentionally to stop the bucket. he should get suspended by the league for what he did. kobe and other stars get suspended for much less.

By Jesse

December 12, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

Respect to Atlanta for showing us Torontonians how to be classy! I was very liberal on the matter as it unfolded and after reading that Al had spent much time at the hospital I was moved. It is good to see that NBA fans are game centred and can appreciate that to the finest degree. Hopefully the outcome to all this will be good and T.J. is back at it in a bit. Go Dinos!

By Rob

December 12, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

So many people have added their 2 cents so i figured i would too. I find it very difficult to believe that this event has turned into an Al Horford celebration parade which it seems to have. The guy could have easily ended another players career (or life) with a reckless and overly aggressive hit and that is a plain fact. Another fact is that he visited him in the hospital and apologized, but when i think about it, i can’t imagine even the most ruthless or terrible person not doing at least that, if for no other reason than out of fear that the event will be reviewed by the league and deemed intentional. I am not saying this is the case at all, what I am saying is that no praise or blame should be dealt in any direction. Al’s ‘nice-guy-ness’ (for lack of a better word) will only be proven if he goes beyond what is expected of him and makes a true effort to redeem himself, which doesn’t mean becoming a p*y on the court but perhaps raising awareness about spinal cord injuries or volunteering his personal time to educate kids on playing b-ball in a safe way.

By Ryan

December 12, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

i hope that TJ will recover as soon as possible..prayers for him…

By Steve

December 12, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

alright,i’m from toronto and a die hard raptors fan. i have to give it up to Al for going to the hospital, however, to say that it wasn’t intentional was a lie, if you heard the slap on his face, you would know it is intentional, the ball wasn’t near his head either. i understand he didn’t mean to make bosh go out on a stretcher, but he did mean to give a hard foul, it was a pure slap to the face, watch the video. i know Al isn’t dirty, and again, respect for going to the hospital, but there was no need for that foul.

By bhack

December 12, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Was a dirty play, Ford had a clear path. Understanable that a rookie is trying to make an impression with solid defense. At least he felt remorse for a moronic foul. I bet that Harford kid drools alot.

By spectator

December 12, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

first of all, the game as not out of reach. it was just an 8-point game with 1:32 to go. all you need is 3-4 baskets and a some stops on defense. they weren’t necessarily out of the game. t-mac scored 13 points in 33 seconds. now no one in the hawks is like t-mac, but that just shows you that it’s possible. plus it’s a lower number to reach in a longer period of time than t-mac’s doing. second, all of you who are against al horford. you haven’t been in that sistuation, have you. its late in the game. if the game was out of hand (which it wasn’t), you wouldn’t want the other team running up the score. it’s easy to say, “just let it go, you’re going to lose anyway.” that just mentally breaks you down, and instead of them holding the ball to run out the clock, they go for the points to make the result look better. giving up on the play shows quitting and the acceptance of your loss. it’s embarassing to be at home losing by that much and then showing the home crowd that you have given up. these players are still human beings like us and just because they are professionals (al being a rookie), you can’t expect human instinct to act a different way, or a man himself. third, look at the players. al is 6-10, and ford is 6-0. the mentality is: “im almost a foot taller than this guy, heavier, and a longer armlength” with that al would have thought he could’ve blocked ford. ford made his move and SLOWED DOWN first and then went towards the basket. horford didn’t know what he was going to do and when ford made his move you can’t blame horford for not knowing that ford was too far away judging from al’s armlength.

i’d bet any of you would do the same as al if you were in his position having identical bodies as horford. same height, weight, armlength, and same amount of experience. i admit it, horford made a mistake, but it’s not all his fault. t.j. also was trying to score more than run the clock out. it’s a 1:30, just gives you more reason to try and use up the clock. makes more sense slowing it down with a set offense and scoring a sure point in the paint than going against a guy a lot taller than you who is able to blcok, and who was running alongside you all the way during the breakaway.

By Samuel

December 12, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

That was a terrible situation last night. There’s really no way to put a good spin on it.

I believe Al is a great guy and that there is no way he tried to injure Ford, however, that was a stupid play. Too often I hear people calling for “Hard Fouls” so Al probably thought that was the thing to do. I hate that type of basketball. I don’t care who says it’s ok. Basketball is not football. Players don’t have pads, helments and flack jackets. It’s just you vs that hard as$ floor and that floor don’t budge, period.

I’m glad TJ is all right and I’m glad a great guy like Horford won’t have to live with himself after paralyzing somebody. Maybe he thinks twice next time and lets him have the layup if he has no realistic chance for a block.

It aint worth it. IMO

By martian

December 12, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

I wish T.J ford well. I hope he recovers ASAP….. he’s in my fantasy roster and it hurts me alot to lose him.

As for Horford, it was a nice move on his part. I just hope that other guys in the league recognize such humility and learn from it.

By John

December 12, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

AL is awesome person for going out his way to see TJ. He gives the nba a good name.

By lynda

December 12, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

Hey Stretch, man do I hear you about ESPN. I’m a Pistons fan living in So. Florida, and rarely see them on the highlights no matter how well they’re playing. Anyway, obviously the foul wasn’t intentional, and both Horford and Ford are class acts.

By JD

December 12, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

It’s understandable to be a fan of your team, but to insinuate that Horford did this intentionally is a half-baked attempt to besmudge a person.

This incident clearly has raised the passions of both Raptors and Hawks fans, but come on. As the old saying goes - you play to win the game. So Al Horford should have just let TJ Ford go without making any kind of an attempt to defend him or anything? What if Ford lays the ball up on the right side of the rim and it gets blocked clean, then what do you say? It’s NBA basketball, a CONTACT sport - anything can happen. I seem to recall that Reggie Miller scored 6 or 8 points in the span of seconds by himself. There was still 1:30 left in the game when this happened, and the Hawks were down by 8. So the Hawks were supposed to lay down and give up? Anyone who has done anything competitive knows that you play until the buzzer (or the whistle) blows. Regardless of whether you like/dislike Al Horford, like/dislike the Atlanta Hawks, no person that’s a part of a team will just give up because the game appears to be over - you give all you’ve got until the end.

That being said, no one wants to see something like this happen - no one. And no one is cheering Al Horford for this unfortunate incident. What they’re applauding him for was the fact that he went to see about TJ Ford’s well-being afterwards. That’s where true character lies - where you can take yourself away from the situation and own up to the incident and move on from it. By vilifying this young man because of this unfortunate incident (and again, I understand being a fan of the team) is just wrong.

By peter p

December 12, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

Anybody who looks at the replay can see that Horford intentionally hit Ford in the head. Maybe Horford did not anticipate the result of what happens when you do that, but when you hit someone in the head and follow thru, theres intent. The only ones showing real class is not Horford or the Hawks, its the Raptor players

By peter p

December 12, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

all of you naive guys who think it was an accident make me laugh. Wanna buy a rolex,,,real cheap,and real. If this was an accident, multiple guys from every team, every game would end up going to the hospital, every night. Players are faking each other out on EVERY PLAY. thats the name of the game, head fakes, shoulder fakes, crossovers etc,but i dont see them getting raked across the face. Horford screwed up. Don’t give me this lame excuse about getting faked out

By T. Lowe

December 12, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

I hope that TJ’s injury is not serious first and foremost, because he is a young man who has overcame so much to get back on the court and to play at an All Star level, see last night’s game. However Hortford’s visit to Piedmont further proves that the Hawks drafted the right guy, Al “Bam Bam” Hortford-Rookie of the Year.

By raps_nation

December 12, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

As a hardcore Raps fan I’ll say this…props to the Hawks club for how this was handled. I’ll agree it was not an intentional takedown, and Horford was definately concerned for what happened. From the interviews to hospital visits your club handled itself with maturity for a young club, just like ours.

By Joe

December 12, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

I have Jose Calderon on my fantasy team. With Ford taken out, Calderon will get all the minutes and put up great numbers. Thanks Al Horford!

By Tommo

December 12, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

This is a stupid foul. Go f*** yourself Al, it was intentional to get TJ to go to the line, It was intentional to hit his head, he had plenty of time to let it go or clock his forearm back the last sec when he switched the ball away, a sec is plenty of time in basketball terms. He choose to foul his head!!!! PERIOD

use your head next time AL.

By Cameron Brown

December 12, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

I saw what happened last night and i was frightened because of the history of TJ Fords spinal back operations he’s a great player and person who makes you want to better yourself and im hoping to see you return to the court because after all those operations you deserve to play and retire at an old age not now not like this your a strong person to return to the court i believe this is going to make you better you have my concerns and prayers may god be with you my friend

By BosnianBaller

December 12, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

Glad Ford is Ok.I wish woodson would of hit mitchell

By Big G Money

December 13, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

I go away for a couple of days and I come back to read all of this. Who are all these people? If this is the new direction of the Hawks blog then it could be over for me. I don’t have the time nor stamina to read all this “stuff”. Wow! We all know that it was an accident and that TJ has had a pre-existing condition that exascerbated things. Nonetheless, I hope that all of this is only temporary.

Sekou, can you hurry and put up another blog that deals with some other topic that maybe some folk won’t want to blog about? It would be so-o appreciated.

By mountain jim

December 13, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of trolls and BS in this topic, claiming that foul was intentional to hurt.

By doc

December 13, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

g occasionally the blog is infected by those from other territories and as we get better it will happen more frequently though you got to wonder about the haters that come. gloss over it. funny i always considered the folks in canada to be full of class and more forgiving as a nation than maybe our counterparts in the u.s. by the looks of the dregs here that is not totally true except for the selected few that spoke up in favor of horford and how he and the hawks handled the situation.

again i would admonish sam mitchell for losing his head as his player could have had a very serious life threatening injury and instead of caring for him he goes after the hawks bench. he was the only one that lost his head during the incident. btw the game was still within 8 and it was still possible an extraordinary stop would turn the tide. i honestly couldnt watch the replay after the first one and turned the tv off for a while. i am very pleased that ford is walking but if he has had so much problems with his neck he is going to have to consider how much more risk he wants to take; after all it is a contact game where you are way up in the air around some big bodies especially at his size with no soft landing zones.

By sam

December 13, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

who cares..next time break his arm!

By ray

December 13, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

If you look closely at the play, you will see that Horford was aiming for the ball. Knowing it could result in a foul, I have little doubt that Horford intended to stop the layup by at least making contact with his his arms or hands.

Again, look closer. As they neared the basket, Ford knew he was being chased by a much larger opponent who was actually fast enough to catch him, and actually block the shot. So, he does the smart and savvy thing: he turns his entire body and shifts his angle of approach in an effort to stretch away from the pursuing Horford, and still have a good chance at making the shot. Horford was more or less stretched to his utmost limit at the time of contact. Do you know how hard it is to change direction when you are pretty much in the air and committed to whatever move it is you made? THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. Prior to Ford’s last move, Horford was in perfect position to block the shot. Instead, he connected with Ford’s head when he shifted his body angle. It was an accident. Horford thought he had him and was committed to the action. I really don’t know that anything could’ve been done any differently, because he may not have noticed

Here’s another thought: How many times have we seen Josh Smith do the exact same thing and be in just the right place to make the block? He’s better at it than anybody else in the NBA right now, hands down. The simple fact is TJ Ford made a hell of a play to beat the defender, and Horford had tunnel vision…he saw himself making the block, and nothing else. He didn’t see the very intelligent play Ford was making at the last second. Thus, committment to the play resulted in a hard foul.

Also, take note of WHERE Horford hit him. It was in the top half of his face/head. Had it been on the neck or shoulders, there would have been no real excuse. Ford originally had that ball where Horford could reach it, near his head. The slight shifting of body angle changed all that. Horford never saw it.

Fact is, I feel very badly for TJ. And I feel bad for Al. Glad TJ’s pretty much ok (or so we continue to hope). But Al did something we should expect all of our team to do: never give up on the play, now while there’s any chance at all. Al was trying to make a play that would spark things defensively. He was trying to stop the free, easy layup that lends energy to an opposing team run. Like I said, Josh does it all the time. And despite his shot-blocking wonder skills, it could’ve happened to him as well in the right circumstances.

By ajw

December 13, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Get well soon TJ. You are a great player! I love the way the Hawks are playing recently. The offense looks almost totally different in the past 4 games. Guys are moving all over the place confusing the defense. We are getting easy dunks. Sheldon’s playing strong too.

By lib

December 13, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Very pleased to see that 1) TJ is OK and will only miss a week of practice time…2) the NBA is graced with the class of both TJ and Al Horford…3) the Raptors and Hawks dealt with the situation with concern and not anger. Worse situations have been generated by a lot less. If the NBA is going to fine Al Horford for an honest mistake on a hustle play, perhaps they should use the cash to start a new “good court citizen” award. Both organizations should be proud of their reaction to this unfortunate incident.

By Ramon

December 13, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Seriously, if Ford is ok, I wonder what would be the asking price for him. I think the Hawks could do a great thing for the roster by acquiring him. If the Raptors feel as if they have their point guard in Calderon (don’t know if that’s right), maybe they would deal him for some expiring contracts so they can try and add the scoring wing they need.

I think this roster would be AMAZING with someone like Ford at the point. Then the Hawks (in Law and Ford) would have PGs on the floor who are always looking to push the tempo. I can only imagine how many ally oops Smooth, JJ, and Horford would catch with Ford. And anytime they’re playing a bigger PG (Billups) simply have JJ on the opposing point, or consider actually running zone.

By terrell barron

December 13, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Sekou, we really need to let this go. IT’S OVER! I cant even read my favorite blog. My prayers go out to Al and TJ. Now lets play some ball. GO HAWKS!

By rascal

December 13, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Not sure how to understand the league making this decision. I guess from now on, no matter the circumstances, if a fouled hurts someone, the player causing it is gone. It was obvious that he was trying to make a play and unintentionally missed the intended target. Sorry he got hurt, but it is the NBA, where a big guy is allowed to back down a smaller guy with no penalty, making it a much less interesting game

By Horford Rox

December 15, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

GO HAWX GO! The Hawx are 2 players shy of becoming legendary figures in the ATL. Player/clone #1-Ruben Patterson. Player/clone #2-Dale Ellis Find young guys that resemble these men Mr Knight/man who succeeds Mr Knight as GM! GO HAWX!!!!

By The Real Horford Rox

December 15, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

” By Horford Rox” guy, I’m as bad as the fans that cheered the “hard foul”? I grew up watching the NBA in its prime. DRodman,BLaimbeer, RMahorn, KWillis (Hawks Reference for ya’), these men would be disgusted with people like you trying to turn the league SOFT! I’m not as “bad” as those fans, I’m worse. All I care about is W’s & L’s and I refuse to apologize for that! Awh, some poor opponent got hurt. It happens every day, in every sport played!! Horford did not intentionally hurt TJF Quit cryin’, blame shifting and HAVE A NICE D#@! DAY!!!!!!!!!!

By Horford's mom

December 15, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

To fck Horford, *Come get some!*

By Horford Still Rox

December 16, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

To jhazz, when you travel through Lay UP Land, you better bring an enforcer,otherwise YOU MIGHT GET SHOCKED!! Take your cryin’ a@# back to Canada, you PUKE!!!

By uh

December 17, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

if any of you morons think that the foul was intentional, i advise you to study high school basketball, then move up to college, and then move up to the pros. post again when you have more knowledge than my dog.

horford got faked out by a great move by ford and was already going for the block, he couldnt adjust correctly and in time.

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