Hawks to go with front-court status quo

During training camp Hawks captains Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford called on the team to add another center to bolster its undersized front line.

The Hawks had Horford, an All-Star center, solid backup Zaza Pachulia and 7-foot specialist Jason Collins. But the captains said the Hawks needed another big man, whether it be an athletic shot-blocker who can run the floor or a rugged defender and rebounder in the post.

The Hawks instead stuck with Horford, Pachulia and Collins at center and Smith and rookie Ivan Johnson at power forward (with Pachulia and Horford able to slide over). Even with Horford out until at least mid-April following surgery, general manager Rick Sund said the team could stay with that group.

“I always start the season, everywhere I’ve been, with three point guards and centers, just in case you lose one of them,” Sund said Thursday. “We are looking and watching [for other options], but who knows?”

Horford had surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle Jan. 17. He could return for the playoffs, but Sund said the team won’t know for a couple of more months whether that’s realistic.

The Hawks are 6-2 without Horford, but have had trouble rebounding and defending inside against opponents whose front-court depth includes physical and skilled big men. In a 105-83 loss at San Antonio on Wednesday, Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter combined for 39 points and 22 rebounds in 73 minutes while shooting 16-of-25 from the field.

Potential Eastern Conference playoffs opponents with the size to give Hawks problems include Orlando, Indiana, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Sund counters that teams such as Miami also don’t have an abundance of size in the front court, and Philadelphia and Chicago often deploy small lineups.

“Some teams you’ve got to be able to match up big, and some you’ve got to be able to match up small,” Sund said.

Hawks coach Larry Drew, by necessity, has gone small without Horford.

Joe Johnson (6-8) lately has served as the backup center. Smith (6-9) also has played that position, but after losing more than 20 pounds in the offseason, he now gives up a lot of size even when playing power forward.

Pachulia (6-foot-11) started at center in the past two games. He’s a limited athlete, but his energetic, physical style makes him an effective defender and rebounder, and he’s good at getting points from the free-throw line.

Collins appears to have fallen out of the rotation again after starting three games. He’s limited when asked to do much beyond banging with opponents near the basket.

The reality is that effective big men are a scarce commodity in the NBA. Most were quickly snapped up during the truncated free-agent signing period before the season, so those without jobs don’t offer appealing options.

For now, the Hawks are trying to continue winning with a smallish front court.

“I think we have a really good club, and I think our players accept responsibility that the goal is still to make the playoffs,” Sund said. “You don’t replace a player like Al, but we also have a lot of [other] good players on the team.”

Hawks waive Sloan

The Hawks waived rookie guard Donald Sloan on Thursday. Sloan, who played a total of 20 minutes in five games, became expendable with the recent return of Kirk Hinrich from injury.