Hawks center Al Horford said Tuesday he continues to get comfortable playing alongside power forward Paul Millsap.
Horford played just 29 games with Millsap last season before the center suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle.
They are back together this year.
“I think it is so unique because Paul is a four but at times he plays like a three,” Horford said. “He can face-up. He can shoot the 3(-pointer) real well. He just knows how to play. He’s a really smart player. He’s efficient. The contrast really causes people problems. I’m starting to get more comfortable playing with him, finding my spots when he is making moves or vise versa. If I have the ball, I’m looking for him. It’s a process. We didn’t get to play much last season. We are still building that chemistry.”
Where are those spots available for Horford?
“It depends,” Horford said. “It’s reading whatever he is doing. If he has the ball in the post, whether it’s being around the baseline or getting out to the corner 3, flashing to the middle, reading him. Paul is a willing passer. I just have to make sure I sometimes give him space and let him work or sometimes to get in there and get an opening.”
Millsap is second on the team in scoring at 16.7 points per game and leads the way with 8.2 rebounds. Horford is third in scoring at 13.5 points and second with 6.5 rebounds. Millsap is playing 5.4 more minutes per game as Horford continues to work himself into playing condition.
