[The KiBosh]

I'm not trying to knock Horford. I watched him in college and he's a class act and this foul was clearly unintentional. However... It was a careless foul. Most NBA players would of simply extended after TJ changed directions and just tried to contest the ball instead of a full forced swat. I know it was a split second decision but pro athlete's make similar decisions DAILY and almost all choose the right one. The difference between choosing to contest shots the right way and the wrong was is the difference between a league full of healthy stars and a hospital full of millionaires.

On a side note... Al went to the hospital last night to see TJ and apologize to him. Like I said. Horford is a class act.

[essbee]

Not a dirty play by Horford but an incredibly clumsy one. If you miss the ball by 3 feet on a block attempt you need to be a little more coordinated or not swing so damn hard.

[DQ for 3]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Just trying to figure out what you were getting at. I played ball in highschool and junior high. Played pick up games for a few years after but havent played much the last 3 years. Anyways, the play did not seem like a regular play to me. If you dont have a clean swipe at the ball, you dont swing full tilt at a guys head and hope for the best. Hell, if you dont do that in the joke leagues I've played in, you dont do it in the NBA.

Im not sure if you were for or against the people criticising Horford. Thats why I had asked.

I'm defending Horford 100%.

Ford knew that if he took the ball up on the right side of the rim, odds are that Al was going to block it. So, he tried to use the rim as a shield to get a shot on the opposite side of the rim. Al had already started to make the play on the right side, when TJ reversed, Al had to make a desperate swipe/block to try and either block or deter his shot. Did he intentionally try to hit him in the head/face and knock him out of the game? No - but Horford is defending his rim trying to either 1) block or 2) send Ford to the line to earn the 2 points. That's basketball from Jr. High to the NBA.

[HKF]

I don't see anything wrong with this play, I see Ford as being someone who is injury prone and small. These are the risks when he came back to play.

[IceMan23and3]

Originally Posted by HKF

I don't see anything wrong with this play, I see Ford as being someone who is injury prone and small. These are the risks when he came back to play.

Other than that giant paw hitting nothing but the top of the head? He had no chance of making a play on that and did something stupid which may potentially end Ford's career. On the scale of dirty, it's pretty low. But on the scale of dangerous plays, its up there.

EDIT: It's clearly a frustration foul at 1:32 left in the game and the Raptors owning an 8 point lead after a stupid turnover by Atlanta, which eliminated their slim chance of winning that game.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by The KiBosh

I'm not trying to knock Horford. I watched him in college and he's a class act and this foul was clearly unintentional. However... It was a careless foul. Most NBA players would of simply extended after TJ changed directions and just tried to contest the ball instead of a full forced swat. I know it was a split second decision but pro athlete's make similar decisions DAILY and almost all choose the right one. The difference between choosing to contest shots the right way and the wrong was is the difference between a league full of healthy stars and a hospital full of millionaires.

On a side note... Al went to the hospital last night to see TJ and apologize to him. Like I said. Horford is a class act.

Good to hear he went to the hospital. I havent seen much yet on Fords condition, hope hes ok. Theres lots of guys out there who would just say it was unintentional and it was an accident, but its nice to see a guy going to the hospital to see if the guys alright, and apologize.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Shaq_Diesel

I'm defending Horford 100%.

Ford knew that if he took the ball up on the right side of the rim, odds are that Al was going to block it. So, he tried to use the rim as a shield to get a shot on the opposite side of the rim. Al had already started to make the play on the right side, when TJ reversed, Al had to make a desperate swipe/block to try and either block or deter his shot. Did he intentionally try to hit him in the head/face and knock him out of the game? No - but Horford is defending his rim trying to either 1) block or 2) send Ford to the line to earn the 2 points. That's basketball from Jr. High to the NBA.

What Jr High ball are you pretending you played where guys heads are close to the rim and guys have a couple seconds in the air to twist around and decide if they should throw a block or not?

Also, do you not think Horford should have got ejected?

[BDB]

Originally Posted by HKF

I don't see anything wrong with this play, I see Ford as being someone who is injury prone and small. These are the risks when he came back to play.

Exactly. Ford should know better he's too small to be slowing down for contact.
If there was only a minute left why was he trying to draw the foul?

Hortford even said he was caught off guard by Ford going reverse.
It's not like college players use the that move.

[DuMa]

Horford should definitely be suspended. Horford didnt intend for Ford to get hurt. however he did intend to create a hard foul to prevent the basket, in which he did not go for the ball. he was clearly trying to foul and send the man to the line. the manner he did in in. hitting the face, and following through was very unbasketball like.

again easily couldve been avoided but for some reason horford felt he had to follow through.

clumsy or not, you have to be punished for your actions on the basketball court. he made a very crucial mistake.

[essbee]

Originally Posted by HKF

I don't see anything wrong with this play, I see Ford as being someone who is injury prone and small. These are the risks when he came back to play.

So you think Horford was reasonably close to making a block?