Quick Question...whats Al Hortfords potential?

ATL DirtyBird · Post #1 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:43 am

I personally think this man will become a monster very soon, but I know the people on this site know there basketball so I was wondering what you think he will become?? let me know sorry if this is a stupid post but im very curious

mattlanta · Post #2 » by **mattlanta** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:02 am

He's got very little holes in his game IMO. Usually, rookies have to work on their 'consistency', but I can't really say that about Horford. He almost averaged a double double every game, and he was just a rookie playing out of position - he is more suited at the four spot than the five spot.

He's got the heart, the passion, and the work ethic to take him to any limit. He will be an all-star within a year or two I think. He's one of those players that are very coach-able. Good personality, someone you can build around. It's a little too early to say he's hall-of-fame caliber, but he's definitely got an elite peak.

If I were to choose something to improve in him, it'd be his post game. He is a little shaky at times in there. I'd also like to see better free throw shooting (but he is a big man, so don't expect too much from him there). Other than that, I think Horford's skill set is complete, and he doesn't have to add much to his game. In time, experience will come, and I think he'll tap into the rest of his potential then.

ATLfan · Post #3 » by **ATLfan** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:06 am

First off its HORFORD not HORTFORD but I think he can at least be a 15 and 10 players for his career. If everything were to go right with him I could see his peak being a 20 and 12 guy for many years.

NDaATL · Post #4 » by **NDaATL** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:23 am

Sadly, another team will probably see his peak. The ASG will find a way to say that he's not worth the money and S&T him or something.

geeman · Post #5 » by **geeman** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:02 am

Not sure who it was , but I hear him compared to a young buck Williams and his true position is power forward. If this is true, maybe the writing is on the wall for Josh smith anyway!

Hawks · Post #6 » by **Hawks** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:23 am

I can see him being a 17/12 player.

lifelong · Post #7 » by **lifelong** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:34 am

I think his potential is close to a healthy Elton Brand, but ultimately not quite as good as Brand, particularly from an offensive standpoint. Maybe he's a better defender than Brand, though.

Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:03 am

That Elton Brand comparison is a good one. Carlos Boozer is also a valid example.

If he becomes (one of) the focal point(s) on offense and has a guard to stretch the floor for him, I see a few 20-10 seasons in his future. His size and skill are a rare combination in the league. I've felt J-Smoove was expendable for a while, and especially so with Horford waiting to take over the 4 spot. He needs a legitimate 7 foot Center to protect him.

He is a franchise player in the making. With his winning pedigree and work ethic, confidence and strength he is a guy we can REALLY build around.

It's a shame we spent so much time and energy on the Joshes when we could have just gotten Camby for a hand full of peanuts and had the best frontcourt in the Eastern Conference as a result.

Jamaalivers prediction: All Star Caliber

Rip2137 · Post #9 » by **Rip2137** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:53 pm

I think Brand and Boozer are horrible guys to think he would turn into. He doesn't have the offensive game those guys have. And at his age, their offensive game was still better. Those guys are REALLY good offensive players.

Horford has tools that if he polishes up I still only see him around a 18 ppg player. However, I think he is going to be a special rebounder. He has that "go and get it" rebound style that will translate into what I believe could be a 12-14 per game rebounder(yeah, I said 14. I think rebound numbers are going to start to jump with the NBA quickening its pace again)

Defensively, once he learns the tricks of the trades he will be about as good as you can really be inthe NBA (i really don't think anyone can really be stopped down low in the NBA if they are good. You can just hope to slow them down some if you are a great defender). Once again, he doesn't have that freak length of Brand so I don't think he will ever be able to block shots and challange on the post without exposing himself to fouls like Brand can.

Thing is, I think he could develop into a mosnter next to Josh Smith, who changes shots with him there to clean up, and he would have another guy that can play the pick and roll well, so they won't have to worry about 1-5 or 1-4 pick and Rolls.

conleyorbust · Post #10 » by **conleyorbust** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:59 pm

Rip2137 wrote:I think Brand and Boozer are horrible guys to think he would turn into. He doesn't have the offensive game those guys have. And at his age, their offensive game was still better. Those guys are REALLY good offensive players.

Horford has tools that if he polishes up I still only see him around a 18 ppg player. However, I think he is going to be a special rebounder. He has that "go and get it" rebound style that will translate into what I believe could be a 12-14 per game rebounder(yeah, I said 14. I think rebound numbers are going to start to jump with the NBA quickening its pace again)

Defensively, once he learns the tricks of the trades he will be about as good as you can really be inthe NBA (i really don't think anyone can really be stopped down low in the NBA if they are good. You can just hope to slow them down some if you are a great defender). Once again, he doesn't have that freak length of Brand so I don't think he will ever be able to block shots and challange on the post without exposing himself to fouls like Brand can.

Thing is, I think he could develop into a mosnter next to Josh Smith, who changes shots with him there to clean up, and he would have another guy that can play the pick and roll well, so they won't have to worry about 1-5 or 1-4 pick and Rolls.

That is actually a really good analysis. Al doesn't have the finesse that Brand and Boozer have and I don't think he has the same aggressiveness when he faces up. He should be a better rebounder though and possibly a better post defender than Brand in the future (probably better than Booz at this already). He won't ever be an elite shotblocker at this level but he can be solid, as rip says, he's good next to Smith because he can probably put on the strength to defender centers down low and both guys will be able to switch out better than most interior players.

Al is bigger than I remember Buck Williams being, but that would be a good style of play to aim for. A tough inside player who wasn't the most skilled but played harder than the other guy.

JoshB914 · Post #11 » by **JoshB914** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:38 pm

It depends who you ask. Personally I don't see the offensive game for him to become a prolific scorer. I see him as a 15 & 10-12 guy who will be a great leader.

geeman · Post #12 » by **geeman** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:09 pm

by Jamaaliver on Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:03 am

That Elton Brand comparison is a good one. Carlos Boozer is also a valid example.

If he becomes (one of) the focal point(s) on offense and has a guard to stretch the floor for him, I see a few 20-10 seasons in his future. His size and skill are a rare combination in the league. I've felt J-Smoove was expendable for a while, and especially so with Horford waiting to take over the 4 spot. He needs a legitimate 7 foot Center to protect him.

I so agree with this statment, thus if we trade him I would only dream of coming out of it with a proven shooter and a shot a Hasheem Thabeet next year!!!

HoopsGuru25 · Post #13 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:57 pm

I hope he shoots alot more free throws this year.

conleyorbust · Post #14 » by **conleyorbust** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:00 pm

HoopsGuru25 wrote:I hope he shoots alot more free throws this year.

Yeah, that was the thing that bothered me the most about his offensive game. He just wasn't aggressive enough in drawing contact. FTs are usually a sign that you have and advantage that you are willing to exploit - especially from a guy like Al whose advantages are most likely to be physical instead of skill based (like a Boozer/Jefferson).

gurpilo · Post #15 » by **gurpilo** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:04 pm

Rip2137 wrote:I think Brand and Boozer are horrible guys to think he would turn into. He doesn't have the offensive game those guys have. And at his age, their offensive game was still better. Those guys are REALLY good offensive players.

Horford has tools that if he polishes up I still only see him around a 18 ppg player. However, I think he is going to be a special rebounder. He has that "go and get it" rebound style that will translate into what I believe could be a 12-14 per game rebounder(yeah, I said 14. I think rebound numbers are going to start to jump with the NBA quickening its pace again)

Defensively, once he learns the tricks of the trades he will be about as good as you can really be inthe NBA (i really don't think anyone can really be stopped down low in the NBA if they are good. You can just hope to slow them down some if you are a great defender). Once again, he doesn't have that freak length of Brand so I don't think he will ever be able to block shots and challange on the post without exposing himself to fouls like Brand can.

Thing is, I think he could develop into a mosnter next to Josh Smith, who changes shots with him there to clean up, and he would have another guy that can play the pick and roll well, so they won't have to worry about 1-5 or 1-4 pick and Rolls.

Agree, I would say is more similar to Okafor than Brand or Boozer. Compared to Emeka I would say he has worst shotblocking ability but slightly better offensive game. You cannot really compare to Brand or Boozer that are more offensive players.

cavsfan_osiris · Post #16 » by **cavsfan_osiris** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:09 pm

20/10 is expecting too much imo. Horford will have a solid career, but at his peak I don't think he's going to be more than a 16/12 type of player which is pretty darn good. I love his heart and the way he competes and takes pride in succeeding at his role. I've heard the Brand and Booz comparisons, but I don't really agree with them.

Brand and Booz were much more gifted offensively. Horford is good, but with respect to post moves and jumpers he's not as gifted as either of those guys were and I don't think he ever will reach the prolific level of scoring those two have. I can't really think of a player past or present who I would compare Horford to.

Horford is the type of guy I would have no problem giving a big contract to as an owner because I know he's going to work his butt off every second of it. I think teams need to start taking into account the pride someone has in their game and how important basketball is to a player more often before handing out these huge guaranteed deals. I would never give huge contracts to guys like Tinsley, Z.Randolph, BDiddy

Skyhawk1 · Post #17 » by **Skyhawk1** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:03 pm

I think Horford will be an All-Star for many years. He's got the talent and the drive to be an elite level player. His work ethic is great. Just compare him to any other rookie we have had in the last few years and you will see how far ahead he is mentally, physically, and emotionally.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #18 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:35 pm

Heres the thing...how many rookies have you seen come into to the league and do what he did?? Not many! Hes obviously special, with his work ethich its not to much to expect that he will be a 20/10 guy. Hes got the tools, the raw strength and skill to develop into something special.

conleyorbust · Post #19 » by **conleyorbust** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:47 pm

SneakerKing33 wrote:Heres the thing...how many rookies have you seen come into to the league and do what he did?? Not many! Hes obviously special, with his work ethich its not to much to expect that he will be a 20/10 guy. Hes got the tools, the raw strength and skill to develop into something special.

Just curious, what did he do?

ATL DirtyBird · Post #20 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:11 pm

was a big time leader on a weak playoff team...and came into a mans league and averaged a double double...thats preety damn impressive