His greatest team success came when he played next to a legit defensive Center. He's suffered a season long injury and struggled in numerous playoff series against bigger, stronger competition.
He's acknowledged he's not physically able to take an entire year's worth of pounding at the Five. His previous coach mentioned on numerous occasion the benefits of AL playing PF with a real Center next to him. Even previous GMs indicated he wouldn't be stuck playing Center long-term here.
I give Ferry credit; he did at least draft two young bigs capable of playing Center long term this summer. But they won't be here for at least another year. His two biggest acquisitions in the frontcourt this year are each 6'8" and were drafted as PFs.
AL goes on record again with our old pal Sekou regarding this issue:
Al Horford wrote:That's something that I did question when it didn't happen. It takes a toll on your body physically that outweigh you like that. But the way that they have portrayed it to me is we're trying to play faster, get up and down the floor and get the pick and roll movement going. It's not the ideal scenario for me, but I have to work with what I have and make the most of it."
http://www.nba.com/preview/2013/ATL/index.html