Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?

[King Ken]

I like Horford a lot, and I think the idea that he is top 10 in the league is ridiculous. In case there was any question whether the OP was overreaching and being unrealistic, this thread more or less began with:

I think Horford is a top 10 player. I don't think it's debatable either.

followed by pages of people debating it, and very few people agreeing with the premise. Clearly it is debatable.

I did say, I, not universally accepted. I clearly started the thread saying he's underrated and fans/writers/journalists don't see him that way. Bad choice of wording shouldn't otherwise change the pace of this thread.

[King Ken]

While I agree Horford is not a top 10 player, he may be a top 10 player for Brads System. As well as Kyrie, they fit his system like a glove and will be very hard to stop.

If Al is listed as a top 10 player for all coaches systems in the NBA. Scouts and GM's agree, players love playing with him and they make a lot more money due to his impact on their games, wouldn't he be a top 10 player. Just my take. Maybe I am seeing it completely different than you guys.

That's why I said, I see him as a top 10 player and it's not debatable to me.

[CometGM]

Horford is a true leader and is one of the most humble players you'll see. He'll fit any team and any system. He makes any team he's on better. He is severely underrated.
Many unknowledgeable fans were complaining when Horford signed that huge contract with the Celtics but true basketball people know his worth. As other people have said, the common fan won't recognize him as such and it's unfortunate. People and media want accolades they can see or stats to prove his worth. There are no stats for so much of what Horford does.

[SF_Warriors]

I think some fans look at the rebounding numbers and write off horford because of that. Ideal type of (complimentary) two way big for the nba.

[tundraknight]

That's because people commonly associate "best" with top-5 to top-10 and Horford is neither.

I think Horford is a top 10 player. I don't think it's debatable either.

Al Horford is not even a Top 20 Player. He probably won’t even make another All Star game in his career.

As a Hawks fan in sure you remember how useless Al Horford was when the Hawks got Swept Twice in a Row by the Cavaliers.

Al Horford was outplayed in every way imaginable.

He always pulls disappearing acts when it matters most.

[Nightperzon]

If Horford is a top 10 player Tristan Thompson must be the GOAT.

[Scarletfire81]

If Horford is a top 10 player Tristan Thompson must be the GOAT.

No offense but I would rather have Horford than TT.

[papz187]

Clearly the answer is because the "common fan" does not possess your awesome basketball acumen, nor self-effacing humility.

Lol bingo

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[SlowPaced]

I've always thought Horford was underrated, but you're overrating him here. He's an All-Star caliber big man, but not more than that.

[Dave_From_NB]

I don't know how the common fan is able to watch enough bb from enough teams to decipher from 30 teams and over 400 players who the top guys are, other than watching sports highlights snapshots. Horford is just one of those solid guys who make a big difference on the floor, but don't make a lot of appearance in highlights because he isn't making spectacular at the rim athletic plays. However the more you watch him, the more you appreciate what he is doing.

[Scarletfire81]

That's because people commonly associate "best" with top-5 to top-10 and Horford is neither.

I think Horford is a top 10 player. I don't think it's debatable either.

Al Horford is not even a Top 20 Player. He probably won’t even make another All Star game in his career.

As a Hawks fan in sure you remember how useless Al Horford was when the Hawks got Swept Twice in a Row by the Cavaliers.

Al Horford was outplayed in every way imaginable.

He always pulls disappearing acts when it matters most.

Horford was solid in the playoffs last year, also he made a lot of big shots last night in crunch time.

[Nightperzon]

If Horford is a top 10 player Tristan Thompson must be the GOAT.

No offense but I would rather have Horford than TT.

Well to be far TT did let Horford average 4.5 RPG last year compared to 3.5 RPG two years ago, nearly back up to his 4.8 RPG from 3 years ago.

[Pennebaker]

If Horford is a top 10 player Tristan Thompson must be the GOAT.

No offense but I would rather have Horford than TT.

Well to be far TT did let Horford average 4.5 RPG last year compared to 3.5 RPG two years ago, nearly back up to his 4.8 RPG from 3 years ago.

Ah, the plight of the soft big. They usually get what they deserve in terms of reputation and hardware.

[theonlyclutch]

ESPN RPM (among PFs):
2013-14 - Amir Johnson 7th, Al Horford 19th
2014-15 - Amir Johnson 20th, Al Horford 16th
2015-16 - Amir Johnson 7th, Al Horford 6th
2016-27 - Amir Johnson 7th, Al Horford 14th

Why isn't Amir Johnson considered one of the best players in the NBA?

[Tommygriffin]

I think he just outside the top 10 as far as IMPACT. Obviously being on the Celtics most people will have him much lower.

[Celts17Pride]

Mainly because that’s not the RealGM forum narrative.

[711takeover]

That's because people commonly associate "best" with top-5 to top-10 and Horford is neither.

I think Horford is a top 10 player. I don't think it's debatable either.

Al Horford is not even a Top 20 Player. He probably won’t even make another All Star game in his career.

As a Hawks fan in sure you remember how useless Al Horford was when the Hawks got Swept Twice in a Row by the Cavaliers.

Al Horford was outplayed in every way imaginable.

He always pulls disappearing acts when it matters most.

He averaged 15,7,5 in the playoffs last year and shot 50% FG and 50% 3PT. Maybe he just disappeared for the Hawks but most definitely didn't for the celtics last year

[711takeover]

If Horford is a top 10 player Tristan Thompson must be the GOAT.

No offense but I would rather have Horford than TT.

Well to be far TT did let Horford average 4.5 RPG last year compared to 3.5 RPG two years ago, nearly back up to his 4.8 RPG from 3 years ago.

And almost everyone would still take Horford. He's not a great rebounder but improves spacing and can shoot

[PerfectJab]

Make Hartford and what he does the primary advertisement tool for the NBA to attract the general masses and the 'casual' fan and the NBA will go under.

When it comes to stats, these types of fans gravitate towards PPG or athletic ability and if not you'd need to have some crazy stats outside of these to be noticed BPG (3-4+) RPG (15+).

Most fans on realGM are not your common fan.

[Impuniti]

Horford is the 3rd best player on his team once Hayward is back and the idea of him being anywhere near the top 10 is completely delusional. He's a great 3rd option do-everything kind of guy that you want in your team. He's been owned in the post season for too many years to remember for this to even be a debate. Great regular season guy though and as a #3 after this year, he could be very useful even in the PS.