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

[Sofia]

he is a top 10 PF/C but on the lower end of top 10. Top 10 player?

If you combine PF/C to just a 'bigs' lists, is he even a top 10 big?


OP must be Horford's valet or something.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

The idea that he's going to be making 30 mill in his final year, while being a sub 15 ppg player on the down stroke is what does it for me.

As the cap shrinks going forward, he's going to be eating a bigger piece of their pie every year. Add in the Hayward situation, it could be a big problem for them going forward. That's 60 mill tied up.

[rochrist]

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. I look at the overall impact. I don't just look at the scoreboard. I actually watch and understand Basketball and understand how players play and how you can be utilized said player.

I am not one of those fans who sees a player struggling and says, well he sucks. I look at his role, his personnel grouping, his ability to fit said scheme and his ability to adjust to said scheme. I see the ENTIRE game. Not just if he can pass, rebound, shoot, has the tools. I look at everything. So when you said Al Horford, I see something different. I don't know what you see, but if you don't see what I see, that's fine but I just want you to acknowledge what I see and understand the effect it has on Millsap, Noah, Kyrie, IT and other players he's played with in the past. The man literally single-handedly made Kyle Korver an All Star. Name one player in NBA history who could do that?

Nah. He's pretty invaluable to the Celtics but he's not a top 10 player.

I don't know. According to the media (and lots of fans) as far as I can tell, there are at least 50 'top 10' players in the league.

[AndriPerdhian93]

Common or casual fans dont care about a impact beyond number like what you explain.

[Tigersrule]

Someone insert the gifs of him at the FT line and getting scared when the ball comes his way lol. Thats why.

[Froob]

He’s def crapped the bed in the playoffs before but aside from some rough stretches mostly early last year he’s been pretty awesome for us, he was the best big in the playoffs last year for the first two rounds and been amazing so far this year.

[jdm_dc_fan]

As a Celtic fan and a person who wanted Horford but not for a max; I'm ok with him getting the max now. He adjusted to today's game really well. He's perfect for Boston and brads system. He also is a good example for all the rookies and young guys we have. Off and on the court. It amazes me that arguably he's as good a passer than anyone in Boston and he's played center last season. Completely un selfish and takes pride in doing the dirty work so everyone can get there's. In my opinion he's the 4th scoring option on a championship team. And that's not a knock on him he just doesn't need to score the ball much.

[PierceFan4ever]

He's an all star level talent. His impact goes beyond numbers with the way he sets screens, the extra passes he makes, leadership, etc.. I think him being a top 10 player is a bit ridiculous since there are so many good players but he's definitely underrated player here. All people mention when they mention Horford is Tristian Thompson but fail to mention how much of an impact Horford has with the team's success. Boston doesn't get the #1 seed last year without him and IT doesn't have a career year with Horford's ability to space the floor. He's not a role player like Ibaka as much as Raps fans love to think they're equal players, they're not even close. He has his weakness such as rebounding although he's doing a better job this season mainly because he has more help but he's a now legit threat from the 3 point line. And for those who trash Horford in the playoffs like he's a scrub he averaged:

15 ppg, 7 reb, 5.5 assist on 58% shooting and 52% from the 3 point line and with some good defense. So his playoff take gets exaggerated here big time.

He's a solid all star that you would want to have on your team as your 3rd or 4th best player on a top contender.

[PharmD]

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. I look at the overall impact.

stopped right here

[LeMasta]

He's definitely not a top 10 player but he is a star.

He's been the most versatile big for the past several years (imo). I also think he works better being the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best player on the team similar to Draymond, in order to be the most effective.

[zronv7]

The idea that he's going to be making 30 mill in his final year, while being a sub 15 ppg player on the down stroke is what does it for me.

As the cap shrinks going forward, he's going to be eating a bigger piece of their pie every year. Add in the Hayward situation, it could be a big problem for them going forward. That's 60 mill tied up.

That'll be the Pelicans problem by then

[ajones9219]

When teams play him to pass he loses a lot of his offense because he's not much of a threat to score or take over a game outside of hitting a few jumpers in a row. He's good at taking advantage of space/weak points, but he's not someone that can overwhelm a focussed defense with his talent. Sorry, intangibles and the non boxscore stuff is easier to replicate, which makes his ranking a little muddier.

I dont know man, Horford has flat out taken over a few games this year and dominated offensively. To my guy above saying Horford is top 10, I disagree. But I'd put him top 20-25 for sure

[hongdayuan]

Does OP also consider Draymond as a top10 player? I would argue his has more value and impact that horford. (Okay maybe not yet this season)

[RakimAbdulJabar]

I just want to say I feel blessed to be in your presence OP, your ability to see that which us commoners/peasants cannot is enlightening. Do you have a blog, website or any form of social media where one could follow you and learn from your great pool of knowledge on a daily basis?

Thanks in advance

[jpengland]

He's a fantastic role player. He's smart, passes well and has a lovely mid range game.

That said, he's a C who doesn't rebound very well and can't protect the rim which presents huge roster and line up construction challenges.

He's far from top 10. Possibly not even top 30.

[Lazy Faizy]

His impact on the game is always beyond numbers and ALWAYS appears on the game tape.

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

RPM is a stat which goes way beyond box score numbers.

Robert Covington doesn't put up big numbers. He ranked 5th among SFs in RPM last season, 25th overall.

Patrick Beverley doesn't put up big numbers. He ranked 11th among PGs in RPM last season, 40th overall.

Al Horford ranked 14th among PFs last season, 60th overall.

I'm not saying Horford is the 60th best player in the league. But you cannot seriously think he is a top 10 player. There is no legitimate argument for saying he is even a top 20 player.

I watch tape. I don't really use or care about RPM. So if that's your thing, let it be you. That's not me.

Why do you keep talking like no one here watches basketball? We do. Most of us at least. No one here is saying that Horford isn't a good player. But top 10? Absolutely not. Not even top 20. Maybe somewhere in the 21-30 range.

[lambchop]

sorry I just can't buy this nonsense and I'm also not feeling the "well lebron is an all time great player, of course horford can't win against him" for one simple reason. Even the NATE ROBINSON led chicago bulls managed to win one game against, even the carmelo led Knicks won one game in the playoffs against bron.
And then in the 17' playoffs in a game where smart was on fire and horford was minus 10, horford finally gets that win on a a lucky bounce by avery bradley.
Horford couldnt even make those games competitive. But I'll say it again Horford is still a beast.

[whatisacenter]

Better than draymond

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Draymond for Al, which team says no?

I don’t think Al could give the Warriors what they get/need from Draymond. Maybe each fits their team better?

[Pennebaker]

Better than draymond

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Draymond for Al, which team says no?

I don’t think Al could give the Warriors what they get/need from Draymond. Maybe each fits their team better?

Draymond is infinitely better than Horford. A Defensive Player of the Year that also makes All-NBA and racks up triple doubles and leads championship teams in assists??? Not really even close.

[wutevahung]

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. I look at the overall impact. I don't just look at the scoreboard. I actually watch and understand Basketball and understand how players play and how you can be utilized said player.

I am not one of those fans who sees a player struggling and says, well he sucks. I look at his role, his personnel grouping, his ability to fit said scheme and his ability to adjust to said scheme. I see the ENTIRE game. Not just if he can pass, rebound, shoot, has the tools. I look at everything. So when you said Al Horford, I see something different. I don't know what you see, but if you don't see what I see, that's fine but I just want you to acknowledge what I see and understand the effect it has on Millsap, Noah, Kyrie, IT and other players he's played with in the past. The man literally single-handedly made Kyle Korver an All Star. Name one player in NBA history who could do that?

You have ruined your own thread with posts like this.

And it's hilarious that you are implying that anyone who doesn't agree with you neither understands or watched basketball. It's a shame because I totally agree that he is under appreciated.