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Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
He's been the main piece behind two #1 seeds.
His impact on the game is always beyond numbers and ALWAYS appears on the game tape.
His movement both on offense and defense, ability to break from the play to the right read like a top tier NFL route runner.
His defensive awareness.
His defensive movement with his quick hands.
His elite agility off of the ball.
His screen setting ability, especially off script screens which are backdoor cuts, flares, pin down curls, at the ability to finish while making an elite decision off of that.
His intangibles are as good as anyone I've ever seen in the NBA ever.
His ability to run all sets of offenses. You can put him in an isotype offense, movement type offense, grit n' grind type of offense, uptempo, midtempo, slow tempo, perimeter-centric, post-centric, screen-centric, PnR centric offense.
His ability to defend multiple positions and not just protect one player on the court but ALL players on the court on defense.
His ability to blend into his teammates' strengths which further helps them in terms of development and impact.
We have seen this with almost every player who's played with Horford.
He's the most impactful player I've seen that gets no respect for his impact. I mean, we see Giannis, LeBron, Kobe, etc. But it's like Al does SO MUCH more to make others better but gets no respect. I've heard knowledgeable fans compare him to Horace Grant who was, all in all, a good role player but he didn't make no one's life easier. He just had a define skill-set which is similar to Al's but it completely removes all of what Al can do above which Horace could NEVER do.
Maybe I just see the game better than most and of course, I've seen 100's of Al's games live or different versions of the tape so I have more experience with him than many others do but at some point, put some respect on his name.
Opinions?
His impact on the game is always beyond numbers and ALWAYS appears on the game tape.
His movement both on offense and defense, ability to break from the play to the right read like a top tier NFL route runner.
His defensive awareness.
His defensive movement with his quick hands.
His elite agility off of the ball.
His screen setting ability, especially off script screens which are backdoor cuts, flares, pin down curls, at the ability to finish while making an elite decision off of that.
His intangibles are as good as anyone I've ever seen in the NBA ever.
His ability to run all sets of offenses. You can put him in an isotype offense, movement type offense, grit n' grind type of offense, uptempo, midtempo, slow tempo, perimeter-centric, post-centric, screen-centric, PnR centric offense.
His ability to defend multiple positions and not just protect one player on the court but ALL players on the court on defense.
His ability to blend into his teammates' strengths which further helps them in terms of development and impact.
We have seen this with almost every player who's played with Horford.
He's the most impactful player I've seen that gets no respect for his impact. I mean, we see Giannis, LeBron, Kobe, etc. But it's like Al does SO MUCH more to make others better but gets no respect. I've heard knowledgeable fans compare him to Horace Grant who was, all in all, a good role player but he didn't make no one's life easier. He just had a define skill-set which is similar to Al's but it completely removes all of what Al can do above which Horace could NEVER do.
Maybe I just see the game better than most and of course, I've seen 100's of Al's games live or different versions of the tape so I have more experience with him than many others do but at some point, put some respect on his name.
Opinions?
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
That's because people commonly associate "best" with top-5 to top-10 and Horford is neither.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
RGM_SU wrote: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?
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Because he's not.
He's super solid, hard working. Usually shows up in the regular season. Every once in a while he pops for a great game or a great stretch within a game. Then as a fan you think, "Man, this guy's pretty darn good. Why's he not all-NBA?" Then he kinda fades into the background for a while and you remember he's just a high-level roleplayer.
Then the playoffs start and you really get reminded that he's not on that "great" level.
Then Tristan Thompson walks in and Al turns white with fear.
He's super solid, hard working. Usually shows up in the regular season. Every once in a while he pops for a great game or a great stretch within a game. Then as a fan you think, "Man, this guy's pretty darn good. Why's he not all-NBA?" Then he kinda fades into the background for a while and you remember he's just a high-level roleplayer.
Then the playoffs start and you really get reminded that he's not on that "great" level.
Then Tristan Thompson walks in and Al turns white with fear.
king01 

Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
kg01 wrote:Because he's not.
He's super solid, hard working. Usually shows up in the regular season. Every once in a while he pops for a great game or a great stretch within a game. Then as a fan you think, "Man, this guy's pretty darn good. Why's he not all-NBA?" Then he kinda fades into the background for a while and you remember he's just a high-level roleplayer.
Then the playoffs start and you really get reminded that he's not on that "great" level.
Then Tristan Thompson walks in and Al turns white with fear.
Last seaason was actually the opposite. Played much better in the playoffs than regular season.
He's for sure one of the most underrated players in the league. Even by Boston fans.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
King Ken wrote:RGM_SU wrote: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.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
He's Vlade Divac reborn, he does so much stuff that doesn't show up in the box score.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Its a shame this thread will not go well because you set the bar too high. Horford is awesome but top10 is quiet a reach. One thing you're 100% right though, is his ability to adjust to what ever is asked of him (outside of rebounding maybe) and that can't be messured.
The 2024 NBA Champions Boston Celtics depth chart:
Guards: Holiday, White, Pritchard
Wings: Tatum, Brown, Hauser
Bigs: Porzingis, Horford, Kornet
Guards: Holiday, White, Pritchard
Wings: Tatum, Brown, Hauser
Bigs: Porzingis, Horford, Kornet
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
kg01 wrote:Because he's not.
He's super solid, hard working. Usually shows up in the regular season. Every once in a while he pops for a great game or a great stretch within a game. Then as a fan you think, "Man, this guy's pretty darn good. Why's he not all-NBA?" Then he kinda fades into the background for a while and you remember he's just a high-level roleplayer.
Then the playoffs start and you really get reminded that he's not on that "great" level.
Then Tristan Thompson walks in and Al turns white with fear.
This is not his game. He always impacts the game, especially in the regular season. I remember telling you Hawks fans this for years. Most Hawks fans from my experience just ball watch like most fans do so your idea of all-NBA is Al or anyone from his position dropping 20+ and getting 10+ rebound and some timely steal or block which helped the team win the game. Most Hawks fans from my experience of posting on different message boards don't really understand the game the way I do. This is why I used to get into it all of the time with Kevin Love fans till he joined the Cavs and now he's somewhat underrated.
I remember Hawk fans arguing that Paul Millsap was a better defender than Horford. I remember some trying to bring up stats. I remember exactly explaining why Horford is responsible for 99% of Millsap defense impact and I got a lot of negativity. I was 100% right and of course, you learned it to a short time later. Most fans see the game different. They see Porzee's 37 points and yes his scoring versatility is amazing, but I am looking at his off the ball movement, his screen setting skills, his ability to make the right cut or move off of the ball. I also look at his poor passing vision, ability to take defensive risk from poor angles, his poor ability to help his teammates on when the ball is not near on D and much more. There is too much to the game to really be focus only on what happens on the ball.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Drax wrote:Its a shame this thread will not go well because you set the bar too high. Horford is awesome but top10 is quiet a reach. One thing you're 100% right though, is his ability to adjust to what ever is asked of him (outside of rebounding maybe) and that can't be messured.
How is it a reach? How does other players impact the game like he does?
For all of the love Giannis has, he's still a blog within the half court for the most part, especially off of the ball.
Al impacts the game as much as anyone I've seen. I have been on record for this for years.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
King Ken wrote:I've heard knowledgeable fans compare him to Horace Grant who was, all in all, a good role player but he didn't make no one's life easier. He just had a define skill-set which is similar to Al's but it completely removes all of what Al can do above which Horace could NEVER do.
Opinions?
You're just wrong about Horace Grant. Didn't you see what happened to the Bulls when they lost Horace in FA to the Orlando Magic? The Bulls lost their rebounding and their best defensive big. Jordan and Pippen were then actually defeated in the playoffs by those Orlando Magic. Grant went back to the NBA Finals with a new pair of super star teammates (Shaq and Penny) while averaging 13/10 and making an All-Defensive team again (the same winning stuff he brought to the Bulls).
Jordan and Pippen wouldn't get back to the championship round until they filled the big hole that Grant left. They filled it with Dennis Rodman, got their rebounding and defense from the PF spot again, and recovered their championship mojo.
And Horace Grant was not just a 10 points 10 rebounds kind of player, but, like I said, he was also a 4x All-Defensive selection on the Bulls and Magic. His defense is what made him important. Horford will never be an All-Defensive selection.
The only All-League accolade Horford has earned is a single 3rd team All-NBA selection from 2011.
So it's not just the common fan that's lukewarm on Horford but it's All-NBA voters too.

Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Clearly the answer is because the "common fan" does not possess your awesome basketball acumen, nor self-effacing humility.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Pennebaker wrote:King Ken wrote:I've heard knowledgeable fans compare him to Horace Grant who was, all in all, a good role player but he didn't make no one's life easier. He just had a define skill-set which is similar to Al's but it completely removes all of what Al can do above which Horace could NEVER do.
Opinions?
You're just wrong about Horace Grant. Didn't you see what happened to the Bulls when they lost Horace in FA to the Orlando Magic? The Bulls lost their rebounding and their best defensive big. Jordan and Pippen were then actually defeated in the playoffs to those Orlando Magic and they wouldn't get back to the championship round until they filled the big hole that Grant left. They filled it with Dennis Rodman, got their rebounding and defense from the PF spot again, and recovered their championship mojo.
And Horace Grant was not just a 10 points 10 rebounds kind of player, but he was also a 4x All-Defensive selection on the Bulls and Magic. Horford will never be an All-Defensive selection.
The only All-League accolade Horford has earned is a single 3rd team All-NBA selection from 2011.
So it's not just the common fan that's lukewarm on Horford but it's All-NBA voters too.
Please explain Horace overall impact sir? Right now, you said I am wrong when mentioning Grant was a role player who had a similar skill-set but that's where the comparison ends. So where am I wrong? Nothing you stated proves otherwise. Being a good role player and losing that said role player has impact especially when that moves Toni (above average) into the starting lineup and Toni's replacement is Will Purdue. Maybe that had a lot to do with it as well...
All-NBA is chosen by sportswriters and journalists.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Horford is a fantastic system player, but there's about 15-20 players I'd rather build a contender around if I had a neutral impact coach.
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
King Ken wrote:kg01 wrote:Because he's not.
He's super solid, hard working. Usually shows up in the regular season. Every once in a while he pops for a great game or a great stretch within a game. Then as a fan you think, "Man, this guy's pretty darn good. Why's he not all-NBA?" Then he kinda fades into the background for a while and you remember he's just a high-level roleplayer.
Then the playoffs start and you really get reminded that he's not on that "great" level.
Then Tristan Thompson walks in and Al turns white with fear.
This is not his game. He always impacts the game, especially in the regular season. I remember telling you Hawks fans this for years. Most Hawks fans from my experience just ball watch like most fans do so your idea of all-NBA is Al or anyone from his position dropping 20+ and getting 10+ rebound and some timely steal or block which helped the team win the game. Most Hawks fans from my experience of posting on different message boards don't really understand the game the way I do. This is why I used to get into it all of the time with Kevin Love fans till he joined the Cavs and now he's somewhat underrated.
I remember Hawk fans arguing that Paul Millsap was a better defender than Horford. I remember some trying to bring up stats. I remember exactly explaining why Horford is responsible for 99% of Millsap defense impact and I got a lot of negativity. I was 100% right and of course, you learned it to a short time later. Most fans see the game different. They see Porzee's 37 points and yes his scoring versatility is amazing, but I am looking at his off the ball movement, his screen setting skills, his ability to make the right cut or move off of the ball. I also look at his poor passing vision, ability to take defensive risk from poor angles, his poor ability to help his teammates on when the ball is not near on D and much more. There is too much to the game to really be focus only on what happens on the ball.
I figured you'd go there.
Most people touting Al's greatness fall on the, "I just understand the game on a higher level than you do." crutch.
Frankly, it's insulting. You basically called all of us idiots if we don't worship at the Al Horford alter. Do you really think we don't understand or recognize how he impacts the game? Based off your own message board lurking? I mean, really?
Tell me then, since you've got us all figured out, what have I said in the past about Horford's play? Or are you just stereotyping all Hawks fans by your cherry-picked message board posts?
Don't bother.
Al is a solid player. Not top-10 caliber.
/thread
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
RightToCensor wrote:Horford is a fantastic system player, but there's about 15-20 players I'd rather build a contender around if I had a neutral impact coach.
I never said he was a #1 option. I never said that. I have always stated that Horford is the perfect piece to fit when you have your #1 option type player.
#1 option types are:
Booker
Porzee
LeBron
Leonard
Westbrook
Kyrie
Harden
Durant
Curry
Giannis
Lillard
etc...
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
kg01 wrote:King Ken wrote:kg01 wrote:Because he's not.
He's super solid, hard working. Usually shows up in the regular season. Every once in a while he pops for a great game or a great stretch within a game. Then as a fan you think, "Man, this guy's pretty darn good. Why's he not all-NBA?" Then he kinda fades into the background for a while and you remember he's just a high-level roleplayer.
Then the playoffs start and you really get reminded that he's not on that "great" level.
Then Tristan Thompson walks in and Al turns white with fear.
This is not his game. He always impacts the game, especially in the regular season. I remember telling you Hawks fans this for years. Most Hawks fans from my experience just ball watch like most fans do so your idea of all-NBA is Al or anyone from his position dropping 20+ and getting 10+ rebound and some timely steal or block which helped the team win the game. Most Hawks fans from my experience of posting on different message boards don't really understand the game the way I do. This is why I used to get into it all of the time with Kevin Love fans till he joined the Cavs and now he's somewhat underrated.
I remember Hawk fans arguing that Paul Millsap was a better defender than Horford. I remember some trying to bring up stats. I remember exactly explaining why Horford is responsible for 99% of Millsap defense impact and I got a lot of negativity. I was 100% right and of course, you learned it to a short time later. Most fans see the game different. They see Porzee's 37 points and yes his scoring versatility is amazing, but I am looking at his off the ball movement, his screen setting skills, his ability to make the right cut or move off of the ball. I also look at his poor passing vision, ability to take defensive risk from poor angles, his poor ability to help his teammates on when the ball is not near on D and much more. There is too much to the game to really be focus only on what happens on the ball.
I figured you'd go there.
Most people touting Al's greatness fall on the, "I just understand the game on a higher level than you do." crutch.
Frankly, it's insulting. You basically called all of us idiots if we don't worship at the Al Horford alter. Do you really think we don't understand or recognize how he impacts the game? Based off your own message board lurking? I mean, really?
Tell me then, since you've got us all figured out, what have I said in the past about Horford's play? Or are you just stereotyping all Hawks fans by your cherry-picked message board posts?
Don't bother.
Al is a solid player. Not top-10 caliber.
/thread
Most of them do if they are telling you how he's impacting the game, the players of said team agrees, and coaches and scouts agree, then yes, said fan sees the game better than you.
That's not insulting, that's just the truth. Now, if said fan said, you are dumb or you are a fool then said fan is an **** and yes, he's insulting and there is no place for that here or anywhere.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Nobody talks about him because he is a discreet person, below average athletic, not spectacular, doesn't have fake twitter account or a annoying dad running his mouth about everything.... He is a very good player fitting perfectly in Brad Steven's system.
Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Cause he gets destroyed by Tristian Thompson every year in the playoffs.
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Re: Why is Al Horford not considered one of the best players in the NBA by the common fan?
Yungsta404 wrote:Cause he gets destroyed by Tristian Thompson every year in the playoffs.
He never gets destroyed by Thompson in the playoffs. He gets destroyed by LeBron. LeBron is the one who makes it his mission to break the matrix v. the Hawks. Horford makes the right decision but LeBron is so good, he has the ability to make the best decision. Guys like Jordan and LeBron can do that. They can impact the game at such a level that no one really can do anything about it unless your squad is loaded.