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Al Horford – Boston Celtics
Age: 30
2015-16 Per Game Averages: 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks.
Career Per Game Averages: 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks.
Here at Soaring Down South, we are no strangers to the talents of a certain Dominican big man.
Al Horford spent the first nine years of his career as the often-underrated main man in Atlanta before signing with the Boston Celtics in July. For us Hawks fans, that still probably hurts a bit and it should, seeing as he is a top center in the NBA.
People might doubt Horford’s game. It can be argued, looking at his size and skill-set, that he more of a power forward than a center but Horford has played center for his entire career with the Hawks and he has evolved into a great one. His rebounding is hampered by his size and so is his blocking, but he has done exceptionally to overcome that and develop such a rounded skillset.
Aside from Marc Gasol, Horford might have the most complete game of any of these centers. You name it, he can do it. Horford is a devastating mid-range shooter. He can bang in the middle and he added a fairly efficient three-point shot to his game last year. His rebounds may not be mind-blowing, but the 30-year-old can hold his own there and is capable of pushing towards double digits. Al Horford even averaged 1.5 blocks per game last year, despite his size, but, unlike Pau Gasol, that doesn’t really do his defense justice.
“When he’s healthy, Horford is a legitimate NBA superstar — a chameleon who is good at everything, great at some things, and always flying beneath the radar. He doesn’t pile up insane numbers, hog the ball, or appear in national TV commercials. He is concerned only with winning, even if the path there involves sacrificing shots to focus on passing, setting good picks, and battling 7-footers under the basket,” Zach Lowe wrote for Grantland back in 2015.
Horford has been a vital part of the Hawks’ success recently, both as a pass-happy, pick-and-roll offense and as a stingy defense. Despite his size, Horford is an elite interior defender, using his I.Q. more than his size and his offense is almost completely complete.
Make no mistake, Horford is underrated no more and he could have easily been a top 5 center in the NBA. For now, he will have to settle for sixth.
Next: No. 5