Al Horford – Philadelphia 76ers
Some Atlanta Hawks fans have yet to forgive Al Horford for leaving during the 2016 off-season, although the Hawks’ front office should take the bulk of the blame for that.
Personally, I’ve moved on and have liked seeing the 34-year-old big man play on the Celtics and Sixers, although his time with the latter has been hit-or-miss this season.
Philly underwhelmed this year, entering Orlando with a 39-26 record despite one of the league’s most stacked rosters. Some of this has to do with the fit of Horford next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, although there are other aspects as well.
The Sixers do have a very complete roster on paper, and if they were able to work some of the kinks out during the hiatus, they could be a very scary low seed in this year’s playoffs. Horford has always been a solid postseason performer and will get another chance to show that later this summer.
Kyle Korver – Milwaukee Bucks
Even if they weren’t sold on Horford, most Hawks fans will find rooting for Korver more agreeable, as the sharp-shooter has to be one of the team’s most beloved players ever. The 16-year veteran spent the best years of his career in Atlanta from 2012-2016, leading the league in three-point percentage in three of those seasons.
Since leaving the Hawks, Korver has developed into more of a role player but still gets solid minutes for the Bucks. Coach Budenholzer’s team will land in Florida with the league’s best record and great odds of taking home the Larry O’Brien.
Korver still shoots over 40 percent from three and is always a threat to hit a big shot in a clutch situation.