Would We Really Want Al Horford to Move to PF?
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Hawks Al Horford has been an All-Star center three times during his eight-year NBA career. However, people are quick to point out that he has played out of position his entire time with the Hawks. Horford has the build of a traditional power forward (6’10”, 245 lbs.) and played it in college alongside Joakim Noah at Florida. But would we really want Al Horford to move to power forward with the Hawks?
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In this era of the NBA where every team except Memphis likes to go small, Al Horford is the perfect stretch five for HC Mike Budenholzer. Horford’s patented mid-to-long range game rivals that of Memphis’ Marc Gasol and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, both members of All-NBA teams. He even expanded his shooting beyond the three-point line this year (11-36, .306). How many centers can shoot at that clip from three?
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Though undersized for a traditional center, Horford still averages 9.2 RPG during his NBA tenure. He’s also a plus-defensive player for the Hawks (2.5 Defensive +/- in 2014-15) and he usually anchors the second team defense when DeMarre Carroll is not on the floor.
As a center, he averages over a steal a game at 1.3 SPG in eight seasons. He can still rim protect, too (2.2 blocks per game in 2014-15). So size doesn’t matter with Al Horford on the defensive end as The Boss contributes to a strong Atlanta defense for Coach Bud.
With the way that Danny Ferry and Coach Bud built this team, it was obvious that Atlanta would not be strong on the glass due to its size disadvantage. But the Hawks are willing to concede on the glass because they shoot at such a high percentage from the outside. It also helps this quick team get back on defense in transition.
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Could Al Horford be a better player for the Hawks if he played at his natural position of power forward? Possibly, but in Coach Bud’s system Big Al flourishes at the five for the Hawks. Unless Paul Millsap signs elsewhere during free agency and Atlanta doesn’t bring in a suitable replacement, Al Horford looks pretty good at center for me. If you don’t think small ball can win, just ask Cleveland how the Warriors beat them in the NBA Finals.
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