That’s a severe understatement. Consider this: While Tyson Chandler leads the NBA in field-goal percentage at nearly 65 percent, he scores all of his baskets exclusively from put-backs and alley-oops. Horford, on the other hand, is shooting 63 percent from the field since the break, with most of his baskets coming from mid-range.
In fact, for the season, only leading MVP candidate LeBron James has shot more efficiently at as high a volume as Horford.
“He’s playing the way we know he’s capable of playing,” Hawks forward Josh Smith said. “He’s doing a great job. He’s always been a consistent and efficient player on the offensive end. He is a great passer and now he has that 15-foot jump shot down-pat.”
Horford is playing so well at center that it is hard to remember that he is technically not playing his natural position. At the trade deadline, Hawks GM Danny Ferry made it known that he was interested in acquiring a center to allow Horford to slide back to his college position of power forward.
However, in games this season in which Zaza Pachulia has started at center and Horford has moved to power forward, Horford’s all-around numbers are actually slightly worse. With rosters increasingly moving away from the traditional big-man rotations and Horford consistently progressing with his post game, Ferry may want to keep Horford right where he is.
Miami’s success with slender Chris Bosh at center has made it apparent that traditional big men are not as necessary as they once were.
“In the East, we can get away with playing Al at the center position,” Hawks guard Deshawn Stevenson said. “He does an awesome job of scoring at center and he’s a mismatch there on both sides.”
In fact, metrically speaking, Horford’s mismatch is evidenced as he accompanies Brook Lopez, Al Jefferson, and J.J. Hickson as the only four starting centers with a PER over 20.0. In Estimated Wins Added – another metric stat gaging value – Horford and Lopez are the only two pivots with over 10 wins added for their respective teams.
When you consider that Horford is significantly more proficient on the defensive end than
Lopez, it is worth noting that his gaudy metric numbers actually ignore some of his greatest attributes: tenacity and hustle.
“He’s been really active defensively which is getting his offensive game going,” Drew said.
“Spectacular,” Hawks guard Devin Harris said. “He’s been spectacular. That is all I have to say.”
Because it seems that Horford has been among the league’s better big men for years, it is easy to forget he is 26 years old and just reaching his prime. Despite playing in the NBA a full season longer than Gasol, Horford is actually a year-and-a-half younger than him and more than a year younger than former Florida teammate Noah.
With Josh Smith’s possible free agency departure looming this summer, Horford is tacitly assuming a bigger leadership role for the Hawks.
“I’m starting to hear him be more vocal,” Drew said. “As a coach, I always embrace when my players are vocal in the right way, especially out on the floor. He is a guy the players respect and look up to.
“Certainly his role, as far as being one of our leaders, is huge. If we are going to take that next step, it will because of a guy like him stepping to the forefront and leading our ball club.”
With Horford locked up until 2016 for a relative bargain of $12 million per season, he very well may be the most valuable asset in the entire NBA. For an Atlanta organization consumed with questions about its future, Horford’s emergence as the leader on and off the court for the long term is the only sure thing.
“Becoming the leader has just kind of happened,” admitted Horford. “When I have something to say, I will say it to our guys. With more experience and time under my belt, I’m speaking out a little bit more. The only thing I want from the guys is to come out here and play hard, especially with defense. We have enough talent here offensively that I know we can play with anyone.”
Jacob Eisenberg is a sophomore at Emory University in Atlanta who covers the Hawks for The Emory Wheel and TheFanManifesto.com. Check out his Web site, jacobeisenberg.com.
