Al Horford

I'm just curious how high you all think he could go? Obviously he won't be in the Top 2, but with the way he is playing, he seems to be the next best all around player. (partial homerism talking) You got both Wrights and Horford as the next 3 players after Oden/Durant, IMO. Am I just a blind homer saying this or what do you guys think of Horford's stock?

I say that he is the next best all around player after the big 2 because he is a great passing big man that dominates around the rim and can hit the 15 foot jump shot. He is one of the best rebounding guys in the nation(if it wasn't for Noah gobbling up so many boards he would be top 5 in the nation in rebounding, IMO). Billy Donovan has said how Horford is one of the smartest players he has ever coached and Noah always sings Horford praises by basically saying that Horford manhandles him in practice. He doesn't have the stats, since the Gators are so balanced, but he's EASILY our best player.

There is still a chance that he stays for his senior year(not likely, but crazier things have happened). His dad has made it clear that the biggest mistake of his life was jumping to the NBA early(he had to to support his family, since he had Al as a freshman in college) and he said that it is up to Al, but when they sit down and talk, he will mention that this is the best time of his life and mention again how big of a regret he has that he couldn't stay in college.

Here is a good article from the Gainesville Sun....
http://www.gatorsports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...ORS02/703220373

 

<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just curious how high you all think he could go? Obviously he won't be in the Top 2, but with the way he is playing, he seems to be the next best all around player. (partial homerism talking) You got both Wrights and Horford as the next 3 players after Oden/Durant, IMO. Am I just a blind homer saying this or what do you guys think of Horford's stock?

I say that he is the next best all around player after the big 2 because he is a great passing big man that dominates around the rim and can hit the 15 foot jump shot. He is one of the best rebounding guys in the nation(if it wasn't for Noah gobbling up so many boards he would be top 5 in the nation in rebounding, IMO). Billy Donovan has said how Horford is one of the smartest players he has ever coached and Noah always sings Horford praises by basically saying that Horford manhandles him in practice. He doesn't have the stats, since the Gators are so balanced, but he's EASILY our best player.

There is still a chance that he stays for his senior year(not likely, but crazier things have happened). His dad has made it clear that the biggest mistake of his life was jumping to the NBA early(he had to to support his family, since he had Al as a freshman in college) and he said that it is up to Al, but when they sit down and talk, he will mention that this is the best time of his life and mention again how big of a regret he has that he couldn't stay in college.

Here is a good article from the Gainesville Sun....
http://www.gatorsports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...ORS02/703220373</div>

I'd definitely consider him in the top five but Brandan Wright seems like he's in another league at the moment. There's a sharp drop off from the first two picks to the third, but there's an even sharper drop off from the third to the rest of the lottery, in my opinion.

What makes Wright a better prospect (and I use the term prospect instead of player, because Wright's only 19), is that he's so physically imposing. He's 6'10" with a 75" wingspan (how freakish is that?) and great athleticism. I know it's cliche, but he really does resemble Kevin Garnett. He's also a quick learner. I've seen him play several times in high school and went up against him once, and he's definitely not the same player now that he was back then. I didn't think he had a shot to compete in the NCAA after watching him get pushed around by guys like Jeremy Williams (now of Colorado) and Pierre Niles (now of Memphis), but the guy has really progressed nicely, bulking up, improving his defensive timing, etc. Another thing I really like about Wright is his efficiency. 66% FG is impressive as hell for any player, regardless of position. To me, he's the only future All-Star in this class outside of Oden and Durant, that is, unless Hawes declares.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd definitely consider him in the top five but Brandan Wright seems like he's in another league at the moment. There's a sharp drop off from the first two picks to the third, but there's an even sharper drop off from the third to the rest of the lottery, in my opinion.

What makes Wright a better prospect (and I use the term prospect instead of player, because Wright's only 19), is that he's so physically imposing. He's 6'10" with a 75" wingspan (how freakish is that?) and great athleticism. I know it's cliche, but he really does resemble Kevin Garnett. He's also a quick learner. I've seen him play several times in high school and went up against him once, and he's definitely not the same player now that he was back then. I didn't think he had a shot to compete in the NCAA after watching him get pushed around by guys like Jeremy Williams (now of Colorado) and Pierre Niles (now of Memphis), but the guy has really progressed nicely, bulking up, improving his defensive timing, etc. Another thing I really like about Wright is his efficiency. 66% FG is impressive as hell for any player, regardless of position. To me, he's the only future All-Star in this class outside of Oden and Durant, that is, unless Hawes declares.</div>

I haven't been able to see him play as much as Horford, so I can't really comment on that as an expert or anything, but I just wanted to point out that Horford is shooting 64.1%, so he's very close to Brendan. Not to mention that Horford's shots aren't all dunks like they were last year, he has that nice 15 foot jumper now.

 

Alright, so y ou see Al being Top 5 still?

 

<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Alright, so y ou see Al being Top 5 still?</div>

I personally do. Right now he's the best option outside of the big three, in my opinion, especially given his position and the need for size in the NBA. However, that could change if Spencer Hawes comes out early. He didn't get a lot of publicity this season playing for Washington, but once he shows up in the draft camp and they see that he's a legitimate seven-footer and see the skillset he posseses, his stock should rise a bit. He's really a throwback to era of fundamentally sound big men, a bit Hakeem-esque actually. His combination of footwork and agility is amazing. I know I'm higher on him than most draft "experts," but still, I think every one has to at least have him going anywhere from #4-10 at this point. Overall, it's a great year for big men. You could wind up with four legitimate first-year starters out of this draft class in Oden, Wright, Hawes, and Horford.

Here are my top ten prospects at the moment by the way, for what it's worth at least -

1) Greg Oden
2) Kevin Durant
3) Brandan Wright
4) Spencer Hawes
5) Al Horford
6) Julian Wright
7) Chase Budinger
8) Thaddeus Young
9) Yi Jianlian
10) Jeff Green

 

Love Horford's game, but he has to climb over a couple prospects to crack the top five. Personally, Julian Wright's game is better to translate to the league. He has more versatility, longer frame, and he fits what NBA teams are trying to do these days. However, Al Horford is exactly like Moses Malone if you ask me. He's not the biggest guy on the court, but he knows how to position himself and flat out just grab boards. Right now I'd probably have Oden at the top, Durant right after him, Brandon Wright third, Julian Wright forth, Hawes fifth, then Horford at six.

 

<div class="quote_poster">C.K. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Love Horford's game, but he has to climb over a couple prospects to crack the top five. Personally, Julian Wright's game is better to translate to the league. He has more versatility, longer frame, and he fits what NBA teams are trying to do these days. However, Al Horford is exactly like Moses Malone if you ask me. He's not the biggest guy on the court, but he knows how to position himself and flat out just grab boards. Right now I'd probably have Oden at the top, Durant right after him, Brandon Wright third, Julian Wright forth, Hawes fifth, then Horford at six.</div>

Who are these couple of prospects if you've got Horford #6?

And do you really think that Moses Malone is a fair comparison for Horford? Malone is a three-time MVP and a twelve-time All-Star. If you wanted to compare him to someone who's got a good grasp of the fundamentals that make up for their lack of his physical attributes, then I think a Chuck Hayes or Reggie Evans would be a better comparison. Besides, Malone was tall, he was just thin. Horford's just about as tall, and he's thick as hell. I honestly can't see Horford as a player who'd struggle competing against NBA-sized opponents.

I think the biggest knock on Horford at this point is actually his unselfishness, which is bordering on passiveness, a trait that is a career-killer in the NBA. I realize that the whole "team concept" is what has been winning Florida games these past two years, but still, it seems like Horford isn't vocal enough in commanding the ball in the post. If you just gave him Noah's arrogance and pride, he'd be a better prospect.

And actually, I think he's the exact opposite of what you were asserting earlier. He's not a dominant rebounder. He gets a lot of rebounds, but he's not always getting those boards because of footwork and fundamentals; a lot has to do with the fact that he's got a size and strength advantage on most of the opposing team's big men and just clears them out of the way. His fundamentals under the boards aren't anywhere near the level of Moses Malone's, or even a Zach Randolph/Carlos Boozer type for that matter, two players who resemble Horford physically.

Still, I see him on another level than Julian Wright, just because I'm really not convinced that Wright will be able to play out on the wing in the NBA. Unlike a lot of undersized NCAA power forward prospects, Wright actually has the ball handling ability, the athleticism, and the first step to survive playing the three at the next level, but he couldn't hit ten open mid-range or long-range jumpers if you left him in an empty gym for the day. He's really developing as far as shooting mechanics go, to say the least. Not to mention that he's a far more passive, inconsistent player than Horford. If you're looking at player who you think have similar talent levels, then character comes into play, and so far Horford has shown greater character.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">

I think the biggest knock on Horford at this point is actually his unselfishness, which is bordering on passiveness, a trait that is a career-killer in the NBA. I realize that the whole "team concept" is what has been winning Florida games these past two years, but still, it seems like Horford isn't vocal enough in commanding the ball in the post. If you just gave him Noah's arrogance and pride, he'd be a better prospect. </div>

That's what's so great about the last several weeks, he has taken over. He is the guy we go to down the stretch now and he has gotten much better at demanding the ball and getting good position under the basket. He is starting to be a little more flamboyant as he looks at his biceps after a strong move(he's doing it a lot now), so he is starting to do the things that you have mentioned.

 

I definitely like Horfords game, and as a 76ers fan if we can't get the 1 or 2 pick then I'd be a fan of drafting Horford because of his post presence. I think he has good footwork and a soft touch in the paint, and the 76ers definitely need a low post threat. He also has a wide frame so he isn't afraid to make contact.