Since 1980 (36 years) Which Celtics Bigs Were "Better" Then Horford?

[mkogav]

Name all the Celtics bigs since 1980 (36 years) who you believe were/are better NBA players than Al Horford. "Better" is very subjective, which hopefully make this an interesting question.


Mk's List

• Kevin Garnett
• Kevin McHale
• Robert Parish

Horford is forth on my list. With a really special 4 year run, there is a chance he moves past Parish on my list.

Honorable Mentions

• There is a case for Bill Walton. He won 2 rings, a league MVP, 6th man award (in 86 with the Cs), and a Finals MVP. The majority of his best years were not with the Cs. He only had one good  year as a Celtic. His career was much too short, only a 2 time All Star.
• Cedric Maxwell feels like a Al Horford-light to me.
• White Mamba!!! Just kidding of course.
• Al Jefferson's case is mainly built on great stats from losing teams, MIN & UTA.
• EDIT: Dino Radja had a productive 4 year run with the 90s Cs. Like a light version of Big Al, Dino was good stats on a bad team. Dino's 4 years with the Cs were his only in the NBA.
• EDIT: I am legit embarrassed on omitting one of my favorite all-time Celtics Antoine Walker. Antoine was born a NBA generation too early. His hybrid/stretch-4 abilities were not appreciated during his time. If he could reign in his volume shooting ways, he would be the prototypical forward in today's game.

Did I miss anyone?

This says a little about both how exceptionally good Horford is and the dearth of talented Celtics big men (outside of KG) over the past 3 player generations (25 years since McHale and Parrish wore the green)

Mk

[Gainesville Celtic]

1. Thomas Hamilton
2. Acie Earl
3. Brett Szabo
4. Dwayne Schintzius
5. Brandon Hunter



.... oh sorry I read the question wrong.     .... I agree with your list

[mkogav]

1. Thomas Hamilton
2. Acie Earl
3. Brett Szabo
4. Dwayne Schintzius
5. Brandon Hunter



.... oh sorry I read the question wrong.     .... I agree with your list

I still can't believe that I once drank the Kool-Aid on Acie Earl.

Mk

P.S. Those viscious rumors that I once sported a Schintzius-do are blatantly false!!!




...as far as you know.

[loco_91]

Seems about right. I think Horford is the same caliber player as Parish; wouldn't really say either of them is "better." Then '07-08 KG was on McHale's level (well above Horford) but '08-'13 KG was probably closer to the Horford/Parish tier.

[kozlodoev]

1. Thomas Hamilton
2. Acie Earl
3. Brett Szabo
4. Dwayne Schintzius
5. Brandon Hunter



.... oh sorry I read the question wrong.     .... I agree with your list

No love for Zan Tabak, Bruno Sundov, and Travis Knight?

[Moranis]

Given Horford's age and likely production, I'd easily put Toine ahead of him. 

Dino Radja had a very solid 4 year stretch as well.  I don't think Horford will eclipse Dino's 19.7/9.8 season.  Heck Horford might not even eclipse Radja's 17.2/8.7 season. 

Now if you aren't just counting time on Boston, then that is a much different question because Shaq played in Boston.  Jermaine O'Neal played in Boston.  Etc.  Those guys had better careers than Horford, but obviously did not have great careers as a Celtic.

[mkogav]

I think Horford is the same caliber player as Parish; wouldn't really say either of them is "better."

I feel the same. If Horford leads the Cs to the Finals, that would push him past Parish in my book.

Then '07-08 KG was on McHale's level (well above Horford) but '08-'13 KG was probably closer to the Horford/Parish tier.

I view KG a notch higher than McHale. IMO KG is a 1 to McHale being a 2. (Bird would be the 1 on those 80s Cs team)

McHale was a 7 time All Star, 6 time 1st/2nd All D, won 2 6th Man awards, and 1 All NBA first team.

KG was a 15 time All Star, DOPY in 08, league MVP with the Wolves, 12 time All D, and a 4 time All NBA first team. He was a legit franchise player.

Mk

[dysgenic]

Max was def better- not even close.

I would put Jefferson ahead of Horford.

Walton only really played for a year here- for that year, he was better.

He's 7th on my list.

[Snakehead]

I would have him around Parish.  KG is the best hands down.  Best PF of all time IMO.

[Who]

Garnett and McHale

I'd take Horford over Parish.

Edit: ehh, maybe not over Parish. Horford spent most of his best years in Atlanta so Celtics-Horford probably won't surpass Celtics-Parish.

[bdm860]

Just looking at the raw, sexy stats, Antoine's first run in Boston looked pretty impressive:

20.8ppg, 8.7rpg, 4.2apg, 1.5spg, 0.6bpg.

His average over that 7 year run is better than Horford's best year, actually better than most players, those stats put Antoine in pretty elite company (for either single season or cumulative).

Of course looking a little deeper at some of the advanced metrics like PER, TS%, ORtg, DRtg, etc. paints a very different picture.

Still wonder where Antoine ranks on everybody's list here.  Is he 5th?  Is it by default (due to lack of eligible bigs)?

[Who]

I don't really consider C.Maxwell or Antoine as bigs. More as forwards.

More specifically as combo forwards in the PF/SF mold.

[ederson]

Given Horford's age and likely production, I'd easily put Toine ahead of him. 

Dino Radja had a very solid 4 year stretch as well.  I don't think Horford will eclipse Dino's 19.7/9.8 season.  Heck Horford might not even eclipse Radja's 17.2/8.7 season. 

I think Radja is very underrated here ......

[kozlodoev]

Given Horford's age and likely production, I'd easily put Toine ahead of him. 

Dino Radja had a very solid 4 year stretch as well.  I don't think Horford will eclipse Dino's 19.7/9.8 season.  Heck Horford might not even eclipse Radja's 17.2/8.7 season. 

I think Radja is very underrated here ......

Dino was a pretty good player, but he was only with the Celtics for 4 years -- and the team was horrible at that time. You're probably right though.

[jambr380]

Given Horford's age and likely production, I'd easily put Toine ahead of him. 

Dino Radja had a very solid 4 year stretch as well.  I don't think Horford will eclipse Dino's 19.7/9.8 season.  Heck Horford might not even eclipse Radja's 17.2/8.7 season. 

Now if you aren't just counting time on Boston, then that is a much different question because Shaq played in Boston.  Jermaine O'Neal played in Boston.  Etc.  Those guys had better careers than Horford, but obviously did not have great careers as a Celtic.

I was beginning to write a new post, but then realized I was saying exactly what you said. So, tp.