One thing I have to say to a lot of media people is: how good do you think the Celtics defense is? If you are buying it, as I think you have to now, who are you giving credit? I think basically no one gives much that I have seen besides Al from a small crowd (and very deservedly so). I think Smart gets way too little credit (he dominated in the second half on defense in the 76ers game). Baynes is great. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can both be very good. Kyrie is good. Theis is good. Rozier is good. I'm rambling and some do give the credit of course but I don't see it enough to talking about them compared to some other players right now.
To the point of the thread, Al's has been great. And how great he is in the screen and roll (even passing out of it) and how much that improves other players really matters. He is the best all around player on the team (no disrespect to Kyrie, who has been quality on defense).
I am a homer to Al of course given he plays here so I was quiet on this for a while, but given how we see things now: how wouldn't you take Al Horford over Kevin Love? One will do anything and fit in seamlessly and selflessly. Sure, he won't get a ton of rebounds and maybe he doesn't make the flashly long outlet, but he plays great defense and is even better because again he embraces the role. He doesn't care if he scores or not. And on the the other end, the defense is always there. You can play him at C and not feel at a loss, like you do with Love I think clearly, to defend.
I think here this may not be a hot take at all but I think to a larger NBA crowd it would and it should not be.