Author Topic: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed  (Read 4536 times)

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Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« on: June 27, 2019, 09:09:54 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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In his time here, Horford was looked at as the "glue guy" on our team and someone who was the ideal team player and could do a lot of different things on the court. He may not have had those flashy numbers/stats, but his production was vital and anyone could tell you that he made us a better team and that he helped us win a lot of games.

One of his biggest strengths was being able to do well on BOTH ends of the floor, especially on defense. And I think that's where we'll really miss Horford's presence and out of all the guys likely leaving (Rozier, Kyrie, Horford, Morris, etc.), I actually think Horford is the guy we'll truly miss most because of it (and his "team first mentality" which Rozier + Kyrie lacked).

In the East, Giannis remains in MIL, Gasol in TOR, Embiid in PHI. Horford honestly did a great job holding his own against them and actually played great defense for the most part, most noticeably on Embiid.

But what scares me is... how on earth are we supposed to handle the other top bigs in the East going forward  :-\

Sure, we could certainly add a big using the MLE and/or vet. min to go along with Timelord and Grant Williams, but unless the big we get is solid on defense I think we're going to get smoked by the likes of Giannis, Embiid, etc. lol. Hell, they could realistically put up like 40/20 against us and our thin front court.

I hope Ainge has a plan for the front court even if he signs Kemba, I really do. Because otherwise, we're going to get smacked even more by the likes of Drummond, Embiid, etc. and maybe even other teams' 3rd string bigs.

It's sad Horford is leaving, but I don't necessarily blame anyone, since Horford could realistically contend somewhere else and the C's may not want to go past 4/100M+ for him. But still, our frontcourt defense without him will take a massive hit. 

And no, I'm NOT trading Smart or Brown in some package for Capela or Adams. Forget it. Not worth it.
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2019, 09:10:46 PM »

Offline liam

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Is there a large gaping hole at center?

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2019, 09:11:48 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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Is there a large gaping hole at center?

The hole is so large that even Ben Simmons could attempt a shot behind the arc and convert  :P
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2019, 09:13:07 PM »

Offline liam

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Is there a large gaping hole at center?

The hole is so large that even Ben Simmons could attempt a shot behind the arc and convert  :P

That is HUGE!!!!

A TACKO SIZED HOLE!

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2019, 09:17:22 PM »

Offline SparzWizard

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Horford got abused by Embiid and Giannis/Lopez so not much to be missed.


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Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2019, 09:19:32 PM »

Offline gouki88

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Horford got abused by Embiid and Giannis/Lopez so not much to be missed.
He did about a good a job as anyone not named Kawhi (who only defended one of them). They’re unstoppable players, especially with how the game is officiated in their favour
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Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2019, 09:23:03 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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Horford got abused by Embiid and Giannis/Lopez so not much to be missed.
He did about a good a job as anyone not named Kawhi (who only defended one of them). They’re unstoppable players, especially with how the game is officiated in their favour

Yep, was just about to post something similar. And the fact remains, once Horford leaves our defense takes an even bigger hit unless we actually get a solid center somehow. Don't even have Baynes anymore after he was traded and I doubt Theis, Williams and Timelord are currently the answers.
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2019, 09:24:04 PM »

Offline liam

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Horford got abused by Embiid and Giannis/Lopez so not much to be missed.
He did about a good a job as anyone not named Kawhi (who only defended one of them). They’re unstoppable players, especially with how the game is officiated in their favour

I can't wait to see TACKO on Embiid!

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2019, 09:44:34 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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Horford got abused by Embiid and Giannis/Lopez so not much to be missed.
He did about a good a job as anyone not named Kawhi (who only defended one of them). They’re unstoppable players, especially with how the game is officiated in their favour

I can't wait to see TACKO on Embiid!

They should literally just have Tacko positioned right in front of the hoop on defensive possessions with his height  :P
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2019, 09:48:04 PM »

Offline timpiker

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I think we'll miss Horford's and Bayne's D big time.   I'm not sure what Danny can do considering the cap and under no circumstances do I want Brown or Smart traded for a Center.   Face it, were somewhat stuck between a rock and a hard place due to the defections of Cryee and Al.  But all is not lost.  We have Danny and the leprechaun and the ghost of Red.

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2019, 11:02:48 AM »

Offline Phantom255x

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I think we'll miss Horford's and Bayne's D big time.   I'm not sure what Danny can do considering the cap and under no circumstances do I want Brown or Smart traded for a Center.   Face it, were somewhat stuck between a rock and a hard place due to the defections of Cryee and Al.  But all is not lost.  We have Danny and the leprechaun and the ghost of Red.

I fear we're basically going to go back to that froncourt similar of Zeller/Sully/Amir/Olynyk  :P
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2019, 11:36:41 AM »

Offline playdream

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We still got Timelord

We will be fine

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #12 on: June 28, 2019, 11:42:48 AM »

Offline Jiri Welsch

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Although Al's defense will be missed, it might be possible to find a guy who is a better rebounder than either Baynes or Horford.

In that sense, we could win a few possessions by simply not allowing so many offensive boards against good teams.

That's what I'm telling myself at least...

Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2019, 11:46:04 AM »

Offline gouki88

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Although Al's defense will be missed, it might be possible to find a guy who is a better rebounder than either Baynes or Horford.

In that sense, we could win a few possessions by simply not allowing so many offensive boards against good teams.

That's what I'm telling myself at least...
Trust me, we'll find a way to give up tonnes of offensive rebounds
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Re: Horford's Defense Will Be Brutally Missed
« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2019, 12:04:21 PM »

Offline obnoxiousmime

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Besides Tatum potentially having another disappointing season, the loss of Horford is what I'm most worried about going forward. It's not just his defense against Giannis and Embiid, he also provides spacing critical for the offense.

I do believe Ainge has some kind of trade or plan to address the issue, but the only potentially available player I can think of that can kind of replicate what Horford brought to the table is Myles Turner. I suspect Indy would rather deal Sabonis, however, and the cost will not be cheap. Losing Horford for nothing and having no obvious replacement could cost us an asset, most likely Jaylen and/or Smart.

This is where the lack of big man depth and perhaps a little overconfidence that Horford would stay long-term is biting them in the ass.