Al Horford vs Cavs highlights 2016 playoffs... let's get excited about Al

[chambers]

We haven't had a big guy this good since KG.
These are highlights from just one game, but you can imagine the impact he's going to have for us if/when we come up against the Cavs in a playoff series. Still under dogs but we are a serious shot to make the ECF now and add some top 10 players/free agents etc. He's a legit two way big man.
Welcome Big ALford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLLLUhXxaVQ

[NHCelticsFan]

Some great examples of his all around offensive game.  Smart defender who can add some rim protection as well.

I love how smooth he is handling the ball and bringing it up court.  Stevens should have fun with Al in the lineup.

[dannyboy35]

I'm getting pumped. I've watched a ton of celts/ hawks games through the years and I feel I haven't noticed his athleticism. Love how he moves on the pick and roll. Having Horford doing that with IT instead of Amir, Kelly, or Sully is a huge upgrade I knew but I think I STILL underestimated him.

[dannyboy35]

Without considering GS, I can totally see us challenging the cavs with just 1 more star.

[GratefulCs]

TP to chambers for getting me PUMPED

[PhoSita]

I love how eager he was to victimize Kevin Love.


He's very mobile for a big man.   Definitely doesn't move like a center.  That block from behind on Kyrie was cash.

A big guy like that who can spot up, be the roll man, keep the ball moving, and even bring the ball down court on a fast break ... it just makes so many things easier for your team.

He's more of a lob threat than I realized.


I'm definitely looking forward to watching Al Horford.

Man, though, the Hawks really imploded in that fourth quarter, huh?  I wasn't even watching.  What happened there?  Horford seemed to be dominating that game, at least from the highlights, but then something went off the rails in the 4th.

[Snakehead]

One thing I'm growing more excited about is seeing him in transition.  I kind of never realized how mobile he is there, how he can handle the ball, and although I knew he was a strong passer, guy can really pass on the break too.  I love how he runs the break with the ball and can throw a crisp bounce pass.  That will help the team a lot. 

I think our team really wants to and should run but we really don't have the personnel for it.  Horford and Jaylen can make a big impact there.

[Snakehead]

Man, though, the Hawks really imploded in that fourth quarter, huh?  I wasn't even watching.  What happened there?  Horford seemed to be dominating that game, at least from the highlights, but then something went off the rails in the 4th.

From NBA.com

The Hawks led 103-99 with just over 8 minutes remaining, but the Cavaliers were relentless and the home team - which had matched Cleveland shot for shot - suddenly went cold.

Cleveland went ahead for good when the Hawks inexplicably left James all alone outside the 3-point stripe. He had time to step up to the line, set himself, and put up the jumper. Nothing but net, naturally, giving the Cavaliers their first lead since late in the second quarter.

At the other end, Paul Millsap had a pass knocked away by J.R. Smith, the ball winding up in James' hands. He saw Frye breaking toward the other end, all alone, and fired ahead for a thunderous dunk that extended Cleveland's lead with 5:56 left.

Frye went off in that game shooting.  That was one of those games Cleveland was crazy from three in.  Cleveland also crushed ATL on the boards in that game and it wore them down as it went along.  Love was also really good on offense in that game, if yes he did get abused on defense.  Maybe his best game of the Playoffs with 21 pts, 15 reb.

[PhoSita]

That is the drawback of Horford, I suppose.  As wonderful as he is in so many areas, his lack of height and length allow more traditional big men like Love to have solid games against him.

Also, getting dominated on the boards and missing too many decent looks ... yeah ... the Celts will have that happen to them sometimes this year, just like in the past.  That much hasn't changed.


Feels like a long-time refrain with the Celts.  At least it's not as bad as it was in the latter days of the KG / Pierce era.  Those fourth quarter collapses where they got worked on the boards and the only shots they could generate were jumpers that clanged off the rim ... ahh.  Don't miss that.

[Snakehead]

That is the drawback of Horford, I suppose.  As wonderful as he is in so many areas, his lack of height and length allow more traditional big men like Love to have solid games against him.

Also, getting dominated on the boards and missing too many decent looks ... yeah ... the Celts will have that happen to them sometimes this year, just like in the past.  That much hasn't changed.


Feels like a long-time refrain with the Celts.  At least it's not as bad as it was in the latter days of the KG / Pierce era.  Those fourth quarter collapses where they got worked on the boards and the only shots they could generate were jumpers that clanged off the rim ... ahh.  Don't miss that.

I personally see his rebounding going up a couple per game because he will be asked to do more of that without Millsap and because he will be in situations where he is really the lone big out there with someone like Crowder or Jerebko at PF sometimes.  I think he is a better rebounder than that.  But he is not so strong there and it is an issue for this roster on paper, no doubt.

Horford is a big upgrade and although there is some drought to worry about, I think IT's excellent 4th qtr play combined with by far the best big he has pick and rolled with will be really effective.  I would easily take IT over Teague at the end of the game, zero questions.

Plus Horford attacks the rim and makes use of the space.  IMO we do need shooting but we also really need more guys who can drive and attack the rim as well.

[Rosco917]

Some see the glass half full, other see it half empty. As to his supposed lack of size at 6-10 with 7 foot length...
It's one heck of an improvement over Sully.

What's interesting is he fits in a lineup as a center, and a power forward. He moves, he gets up and down the floor effortlessly. He protects the rim, scores well, passes well, defends well, he's a solid piece. If we ever got a full size center with a game (Cousins) he slides to PF easily.

He reminds me of a Tim Duncun lite.

[A Future of Stevens]

Honestly my only problem (and I know it has been fleshed out before) is the rebounding concerns. As somebody pointed out in the youtube thread, while he went 11-15, he also only had 1 rebound.

But yea, he is a roll threat, has good athleticism for his size, moves very well, and is a good leaper in space. That poster on kevin, showed off another part of his game. The constant threat of him stroking it from deep keeps the bigs on their toes, in a way that lets him put it on the deck and take it to the rack.

Defensively he is very intelligent. He seems capable of sticking with his man, and his decent length allows him to alter shots at the rim. As pho pointed out, he stayed with kyrie, and blocked his layup, no easy feat for a defender, let alone a PF/C.

He just makes the Celtics so much more versatile.

[apc]

Nice video, he looks more athletic than i thought he was.
and can run the court with the ball!

[dannyboy35]

1 rebound? Wow. I missed that. I'm bummed that I think we're gonna lose Kelly who would soo benefit from Horford .

[TheSundanceKid]

Ok, now I'm excited!