Horford is so much better then I thought.
He could be a top 10 player in this league if he keeps playing like this.
I have to agree - I was a Horford hater, but I can admit when I'm wrong. He's doing everything, and he's doing it ever night.
Not sure if he was playing hurt towards the end of last season, but he's looking way better then he did in Atlanta.
I think it shows you how much of a team player he was. I've said it before but I think he was really sacrificing to Millsap. He was the guy spacing out so Millsap had room to work on offense and the boards. Millsap also gets his share of touches. Here he doesn't have to sacrifice to any frontcourt player like that.
The way Stevens is using him really lets him be so effective. He gets the pick and roll game but also so many hand off opportunities. He is so smart at knowing where every player is on the floor and seeing how the play is developing. He's like a PG in that regard.
I honestly can't even begin to contemplate how many wins he could single-handedly add to this team. It's been so long since we've had a legitimate two-way starting caliber big man on this team - it changes the entire dynamic of the game.
It felt like we had no shooters last year. Now suddenly it seems like Zeller and Smart are the only guys on this team who aren't really a threat from outside - everybody else (Thomas, Bradley, Crowder, Horford, Rozier, Brown, Green, Olynyk, Jerebko) - all threats from outside. Even Amir Johnson is enough of a threat that you can't really leave him wide open.
Then to add to that, most of the guys on this roster can pass the ball, handle the ball, and play multiple positions on both ends of the court. It's so great seeing everybody rebounding, everybody pushing the ball up the court, everybody moving the ball, 3 or 4 passes on every possession, etc.
I can't even begin to express how impressed with what Green, with Brown, with the emergerce of Rozier (who may be out second best shot creator right now). Even Smart's improved offensive game - sure he still can't hit a three to save his life, but his midrange game and post game have both become effective weapons, and he's looked much better going to the basket.
This team could be really, really good this year.
It's a big call, but I think we are the undisputed #2 team in the East right now, and If we can stay healthy then I think we could give Cleveland a really, really, really hard fought ECF series.
Especially with the Cavs losing Delly and Mosgov - pretty significant losses for them in terms of depth.
Topic: Celtics (3-1) at Knicks (2-1) Preseason Game #5 10/15/16 (Read 43930 times)