I was around back when Al Horford didn’t shoot threes.
The next year, he increased the number to 36 (whoa, slow down there, Al), but his shooting percentage was only 30.8 percent. Horford, however, took the decision that off-season to broaden his toolkit and, essentially, redefine his game in Year 9.
It worked perfectly and significantly increased his long-term window of performance. He shot a staggering 256 threes the next year. That would be similar like setting aside your allowance and then using it all when you can finally get your ears pierced.
He shot a respectable, but not fantastic, 34.4 percent that season before shooting 42.9 percent for the Celtics in 2017–18. Up until this past season, when he shot an astounding 44.6 percent, he consistently hovered in the 33-37 percent area.
That would be unjust to Horford to call a fluke. It wasn’t an accident. A sniper, Al. He is a master marksman. Can he maintain that during the upcoming season? That is a distinct query.
We do know that he can succeed from within the arc, barring a shocking turn of events. Horford had a stellar 16-year career and has never had a field goal percentage below 50% (54.4 percent overall).
In one season, he once attempted more than 1,000 2s compared to just six 3s. Joe Mazzulla quakes somewhere. He attempted just 2.4 shots inside the arc in 30.5 minutes a game last season but shot 53.9 percent from 2-point range.
He took 325 3s, compared to 154 2s, more than twice as many. Despite having a fantastic season, was Horford too predictable? If he used the same Horford magic on the inside, might he pose an even greater threat?
Here are the two sides to the
He should undoubtedly attempt more 2-point shots.
I can’t believe I’m going to advise a player to take less 3-pointers. That would be like a proficient but inconsistent amateur drummer ordering their neighbor, a professional pianist, to turn the sound down.
But bear with me. Three 2-point tries or more are required, not less. It simply isn’t. In other words, he tried a 2 roughly every 12.7 minutes. One may contend that Horford settles too frequently and spends too much time on the periphery.
He’s 37, and the Celtics need him to be healthy for the playoffs, so okay, yeah, I get it. But when Horford is only a 3-point shooter, the attack can occasionally become too formulaic. The Celtics don’t really have a post presence if he plays center and Jayson Tatum plays the 4.
Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and others can penetrate and make plays, but last year (excluding Luke Kornet from this), they lacked a player who could get the ball on the block, make a quick move, and finish.
Kristaps Porzingis can do this now, in theory. But Porzingis can also make accurate shots. Horford would be more useful in the paint and provide difficulties for smaller defenders when Porzingis is on the perimeter. Brown,
Teams lack the resources to be concerned about him down there. That explains why people outside find him so approachable. Teams won’t pay much attention to him because the Celtics’ offense is so strong. If that pattern is present on the edge, it will also be present in the paint.
No one is requesting that the big guy take 1,000 2s once more, but he ought to take more than 154. Don’t give in. Make the most of your size. Bring buckets. There will be makes, albeit there might be a few misses that are followed by the signature Horford clap of frustration. numerous makes. Horford is an excellent basketball player.
No, he shouldn’t take more 2-pointers
Horford is automatic, especially from the corner, so if you told me he should take even more 3’s, I wouldn’t really be able to argue. There’s also a strong case for the argument that Horford is just fine where he is. He shot 44.6 percent from 3 for a reason. He’s basically Steph Curry. I’m only half kidding. Wardell made just 42.7 percent of his triples. Additionally, as mentioned above, the Celtics want to keep him as fresh
His game has changed as he has aged. He removes the opposition big man from the paint, creates space for the guards and forwards to move about, and his spacing excite Mazzulla.
Stay away from it. Let the man go on doing what he does. He can do whatever he wants if he continues to fire in that manner.
What do you think, then? Both views have been heard. There’s a good chance that you have some original ideas. Should Horford attempt more 2-pointers this year, or should he continue to attempt about 2-3 every game?
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