For some, it may look a bit unorthodox. It does not have the same visual appeal as a smooth Klay Thompson jumper. Despite all this, No. 42 for the Boston Celtics finds the same result with his jump-shot. For the second time since the All-Star break, the former Florida big Al Horford has made five or more threes en route to a Celtics triumph.
He is tied for seventh in the NBA in total makes since the association resumed action, shooting an astounding 60% from long-range. He may have one of the most consistent shots on the Cs this season, but it was not always like that throughout his career that spans over 15 seasons.
A lot of the things that Horford does on a game by game basis do not get noticed on the stat sheet. Despite that, this jump shot is vital to the success of this offense. The Boston Celtics have lost just three games all season in which Horford has converted on two of fewer 3-point attempts.
Once again, the veteran’s ability to stretch the floor proves critical against a team like the Cavs with so much length and size.
His 44% from the 3-point line this season is by far his best of his career since he adopted a jump shot into his regular game. The 5x All-Star is only behind Malcolm Brogdon in 3-point shooting percentage on the Cs as Boston sits top-six in the league in shooting percentage from behind the arc.
With stretching the floor an important part of any modern NBA offense, Horford provides that rare combination of elite 3-point shooting with a strong presence in the paint on both ends of the floor. He forces players like Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Brook Lopez among other shot blocking threats in the Eastern Conference to vacant the painted area.
When his man denies the jumper, Horford has the ability to take him off the dribble. His offensive arsenal is truly special. For so many years, his game has not been reliant on the jump-shot. That is why he is currently one of the best all-around players in the NBA today.
The Dominican Republic native did not attempt more than one shot from beyond the arc until his ninth season with the Atlanta Hawks. As the game evolved, the forward adapted. Coming in the NBA in 2007, Horford was blessed with a true NBA body.
The long-range shot was not a part of Al Horford’s bag consistently until his last season before coming to Boston Celtics
Horford’s rebounding, and defense were the two things that stood out to scouts from his triumphant college years in Gainesville, Florida. The 2007 SEC Tournament MVP was a problem on the glass. He piled up 31 contests in which he accumulated double-digit rebounds. The forward only shot five threes in over 2,400 minutes played for the Gators.
He turned his biggest weakness coming out of the collegiate game into one of his most significant weapons. You get his presence around the rim night in and night out, but it is his dead-eye long-range shot that has the ability to drive opponents up a wall. Fans around the NBA tend to forget that Horford was not a shooter at all in the beginning stages of his career due to the consistency he has in his shot today.
His shot allows Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, among other Boston Celtics, to take the ball into the teeth of the defense knowing they have a reliable shooter waiting to receive the rock on the perimeter. His versatility on the offensive end create a mountain to climb for the player guarding him. Other than all his leadership qualities, his jump-shot may be his most lethal weapon, especially this season. Just like against the 76ers, and the Cavaliers at the TD Garden, when the opposition gives the veteran big any sort of room on the perimeter, a basket is almost inevitable. It may look a bit strange coming off the hand, but the result is the only thing that matters.