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NBA Stock Exchange: Shooting Big Men and Lockdown Wings

By Adam McGee

Oct 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) works against Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford (15) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) works against Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford (15) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Buy: Al Horford’s Three-Point Range

As the NBA as a league has become increasingly focused on spacing from all five positions, one of the NBA’s most versatile centers continues to improve and diversify.

The Atlanta Hawks rattled off 60 wins last season (only running out of gas in the Conference Finals) and they did so behind the illusion that every player on the court could hurt the opposing team if given an inch of space.

If there was one player who was preventing the team from the league’s most well-rounded three-point threat, it was Atlanta’s All-Star center Al Horford.

I never want to shoot a shot if I haven’t worked on it. I feel comfortable with it. – Al Horford via Hawks.com

In spite of having a somewhat ungainly shooting stroke, Horford’s shot has been incredibly smooth for years. For his career the Florida Gator averages 53.8 percent from the field, and a steady diet of those field goals have come from behind the free throw line over the years.

Having shown himself to be as close to automatic as any big in the league when it comes to long twos, many have long questioned why it’s taken the Dominican so long to expand his range. In fact, prior to the beginning of last season, based off of the smallest of sample sizes that was a question I posed personally.

The answer to why it took so long is likely very simple though. Horford does not do things in half measures, and as a result, unless he knew he could make it a real weapon, you were never going to catch him attempting threes on the floor.

Speaking to KL Chouinard of Hawks.com during training camp, Horford commented:

"“I always try to work on things in the summer. I have gotten a chance to work on those shots. I never want to shoot a shot if I haven’t worked on it. I feel comfortable with it. I understand that I have to be near the paint, (working) pick-and-rolls, working around the basket, but I want to be able to have the ability that if I need to shoot those shots, to take them.”"

Prior to the last six weeks or so, Horford’s career had only seen him attempt 65 long balls with 21 makes coming out of that bunch.

In this young season, Horford has already made 27 of his 77 attempts. That translates to just over 35 percent from behind the arc, and exactly the sort of success rate that forces defenders to respect him on the perimeter.

For two years, Atlanta caused havoc with their spacing behind the 31 percent shooting of Pero Antic, with Al Horford becoming that threat their offense takes on a new dimension. Horford recognizes that:

"“It helps our team. The ability to have your 5-man stretch out and every now and then shoot a shot like that, it keeps the defense honest and stretches the floor.”"

Atlanta may not have hit the heady heights of last season just yet, but with a better idea of how to pace themselves, and how to deal with opposition adjustments, Horford and his Hawks will be dangerous as the year goes on.

Next: Defense Far From An Achilles Heel