With NBA Free Agency quickly approaching, we debate who would hypothetically be the better signing: Dwight Howard or Al Horford
This offseason is quickly approaching, and there will be an abundance of stars in free agency for each team to choose from. With the new salary cap spiking some $20 million, each team is given a renewed effort at the top prospects.
Big names such as Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and many other stars will headline a free agency that will rock the NBA world.
If you are the General Manager of any team with significant cap space, who would you want in the free agency?
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Obviously, Kevin Durant is No. 1 on every team’s big board, and most likely teams would prefer Hassan Whiteside after him. But third on everyone’s list should be Al Horford; not Dwight Howard. And the numbers back that claim up.
Horford has quietly turned into a beast during his last couple of seasons in the NBA. For starters, this season he made 88 threes – something he’s recently developed in his game. He is a 6-10 center who shoots a three. YES. Dwight can not even make a free throw.
Horford averaged 51 percent shooting from the field, 80 percent from the free throw line, and 34 percent from the field. Just for reference, Al Horford has a better three-point percentage than Carmelo Anthony, Jamal Crawford, DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Jae Crowder, Danny Green, Kyrie Irving, and many many more.
- Horford averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 turnovers
- Dwight averaged 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 2.3 turnovers
Before you go crazy about Dwight’s rebounds and blocks, just think about this: Al Horford averages over 30 percent better than Dwight at the free throw line. And aside from rebounding, that’s pretty much all that Howard does better than Horford on the basketball court.
On top of all this, Horford is a team-player. Dwight received a reduced role in Houston and said that it was hard for him to play at times.
"[via ESPN]Howard: “There were times I was disinterested because of situations that happened behind the scenes that really hurt me. It left me thinking, ‘This is not what I signed up for.”’ESPN: What specifically are you referring to?Howard: “I felt like my role was being reduced. I went to [Rockets general manager] Daryl [Morey] and said, ‘I want to be more involved.’ Daryl said, ‘No, we don’t want you to be.’ My response was, ‘Why not? Why am I here?’ It was shocking to me that it came from him instead of our coach. So I said to him, ‘No disrespect to what you do, but you’ve never played the game. I’ve been in this game a long time. I know what it takes to be effective.”’Morey declined comment."
On most NBA teams, character is often the top priority. Sorry, Dwight, but the answer when choosing between the two should be Horford every time.
More sir charles in charge: Who Deserves A Max Contract More: Hassan Whiteside Or Dwight Howard?
Do you agree? Who would you choose between Horford and Howard?