Al Horford (!) changes everything against Giannis and the Bucks
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- čas přidán 9. 05. 2022
- Al Horford exploded in Game 4 of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks 2022 playoff series, sparking a comeback win. This film room study details Boston's defensive scheme against Giannis, the Bucks adjustments in the last two games, their paint defense behind Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, and how Boston was able to crack it a bit to win Game.
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Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
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Music by csus (instrumental)
#ThinkingBasketball - Sport
Al has always been a true “baller’s baller.” He’s always been better than his role, but has always prioritized the team’s success over his own, all the while, never failing to excel in every single fundamental. He’s always reminded me of Duncan in that way.
I agree, one of the glue guys. Tremendous center in todays game. Can score in the paint, spread the floor, rebound, and defend on perimeter and block shots.. tremendous
exactly people forget he's a 5 time all star
Agreed. Tho Duncan wouldn't have thrown that bo. Timmy aint cheap
In the 2010s I'd argue he, Joakim Noah (pre injury), Marc Gasol and Kevin Love were the premiere playmaking and passing bigs. Horford's real potential as a stretch playmaking big wasn't unleashed until the C's handed him his fattest contract and helped pilot an overachieving Celtics team led with IT's efficient scoring and overall a roster of smart and scrappy players. He was even the guy on Giannis before he hit his prime in the Celtics-Bucks playoff series then too.
@@benw7367 had to get giannis back for elbowing jaylen brown. also Al probably didn’t like giannis staring him down
Horford is one of those players your average fan won’t remember. But you will see retired players as analysts in 10 years randomly bringing him up about how he gave them work 😂
no cap
Horford is a great litmus test for who does and doesn't know basketball. I'm going to claim my side by saying that I own an Al Horf jersey
@@leungsz as do I, respect fellow NBA fan
Them wide opens shots is giving them alot of work buddy
Horryesque
The constant QUALITY analysis from this channel is making the playoffs that much more exciting to follow
Just followed this page… still taking me some time to feel engaged. Idk what it is
@@_camy_ watch his greatest peaks series. You’ll become a fan forever
Facts
True
giannis saw this video and took it personally
This series has been the best I’ve ever seen, it’s less of “look at all these flashy offenses” and has become more of “look at these counters to flashy offenses”. You never know which team will win because 3/4 games have been close with few runs from Boston going small, sacrificing some defense for bursts of offense.
This isn’t a series where you need to match opponents crazy shot for crazy shot, this is a series where you need to score strategically against a top 5 defense then stop the other team from doing the same
said so well
Exactly. What I like about it Is that it's one of those games where fundamentals shine the most. Like you said these aren't really flashy teams, but fundamentally sound so when one can't find an open spot someone else like AL or Marcus finds those spots and hits the open shot. It's exciting and fun to watch.
3:38
"I don't know about you, but _I_ hated it when guys fouled _my_ elbow with _their_ face.
Uh-"
Expertly executed shade.
9:06
"And suddenly, after [15] suffocating quarters, the paint was open for Boston, with Tatum backing down George Hill in isolation, for a three-point play. I'm not sure how that's a foul on Hill, but-"
And of course he's fair, questioning calls on both sides of the ball. Nice.
i think the first one was a foul because brown was sliding late into his landing space even though yes, giannis elbow dropped him lmao
@@heatnix3223 even so, it could at least be a double foul, yes? Someone in another comment section said "Giannis was playing football out there" after game 3, so if this is at all "normal" in this series-do note that I haven't been watching these games myself-I don't care what the defender is or isn't doing. If hitting a player in the face while boxing out nets even the most established star in the league a 1-game suspension during the regular season, the least they can do is call this a personal foul, if not a flagrant. I even like Giannis's game too, but in no world should reckless, unprovoked moves like that go unpenalized; I hold both the player and the officials accountable.
@@BlueGrovyle same could be said for al's elbow later, things happen bruh. they were both head shots under pretty similar circumstances...
both unintentional i mean
Honestly, you never know. I once saw Tim Hardaway get called for a foul during a ref strike when Charles Barkley charged him, knocked him over, and accidentally stepped on his f****** stomach.
Lol....we are gonna need a follow up to this video after the clinic Giannis just gave him.
Ever since Horford first came to Boston, he's accepted a role that's far beneath his talent level so he can have a chance at a chip. This guy is a stud and still all star level at 35.
Also shows his value is with a roster like the Celtics. He didn't play this way at all in the Sixers playing the 4 next to Embiid with the Sixers and often got lost as that pick and pop guy.
Lol.. When he played in games for Okc he was getting cooked & couldn’t hit a jump shot
He might be All Star Level for this series, but this season he's definitely not All Star, maybe Sub-All Star if you Highball.
Was a shocking performance from Horford I didn’t know he still had it in him. He’s been such a consistent player his whole career. This has been an awesome series
Bucks being way too stationary on offence;standing around and spectating Giannis,making defence easier for Boston.
I don’t understand why Bucks won’t utilize the pick & roll more often?!
Also, I noticed that Bucks tactic was to let Horford shoot long two’s and 3’s uncontested. This is what Bucks were settling for.
In game 3, Boston missed those 3PT shots at the very end and lost the game. In game 4 they hit those same shots & won.
One man cannot win the game. Bucks needs Portis, Holiday, Lopez to combine for at least 50 to 55 points.
Hes been playing like this
Shocking performance? Horford averaging 19pts shooting 45% from 3 on 7 3P Attempts per game. He's been playing well all series.
@@blacknetsmed career high points for a playoff game is quite shocking yes. I also don’t watch Boston everyday
Year 15 soon to be 36 and Al Horford is as steady as ever. A great all around big. Hall of Very Good. I’m rooting for him to win a title to put a stamp on an amazing career!
"Hall of very good" 😭💀
36 in like 2 weeks. but yeah al horford i feel never got much credit on his atlanta days.
Hall of Fame!
@@matthewmullins4046 as a Cs diehard I love Al but he definitely belongs in the hall of very good
@@mordecaismopstick 5 time all-star that should've made more is a Hall of Fame guy. If Mitch Richmond is there, so should The Godfather
Al Horford on those Hawk teams in the early to mid 2010s I think was underrated for his impact and it’s good to see him having an incredible impact in playoffs for another team now towards the latter part of his career
those years were wasted tbh hawks never did nothing in the playoffs 🤣
Iso joe and his bloated contract, josh smith being budget Carmelo, an ancient mike Bibby, Paul Millsap being a borderline all-star. That was such a weird team
@@Vuirotto made the conference finals with significant injuries to the roster in 2015, though yes, they weren't anything generational. LeBron showed that you have to be more than a talented roster to best his teams as the comquerors of the eastern conference.
Al horford wasn't this good on defense in his early years, celtics have a good coach that really knows how to use his players, people don't give credit where it's due, is the coach that made this team what it is.
Problem with playing for the Hawks is this franchise is looked upon by fans here in the Atlanta area like other franchises they have. If I am someone coming into the NBA I don’t wanna plan Atlanta… And I’ve lived here for 47 years.
AL Horford is one of the most complete players of his generation. A 4/5 that can guard elite bigs in isolation, decent at protecting the rim, switch, pass, dribble a little bit and can score at 3 levels on or off ball. Amazing to watch
These “bigs” coming out of HS should really be studying his game if they want a career. All they offer is decent athleticism for a few years and then get faded out of the league because they cant/dont do anything else.
This season overall has been a revelation for the C's in terms of solving recent problems they had in the playoffs like getting match up hunted (Kyrie/Kemba were victims then) as well as the offense stagnating to some degree due to that lack of 'connective' tissue player role. In one part they solved that issue with the growth of Marcus Smart as a real facilitator besides being the Celtics most versatile defender. The other being Al Horford picking up things where he left off but instead of being a hub to IT and other smaller guards, he had to find his spot with the growing offensive stars in Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It was a role that Hayward occupied but felt he could do more in a different team (also didn't help his injury history). But now Horford can do that AND he's still useful in playoff match ups vs guys he was guarding before.
Al Horford is so underrated man
“Yea cuz he was supposed to be trash”- people
@@casper223s Anyone who ever thought Horford was trash doesn't know basketball
@@casper223s If you don't know ball, yes he was supposed to be trash
No, he was a good player, now he’s a below average starter … fact that he dropped 30 yesterday is ridiculous
@@ShutUpAndBall I never did but ur right. I love the Celtics and their system. And as a fellow Dominican I wouldn’t disrespect
As a Spurs fan, I'm really enjoying watching this series.
100% purest of basketball.
You should since Udoka is a former assistant to Pop.
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 Agreed, and Derrick White was playing for the Spurs this season.
Coach Bud was assisting Greg Popovich not long ago either.
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 almost every current coach either played for Pop or worked under him. Including Kerr, Monty, Jenkins, even Doc. I think the only remaining coaches that aren’t directly connected to Pop are Spo and Kidd.
@@swimfan752 and Steve Nash… for now
@@swimfan752 there’s actually quite a few that haven’t coached with Pop man there’s 29 other teams
LOL... Finally I can watch this. We had to win game 5 lol
Marcus Smart being able to guard Giannis in that 4th is what changed the game. He was the Celtics 2nd best player yesterday.
It's a bit crazy to think someone that size even has a prayer against Giannis.
not sured about that, horford held gianis to 4 of 12 shooting, while he was guarding him. but still smart did do his thing.
@@davidares286 Basically it allowed the C's to give another matchup in a different (downsized) lineup so they didn't have to grind out Giannis specifically using Grant Williams. As well as effectively using their guys in match ups since if the Bucks go small with the Celtics and Giannis is going to play ball handler, Smart is the ideal guy who can keep up when he's on attack mode to the rim. C's will still have Horford and wings to help at the rim to provide resistance. Reminds me of the GP2 video Ben made where the matchup solution the Warriors had vs the Nuggets against their bigs playing ball handler was have GP2 defend them.
Giannis was in need of an O2 support fourth Q
Pulled the Stockton, or Rodman.
This is an ultimate chess match between two of the best defences, and I'm not sure we deserve this masterpiece 😅
Your analysis is consistently incredible. I'm learning new depths of basketball, keep it up!
Thank you!
@@ThinkingBasketball your podcast is awesome too Ben!
I’m
That trade to the Sixers really made people forget how good Horford is.
Common sixers L, making good players look bad
Bro was in hibernation
Horford was good at the 76ers when Embiid was injured and he was playing centre with just Ben.
He wasn’t traded to Philly
Philly was just such a bad fit for Al. Like who looked at that sixers team with Ben and Embiid and thought “you know what we need more of? Size! Get another big dude.”
Personally I'm sorta liking the Jrue vs Marcus Smart glue guy performance in the series so far. Both guys have been active on both ends trying to help their team execute. Jrue has had his success earlier vs Jaylen Brown but sometimes he can't sustain his offense to help Giannis when he's trying to punch 30+ points. Smart has had bouts where he just makes bad passes having those lead to easy Bucks transition points. But he's made it up with his defensive versatility and being in a healthy 3 man rotation between him, Grant Williams and Al Horford defend Giannis. Smart when he has the ball seems to relish trying to drive it past Jrue when he's got him on defense.
@Fearless Demxn he’s just being asked to do too much. He’s never been a fantastic scorer. Better as a 3rd option
@Fearless Demxn thatsbjust how he plays in the playoffs tbh, you take the bad with the good, he is still a positive player even while struggling to score. i think he doesnt have the shotmaking skill to do what is asked of him while also getting a little flustered and taking bad shots
@@swimfan752 Overall he feeds on better talent around him with his playmaking and being able to pick his spots. Without the other high volume long range shooter in Middleton he has to do more on the offensive end than just trying to be efficient and set the table for everyone else. Then you add his responsibilities as the teams' 2nd best defender (primarily at the perimeter) and he is being taken to the limit.
@Fearless Demxn Offense wasn't Jrue's forte as he's been a late bloomer in that category. Defense is his strength.
yo speaking of I just caught the end of game 5. Final moments came down with Smart vs Holiday. I really love the moxie with these two high caliber defenders going at each other.
4:10 That's the sort of DPOY play that seems to go under the radar, and the reason the Celtics can run a switching defense so well.
You love to see it
Your ability to tell the story of a basketball game with X’s and O’s is remarkable
Very kind, thanks.
When I saw the reaction of Horford at 6:50, I knew something's gonna be interesting. Holy shit what came next was epic.
Well a game later and someone must suffer from the "foot in mouth" syndrome after 40 points...
Yo the face foul shit killed me😂😂a lil jab at the shitty officiating
0:49 Insane how this paint defense is SO GOOD that they obligate you to be great at shooting if you want to beat them. It was really ingenious in the sense that instead of trying to cover everything and be great at everything, they created a super solid foundation on the most important elements and challenged the opposition to master the hardest skills, and since most teams have just 2 really destructive shooters they can leave the others to take a shot, hopefuly contested in some way, and will a higher miss rating.
They must be incredibly discipline with positioning and not discombobulate, the second someone starts overhelping everything can fall apart.
Best basketball analyst on CZcams
that Horford "Okay... Okay." after the mean mug was maybe the most G thing I've ever seen a real human do in my whole life.
i like that nickname for al horford “the godfather”
Horford has always been one of the most under-appreciated players in the NBA. It’s a real shame because the way the league is heading teams would love a guy like Horford
Oh he's been absolutely one of the most valuable role players out there since years. For who's able to recognize It.
@@dusk6159 for sure he’s always been a god tier role player. I just wish he’d made big contributions to title contenders throughout a lot of his career. I wish more contenders took a chance on him.
Al one of the most underrated players in the league.
People underestimate how consistent he is, how fast he is and how good at switching he hes while also being a tremendous rebounders and paint defender. Underrated passer, great leader,unselfish and willing to put everything in favor of the team instead of personal achievements
He’s not really that consistent. You see him in Philly or OKC?
@@swimfan752 he is consistent in the role he plays and things he does well. In philly he was playing a way different offense in a very different role(philly had no spacing, played thru the post and in transition, while the celtics always had above average shooting and played thru their perimeter creators with him doing secondary playmaking and mostly halfcourt sets). in okc it was really hard to measure his impact because they were a bad team, trying to suck and rested him half the season.
i agree with everything u said. also always thought he was bigger than 6'9 given how well he defends the paint and negates big men
Great paint defender but isn’t a rim protector, and not a great rebounder.
-A Celtics Fan
@@mehoo8 guess i dont watch the celtics enough because i assumed he was a rim protector. Well checked the stats and well... and he is above average at opponentFG% at the rim, doesnt stand out that much, but certainly not bad. also has been pretty effective at that in the playoffs, in comparison to other players. is in the same tier as gobert and embiid who are considered elite in oppfg% at the rim in the regular season, is at 1.1 blks per game in the playoffs which is top 20, but had a kind of low blk% in the regular season, so while he certainly isnt an elite rim protector he is a good one for sure.
(cant really argue on the rebounds, it has always been his weakest point as a big)
My 8 yr old son and I wait with eager anticipation for every one of your uploads. He’s a massive fan of the game and I’ve watched his understanding of basketball grow exponentially since finding your channel. He’s learned a great deal, and for that matter so have I! Keep up your solid contributions to the game my man. You are a gift to nba fans.
The volume with Jason simph would be another great video for you guys to watch. He covers the Lakers and lebron during the season but now he’s doing all playoff games. Enjoy the playoffs :)
You absolutely love to see it, your little guy is lucky. I'm lucky myself, this is great basketball material, has been for years.
One thing i think u missed with the bucks on offence is they generate a ton of good 3s but cant hit any of them
They also do not have a high basketball IQ and settle for too many bad shots. Luckily they are physically dominant enough to compensate
@@kingjaydex7464 bostons taken a ton of awful shots too... shot quality metrics favor the bucks so far in the series bostons just hitting more of their shots
@@_Osirus12 does shot quality metrics factor who is taking the shot or just the team
@@qdakid7776 the ones i follow 100% factor whos taking the shot, they all still favor the bucks
@@_Osirus12 facts that crazy then cause I be seeing giannis low key be tripping sometimes with the jump shots
I enjoy you quietly criticizing the refs in these videos, because some of the calls are bizarre
Embiid and Giannis father is still ballin
I always thought basketball was about skill and it still is, this channel just shows how technical it is. 🏀
It’s 85% mental and 15% skill as they say
you should watch brad steven vs nick nurse in the bubble. that's one of best chess match in the recent time
We're very lucky to have Ben explaining and commentating on this sweet sport and series.
*BIG GODFATHER AL* this man right here has found the fountain of young and is just doing phenomenally well on both ends of the floor, that Horford traded isn't looking too bad after all huh guess Brad was right all along. Let's Gooooooooo C's
This felt like one of your best videos ever
Great series from Bucks + Celtics
Great coverage from Thinking Basketball
💐
Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka are the most underrated duo of basketball genius in the league
Only to drop 8 point the next game, but go off I guess 😏
Sure, we could talk about shooting percentages and what not… OR WE COULD TALK ABOUT HOW AL TOOK HIS REVENGE ON GIANNIS WITH THAT DUNKK 🤯🤯🤯🤯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This video showed me how powerful it is when your big man is hitting long shots. Did not realize during the game how Horford's shooting opened up the paint for the Celtics
The references are nasty thinking basketball but I love it
I e been checking this channel daily for a video on Horford on Giannis. He’s been doing a stellar job on Giannis this entire series
Celtics got a bit too excited after game 4,that was dumb.You dont poke the bear.Been watching giannis since his rookie year,he always come back for vengeance,ALWAYS.
0:00 Damn, imagine what a phenomenal tight game must have been... both sides squeezing for minor advantages, to pass through the super elite defense on both sides (!!!). This is my favorite type of game, it's the true game, it's like Akagi vs Washizu.
Finally someone mentioning the one true quality basketball spokon out there, Slam Dunk. No Kuroko bs.
@@dusk6159 Aaaaahh we have a person of culture here! But i was refering to Akagi Mahjong, a manga/anime that i HIGHLY recommend if you like Mind Games.
@@GustavoSilva-ny8jc Shoot! You learn something new every day.
I expect a analysis of Jrue's defensive stops after game 5 to avoid being called BIASED.
Smart guarding Giannis blows my mind. I love watching Marcus play
I remember watching Celtics vs Nets first game of the series about a month ago and they we're giving it to me because of how much money Horford made. I replied saying I remember in Horford's first stint in Bean Town he was our best defender we guarded Ben Simmons and Giannis when no one was able to stop him. He is again showing his worth, he is the type of player who just plays the right way of basketball very underrated IMO
Love the way you guys break down the games.
So incredible
This video revitalizes how important that DPOY award for smart is. Switching on to Giannis and giving him trouble. Man is versatile on defense
BLOCKED BY HOLIDAY
Also worth noting that we're talking about the only guy to dog Joel Embiid in a playoff series, and we might get to see a rematch in the conference finals
Marc Gasol also did a decent job in 2019 vs Embiid.
@@louismwobobia5773 Indeed, Horfod and Gasol were so valuable for the 2018 Celtics and Raptors runs.
this is my favourite video you've ever made (i'm not a celts fan fyi). So great to break down a single game this way. brilliant. thank you
NGL I thought this was The Volume: Hoops Tonight with Jason Timpf second account, their voices are kinda similar hahha
I think it’s his burner haha
I appreciate all your content down the strech of the playoffs some of the best nba content on youtube fs
Love this kind of highlights and breakdown
Thank you for spoiling us with another beautiful breakdown! 🔥 🔥 🔥
Extraordinary analysis ! Very good ! I love the channel !
Not only are these videos super informative but Ben is actually really funny too. My favorite CZcams channel atm.
Keep up the good work. Once again another properly constructed video.
Elite breakdown. Al has been underrated for many years and you did a great job showing how much impact he had in this game ASIDE from his huge scoring night.
Kris Middleton is heavily missed
ive been wanting horford in the mavs this season. good god perfect fit on that centerless team
Celtics not giving up any centers
Al is untouchable
This series has been so good . True battle
That was an amazing analysis of the game!
After this playoffs IM GUARANTEED to see more subscribers and fans here. BEN TAYLOR YOU ARE GOLD. BASKETBALL GOLD.
Amazing video
These one-game changes everything videos are a hoot.
tf is a hoot
@@jioreyes5838 i relieve short for hootenanny, which I don't know what that is"....."are a ghost" means "are a laugh, are a gas- in England,
So inspirational.
Great stuff!
Very insightful analysis.
Thanks so much for the contribution Mike!
How is Giannis even keeping the Bucks in this. What a player.
Right it’s wild because Boston is completely outplaying Milwaukee in so many aspects of the game yet it’s 2-2
If you take away all the free throws the refs keep giving to Giannis the series would be 4-0 to Boston. The refs are keeping the Bucks dream alive
@@haku155lol when it’s the Nets it’s “Good physical D that’s what makes the Celtics great! KD to weeeak!”
When it’s Giannis Celtics fans are calling 911.
Toughen up buttercup.
@@discobassgroove literally Boston the better team Jrue has been trash. It’s Giannis or bust and if this guy brings this team through this he’s top 10 all time. They have no business even making it this close.
@@obsidencold9491 Fr man if the bucks win this series Giannis is undisputed best player in the league
Thanks for the vid
Excellent analysis! Such a nic vid. Thank you it gives me more ideas and understanding how these basketball plays run. Thank you!
Beautiful video
I absolutely love watching games like this, rare as they are. Because I know I'm watching live a game that Big Al's grandkids will watch one day. The time pop pop took it personal and straight up obliterated the best player in the world.
That's right on the money
Bro this was such an epic video
This is one of the GOAT nba content creator. Mad respect.
Great video
That was so fucking awesome!!!!! One of my favorite videos of the channel.
Thanks for making us better students of the game :)
"I hate when people foul their elbow with my face"... Made my day
Love the analysis as usual
this series has been a gift from the gods
excellent breakdown fam!
How does he release content of this quality so quickly?
Thinking basketball the true goat 🐐
Great analysis man. I'm waiting for the Celtics vs Warriors series. Thank you.
Such a good video. It’s one thing to look at Al’s night and say he saved the Celtics with his scoring, but it was the threat of shooting that saved the C’s in the end. Smart and Tatum had some huge shots in the paint at the end of that game which would have never happened if Giannis and Brook weren’t forced to respect Al at the perimeter
I do hate it when my elbow is fouled by someone's face 😂😂
I get excited like a little kid every time this channel posts a video.
Wow with this detailed explanation it really seems like Boston cracked the code💯 great video
horford is my spirit animal!!!!!
Thank u … just thank u for this
Excellent breakdown as always.
This video was great
John Wick activated, man i love horford. one of the OGs
Beautiful breakdown as always.
Thanks Chris -- appreciate your support over the years.
Amazing analysis
This video didn’t age well lmao. Al Horford cannot deal with Giannis . I guess he broke out that “straight jacket” . 40 point on The supposedly great defenders Grant and Al lol
Al Horford still be balling in his 30's. Inspirational man.