Philadelphia 76ers: Four players crack Bleacher Report’s top 100

81. Al Horford

I nearly threw water on my computer reading this. My goodness, this take is hot. Sweltering.

Much has been said about Al Horford’s struggles this season. He’s averaging 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on career-low 44.2 percent shooting. Part of it is age. Part of it is the Sixers’ inability to properly use him.

Horford is a natural five, and the Sixers simply cannot play to his strengths without taking away from Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Horford needs more touches in the post, more reps in the pick-and-roll, than Brett Brown can afford to give him. It’s a travesty on numerous levels, but the point remains — he has been a tough watch this season.

And yet, Bleacher Report still commends his steady hand at the center position.

"“He has played nearly 1,000 minutes at the 5, though, and he’s looked more like his old self there. In those alignments, he’s averaged 17.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per 75 possessions.”"

If Horford was the full-time center for a more traditionally constructed roster, he would probably still produce at a high level. Philadelphia was never going to work, and frankly, we the collective were foolish to buy it in the year 2019. Horford is versatile, yes, but not when squeezed out of his spots and forced to float aimlessly on the perimeter.

A few notable names behind Horford on this list: Robert Covington, Myles Turner, Lou Williams, Andre Drummond, Clint Capela, Marcus Morris, Davis Bertans… Josh Richardson. In fact, Richardson doesn’t appear on the list at all. Likely due to injuries, but a bold decision nonetheless (and one I frankly disagree with).