Ranking NBA starting power forwards — 24. Al Horford, Celtics
It has been another turbulent season for Al Horford, who hasn’t looked the same ever since leaving Boston the first time around. He’s getting old — 35 years old — so it’s hardly a surprise. Age catches every player eventually. Horford still brings a lot to the table. He’s one of the most intelligent bigs in the NBA and his intangibles never waver. It’s simply a matter of him slowing down.
Once a perennial All-Defense candidate, Horford is no longer that dominant, multi-position stopper. He can still move his feet and he’s not a bad defender, but he’s getting beaten more frequently than in years past. Offensively, he’s just not quite right either. The averages are respectable (10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists), but he’s not scoring with the same efficiency he once did (.449/.285/.862).
Ranking NBA starting power forwards — 23. Jarred Vanderbilt, Timberwolves
Jarred Vanderbilt has carved out a real spot in Minnesota’s future, doing all the dirty work to keep him prominent in the rotation next to Karl-Anthony Towns. Vanderbilt doesn’t provide a ton offensively, but he doesn’t really need to. The Wolves aren’t short on scoring, so Vanderbilt’s finishing ability and well-timed cuts are more than enough to sustain him.
Along with 6.8 points per game, Vanderbilt is inhaling 9.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He’s Minnesota’s best defender and one of the NBA’s more prominent rebounders at his position. Vanderbilt hustles. He makes his presence felt, whether it’s getting in his man’s grill defensively, hitting the deck for loose balls, or committing real energy to crashing the glass.
Ranking NBA starting power forwards — 22. Jae Crowder, Suns
Jae Crowder fulfills his role expertly for Phoenix, where he’s blessed to play with two elite playmakers, a dominant roll man at center, and one of the best coaching minds in the NBA. Crowder’s job is simple — hit spot-up 3s, take the occasional dribble pull-up, and defend his tail off.
For the season, Crowder is averaging 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds on .407/.363/.804 splits. He’s probably a bit overrated at this stage in his career, but Crowder plays with the wisdom of a champion and the competitive fire of a true difference-maker. He leaves his mark on games.