After missing 55 games in an already abbreviated lockout season a year ago, Al Horford has rebounded with the best statistical season of his career.

Horford ranks among the top offensive centers in the game. Horford leads all centers in field goals made per game (7.75) and is second in scoring average (17.31).

In an interview with RealGM, Horford explained why his sixth season has been his best to date. 

“The first thing is that I’m healthy,” Horford told RealGM. “The other thing is that I’ve really spent a lot of time working on my game. I felt that’s really helped me on the court.”

Horford appears to be in the best physical shape of his career, sporting a visibly leaner 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame this season.

“I think that’s been the biggest thing for me,” Horford said. “Making sure that I’m getting my lifts in, my conditioning, and I feel great physically.”

An improved physique has allowed Horford to anchor the post more than ever before. Horford is averaging a career-high 37.3 minutes per game, which ranks second among centers.

Horford has capitalized on those minutes thanks to an expanded offensive repertoire.

When asked specifically where he wanted to improve, Horford said, “Just a lot of stuff off the dribble, trying to extend my range a little more.”

When Horford played his college ball at Florida he rarely took a jumper beyond the foul line, but this season Horford has pulled up from 20 feet without hesitation.

When slower centers respect Horford’s range and roam beyond the paint, Horford is able to blow by his defender thanks to his improved conditioning and handle.

Horford’s extended range has also paid dividends for rising point guard Jeff Teague. When running pick-and-pop plays, Teague has been able to find Horford at either elbow for an assist or knife through the defense when opposing centers vacate the lane to respect Horford’s jumper.

Teague is averaging career highs in points (14.44) and assists (7.06) thanks in part to Horford’s development. It’s also worth noting that Atlanta leads the league in assist percentage (65.33) and is second in assists per game (24.55).

As the end of the regular season draws near, Horford hopes to lead Atlanta past the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time in his tenure.

“We just need to keep working and keep getting better as a team,” Horford told RealGM. “I think that we have a great opportunity ahead of us, but I think defensively we’re going to have to step it up to another notch if we want to make a push in the playoffs and get better positioning.”

The numbers support Horford’s assertion. Despite Horford’s 10.14 rebounds per game, Atlanta ranks 24th in rebounds per game (40.72). The Hawks particularly strugge in manufacturing second chance possessions ranking 27th in offensive rebounding with 9.27 per game.

If Atlanta seizes the opportunity Horford alluded to, it will be thanks in large part to its centerpiece anchoring the paint and needed help from his frontcourt teammates.