WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics big man Al Horford couldn't help but chuckle at the inquiry.

It was late November, a couple of days after Orlando Magic coach Frank Vogel had gushed about Horford during his team's visit to Boston, dubbing Horford the "most underrated guy in the league."

Vogel's adulation was just the latest instance in a recurring series in which opposing coaches and players, often unprompted and without former ties to Horford, shower him with their loftiest praise. And now, after Boston's off-day workout, Horford is asked whether there was someone in the NBA who actually doesn't like him.

"Oh, I'm sure there's definitely people that don't like me," Horford said. But after pondering the query a bit longer, he apologized for not being able to pinpoint one such instance.

A pledge to uncover a Horford detractor was quickly deemed a fruitless pursuit by Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown.

"You probably won't find anybody," said Brown, who emerged with an even greater appreciation for Horford after spending part of the summer working out together near Atlanta.

"It doesn't surprise me at all [that everyone raves about Horford]. The way Al handles himself, both on the court and off, it's clean-cut, professional and high class."

On Tuesday night, Horford was voted an All-Star reserve by Eastern Conference coaches. His fifth All-Star bid was never really in doubt and you could make a case that, as Horford puts up some of the most efficient numbers of his 11-year career for the East-leading Celtics, he deserved at least some consideration for a starting spot in the frontcourt.

But the nod from the coaches is yet another reminder of just how much those closest to the game appreciate what Horford does.

"Al is just what every coach and what every player wants," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. "He's not going to fill up your fantasy sheet and all that kind of stuff. But he's who every coach and every player wants on their team. That says a lot."

Al Horford does all the little things that make him a fan favorite in Boston. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

That respect is essentially why no one can truly suggest that they dislike Horford. Even the big men he routinely spars with on the court offer nothing but praise. Sixers big man Joel Embiid, voted a starter in the East, said last week that he loves watching Horford and competing against him.

It seems it's hard to dislike somebody when you appreciate the way they carry themselves and the results they've produced.

"The only two people in the world that everyone seems to like are Brad Stevens and Al Horford," Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge said. "Capable people who are humble and not fake are very likable."

Grand Ledge (Michigan) boys' basketball coach Tony Sweet never quite got used to the sight of his 6-foot-8 star player dribbling the ball up the court. And he often reminded a teenage Horford.

"Once in a while he'd try to bring the ball up and I'd scream, 'Hey kid, give it to the guard and get under the basket. You score the points,'" Sweet said this week with a laugh.

Sweet had never coached a pure big like Horford and the two would often make the 20-minute trek to East Lansing to watch Michigan State games. Sweet remembers taking notes on the post moves that Big Ten big men practiced before games so that Horford could do the same in his workouts.

Fifteen years later, the Celtics routinely funnel their offense through Horford, who is maybe the poster child for the evolution of NBA big men. Horford is allowed to showcase his passing skills and Stevens encourages him to push the ball up the court when the opportunity presents itself.

"He's not going to fill up your fantasy sheet and all that kind of stuff. But he's who every coach and every player wants on their team."

To hammer home just how much of a quarterback Horford has become in Boston, consider this: According to Second Spectrum data, Horford is setting up 14.6 shots per 100 possessions this season. That's up from 9.6 shots per 100 possessions in his final two seasons in Atlanta. Horford has had 19 games with six assists or more this season, the highest number among all NBA centers.

"It's a big credit to [Horford]. He's changed and I think Brad's open enough to give him even more responsibility," said Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, who was an assistant in Atlanta during Horford's time with the Hawks.

"Sometimes as coaches we hold back guys. I can even see with Brad he's doing even more things than he did in Atlanta. I see him handle the ball a lot more at the top of the key and bringing the ball up sometimes. It's impressive.

"I know Al was thirsty and hungry to kind of embrace that new big-man role. And he didn't shy from it. That was the thing that impressed me in Atlanta. When we asked him to do more, get out of his comfort zone, he embraced it."

Horford's base stat line doesn't exactly scream "All-Star" but he's averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and a career-best 5.3 assists this season. His evolution is further emphasized by the fact that he's shooting 43.5 percent beyond the 3-point arc, which ranks him tied for eighth overall in the NBA, a few spots ahead of former Atlanta teammate Kyle Korver.

Horford has nearly as many 3-point makes this season (64) as he had attempts (65) through his first eight NBA seasons.

"As good as Kyrie [Irving] is offensively, it's almost like Horford is the sort of the hub of everything they do," Sixers guard JJ Redick said. "And because [Horford is] so versatile, it creates all sorts of issues."