Al Horford, the missing link for Boston? | NBA

It’s one of those summer tweaks that went unnoticed, but Al Horford’s return to the Celtics might just be one of the smartest recruitments of the last offseason. At 35, the Dominican was effectively recovered by the C’s, against Kemba Walker, in this exchange between unwanted contractors.

But, while the leader did not enter into the plans of the Thunder, “Big Al” will have an important role to play in Boston. Only thirty years of the workforce, the interior will thus resume its status of “big brother”, alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and other Robert Williams, whom he has already worked with between 2016 and 2019.

On the field, Al Horford will also be eagerly awaited, since his contribution will not be limited to the locker room. And, the good news is that he has impressed his new coach, Ime Udoka, since the start of the training camp.

« He gives the impression of feeling very good, since the start of training camp », Says the former student of Gregg Popovich. ” He told us how he took care of his physique and how happy he was to be back. He looks crisp, fresh and rejuvenated, so we really like what we see of him. »

Beneficial and necessary rest

Necessarily questioned about his current beautiful form, Al Horford was kind enough to give his miracle recipe: rest. It must be said that, since the start of his career in 2007 and before this year, the five-time All-Star teams had always (!) Qualified for the playoffs. Except in 2021, therefore, since the Thunder finished 14th in the West.

Clearly, apart from the 2020/21 campaign, and this 2013/14 exercise where he was unfortunately injured at the time of the playoffs, the former Hawks player never had a full summer to work and rest.

« I had a lot of time to work this summer », He emphasizes. ” Usually when you are done with the playoffs you are so tired and exhausted that you have to do certain things to get back to your usual form. But, this summer, I was in good health and was able to do some weight training and work on my fitness as I wanted. So I feel really good as we approach this new season. I may never have felt so good in my career, to be honest. And I’m very excited about this feeling and this opportunity here. »

At the end of a season in which he only played 28 games, before being sidelined by the leaders of OKC, Al Horford is therefore ready to bounce back. Considered by its new president Brad Stevens as a catch ” huge “, Given his leadership while” silence, measure and patience “, He said to himself” grateful »To return to Boston, not being able to hide his enthusiasm vis-à-vis this situation.

« I feel like I have a lot to prove and give “, Estimated, during Media Day, the former resident of Florida. ” I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else than here, wearing a green jersey and showing off what I can do. I’m looking forward to the new season, to help our team win. »

Essential cog in the Celtic machine

Able to take ” the right decisions “As soon as he has the ball in his hands, according to Ime Udoka, Al Horford finds a franchise where he has never been so empowered in the organization, posting 5.0, 4.7 then 4.2 average assists, during his three years in Massachusetts.

Versatile as possible, the 3rd choice of the 2007 Draft could even take advantage of his qualities in this area to integrate the starting five of the Celtics, in place of Robert Williams, yet extended at a high price this summer and called to embody the future of franchising at position 5.

« Versatility is an asset [pour notre cinq de départ], and someone like Al [Horford] has a strong case to make, due to its current form, game, leadership and what it brings “, Admits in this regard the coach of the C’s. ” I talked about versatility, and he can both carry the ball, pass, shoot and initiate actions from different areas in attack, so that’s a real asset for us at this level. Although it will also be about finding the right balance with our bench. »

Apart from that, Ime Udoka would also like Al Horford to be more enterprising in attack. With his 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists on average in 2020/21, at 45% on shots, 37% at 3-points and 82% on free throws, the Dominican remains undoubtedly a valuable offensive weapon, of which Boston would have wrong to deprive oneself.

« I will ask him to be aggressive “, Insisted the one who already had” Big Al “under his orders, in 2019/20 in Philadelphia, when he was only an assistant to Brett Brown. ” In Philadelphia, some franchises were taking Joel [Embiid] two and we did not always enjoy it. So I was telling him to be who he is and he got a little better at it in Oklahoma City. So we want to build on that. If our opponents want to put a smaller player on him in defense, we will often try to make them pay. »

Make your voice heard more

For his part, Al Horford intends to gain importance in the locker room, compared to his first visit to Massachusetts. And, to do this, he will make his voice heard much more.

« I would like to be more vocal He says about his main personal goal. ” Talking about what I see, talking with my teammates as needed, intervening more and doing more at this level. I used to focus on myself and was mostly a leader by example, but I feel more comfortable now. I know a lot of players and it’s easier to talk to them, to tell them how I feel. »

Al Horford’s teammate with the Sixers, Josh Richardson says he is also delighted and willing to listen and find the former All-Star inside the Celtics. A player who rather marked him, with his professionalism.

« Al [Horford] is a very professional person, he does a lot of things on a daily basis », Thus reports the rear. ” It might not be the most vocal or the most extravagant, but it will always be there, it will always work, and it will always take care of what it has to do. That’s what I really appreciate about him. »

Everything seems to be going well now, for Al Horford in Boston, and Ime Udoka is obviously hoping that this will continue over the days, and that his interior will not be overtaken by the physical problems.

« He’s been great since the start of training camp and we want him to achieve all of these things he can do well, while still being aggressive and looking for the basket. », Concludes Ime Udoka.