In Boston, family spirit makes sense for Al Horford

At just 36 years old, Al Horford is living a waking dream. For the first time in his career, which started in 2007, he played in an NBA final. Better: “his” Celtics are currently leading (2-1) against the Warriors and they therefore only point to two small victories from the title. His performance in Game 1 (26 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists) also launched the C’s ideally.

However, even if all the lights are green for the Dominican in terms of the game, he must also deal with the grief caused by the death of his maternal grandfather. The so-called José Reynoso Núñez, who died at the age of 81 on May 26. In other words, the day before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final against Miami…

« I was extremely close to my grandfather, he was someone I really cared about “, said in this regard the interior of Boston, just after his first qualification for the Finals. « All week my mom and my family just told me to go out there and play. This is something he would have wanted me to do: move on, stay focused and understand that he is at peace now. »

On May 27, the day after the death of his grandfather, Al Horford had not really shone with the Celtics: 3 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, 1/8 to shoot and 1/6 to 3-pts . And his team had lost against the Heat of a huge Jimmy Butler. But, pushed by all his family, the five-time All-Star managed to play in order to honor the memory of José Reynoso Núñez.

« We told him he had to stay focused, achieve his dream and achieve his goal of winning the title “Explains his father Tito Horford, who has been seen regularly in the stands of TD Garden since the start of the playoffs. ” He has the opportunity to do it here in Boston. »

Boston, the adopted city of the Horfords

Boston. A city that has a special place in the heart of Al Horford, since he played three successful seasons there between 2016 and 2019. A city that he also had to leave during the 2019 off-season, to pursue his career in Philadelphia then Oklahoma City, without experiencing the same success as in Massachusetts.

Finally, two years later, the Dominican and the Celtics met again and this second passage is even more beautiful than the first. To the delight of the family of the person concerned.

« On the family level, we were delighted [de son retour] because coming back to Boston was the best decision to make “, admits Tito Horford. ” We love the people of the Boston area, we love everything about Boston. And the way they welcome it makes us even happier. Everyone in the family was happy and excited about her return to Boston. »

« We all wanted it “Adds Anna Horford, the sister of the former Atlanta player, still about the return of her brother. ” He was always nostalgic for Boston when he was in Philadelphia or Oklahoma City. Funnily enough, the stars aligned, we came back here and it worked perfectly. »

An essential element of the Hawks for nine years, Al Horford has nevertheless had green blood flowing in his veins forever (or almost), if we are to believe the words of his sister. It was therefore written that he had to know his most beautiful moments with the C’s.

« I remember even when he was in Atlanta, he was talking about rolling his eyes and seeing all these banners, when he came [au TD Garden] », assure Anna Horford. « It’s like the circle has come full circle for him. It’s gone from his rookie year playing seven games against the Celtics [au premier tour]playing eye to eye with Paul Pierce and [Kevin Garnett]. Now that he’s here and can bring them a title, there’s nothing he wants more. »

Don’t talk to him about age (yet)

The story between Al Horford and the Celtics is already good and it could be even better if he manages to win this 18th title so long awaited by fans of the franchise. It would be the very first ring of his career and it would represent a lot for him, but also for all his family, who never doubted “Big Al”. Unlike others, but this is not something new…

« A lot of people have so many ideas about who he is as a player and as a person, but they don’t give him the credit he deserves because he’s quiet and he’s not flashy. “, regrets Anna Horford. ” People underestimate his game, even though he’s always been strong. I’m just glad he finally gets this moment, because I know he’s been waiting for it for so long. »

After having gone through complicated times for two years, to the point that some announced it at the end at the Sixers then at the Thunder, Al Horford is reborn from its ashes in Massachusetts. A great revenge for the Boston veteran, who proves that he still has some under the hood, in his 15th season in the league.

« People keep asking me, ‘When is he going to retire?’, and I’m here telling them, ‘I don’t think he will for a few years!’ He is not ready to do it and he demonstrates it “slips Anna Horford.

And as for the secret of Al Horford’s longevity, the answer would obviously lie in a drink: chocolate milk.

« He doesn’t like beer or wine. He drinks a glass of wine on occasion, but he’s not a big drinker. Hence the chocolate milk », Book Anna Horford, also fond of this drink, consumed by the whole family.