CelticsBlog exit interview: Al Horford free agent beloved teammate

“I’ve acquired 5 children…I’ve acquired 5 children!”

At an age when most dads with 5 children could be glad to play weekend pickup ball within the park, saving their power to mow the garden later, Al Horford remains to be sprinting up and down NBA courts, blocking photographs and nailing three-pointers towards NBA kids half his age.

Horford, who will flip 39 on June 3, is among the hottest gamers in Boston Celtics historical past. Jaylen Brown’s mild teasing in that video illustrated simply how a lot Massive Al is beloved by his teammates, coaches, followers and everybody round him.

Celtics followers have been immediately charmed 9 years in the past when Horford left Atlanta to change into Boston’s most vital free agent acquisition in many years. The versatile, All-Star middle cited the extreme house crowd environment in TD Backyard as one of many fundamental components that attracted him. He additionally received hearts by asserting his choice with aptitude (and 18 shamrocks).

Three years later, Horford was once more a free agent and was anticipated to remain, however as a substitute, he shocked Celtics Nation by grabbing a profitable contract provide from the hated Philadelphia franchise. It was a giant payday, and maybe Horford additionally wished far after the Kyrie Irving turmoil in 2018-19.

The union with the Sixers lasted only one yr as a result of they didn’t know tips on how to greatest use Massive Al of their system. Philly followers turned towards him, and he was traded to Oklahoma Metropolis, the place his keep was transient and sad as a result of the then-tanking Thunder selected to not play him. After the season, Horford was rescued by a Brad Stevens commerce and returned to Boston.

Celtics followers have been delighted to have the workforce’s O.G. again in inexperienced after a two-year absence. “Win it for Al” grew to become a subplot within the workforce’s ongoing pursuit of Banner 18. When the title was lastly captured final season, your complete Celtics group and followers in every single place have been thrilled to see him hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. And Horford shared his response in one other memorable tweet (with 19 shamrocks, yet one more than wanted, however nobody complained).

That brings us to 2024-25, which clearly ended prematurely for Boston. Horford, who received back-to-back NCAA tournaments whereas enjoying for the College of Florida, missed the chance so as to add an identical set of consecutive NBA rings. That uncommon feat would have boosted his case for Corridor of Fame induction.

Regardless of the frustration with shedding, Horford’s 18th NBA season was a hit in lots of different methods. As one of many league’s oldest gamers, Horford rested one recreation each time the Celtics have been scheduled on a back-to-back. Nonetheless, he performed 27.7 minutes per recreation throughout 60 video games and averaged 9.0 factors, 6.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists. Horford began 42 of these 60 video games, a vital contribution as regular stating middle Kristaps Porzingis missed 40 video games with numerous accidents and relaxation necessities.

One Horford adverse was a drop-off in capturing proportion. Massive Al made a career-low 42.6% on 7.7 subject purpose makes an attempt within the common season. He additionally shot 36.3% (5.2 makes an attempt) from the arc, down after two straight seasons above 40% – though he made 114 threes, second most of his profession. And Horford stepped up his capturing within the postseason, averaging 47.2 FG% and 40.0 3PT%.

Massive Al’s most notable contributions, as regular, got here on protection and within the workforce idea. His common season offensive score was 119.6 and defensive score was 108.1, for a internet score of 11.5.

His high common season efficiency was scoring a game-high 26 factors whereas making six of 13 threes off the bench in main a win over Memphis.

One other achievement got here in Sport 4 of the playoff sequence versus Orlando, when Horford matched a efficiency by one of many NBA’s all-time best facilities.

Massive Al’s spotlight reel from the season offers extra proof of how he impacts the sport in all sides – particularly when blocking photographs.

Sadly, Horford’s future in Boston is now unsure as his $9.5 million contract is expiring and he’s a free agent. The Celtics would dearly miss his management in the event that they lose him. Payton Pritchard defined: “You possibly can’t exchange Al. So, I undoubtedly hope we get that found out. As a result of his locker room presence alone is simply essential, after which having him on the courtroom. For all of the younger guys, simply to see how he goes about his enterprise, how skilled he’s. He’s only a chief.”

Any provide for Horford to remain absolutely will probably be for much less cash in mild of the workforce’s payroll state of affairs. One would hope that his adverse expertise away from TD Backyard proved that the proverbial grass is just not all the time greener elsewhere. Nonetheless, if one other workforce makes a greater provide, Horford would possibly select to complete his profession with yet one more good payday that Brad and new proprietor Invoice Chisholm wouldn’t match on account of second apron tax penalties.

Horford’s choice might even be affected by Jayson Tatum’s harm and whether or not or not the Celtics nonetheless have sufficient to contend for a title.

Lastly, retirement additionally stays a risk. The followers hope that doesn’t occur, but when it does, Horford would possibly search for a brand new profession. Maybe he might run for president in his native Dominican Republic. He’d win in a landslide.