Confined to a role of mentor to the young people of OKC after a failed experience in Philadelphia, Al Horford must give a final boost to his career. Returning to Boston in exchange for Kemba Walker thanks to the new GM Brad Stevens, the Dominican is granted a second chance in Massachusetts to his greatest happiness.
“First of all, I am really very, very happy to be back” commence Al Horford. I really enjoy the city of Boston. I know how special the city is and how special the franchise is for the city. I am happy to come back and finish what I started. It’s surreal to be back. I am grateful for this opportunity. This is where I want to be ” says the 35-year-old pivot.
A timely return
Deprived of an NBA game since March 24, the former Sixer was reassuring about his physical condition by ensuring in particular that he could play back-to-backs.
“Physically I feel good. The Oklahoma staff did a great job with me. I can’t wait to start working with the group. Nothing will hold me back. I think I can play several more positions but whatever the coach needs, I will. If they ask me to play pivot, that’s fine with me. “
A good defender, able to move away and with a good basketball IQ, Al Horford will bring all his science to a young squad. “When I arrived from Atlanta, Danny (Ainge) and Brad (Stevens) instilled in me this culture and this desire to win an 18th title. I can’t wait to get to work. “
With the arrival of Ime Udoka, whom he had worked with in Philly, the interior quickly wanted to integrate and forge links in order to start the season off to the ground. “Ime is a good guy. We had a good relationship, he was always very professional ” adds the hub for NBC Sports. “We spent a lot of time talking about defense and things we would like to work on. I can’t wait to see what he will bring and how he can help our group. “
A mentoring role with Robert Williams
If the workforce is still far from frozen in Boston, some are guaranteed to wear the green tunic in October. Among them, Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams welcomed their former teammate as it should be. “Jayson (Tatum) and Rob (Williams) contacted me. It was cool of them. Now I think about what to do. You have to be physically and mentally ready. We are going to play a classic season. To be the team you want, you have to get to work now. I was at the gym yesterday and the guys were already working ” Explain Al Horford.
Robert Williams has made good progress this year and Al Horford’s advice will undoubtedly take him a step further. “I was really impressed with his progress this year” admits the All-Star. “It’s refreshing to see him like this, he will continue to improve and I will be on his back all the time. “
If the indoor sector has been a problem this year, the additional arrival of Moses Brown will fill this lack of protection in the Celtics’ racquet. “He’s a good kid. Guys will love it in the locker room. He listens and he only cares about the collective. He’s trying to play the right way. “
It remains to be seen what will happen to Tristan Thompson if the racket is occupied by Horford, Williams and Brown …
| Al Horford | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2007-08 | ATL | 81 | 31 | 49.9 | 0.0 | 73.1 | 3.1 | 6.6 | 9.7 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 10.1 |
| 2008-09 | ATL | 67 | 34 | 52.5 | 0.0 | 72.7 | 2.2 | 7.2 | 9.3 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 11.5 |
| 2009-10 | ATL | 81 | 35 | 55.1 | 100.0 | 78.9 | 2.9 | 7.0 | 9.9 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 14.2 |
| 2010-11 | ATL | 77 | 35 | 55.7 | 50.0 | 79.8 | 2.4 | 7.0 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 15.3 |
| 2011-12 | ATL | 11 | 32 | 55.3 | 0.0 | 73.3 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 7.0 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 12.4 |
| 2012-13 | ATL | 74 | 37 | 54.3 | 50.0 | 64.4 | 2.6 | 7.6 | 10.2 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 17.4 |
| 2013-14 | ATL | 29 | 33 | 56.7 | 36.4 | 68.2 | 2.3 | 6.1 | 8.4 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 18.6 |
| 2014-15 | ATL | 76 | 31 | 53.8 | 30.6 | 75.9 | 1.7 | 5.4 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 15.2 |
| 2015-16 | ATL | 82 | 32 | 50.5 | 34.4 | 79.8 | 1.8 | 5.5 | 7.3 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 15.2 |
| 2016-17 | FOREST | 68 | 32 | 47.3 | 35.5 | 80.0 | 1.4 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 14.0 |
| 2017-18 | FOREST | 72 | 32 | 48.9 | 42.9 | 78.3 | 1.4 | 5.9 | 7.4 | 4.7 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 12.9 |
| 2018-19 | FOREST | 68 | 29 | 53.5 | 36.0 | 82.1 | 1.8 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 13.6 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 67 | 30 | 45.0 | 35.0 | 76.2 | 1.5 | 5.3 | 6.8 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 11.9 |
| 2020-21 | OKC | 28 | 28 | 45.0 | 36.8 | 81.8 | 1.0 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 14.2 |
| Total | 881 | 33 | 51.7 | 36.4 | 75.5 | 2.1 | 6.2 | 8.2 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 14.0 | |
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