BOSTON – After playing in more playoff games than any other player in league history before winning his first NBA championship, Al Horford recalled eight years ago his first free agency meeting with the Boston Celtics while he was in the stage in the middle of TD Garden. and confetti fluttered through the air.
“Man, I’ll never forget what Danny Ainge told me in that meeting,” Horford, 38, said of the Celtics’ former president of basketball operations. “He said, ‘You can win championships in a lot of places, but there’s nothing like winning in Boston. Nothing like winning as Celtic.'”
When Celtics coach Joe Mazzula, who is three years younger than the 17-year veteran, subbed Horford out of Game 5 with 2:02 left in the fourth quarter and Boston was on its way to a 106-88 victory over Dallas. Mavericks, the crowd let the forward hear him with a standing ovation.
“Nobody deserved it more than Al,” said Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. “He’s been a great leader not only on the court but off it… It’s been an honor to be by his side. And Al Horford is a legend and a real-life hero. It’s been great to be his teammate. equipment”. “.
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In his 186th career postseason game with three different teams: the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston, Horford recorded 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, one of which came when he dove to the floor for corral the ball and throw. He passed it to Brown for an easy score that put the Celtics up 54-39 late in the second quarter.
Gary Payton previously held the mark, playing in 152 postseason games before winning it all with the Miami Heat. Karl Malone holds the record for most postseason games without a title (193).
Horford’s decision to sign with Boston in 2016 coincided with Brown’s selection and came just before the Celtics brought in Jayson Tatum in 2017, marking the beginning of a string of conference finals appearances and two Finals berths. .
With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined with a calf injury for most of the postseason, Horford’s impact was immense, scoring 22 points with 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a close win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and adding 23 points and 5 rebounds. and 3 blocks in a Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals to put Boston in position to sweep.
“We leaned on him a lot,” Brown said. “Probably too much for his age and his situation. He just delivered. He’s very consistent, very disciplined with his body. He never complains, you know what I mean. All he does is contribute to winning.”
Horford, who was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, celebrated the aftermath of the title with his daughter in his arms while holding a Dominican flag. He is the first player born in the Dominican Republic to win an NBA championship.
Al Horford reflected on what former Celtics executive Danny Ainge told him in his first free agency meeting with Boston: “He said, ‘You can win championships in a lot of places, but there’s nothing like winning in Boston. Nothing like win as Celtic’. “Peter Casey/KeynoteUSA Sports
“What a career,” Celtics forward Derrick White said. “Such an underrated race. He just does everything for us. He doesn’t ask for anything. I’m so happy for him and I’m glad I got to be a part of it. It’s just an amazing race, and this is just another chapter.” of it.”
Horford, who is under contract next season with Boston for $9.5 million, discussed how much longer he will consider playing after Sunday’s practice.
“For me, I never put a deadline on it,” Horford told KeynoteUSA. “I want to make sure that I feel healthy, that I’m enjoying what I’m doing and, fortunately, I have the support of my wife and my family. That’s very important to me… I feel like I’ve been asked this for a few years and I feel good, I want to continue playing. Why not continue? I don’t want to limit myself.
From the looks of it, Horford staying would suit the Celtics well.
“Knowing the type of person Al is, knowing the leader he is, even off the court, the father he is, just a great person and a great human being in every way,” Celtics guard Jrue said Holiday, “I’d like to run through a brick wall for him.”
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