Al Horford Declared He Wants To Play In Boston For 2-3 More Years And Frankly That Is Nowhere Near Long Enough
Nathaniel S. Butler. Getty Images.
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(Heavy.com) - BOSTON — A month into his 16th season, 36-year-old Al Horford is staying in the moment. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t thought about the future, both near and distant.
And when the Celtics veteran sees the NBA as these roaring ’20s progress, he sees himself in the picture. While it might seem prudent for someone of his age in the last year of his contract to think in smaller increments, Horford is packing for a long trip.
“Yeah, for sure, I’ve thought about it,” he told Heavy Sports as he sat at his locker following Monday’s 125-122 comeback win over Oklahoma City. “I want to keep playing for two, three more years, for sure.”
The first is just a number to Horford, the second is precautionary maintenance and the third is a matter for further discussion. When the Celtics made the Finals last June, Horford’s partial guarantee for 2022-23 went from $14.5 million to $19.5 million. But no one believes he won’t collect the full $26.5 million.
There was no reason for the club to address the future prior to the season, and as Al pointed out Monday night, the Celtics have had a few other things on their organizational plate.
“I think obviously there’s so much stuff that’s going on here, that’s going on with the coach and stuff and just other guys and things like that where I’m just being patient,” he told Heavy.com. “I’m sure that when the time comes we’ll get to something. But, yeah, I want to keep playing.”
And keep playing in Boston.
“Yes,” Horford said emphatically.
I'm just going to come out and say it.
I love Al Horford. I will die for Al Horford.
He's an incredible Celtic. Always has been, always will be. I don't fault him for taking that gigantic sum of guaranteed cash the Sixers gave him since they could never beat him and thought that bringing Al in would solve all their problems. I am forever indebted to the Thunder for telling Horford he was too good and to please stay home so they could tank so that when Brad traded for him he was basically 2-3 years younger.
In his entire Celtics career, Playoff Al has shown up in the biggest moments. Once we get to the Spring, he turns back the clock and raises his game to new levels. Part of why the pain of last year's Finals loss was so massive was because they didn't come through for Al. That's also why I think there is so much added motivation for the 2022-23 run.
The best part? A 36 year old Al Horford looks incredible to start the season. You watch him play and it really doesn't look like he's lost a step or even a half step. It's obviously early and we'll see how things look in a few months, but right now?
11/6.5/2.3 on 53/45% splits with 2.1 3PM on his 31 minutes
Not to mention his plus defense to start the year. It's pretty obvious that the plan for Al is to spend the regular season load managed, and then when he's on the floor he's basically only going to be taking 3PA as to not put more wear and tear on his body. That's fine by me considering he's shooting 45% on legit volume (4.6 3PA).
I went into this season trying to keep my expectations for Al in check. I mean, the dude is 36 years old and has played 30,943 regular season minutes paired with 5,103 playoff minutes. It's been a long time since his 2007-08 rookie year, and I felt like what we saw last year was near perfect Al, so it's fair to expect at least some regression this year. I just wanted to be realistic with him given all those factors.
But like I said, when you watch him you don't see a 36 year old. At least not yet. So here's the one problem I have with those quotes. It's awesome that he wants to stay in Boston, because Boston would love to have him. My issue is with the 2-3 year part.
No. I'm sorry Al but that's not going to cut it.
In fact, I need that number doubled. Not only do I want him playing for all those years, but I also will ask Brad/Joe to give Al the Udonis Haslem treatment when he does decide enough is enough. Give the man a roster spot until he's 50 for all I care. I just want Al around. You hear how Tatum talks about Horford
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How could we forget the Jaylen/Al postgame press conference after the Game 7 win to send this team to the Finals
Whatever success the Celts may or may not have as Al enters his late 30s/40s I want Horford to be a part of. If there was someone who not only understood what it means to be a Boston Celtic but embraced it, it's Al. He was the first big name free agent that I can really remember choosing the Celtics in my lifetime that wasn't completely washed up. Sure that max deal probably helped, but still. Al chose us after no big time player ever did.
Eventually if we see Joe move Al to the bench and start a frontcourt of Rob/Grant, that's fine by me. Do whatever you have to do to keep Al fresh and keep him from retiring for as long as possible. He's too good and too important to what the Celts do to limit him to only 2-3 more years.
We just need to win this dude a ring. That's really all it comes down to. If anyone deserves one, it's Al Horford.