The impact of Al Horford on the Boston Celtics, at 38 years old

Al Horford has been a key piece of the team's success throughout his time with the Boston Celtics. The longevity of this 38-year-old center is impressive and rarely disputed. The Dominican is the epitome of a versatile center, which has allowed him to age like fine wine. In his last four games, he has been particularly impressive.

Horford is especially valuable to the Celtics due to Kristaps Porzingis' injury history. When fully healthy, he is also an ideal complement in lineups with two big men. This season, Horford has started in 35 out of 51 games, often in place of Porzingis, who has played in a total of 32 games. Porzingis has been out for almost two weeks with a mysterious viral illness. With Porzingis sidelined, Horford has taken a big step forward. In his last four games, Horford is averaging 15.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with shooting percentages of 50/40/90.

This includes games against some of the NBA's best teams, such as Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers. Against the Nuggets, Horford had a special impact: scoring 19 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and stealing three balls; he was also key in containing Nikola Jokic. In the game against the Lakers, both Luka Doncic and LeBron James attacked Horford relentlessly. However, he stood his ground exceptionally well, with a defensive field goal percentage of 33.3%, showcasing his defensive versatility and prowess. In total, Horford contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. In the game against the Thunder, Horford was one of the bright spots in an unfortunate loss. He tallied 18 points (six triples), 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal.

Overall, Horford has been incredible: spacing the floor, rebounding, creating plays, and defending at a high level. This multifaceted set of skills has been on full display recently. In the last four games, Horford has boasted a stellar defensive field goal percentage of 35.1%. His recent streak is an improvement from his season averages of 8.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2 assists with shooting percentages of 41.9% from the field, 36.4% from three-point range, and 89.3% from the free-throw line, and it comes at a time when the Celtics need him.

On both ends of the court, Horford is an ideal fit for Boston's style of play. Offensively, his floor spacing and playmaking abilities are perfect for the Celtics' ball-movement-based offense. Horford is one of the best power forwards in the league; over half of his attempts are three-pointers. Additionally, he keeps the ball moving and can occasionally even be a playmaking center.

Al Horford's Impact on the Celtics

Defensively, Horford is extremely versatile and sturdy. Big Al uses his strength and IQ to neutralize opposing players. This season, he has held Giannis Antetokounmpo to 44% shooting, Evan Mobley to 30%, Karl-Anthony Towns to 37.5%, LeBron James to 16.7%, and Luka Doncic to 45.5%. Horford is also a high-quality rebounder. His skill set helps the Celtics execute a defensive scheme with many switches. The on/off numbers support Horford's two-way impact; he has a net rating of +2.9, with the Celtics performing better both offensively and defensively when he's on the court.

After the win against the Lakers, superstar Jayson Tatum and coach Joe Mazzulla praised Horford's impact. Tatum referred to Horford as the heart and soul of the Celtics. Their connection has been well-documented, with Tatum previously stating that Al is his favorite teammate of all time. Mazzulla spoke highly of Horford's defensive impact and labeled him as a Hall of Famer.

Both Tatum's and Mazzulla's statements highlight Horford's impact on and off the court. Horford has played with the Celtics for seven seasons (two stints) and has an incredible 18 years of experience. He has consistently been recognized as an outstanding leader and mentor. Horford's presence helps stabilize the Celtics and elevates the players around him. Mazzulla's comments on his defense are also accurate: being so versatile at 38 is incredibly impressive. Horford is a key piece of the Celtics' elite defense. Additionally, as a five-time All-Star, one-time (for now) NBA champion, and two-time college champion, Horford has a strong case for the Hall of Fame, especially considering his longevity. There are rumors that Horford might retire after this season. However, it's clear that he still has plenty left to offer and could continue playing. In essence, Horford possesses extraordinary skills and continues to help the Celtics win at the highest level.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El impacto de Al Horford en los Boston Celtics, a sus 38 años