Good year, bad year, at 37 years old, Al Horford plays his 30 minutes per match. Will he start this season after the arrivals of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis? It’s not certain, but his defensive qualities will be even more valuable after the departures of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams.
The Dominican almost becomes the guarantor of the Celtics’ defense, and these first days of October are devoted to coaching Kristaps Porzingis. Already good on pick-and-roll and coverage, the Latvian will have to progress in intimidation and impose his 2m20.
“I feel like the fact that we both arrived here at the beginning of September gave us a good start”, Horford believes. “Obviously we still have a way to go, continuing to build that cohesion, but I’m pretty happy with where we are.”
“At home, we ask him to do a lot, to cover a lot of things”
Listening to Horford, Porzingis learns quickly and his activity and his protection of the circle are already there.
“I think he does a good job in his attention to detail, especially defensively,” he continues. “At home, we ask him to do a lot, to cover a lot of things. I already feel like he’s helping me cover different positions on the pitch. Everyone knows his game. In attack, he is very good. We know he can do a lot of things. But on defense, he does a good job talking to us, protecting the basket and staying active. »
For Porzingis, there is some pressure as he replaces Robert Williams, who had earned a spot on an All-Defensive Team. But Horford insists, his new teammate has the level.
“I just think he has the right instincts. Sometimes it’s not easy when you’re on the back line and you’re trying to figure out when to help, when to let go, things like that. From what I see, it’s quite easy. He is able to cover, make an action and help us. »
