“His humility, his modesty and his altruism”. Joe Mazzulla sings as soon as he can the praises ofAl Horfordone of the most popular players “inspiring” that he had the chance to coach. At 37 years old, the Celtics interior continues to amaze, allowing the Celtics to benefit from his generosity, his sense of the game and more generally his intelligence.
This night again, against the Bucks, he brought the crowd at TD Garden to its feet, with his investment, his sense of combat, his brilliant passes and even when he paid Bobby Portis in isolation in the post to go for a 2 +1.
One of the final five members of the 2007 Draft
Before the meeting, “Big Al” sat down with Boston.com to discuss the (near) end of his career, him coming out of the 2007 Draft, the same as Thaddeus Young, Mike Conley, Jeff Green and Kevin Durant.
At his age, one question comes up more and more for him, like all great players who reach the same stage as him: his motivation to seek a championship title before retirement.
“Obviously my goal is to win a title, of course. But to answer your question, you know, there’s something very rewarding for me, everything I’ve been able to experience, all the relationships and all the teammates I’ve been able to have. So I’m very grateful for all of that.”did he declare. “It’s very clear to me, this is where I want to be, and in the past we’ve had our chance. We failed to achieve this goal. Right now, my mindset is to focus on everyday life and this journey. We have a great opportunity this season and we just want to keep progressing. When you play for Boston, that’s what’s expected of you. So that’s what we’re hoping for.”
The perfect team player
True to form, the two-time NCAA champion with the Gators keeps the collective goal in mind above all else. Even coming off the bench for the first time in his career this season, his mindset remains the same.
“I always wanted to do my best to help the team win. And right now, that’s where our group is. For me, at the moment, it’s about bringing a spark, energy off the bench, raising our level of play every time I come on and having a defensive impact. My role is different now, and that’s something I’m still adjusting to, but I’m still trying to make sure I leave my mark on every game I play.”
Playing alongside him is a pleasure for his teammates, as Jayson Tatum recently recalled.
“For me, it’s been a wonderful journey coming to the NBA from the Dominican Republic. Coming here and being in this position, playing in the best league in the world, I feel like I’ve already won when I see it like that.”he stressed. “I want to be remembered as a competitor, a guy who plays the right way and plays to win. I think that’s the most important thing for me. It was never about numbers or awards. My goals have always been team oriented.”
| Al Horford | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | 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 | BOS | 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 | BOS | 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 | BOS | 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 | 76.3 | 1.5 | 5.3 | 6.8 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 11.9 |
| 2020-21 | OKAY | 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 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 69 | 29 | 46.7 | 33.6 | 84.2 | 1.6 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 10.2 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 63 | 31 | 47.6 | 44.6 | 71.4 | 1.2 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 9.8 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 12 | 24 | 43.9 | 34.1 | 100.0 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 6.2 |
| Total | 1025 | 32 | 51.3 | 37.3 | 75.9 | 2.0 | 6.1 | 8.0 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 13.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
