PHOTO: CelticsBlog.com
This content is taken from an article by Henry Daley for The Lead SM, translated into Italian by Marco Marchese for Around the Game.
After 17 seasons, Al Horford finally managed to win the NBA Title. The 38-year-old Dominican was an excellent contributor along the entire route of the Boston Celtics towards their 18th Banner, but after the injury suffered by the Latvian Kristaps PorzingisHorford has been called upon to be part of the starting five. In 15 of 19 occasions Big Al was part of the starting line-up which led the green-whites to Larry O’Brien Trophy. He averaged 9.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, topped off with almost 1 block and 1 steal. In the endgame clutchthe Florida State product scored 9 points – including 2 shots from beyond the arc – and collected 9 rebounds, with the addition of 2 assists and 2 steals. It was the typical style of play of Al Horford, which he accustomed the green-and-white fans to throughout his stay in Massachusetts. Many basketball fans, however, do not give much credit to his contribution, and from some perspectives it could be understandable. The Dominican center is not among the fastest players, and after the arrival of Porzingis in the green-and-white he was passed over in the hierarchy. But despite this, the skillset of Big Al is among the most enviable in the NBA. And despite being the 7th “oldest” player in the league, his style of play is still constantly evolving – and improving.
Al Horford attempted just 18 total threes over his first six seasons in the NBA, earning two All-Star appearances. He pushed that number to 47 over the next two years, which pales in comparison to the 256 he made over the next few years. His perimeter shooting abilities, seemingly out of nowhere, made the Celtics offense a fortune during his tenure. For the second consecutive season, Horford shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc. This allowed coach Joe Mazzulla to lead the offensives in five-outthat is, allowing his Celtics to kick off the offensive phase from beyond the 3-point line. This tactic caused a lot of problems for the opponents, forced to mark Al Horford on the perimeter: with no rim protector in the painting, enormous lanes have opened up for the companions, as Jayson Tatum e Jaylen Brownto lead in drive towards the iron. And thanks to the improvements implemented by Jays in their playmaking, all of this allowed for plays like the one in the next video clip.
VIDEO: The Lead SM
In the previous game, which took place during the NBA Finals against i Dallas MavericksAl Horford hits a three-pointer in total freedom. The Mavs’ big man, Daniel Gafford, saw Brown attack the rim, so he moved to block a possible lane. It would be an efficient play against most teams, but against the Boston Celtics, however and unfortunately for coach Jason Kidd and his men, there was Al Horford waiting for the perfect pass from JB. Gafford went late in closing, resulting in an easy 3-pointer for the green-whites. Analyzing the 2022 NBA Finals, in which the Celtics were defeated by the Golden State Warriors, Big Al he made 56% of his attempts from beyond the arc. That’s the best mark he’s had in an NBA Finals season — a testament to the Dominican big man’s ability to turn games around for the Boston Celtics. That’s the all-important thing about Horford that has made a difference for the Celtics over the years: he thrives under pressure. In 2022, he scored 26 points, including six threes, in his NBA Finals debut — tying the record for most points scored by a Celtics member in an NBA Finals debut.
Horford isn’t afraid to take chances on game-winning plays, which is a big reason why Boston Celtics fans love him.
VIDEO: The Lead SM
In the previous clip you can see another frame of the match against the Dallas Mavericks. Al Horford has demonstrated the ability to move his lower limbs quickly to prevent a drive opponent. In addition, the #42 of the white-greens dived onto the parquet to start a rapid offensive transition, which ended with the layup di Jaylen Brown. Big Al he has been a winner throughout his career, which seems to culminate with winning the NBA Title. It would be difficult to imagine the Celtics still winning without Al Horford on the roster. But next season could be his last, and it seems the time has come to give due credit to a player who over the years has proven to be worth all the respect possible, if not more.
2024-06-30 02:24:13
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