Horford not getting too caught up in Celtics’ history
WHEN National Basketball Association ( NBA) forward Al Horford decided to bring his talents to Boston from Atlanta in the offseason, he knew exactly that he was joining a team with a rich NBA history. But he is mindful of not getting too caught up in it, choosing instead to focus more on helping the team get back to winning while at the same time improving himself as a player.
Following a stellar nine-year career with the Hawks that saw him become a four- time AllStar and a one- time All- NBA Team member ( Third Team), 30- year- old Horford chose to move on and continue his NBA journey with the Celtics, believing that at this stage of his career he is better suited with the green and white and that together they have a chance to do something special.
“It’s really an honor wearing the Celtic uniform, to be part of this franchise, this organization. It has so much history,” said Mr. Horford in a videoconference with international media last week, the recording of which was shared to BusinessWorld.
“But at the end of the day, it’s not so much about that but more of making an impact and help the team win championships. That’s why I’m here and that’s why I decided to move from a situation that was already good for me to something I feel was better with the Celtics,” the Dominican Republic- born player added.
While a head concussion forced Mr. Horford to miss a number of games early in his Boston career, the big man, nonetheless, has been steady and all-around for his new team, averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, fi ve assists and 1.7 blocks in 33 games he has suited up out of a possible 43.
And he is bullish that the Celtics ( 26- 17), currently third in the East behind the world champions Cleveland Cavaliers ( 30- 12) and Toronto Raptors ( 28- 16), have a good chance to make things happen in the postseason provided that they continue to develop as a group and rise up to the challenge.
“Defensively as a group we are already making strides but I feel we still have to continue building on it and developing other players to help and be competitive,” said Mr. Horford whose Celtics team is ranked 18th in the NBA in points allowed with 105.3 points per game.
TEAMMATE THOMAS
Mr. Horford also had good things to say of teammate and All- Star Isaiah Thomas, who is having another solid year in the NBA, highlighting the diminutive guard’s exemplary work ethic.
“I definitely think Isaiah is an All- Star this season. The way he has played this year he deserves to be there. His work ethic is great. If we can continue to work together with the rest of the team we have a chance to develop something great here and possibly win championships,” he said of the 5’9” Thomas who is averaging 29 points a game (second in the NBA) to go along with six assists.
As for himself, Mr. Horford said it is all about bettering himself as a player and helping the team, the way he has set his career path since being drafted by Atlanta third overall in the 2007 rookie draft after helping the University of Florida to back- to- back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007.
“Being a veteran now, I need to lead by example, for the guys to see how I work and hopefully inspire them to be better. Also I hope to infuse the winning mindset to the team which will be important for us in making Boston a winner again in the NBA,” said Mr. Horford. —