Tall order of expectations
Horford an icon in Atlanta for reasons
SALT LAKE CITY — Arthur Triche, an executive producer for Atlanta radio station 92.9 The Game, had been sticking up for Al Horford through most of Friday night on Twitter.
The 30-year-old center agreed to a four-year, $113 million contract with the Celtics after nine seasons with the Hawks, and his now former public was hurt.
And there, in the midst of this digital battle, was the following not-so-nice sentiment from a rival radio station at 11Alive Sports:
“Hope Horford gets stuck in #Atlanta traffic one last time on his way to the airport.”
Triche (@exhoopsprguy), the longtime director of media relations for the Hawks who has become an opinionated force on Twitter, immediately fought back with the following:
“Really, y’all??? This is a terrible way to respond to someone who gave this city and franchise his all. Classless.”
Triche bristled. But the negative tweets, across the board, continued.
“A lot of people on social media unloaded on Al, and I thought that was insensitive,” said Triche, who then paused.
“Hold on, I want to see if it’s still up there,” he said of the 11Alive tweet. “Yep, there it is, they haven’t taken it down yet.
“Most people are not happy that he left,” said Triche. “People have to understand that the Hawks could have handled it, too. It’s a bit of a surprise to some people, but not to me. Not just because it’s Boston, but we heard rumors of him leaving all year long.
“You heard it at the trade deadline, and then that didn’t happen. And now they’re not getting anything back for him.”
In truth, Horford was one of the most important players in franchise history, and Triche shared that during a conversation yesterday with his good friend, Dominique Wilkins.
“Like I told Dominique, in my time here, there has not been another player besides (Wilkins) who has been this team’s icon, like Al,” said Triche.
What follows is what Celtics fans can expect, and shouldn’t expect, once Horford steps into the paint in the Garden.
• Offensively Horford has been a remarkably consistent presence in Atlanta’s offense, and as the Hawks rose back to prominence over the last two seasons under coach Mike Budenholzer, the multi-skilled center played a stabilizing role.
Horford averaged 15.2 points the last two seasons, which is up from his career average of 14.3. He is not the big scorer the C’s so desperately need, but a skilled passer who hits open jumpers, is a career 34 percent 3-point shooter, and will be an exceptional facilitator in Brad Stevens’ movement-oriented offense.
One quality he shares with Kevin Garnett is a knack for making the right play and hitting open jumpers. The C’s certainly haven’t had this good a playmaking big man since KG.
Stevens values versatility, and that’s exactly what the Celtics are about to get. Unlike Dwight Howard, who ironically has accepted an offer to join the Hawks and fill their center void, Horford is not bound by the paint. He’s the ideal big man for the merging small-ball era.
• Defensively The Celtics have lacked a major rim protector since Garnett started to slow down. In this area, the 6-foot-10 Horford is still in his prime, and is certain to become the first elite shot blocker of the Stevens era.
He’s quick, an intimidating threat to get out on shooters, and also fills that other Stevens requirement as a versatile defender. Most, Horford included, would claim he has spent most of his career playing out of position at center. He views himself as a power forward, but those distinctions are fading in today’s NBA. Horford can defend any big on the floor. • A rare postseason record Horford is 1-of-2 active players — the other is Tim Duncan — who has reached the playoffs with the same team in each of the last nine seasons. Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant each missed at least one playoff appearance in that stretch. In Hawks history, not even Wilkins made that many consecutive playoff appearances. Atlanta missed the playoffs eight straight years prior to Horford’s rookie season.