Moments faraway from the Celtics’ 105-102 Sport 4 conquer the Pacers on Monday, ESPN reporter Lisa Salters requested Al Horford an easy but illuminating query.
“How hungry are you to lastly get that title?” Salters requested.
“Ravenous. Ravenous,” Horford stated. “We prepared for it. We will’t wait.”
The Celtics are heading again to the NBA Finals, and they need to get the Sport 1 t-shirts prepared now: Horford’s screaming face within the heart, “STARVING” on the entrance and “Prepared For It” on the again. Individuals would possibly even put on the shirts as a substitute of simply taking them residence.
Horford, who turns 38 every week from Monday, has performed the third most playoff video games all-time (181) with no title, behind solely Karl Malone and John Stockton. He deserves to make the Corridor of Fame whether or not he will get a hoop or not, however nothing could be extra becoming than punctuating his profession with a championship.
“I’m ravenous for it. We’re prepared. We won’t wait.”
Al Horford and the Celtics have their eyes set on the championship pic.twitter.com/RPj4xNK8lT
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) Could 28, 2024
He’s a stabilizer, an energizer, a sharpshooter, a rebound machine, a defensive whiz, an inspiring chief and a man everybody trusts and respects.
He averaged 12.8 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals within the collection. Horford poured in 23 factors on seven 3-pointers in Sport 3, and when the Pacers denied him extra in Sport 4, he took simply 4 pictures and had 5 assists. He stated his mind-set is solely to do no matter it takes to win, and that method is on full show each night time.
Horford’s capability to adapt to what the Celtics want is one in all his most spectacular attributes. It’s a trait Jrue Vacation and Derrick White share, and one in all many causes this Celtics crew is so elite in each side.
In her postgame interview, Salters famous that Horford has sacrificed greater than every other Celtic, which is true. On the similar time, he’s stepped up in a serious method with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined this postseason.
Simply because we’ve come to anticipate it from Horford, doesn’t imply we must always take it as a right. The man performed 40 minutes in Sport 1 and 40 extra in Sport 4. He hit a clutch 3 in Sport 3 and helped safe Sport 4. To him, it’s simply doing his job. To the Celtics, it means a lot extra.
“It’s not a sacrifice in any respect,” Horford stated. “It’s a particular group. I’m simply very completely satisfied to be on this place.”
Joe Mazzulla on Al Horford stepping up as Horford turns 38 throughout the Finals: “You possibly can’t actually put it into phrases. I’ll strive my greatest. He’s only a man who’s the most effective.”
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) Could 28, 2024
In his postgame interview with members of the media, Horford stated discovering his son, spouse, and father within the crowd was a particular second.
“It was simply overwhelming,” Horford instructed reporters. “A variety of pleasure. Simply grateful to be on this place.”
Horford stated the Celtics aren’t happy and are extra mature than they had been two years in the past once they made the Finals. He stated they’re “in a greater place” now.
Even with Porzingis again, Horford shall be instrumental towards both the Mavericks or Timberwolves. Each groups make issues tough with their measurement, however Horford’s versatility permits him to protect put up gamers and stick with guards.
Nobody can completely stick Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, however Horford ought to fare higher than most. His ability is spectacular, however his coronary heart actually units him aside.
If issues get powerful within the Finals, Horford shall be there to offer stability and construction.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla instructed reporters it’s laborious to place into phrases what Horford means to the crew.
“He’s only a man who’s the most effective,” Mazzulla stated. “His management, his poise, when he brings it to a distinct degree, it’s contagious.
“He’s Al.”