It’s no secret that Al Horford is growing older. Almost each time he steps on the courtroom or makes a giant play, you’ll be able to hear the printed crew point out his age and the way superb it’s that he’s nonetheless going at a excessive degree. The 38-year-old regular veteran, and now NBA champion, is coming into his 18th 12 months within the league, and nonetheless has much more to offer to this sport.
Al Horford says retirement was by no means a thought this offseason.
Provides he received’t put a timeline on his profession. He’s simply going to maintain enjoying. pic.twitter.com/eazLDIntMQ
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) September 24, 2024
Throughout his Media Day availability with NBC Sports activities Boston, Eddie Home requested Horford what’s totally different between heading into this season versus the way it was earlier in his profession. Al talked about that at this stage in his profession, he is aware of what it takes to play a full NBA season, and what it takes to get his physique there. He additionally famous that this present offseason is an particularly brief one given the Celtics season going nicely into June, his journey to the Dominican Republic the place he obtained to share the championship trophy along with his house nation, after which the early begin to the preseason with the primary two video games all over the world in Abu Dhabi.
Al said that he’s working laborious and staying constant, and that he’s “not fairly there but, however we’re getting there” in reference to his conditioning. The Celtics appear to be staying aware of that, holding Horford out of each of their preseason video games of their brief journey to the UAE.
Some could query why he nonetheless went the gap with them simply to trip the bench. For those who ask me, I believe he was secretly there to make use of these beautiful eyes and that Dominican appeal of his to lure in potential bidders for the staff’s eventual sale. However extra seemingly, he was there to remain engaged and proceed being the nice chief he’s for this staff.
The Celtics obtained again to working towards on the Auerbach Middle immediately as they proceed to organize for the season. In Joe Mazzulla’s media availability, he was requested about Horford’s DNPs and the highway forward.
Mazzulla in full on the plan for Horford, who will seemingly play at the least 1 preseason sport. May transfer between a beginning and bench position to start the season.
Bear in mind comparable dialog earlier than 22-23, however Horford finally began all through that 12 months. Got here off bench in 23-24. pic.twitter.com/BKaBfW80be
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) October 10, 2024
Joe basically reiterated what Horford had mentioned earlier — they need a wholesome, well-prepared Al for the common season in order that they’re within the strategy of “ramping him up.” There’s nothing to fret about there.
On an analogous word, Joe was requested about Al’s duties within the upcoming season, particularly within the time which Kristaps Porzingis will likely be absent at the beginning of the 12 months. Joe didn’t decide to saying whether or not Al will begin or come off the bench, and mentioned that each of them have been approaching it with an open thoughts.
Within the two preseason video games which Horford missed, Luke Kornet took the beginning position, and regarded greater than comfy working with the remainder of the starters. He’ll seemingly have at the least one, if not two extra alternatives to proceed in that position earlier than the common season begins. Mazzulla mentioned that Horford is predicted to play in at the least one of many staff’s three remaining preseason video games, and that he could even play a second.
His subsequent alternative to swimsuit up will likely be on Saturday because the staff will get their first take a look at the most recent version of the Philadelphia 76ers. Oddly sufficient, the staff has a preseason back-to-back, taking over the Raptors on Sunday, so if we don’t see Al the primary night time, I’d think about we’ll see him on the second, however not each.
