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Boston Celtics: What Does Al Horford Bring to the Team?

By Varun Tekur

May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts with guard Dennis Schroder (17) after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) reacts with guard Dennis Schroder (17) after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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What will an ‘Al Horford’-led Celtics team look like?

As free agency winds down and NBA teams’ rosters are mostly set, the Celtics can confidently say that they have continued their ascent up the Eastern Conference’s ladder. No, the did not pick up this year’s marquee free agent in Kevin Durant, despite a strong pitch from Celtics players, staff, Bill Russell, and even the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, Tom Brady. However, the Celtics did add arguably the best big man in this free agent class to their team by signing Al Horford to a reported 4 year, $113 Million Contract. Horford immediately makes the team better and will help send the team in the right direction.

Horford’s style of play will unquestionably bolster the Celtics’ frontcourt, which lacked a definitive best player last year. In his 9 year career with the Atlanta Hawks, Horford has shown that he can be an effective presence in the paint by getting to the rim with his strength. This will help Isaiah Thomas and the rest of the Celtics guards, as they can look to pass the ball to Horford near the basket or to run pick and roll plays with him and catch the defense off guard.

May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) heads to the bench during a break in the action against the New York Knicks in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The New York Knicks defeated the Celtics 88-80. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) heads to the bench during a break in the action against the New York Knicks in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The New York Knicks defeated the Celtics 88-80. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

In addition, Horford’s interior presence will force defenses to focus on him, opening up space on the perimeter for Boston’s shooters. The Celtics have not had this type of paint presence since the days of Kevin Garnett, and it will give Boston’s young players like Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, and even rookie Jaylen Brown the opportunity to take more 3 point shots and develop a solid 3 point stroke. Horford even has a great 3 point shooting ability himself, which will allow Boston to stretch the floor and open up driving lanes for Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart when Horford is on the perimeter.

Horford can also grab rebounds on both sides of the floor, as he averaged 7.3 rebounds per game last year. Although that was only good for 34th in the NBA, Horford had to share the frontcourt in Atlanta with another talented rebounder, Paul Millsap, who averaged 9.0 rebounds per game. Horford blends his scoring and rebounding abilities with the ability to distribute and to play solid defense. With him protecting the paint, teams will be more hesitant to drive to the hoop against Boston and may be forced to take hard shots.

Last year, Horford averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. This made him 1 of only 6 NBA players to average at least 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block per game.

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Amazingly, he did this while playing alongside another one of those 6 players, Paul Millsap. The other 4 players in this group are Kevin Durant, Paul Gasol, Demarcus Cousins, and Giannis Antetokounmpo – an elite category of players.

Adding Horford will clearly improve the Celtics even with the loss of Evan Turner to the Portland Trail Blazers. Although they are not yet at the level of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the addition of Horford and further development of their young players will allow them to finish as the 2nd to 4th best team in the Eastern Conference next year. It may be extremely hard for Boston to win a championship in the next few years with the Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant led Warriors and King James’ Cavaliers dominating the league, the Celtics will always be in playoff contention. They will have the opportunity to make deep runs in the playoffs, potentially making the Eastern Conference Finals in the next couple of seasons.

March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) dribbles the basketball against Oregon State Beavers forward Olaf Schaftenaar (30) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Golden Bears defeated the Beavers 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) dribbles the basketball against Oregon State Beavers forward Olaf Schaftenaar (30) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Golden Bears defeated the Beavers 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

This type of winning environment will be invaluable for the Celtics’ young players to develop in, as they will spend some of their first few years in the league on a team with a strong desire and ability to compete and win. This can help players like Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and future Celtics draft picks, potentially molding them into stars. As a veteran, Horford will also be able to offer advice and lessons to Boston’s young players. Along with this, Horford’s presence in Boston may attract other marquee free agents in future years who could eventually help bring a title to Boston. Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook are slated to be free agents in 2017, and  Demarcus Cousins is set to hit the open market in the summer of 2018.

The seemingly simple addition of Horford will therefore help the Celtics win immediately while also setting them up for future years of success.

Next: Celtics: No Durant, No Problem?

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