Al Horford was a huge reason the Boston Celtics made it all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. What are three goals for the Celtics big man in the 2018-2019 season?
You can argue that Al Horford’s play will be the biggest X-factor for the Boston Celtics this season.
If the Celtics go with a starting lineup of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, and Horford, that leaves Horford as the only big man. If the Celtics make it to the NBA Finals and match up with the Golden State Warriors as most anticipate them doing, Al Horford’s play against DeMarcus Cousins could determine the series.
Last season, Horford averaged 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 72 games. The former Florida Gator made the all-star team while also shooting 48.9% from the floor and 42.9% from three. In the playoffs, Horford averaged 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks while averaging 35.7 minutes.
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The five-time all-star is in year three of a four year, $113 million deal that he signed in the 2016 offseason. Horford has a $30 million player option for next season.
1. Average at least 9 rebounds per game
Al Horford’s biggest flaw is probably his rebounding. Horford is an excellent defender but he is not a dominant rebounder like some of the other all-star bigs in today’s league.
Horford’s rebounding has dipped since coming to Boston. Last season was Horford’s best rebounding season with the Celtics with 7.4 boards per game.
In Horford’s first four seasons in his career with the Atlanta Hawks, Horford averaged at least 9.3 rebounds per game every season. His career high in rebounds per game was in the 2012-2013 season when he averaged 10.2 rebounds per game.
Horford has had to play alongside another big for the most part since he signed with the Celtics. However, this season his rebounding will be pivotal if he’s on the floor with the starting five.
With Jayson Tatum or Gordon Hayward playing the 4, Horford will be heavily relied on to pull down rebounds.
The Celtics cannot afford to lose games because they get out-rebounded. Horford needs to step up on the glass, and he needs to return to grabbing at least nine rebounds per game.
2. Finish top-five in Defensive Player of the Year Voting Again
Al Horford is a terrific low-post defender. His presence in the paint was very valuable for the Boston Celtics during the playoffs and was a big reason the Celtics made it as far as they did.
Last season, Horford finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Rudy Gobert, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Paul George. Horford received one first-place vote, seven second-place votes, and 11 third-place votes from the 100 voters.
Horford will need to bring his defense again this season if the Celtics want to go far in the playoffs. Most strong teams in today’s league have at least one good offensive big-man, and Horford will need to match up well with them.
Defensive Player of the Year is a tough award to vote for, as there are not a lot of stats to base on and a lot of the judgment on player’s defensive skills must come from watching the actual game. The Dominican was a force defensively for the Celtics all season long, and I personally thought that he should have finished higher than fifth.
Getting in the top-five again should be a good goal for Horford and should be attainable.
3. Play into his role
Al Horford must be counted on this season. With Jayson Tatum rising as a superstar and Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning from injury, Horford’s offensive role will likely be diminished.
Horford must accept being the fifth option on offense. His primary role this year will be to defend and rebound, not to score in the low post.
It will be crucial to the Boston Celtics season how effective the Celtics lineup with Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford is when on the floor. Those are the Celtics best five guys, but a lot of it depends on how well Horford can defend the opposing big man and rebound. Tatum or Hayward at the 4 is super small and Horford will have to step up.
There is no doubt in my mind Horford will be willing to accept any role with the Celtics. He was the Celtics leader last season during the postseason and a lot of guys looked up to him and praised him.
Although he might not have stats that jump out to people’s eyes, Horford is a very valuable player and will be an important part of the Boston Celtics season.