Boston Celtics: Al Horford is a triple-threat team MVP

Boston Celtics big man Al Horford continues to show that he is the anchor of the team displaying a triple double in the team’s 110-105 win over the Miami Heat.

Call him average all you want, but Boston Celtics big man Al Horford is a force on the court in various ways when he is healthy.

No, he doesn’t put up dominant numbers, but his leadership on the court and versatility as a big man makes him an All-Star caliber player who has certainly been the anchor on a deep, talented team that has underachieved all season.

While Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have all been labeled as keys to the Boston Celtics playoff success, Al Horford really is the glue who will play a major role in how deep this team goes.

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Triple-double success

Take Monday night’s 110-105 victory over the Miami Heat at TD Garden.  Horford simply did it all by recording a triple-double.  With 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, the Celtics big man not only filled the stat sheet, his poise is what kept the Celtics from completely squandering a 23-point lead to the Heat.

"“Al is a great player, a great guy, a great teammate, he does everything right, and he’s a winner,” Marcus Smart said of Horford following the game.  “He deserves every accolade, every award, and every mention that his name has, so we’re happy for him.”"

Throughout the season, Horford is the player who has shown the most leadership.  With Irving blasting teammates in the media and players like Marcus Morris and Jaylen Brown outspoken about the team’s struggles, Horford has been the player highlighting the team’s issues while identifying what they need to right the ship.

As that anchor on and off the court, Al Horford has certainly been the team MVP while healthy.  That really has shown when he is on the court with Aron Baynes, which allows him to play more of his natural power forward position.

Together on the floor, the duo makes the Celtics a more defensively stout team, while Horford’s ability to stretch the floor and pass the ball makes them a more offensively stable team.

Oh, and let’s not forget the chemistry between him and Kyrie Irving in their two-man game.  When they are both clicking, the Boston Celtics seem unbeatable.  As the player assuming most of the leadership role, Irving has also deferred to how important a role Al Horford plays on the team.

"“Versatility is what makes him very special, being able to play the 4 and 5 spots,” Irving said.  “But when he’s in that four spot he’s able to facilitate, post up, make great passes, make great plays.  It helps us as a team.”"

That versatility on both ends of the court will help the Boston Celtics find success in the playoffs, especially with his ability to defend a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo and frustrate a big man like Joel Embiid.

When healthy, Al Horford gives the Celtics hope in their effort to make fans forget a frustrating regular season and find deep success in the 2019 NBA playoffs.