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Boston Celtics 2018-19 player grades: Steady play from Al Horford

By Jason Haskins

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics battles for a rebound with Brook Lopez #11 and Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 30, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics battles for a rebound with Brook Lopez #11 and Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 30, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The was a lot of disappointment for the Boston Celtics in 2018-19, but the play of Al Horford was not part of the problem.

The 2018-19 season was supposed to end differently for Al Horford and the Boston Celtics. With the return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, plus an experienced core, the Celtics were penciled in as favorites in the eastern conference.

Now, after another season ending before June, one might wonder if Horford is destined to always come up short in his quest to reach the NBA Finals.

In 12 seasons in the NBA, nine with the Atlanta Hawks and three with the Celtics, Horford’s teams have reached the playoffs 11 times. He’s been on top-seeded teams and sixth-seeded teams, not once getting past the Eastern Conference Finals.

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The hype for Boston in 2018-19 was never lived up to. Even with a sweep in of the Indiana Pacers in the first round and a Game 1 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals, something never seemed quite right. And that showed over the next four games, all losses.

There are definitely issues that need addressed and questions that need answers in the upcoming offseason. One of those is centered around Horford, who can opt of the final year of his contract if he so desires. There are reports that Horford could do so simply to take a more team-friendly deal.

Boston should do what he takes to keep Horford in Celtic green. Despite battling aging knees, Horford only improved as the season went on and at times was the glue that kept this team together, as fragile as that bond was.

2018-19 season

In some regards, Horford’s numbers dipped from 2017-18. His minutes were managed, not even averaging 30 per game across 68 regular season games (down from 72  last season).

Horford’s rebounds were down to 6.7 per game, the lowest of his career. Average assists were also down (4.7 to 4.2) as was this three-point shooting. The shooting percentage from beyond the arc in ’18-19 (36 percent) was expected as Horford enjoyed a career-year of 42.9 percent in ’17-18. (Not counting the early years of his career in which he hit 50 percent on less than 10 attempts).

For all the stats that dipped, Horford also stepped up in a variety of ways. His scoring was at 13.6 ppg, up from 12.9 the season before. He also shot 53 percent from the field, similar to numbers he put up earlier in his career and up nearly five percent from the previous season.

Horford’s scoring average went up one to two points each month. From February to the end of the regular season, Horford averaged 15.3 points per game, including 17.3 in four games in April.

He scored in in double-digits in 22 of the 27 games he played during this stretch, including two impressive double-doubles against the Bucks (21 points, 17 rebounds) and the Detroit Pistons (17 points, 14 rebounds).

Horford’s play spilled into the postseason as well, where he averaged 13.9 points and 9 rebounds per game. He averaged just over 16 points against the Bucks, but did struggle with his shooting in the series.

On the defensive side, Horford brought energy and consistency. Against the Pacers in round 1 and Game 1 against the Bucks, Horford’s defense was inspiring, notably locking down the interior against Milwaukee in this first game.

Though the series flamed out after that — and the Bucks made adjustments to keep Horford at bay — Horford was still a constant presence in the interior all season.

C. Boston Celtics. AL HORFORD. A-.

Horford will be 33 next season. There were signs this season of slowing down, but he’s the type of veteran the Celtics need as they continue to chase down banner 18. Horford was integral to the successes the team did have in 2018-19. He did was what expected him, especially with so many minutes under his belt. I wavered between an A- and a B+, but with his overall scoring up and his defensive presence still affecting games, he got the benefit of the doubt.

Next. Boston Celtics 2018-19 player grades: Kyrie Irving failed. dark

There will be changes this offseason for the Boston Celtics. Let’s just hope Horford is back in the Boston Garden in 2019-20.

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