It’s no secret that Al Horford is ageing. Practically each time he steps on the courtroom or makes an enormous play, you possibly can hear the published crew point out his age and the way wonderful it’s that he’s nonetheless going at a excessive stage. The 38-year-old regular veteran, and now NBA champion, is coming into his 18th yr within the league, and nonetheless has much more to offer to this recreation.
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 quick one given the Celtics season going nicely into June, his journey to the Dominican Republic the place he obtained to share the championship trophy together with his residence nation, after which the early begin to the preseason with the primary two video games world wide in Abu Dhabi.
Al acknowledged that he’s working onerous 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 quick journey to the UAE.
Some could query why he nonetheless went the gap with them simply to journey the bench. For those who ask me, I feel he was secretly there to make use of these attractive eyes and that Dominican appeal of his to lure in potential bidders for the group’s eventual sale. However extra seemingly, he was there to remain engaged and proceed being the good chief he’s for this group.
The Celtics obtained again to working towards on the Auerbach Heart at present as they proceed to organize for the season. In Joe Mazzulla’s media availability, he was requested about Horford’s DNPs and the street forward.
Mazzulla in full on the plan for Horford, who will seemingly play at the least 1 preseason recreation. Might transfer between a beginning and bench function to start the season.
Bear in mind related dialog earlier than 22-23, however Horford in the end began all through that yr. Got here off bench in 23-24. pic.twitter.com/BKaBfW80be
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) October 10, 2024
Joe basically reiterated what Horford had stated earlier — they need a wholesome, well-prepared Al for the common season so that they’re within the technique of “ramping him up.” There’s nothing to fret about there.
On an identical notice, Joe was requested about Al’s duties within the upcoming season, particularly within the time which Kristaps Porzingis can be absent initially of the yr. Joe didn’t decide to saying whether or not Al will begin or come off the bench, and stated 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 function, and seemed greater than snug working with the remainder of the starters. He’ll seemingly have at the least one, if not two extra alternatives to proceed in that function earlier than the common season begins. Mazzulla stated that Horford is anticipated to play in at the least one of many group’s three remaining preseason video games, and that he could even play a second.
His subsequent alternative to go well with up can be on Saturday because the group will get their first take a look at the newest version of the Philadelphia 76ers. Oddly sufficient, the group has a preseason back-to-back, taking up 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.
