When Brad Stevens acquired Kristaps Porzingis via a trade with the Washington Wizards in the 2023 offseason, questions quickly arose regarding Al Horford‘s potential role with the Boston Celtics. Despite being in the final stages of his career, Horford is an integral piece of the rotation and has never been a bench contributor in his career.
Yet, Horford sacrificed for the team’s good and embraced a new role off the Celtics bench. So far, that change has provided balance to Boston’s rotation, and Horford continues to thrive in a smaller roller, which is also keeping him fresher for the playoffs.
According to an anonymous executive who spoke with Steve Bulpett of Heavy on Sports, Horford’s production off the bench has proven that the team has brought into Stevens and Joe Mazzulla‘s vision for the team, and that is allowing them to thrive as a unit.
“(Al) Horford moving to the bench and giving that group an anchor,” The executive told Bulpett. “Brad (Stevens, the Celtics’ head of basketball operations) made some major moves with a team that got to the conference finals, and they were obviously good moves. But guys still had to buy in, and that’s looking more and more like the case.”
Horford has been impressive this season, contributing 7.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists off the bench while shooting 47.4% from the field and 38% from 3-point range. He has also continued to accept the team’s rest policy for him, which means he sits out the second night of back-to-backs.
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In order to be successful this season, the Celtics needed everyone on their roster to commit to the challenge of sacrificing for the better of the team.
Having a locker room leader like Horford take such a significant step back in role clearly paved the way. Now, Boston looks like championship favorites and has been steamrolling through their opponents at a breakneck pace.
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