For this Celtics Media Day 2021, Massachusetts journalists have found a well-known face in the person of Al Horford. Back in Boston, the veteran joins former teammates who were already there during his first stint at TD Garden. Two years later, nothing has changed. The pivot is happy to return and his teammates are happy to find a father figure.
No, you haven’t just seen a photo from Media Day 2017. It’s 2021 and Al Horford is a member of the Green Nation (especially in 2017 we weren’t wearing a mask yet). Papa Al is back in the Boston jersey. For those who missed an episode, he had been traded in June in the trade with Oklahoma City around Kemba Walker. Alfred is therefore back at TD Garden, two years after his departure for the Sixers in 2019. With this comeback, he will find some well-known faces. Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown or Jason Tatum are notably still there. The latter did not hide his satisfaction at the time of finding the Dominican:
Jayson Tatum on Al Horford returning to the Celtics:
« We got Al back and that’s somebody that I loved playing with my first two years. Great teammate, great professional, great person.
His value goes off the court; in the locker room and things like that »
– Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) September 27, 2021
“Al is back and he’s someone I loved playing with in my first two years. He’s a good teammate, a real professional and a good person. Its value goes beyond the sporting aspect and its presence is also important in the locker room. Jason Tatum on Al Horford’s return.
Besides the All-Star, the other players also recognize Horford’s contribution on and off the pitch. For Jaylen Brown, Al represents the balance of the dressing room, while Dennis Schröder, another rookie, knows that Horford will have control of this dressing room. In view of these small declarations, how can we not be delighted with the return of Horford to the north-east of the country. The former will bring his calm and serenity to a team that needs a new boost after the failure of last season. What’s more, the main interested party, also seems very happy and excited to be back in Boston as Josue Pavon reports from CLNS Media Network :
Celtics’ Al Horford is thrilled to be back:
« It’s a bigger appreciation… I’m so happy to be back in Boston. I appreciate even more what it means to be a Celtic & represent Boston.
Looking at the group we have here, I’m even more excited »
– Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) September 27, 2021
“I’m going to enjoy it even more. I’m so glad to be back in Boston. I enjoy being a member of the Celtics and representing Boston even more. When I look at the group we have, I get even more excited. Al Horford on his return to Boston.
If all seem quite positive and consensual on the return of Al Horford in the green jersey, it will also be necessary to see what he brings to the field. Off the court, no doubt, the players say, Horford will have his role to play. However, at 35, can the Dominican still be an added value on the pitch? The new coach, Ime Udoka, absent from Media Day after testing positive for COVID, will have to find the right role for Al. The science of the game, the skill and the mentality are still there, as we have seen. last year on his matches with the Thunder. However, if he will undoubtedly be the holder, the relative slowness of Horford, which does not improve with age, could be penalizing, especially in defense. To see how much playing time the five-time All-Star will have, but behind, Robert Williams may have substantial minutes. Moreover, the young pivot admitted that he learned every day in contact with the veteran.
Horford’s return to Boston is a bit like Dad’s coming home after not seeing his children for a long time. Everyone is happy to see him again, because he will bring his rigor and his experience. Let’s just hope he still has the voice to scold the little kids if they mess up.
Source texte : CLNS Media Network
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