Al Horford on future: 'I want to keep playing. Why not keep going?'
Al Horford: “I feel like I’ve been asked this for a few years now and I feel good, I want to keep playing. Why not keep going? I don’t want to limit myself.” From the sounds of it, Horford sticking around would sit just fine with the Celtics. “Knowing the type of person that Al is, knowing the leader that he is, even off the court, the father that he is, just the all-around great person and great human,” Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said, “I’d run through a brick wall for him.”
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Al Horford wins NBA title with Celtics in 186th playoff game sportando.basketball/en/al-horford-… – 3:02 AM
Al Horford wins NBA title with Celtics in 186th playoff game sportando.basketball/en/al-horford-… – 3:02 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: “Nobody deserved it more than Al.” Al Horford is a champion at long last. es.pn/3KLccBJ – 2:37 AM
New story: “Nobody deserved it more than Al.” Al Horford is a champion at long last. es.pn/3KLccBJ – 2:37 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Celtics’ Al Horford finally wins first NBA title, removes name from list featuring Karl Malone, James Harden
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 1:23 AM
Celtics’ Al Horford finally wins first NBA title, removes name from list featuring Karl Malone, James Harden
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 1:23 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Al Horford has been waiting 17 years for this moment
pic.twitter.com/xD7yNu8Bqx – 12:00 AM
Al Horford has been waiting 17 years for this moment
pic.twitter.com/xD7yNu8Bqx – 12:00 AM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Al Horford has repeatedly praised both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for their leadership, and for helping get the Celtics over the top this season by focusing on winning and doing what it takes to get the Celtics to this loint. – 11:55 PM
Al Horford has repeatedly praised both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for their leadership, and for helping get the Celtics over the top this season by focusing on winning and doing what it takes to get the Celtics to this loint. – 11:55 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Horford in playing in the Hub:
The first thing you have to do when you come here is embrace that pressure pic.twitter.com/5irafXokpC – 11:53 PM
Horford in playing in the Hub:
The first thing you have to do when you come here is embrace that pressure pic.twitter.com/5irafXokpC – 11:53 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Al Horford said Danny Ainge told him in his FA meeting in 2016 that “you can win a championship anywhere, but nothing is like winning in Boston.”
Said it hasn’t even sunk in yet for him that he’s finally won a title in his 17th NBA season. – 11:51 PM
Al Horford said Danny Ainge told him in his FA meeting in 2016 that “you can win a championship anywhere, but nothing is like winning in Boston.”
Said it hasn’t even sunk in yet for him that he’s finally won a title in his 17th NBA season. – 11:51 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Al Horford speaks after winning his first NBA title as his son Ean watches on pic.twitter.com/67PrItWmfz – 11:51 PM
Al Horford speaks after winning his first NBA title as his son Ean watches on pic.twitter.com/67PrItWmfz – 11:51 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
The Celtics were able to trade for Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Al Horford since Brad Stevens became president of basketball operations three Junes ago. – 11:41 PM
The Celtics were able to trade for Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Al Horford since Brad Stevens became president of basketball operations three Junes ago. – 11:41 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Al Horford passed ISIAH THOMAS in playoff scoring and DAVID ROBINSON in playoff steals tonight.
Playoff all-time ranking
Scoring: No. 50
Rebounds: No. 18
Assists: No. 43
Steals: No. 52
Blocks: No. 16
Wow. pic.twitter.com/rOehNtFmx9 – 11:40 PM
Al Horford passed ISIAH THOMAS in playoff scoring and DAVID ROBINSON in playoff steals tonight.
Playoff all-time ranking
Scoring: No. 50
Rebounds: No. 18
Assists: No. 43
Steals: No. 52
Blocks: No. 16
Wow. pic.twitter.com/rOehNtFmx9 – 11:40 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“They can’t tell you nothing no more, you a champ!”
Horford to Tatum 🤝 pic.twitter.com/owxH4rKpMY – 11:34 PM
“They can’t tell you nothing no more, you a champ!”
Horford to Tatum 🤝 pic.twitter.com/owxH4rKpMY – 11:34 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Al Horford all smiles after winning his first ring at age 38 pic.twitter.com/tIFlmjIaQ7 – 11:31 PM
Al Horford all smiles after winning his first ring at age 38 pic.twitter.com/tIFlmjIaQ7 – 11:31 PM
J. Michael Falgoust @ThisIsJMichael
Best part of this #NBAFinals for me is seeing Al Horford finally win a championship. Good dude. Always played the right way. Played hard. Did the little things (including a lotta moving screens that refs refused to call for years 😂). And did it well for so so long. – 11:26 PM
Best part of this #NBAFinals for me is seeing Al Horford finally win a championship. Good dude. Always played the right way. Played hard. Did the little things (including a lotta moving screens that refs refused to call for years 😂). And did it well for so so long. – 11:26 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Think I’ve mentioned this on the show before, but this is my only Al Horford story.
The Celtics were in town a day early for a game against the Wolves so they practiced at Target Center and had a media availability after. So I went because it’s pretty rare you get to cover a… – 11:23 PM
Think I’ve mentioned this on the show before, but this is my only Al Horford story.
The Celtics were in town a day early for a game against the Wolves so they practiced at Target Center and had a media availability after. So I went because it’s pretty rare you get to cover a… – 11:23 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Now that Al Horford got his championship in his 186th playoff game
The player *still playing* with the most postseason games without the ring is James Harden at 166 – 11:19 PM
Now that Al Horford got his championship in his 186th playoff game
The player *still playing* with the most postseason games without the ring is James Harden at 166 – 11:19 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Impossible to not be happy for Al Horford. So incredibly cool. – 11:19 PM
Impossible to not be happy for Al Horford. So incredibly cool. – 11:19 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
worried that this Al Horford moment is the closest Hawks fans will come to seeing a championship – 11:18 PM
worried that this Al Horford moment is the closest Hawks fans will come to seeing a championship – 11:18 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Horford with the Larry OB:
I’m so proud to be a part of this team pic.twitter.com/ddqXas7vOT – 11:18 PM
Horford with the Larry OB:
I’m so proud to be a part of this team pic.twitter.com/ddqXas7vOT – 11:18 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
After 186 playoff games, Al Horford has a ring.
Horford: “It’s been long, a lot of hard work. I’m so glad to be a part of this team.” – 11:18 PM
After 186 playoff games, Al Horford has a ring.
Horford: “It’s been long, a lot of hard work. I’m so glad to be a part of this team.” – 11:18 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Al Horford picks up the trophy… says “this is beautiful… this is beautiful… wow” – 11:17 PM
Al Horford picks up the trophy… says “this is beautiful… this is beautiful… wow” – 11:17 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Crowd just went wild when they showed Horford on the Jumbotron. Have to interview Al. – 11:17 PM
Crowd just went wild when they showed Horford on the Jumbotron. Have to interview Al. – 11:17 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Love that Al Horford gets to win an NBA title. Has been one of the steadiest players who impacts winning basketball teams for nearly two decades and he finally gets to hit the summit and be a champion. As a starter on a team that went 16-3 in the playoffs, too. That rocks. – 11:11 PM
Love that Al Horford gets to win an NBA title. Has been one of the steadiest players who impacts winning basketball teams for nearly two decades and he finally gets to hit the summit and be a champion. As a starter on a team that went 16-3 in the playoffs, too. That rocks. – 11:11 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
After 17 seasons, Al Horford is an NBA champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/L0MWX0CpbZ – 11:10 PM
After 17 seasons, Al Horford is an NBA champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/L0MWX0CpbZ – 11:10 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
BIG AL IS AN NBA CHAMPION 🇩🇴
Al Horford is the first Dominican player in NBA history to win a title! pic.twitter.com/pV3nw0JPM5 – 11:09 PM
BIG AL IS AN NBA CHAMPION 🇩🇴
Al Horford is the first Dominican player in NBA history to win a title! pic.twitter.com/pV3nw0JPM5 – 11:09 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
And big congrats to Al Horford. Seventeen years is a long time to wait. – 11:03 PM
And big congrats to Al Horford. Seventeen years is a long time to wait. – 11:03 PM
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Former Thunder Al Horford, Celtics win championship with Game 5 win over Mavericks (via @The_ThunderWire):
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2024/06/17/for… – 11:00 PM
Former Thunder Al Horford, Celtics win championship with Game 5 win over Mavericks (via @The_ThunderWire):
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2024/06/17/for… – 11:00 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Former #Sixers to win a title with this Celtics win:
Jrue Holiday (2X champ)
Al Horford (1X champ)
Jaden Springer (1X champ)
Sam Cassell (3X champ as a player, 1X champ now as an assistant coach) pic.twitter.com/SE46hzm9Q2 – 10:59 PM
Former #Sixers to win a title with this Celtics win:
Jrue Holiday (2X champ)
Al Horford (1X champ)
Jaden Springer (1X champ)
Sam Cassell (3X champ as a player, 1X champ now as an assistant coach) pic.twitter.com/SE46hzm9Q2 – 10:59 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Al Horford deserves this. So happy for him. What a career. – 10:59 PM
Al Horford deserves this. So happy for him. What a career. – 10:59 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Al Horford checks out to a much deserved standing ovation. After playing in 186 playoff games — the most by a player before winning a title — he is minutes away from being a champion. – 10:57 PM
Al Horford checks out to a much deserved standing ovation. After playing in 186 playoff games — the most by a player before winning a title — he is minutes away from being a champion. – 10:57 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Al Horford checks out of the game to thunderous applause pic.twitter.com/nfYGg90hQb – 10:56 PM
Al Horford checks out of the game to thunderous applause pic.twitter.com/nfYGg90hQb – 10:56 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
The Garden erupts as Al Horford checks out of the game, finally a champion after 17 years. – 10:56 PM
The Garden erupts as Al Horford checks out of the game, finally a champion after 17 years. – 10:56 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Celtics have such a big lead that there will be chances for curtain calls. Al Horford gets his first as he checks out. Huge ovation. – 10:56 PM
Celtics have such a big lead that there will be chances for curtain calls. Al Horford gets his first as he checks out. Huge ovation. – 10:56 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Fun fact: Al Horford is the all-time leader in Finals 3P% (minimum 20 3PM) statmuse.com/nba/player/al-… – 10:55 PM
Fun fact: Al Horford is the all-time leader in Finals 3P% (minimum 20 3PM) statmuse.com/nba/player/al-… – 10:55 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Two Jays with a Finals MVP case + Brad Stevens made trades to put Al Horford, Derrick White, Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday around them = Title No. 18.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 10:54 PM
Two Jays with a Finals MVP case + Brad Stevens made trades to put Al Horford, Derrick White, Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday around them = Title No. 18.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 10:54 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
HISTORY BEING MADE
Al Horford is the first champion since 1969 that’s older than his head coach.
It’s the first time EVER a full-time coach is younger than one of his players. (The others, Bill Russell and Buddy Jeannette, were player-coaches). pic.twitter.com/Zu4FDsNbOq – 10:49 PM
HISTORY BEING MADE
Al Horford is the first champion since 1969 that’s older than his head coach.
It’s the first time EVER a full-time coach is younger than one of his players. (The others, Bill Russell and Buddy Jeannette, were player-coaches). pic.twitter.com/Zu4FDsNbOq – 10:49 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Congrats to Al Horford on winning the 2023-2024 NBA Championship.
Horford proved he still had a lot left in the tank during his 1 year in OKC.
Great career and great title run for Big Al. pic.twitter.com/581GoJmio5 – 10:46 PM
Congrats to Al Horford on winning the 2023-2024 NBA Championship.
Horford proved he still had a lot left in the tank during his 1 year in OKC.
Great career and great title run for Big Al. pic.twitter.com/581GoJmio5 – 10:46 PM
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Al Horford will win his first career championship. Had the chance to talk to him this past January about his thoughts on the Thunder, where he spent a season
“I think they are a contender right now, and they’re just gonna keep getting better.”
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/lists/al-horfo… – 10:46 PM
Al Horford will win his first career championship. Had the chance to talk to him this past January about his thoughts on the Thunder, where he spent a season
“I think they are a contender right now, and they’re just gonna keep getting better.”
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/lists/al-horfo… – 10:46 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Al Horford:
NBA Champion
5x All-Star
All-NBA
All-Defense
2x NCAA Champion
Hall of Famer? pic.twitter.com/eFheCg0bI8 – 10:45 PM
Al Horford:
NBA Champion
5x All-Star
All-NBA
All-Defense
2x NCAA Champion
Hall of Famer? pic.twitter.com/eFheCg0bI8 – 10:45 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Al Horford was under appreciated for 17 solid years. They literally called him “Average Al.” Just did whatever his team needed for almost two decades. His teammates have pretty universally loved him. Great guy, really, really satisfying to see him get a ring. – 10:44 PM
Al Horford was under appreciated for 17 solid years. They literally called him “Average Al.” Just did whatever his team needed for almost two decades. His teammates have pretty universally loved him. Great guy, really, really satisfying to see him get a ring. – 10:44 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics miss 17 of 24 shots in 3Q but #Mavericks are only able to cut 2 points off lead. BOS 86, DAL 67. Tatum 20 (10 ast), Brown 17, Holiday 15, White 11, Horford 9, Pritchard 3; Doncic 18, Green 14, Jones Jr. 10. – 10:25 PM
#Celtics miss 17 of 24 shots in 3Q but #Mavericks are only able to cut 2 points off lead. BOS 86, DAL 67. Tatum 20 (10 ast), Brown 17, Holiday 15, White 11, Horford 9, Pritchard 3; Doncic 18, Green 14, Jones Jr. 10. – 10:25 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Okay let’s get this out of the way.. where does Horford rank all time and how soon til he’s an nba analyst lol on tv – 10:00 PM
Okay let’s get this out of the way.. where does Horford rank all time and how soon til he’s an nba analyst lol on tv – 10:00 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Okay let’s get this out of the way.. where does Horford rank all time and how soon til he’s on tv broadcasting – 9:59 PM
Okay let’s get this out of the way.. where does Horford rank all time and how soon til he’s on tv broadcasting – 9:59 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Okay let’s get this out of the way.. where does Horford rank all time and how soon til he’s on tv? – 9:58 PM
Okay let’s get this out of the way.. where does Horford rank all time and how soon til he’s on tv? – 9:58 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
White & Horford dive to the floor for a steal. Every ounce of defensive energy spilling out in this one. – 9:33 PM
White & Horford dive to the floor for a steal. Every ounce of defensive energy spilling out in this one. – 9:33 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Al Horford checking back in after Dallas goes on an 8-2 run against Boston’s small lineup — all on drives to the rim. – 9:26 PM
Al Horford checking back in after Dallas goes on an 8-2 run against Boston’s small lineup — all on drives to the rim. – 9:26 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Porzingis checking in for Horford at the 6:49 mark. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 8:51 PM
Porzingis checking in for Horford at the 6:49 mark. #Celtics #Mavericks #NBAFinals – 8:51 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Doncic’s first points of the game come at the 7:02 mark of the first quarter. He draws an and-1 on Horford. – 8:50 PM
Doncic’s first points of the game come at the 7:02 mark of the first quarter. He draws an and-1 on Horford. – 8:50 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Points in the first 5 minutes:
6 — Jrue Holiday
3 — Al Horford
2 — Dallas Mavericks pic.twitter.com/j6e8ZCQGdr – 8:47 PM
Points in the first 5 minutes:
6 — Jrue Holiday
3 — Al Horford
2 — Dallas Mavericks pic.twitter.com/j6e8ZCQGdr – 8:47 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Al Horford buries a 3 with 7:26 to go in the first, and Dallas calls time down 9-2. A dream start for Boston, even with the Celtics missing some open shots. Mavs are 1-for-9 from the floor.
We’ll see if Kristaps Porzingis checks in soon as Dereck Lively is for Dallas. – 8:47 PM
Al Horford buries a 3 with 7:26 to go in the first, and Dallas calls time down 9-2. A dream start for Boston, even with the Celtics missing some open shots. Mavs are 1-for-9 from the floor.
We’ll see if Kristaps Porzingis checks in soon as Dereck Lively is for Dallas. – 8:47 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Al Horford (1 shot attempt) didn’t punish Mavs one-man zone under rim last game. Good start on that front with that transition 3. – 8:46 PM
Al Horford (1 shot attempt) didn’t punish Mavs one-man zone under rim last game. Good start on that front with that transition 3. – 8:46 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
A 3 by Al Horford forces Jason Kidd into a timeout. Celtics lead 9-2 with 7:26 left in the first quarter. – 8:46 PM
A 3 by Al Horford forces Jason Kidd into a timeout. Celtics lead 9-2 with 7:26 left in the first quarter. – 8:46 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Mavericks at Celtics – TD Garden – June 17, 2024 – NBA Finals Game 5 Starters
Boston – Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Horford
Dallas – Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
OUT – Boston: None Dallas: None pic.twitter.com/v8xUBU2zuw – 8:03 PM
Mavericks at Celtics – TD Garden – June 17, 2024 – NBA Finals Game 5 Starters
Boston – Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Horford
Dallas – Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
OUT – Boston: None Dallas: None pic.twitter.com/v8xUBU2zuw – 8:03 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
BOS starters: Brown, Tatum, Horford, White, Holiday
7:37 tip @theeagledallas – 8:01 PM
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
BOS starters: Brown, Tatum, Horford, White, Holiday
7:37 tip @theeagledallas – 8:01 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Al Horford hits a few shots pregame ahead of Game 5 pic.twitter.com/vz0fpf2mQ8 – 6:52 PM
Al Horford hits a few shots pregame ahead of Game 5 pic.twitter.com/vz0fpf2mQ8 – 6:52 PM
More on this storyline
In his 186th career postseason game with three different teams in the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston, Horford posted 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals — one of which came by diving to the floor to corral the ball and pitch it ahead to Brown for an easy score to put the Celtics up 54-39 late in the second quarter. Gary Payton previously held the mark, playing 152 postseason games before winning it all with the Miami Heat. Karl Malone holds the record for most postseason games without a title (193). -via ESPN / June 18, 2024
In the 186th playoff game of his NBA career, Al Horford won his first NBA championship. The Celtics capturing the 2024 title took Horford off an ignominious list, as Boston coming up short this year would have almost certainly (eventually) vaulted him past Karl Malone (193) for most career playoff games without a championship. After the game, Horford was understandably excited to finally get his first ring, 17 years into his NBA career: But with Horford winning a championship, James Harden ended up taking a crown no player wants: His 166 career playoff games without a ring is now not just fourth all-time in NBA history, but the most of any active NBA player. Per StatMuse, the next closest is… his former Rockets teammate Chris Paul, with 149. -via SB Nation / June 18, 2024