Yet Boston’s successful pursuit of Al Horford (2016) and Gordon Hayward (2017) in free agency was just as important. The Celtics didn’t get Durant, but they got the next best prizes available in successive years. And Ainge’s biggest, boldest acquisition, of course, was getting Brad Stevens out of Butler and watching him blossom into one of the NBA’s top three or four coaches seemingly overnight. “Boston having lottery picks without bottoming out and selecting the right players and having a high performing culture driving veteran with Horford has been critical to their success,” the Western Conference executive said. “The Brooklyn trade is the gift that keeps giving. The fact that Boston is winning with such young players in high pressure situations gives young teams hope.”
Al Horford Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: C-F
Born: 06/03/86
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:235 lbs. / 106.6 kg.
Salary: $27,734,405
Born: 06/03/86
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:235 lbs. / 106.6 kg.
Salary: $27,734,405
The Celtics didn’t get Durant, but they got the next best prizes available in successive years. And Ainge’s biggest, boldest acquisition, of course, was getting Brad Stevens out of Butler and watching him blossom into one of the NBA’s top three or four coaches seemingly overnight. “Boston having lottery picks without bottoming out and selecting the right players and having a high performing culture driving veteran with Horford has been critical to their success,” the Western Conference executive said. “The Brooklyn trade is the gift that keeps giving. The fact that Boston is winning with such young players in high pressure situations gives young teams hope.”
Ben Dowsett: Final Al Horford per-36-minute numbers for the series… With Tristan Thompson ON COURT (173 mins): 8.7 pts, 7.1 reb, 3.1 asts, 33% FG, 22% 3P, Celtics -6.2 NetRtg With Tristan Thompson OFF COURT (76 mins): 25.1 pts, 9.0 rebs, 3.8 asts, 67% FG, 44% 3P, Celtics +23.8 NetRtg
Marc D’Amico: Al Horford on the atmosphere he anticipates tonight: “I think it’ll be electric. Our fans are gonna be ready to go from the beginning. I’ve been telling you guys – these are the moments you want to be a part of, in TD Garden.”
Tom Westerholm: Brad Stevens notes that Al Horford didn’t have many assists because passes out of the posts usually lead to hockey assists, rather than direct ones. “It’s a selfless role to play.”
