Al Horford of the Celtics is ready to fight to help Boston soar

BOSTON – When the curtain rose on a new Celtics season at their new impressive training center, the top five in the star category have plummeted some reservations. As if nothing had happened, Al Horford's starter's defense made a few saves and with the time and the match on the line, Kyrie Irving shuddered around the perimeter and buried a 3-point .

It was too good to be written. Irving's shot gave the forwards a one-point lead over a fierce reserve unit that could push those starters every step of the way. It meant that Kyrie was back, Gordon Hayward was back, and the defense anchored by Horford's ability to change shape to be everywhere was once again ready to provoke a return.

We tend to think that the Celtics will resume where they left off last season, but only now with more offensive firepower. Almost all players on last year's roster are back for this season, and this group has forged an admirable identity based on toughness, versatility and the play of their strengths. This camaraderie led them to cross the wounds of Irving and Hayward en route to a season of 55 wins and in a game of the NBA Finals.

This neglects an important consideration. At the end of last season, the Celtics were largely due to the absence of Irving and Hayward. Terry Rozier entered the starting lineup, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum took on more offensive roles, and Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart provided all the rest.

This year's team has to incorporate Hayward, who played every five minutes before suffering an end-of-season injury, as well as Irving, who missed the show after his own injury. In addition, Daniel Theis, a great backup man, also returns after his end of season injury.

With Irving and Hayward back in the lineup, the Cs now have four players who could average 20 per game. Take these All-Star talents, mix them up with Brown and Tatum, add a bench of 11 depths and the Celtics look like a team ready for a final as long as they are all involved in the cause. a night base.

The only constant in all this is Al Horford.

"Last year was a unique team," Horford said following the team's first training sessions. "Our values ​​were trying to play Celtic basketball, really love it, like the old Celtics were playing. That's the only thing we're talking about, we have to start rebuilding it. Last year is over. We did well, but we have to win it. We understand what is before us and we have to go win it. Nothing will be given to us.

If last season was to incorporate new faces and learn on the job, this one is about opportunities. With LeBron James taking his talents to the Lakers, the East is finally open with the Celtics at the front of the line. To make this last leap, it will take all these wonderful intangible qualities that made the C so unique last season, with a dose of disinterestedness from their star actors.

This is not a problem for Horford, who has always been the altruistic star of all the teams he has played, dating back to his studies at the University of Florida. His challenge this season is to provide all this while respecting the physical requirements of the central position.

Photo of Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

If Horford is not the best player on the team – a tiring argument that will undoubtedly be rekindled at one time or another this season – then he is the most important. The big man is the anchor of the team both offensive and defensive and emotional rock.

In attack, Horfrd brings ballast and balance with his disordered passes and his underestimated game. His ability to fire from behind the 3-point line extends the defense and allows all of these attackers to attack the basket without a blocker firing hovering.

It's about the defense that Horford makes his mark. His ability to protect everyone, from opposing centers to marked wings, sets the tone for a team that can change everything and play with abandon. Thanks in large part to Horford's expert positioning, the Celtics are fundamentally sound and disruptive, a style that was the league's toughest defense last season.

"He knows what made us feel good and he knows what we need to work on to be better," said Brad Stevens. "We did our best to talk about it, but his voice has a lot more weight than mine or other coaches."

Horford is also giving in to the show, be it Isaiah Thomas or Irving or anyone else who has had a good night out. That's part of what makes him such a good teammate and a respected leader behind the scenes, where he prefers to talk.

"For me, I have to make sure to give the example," Horford said. "Our goal as a group, which I must continue to develop, is on the defensive. Our guys understand that we have to be very defensive. Offense, we have a lot of firepower and I do not think it's going to be a problem. I have to make sure that the team is the best possible for the defense. "

The key to their defense is that they have a number of wing players that are essentially interchangeable on the defensive side. They can change everything and protect anyone. Horford goes further. He's so versatile that he designed Ben Simmons's mission in the second round of the playoffs, which helped smother Simmons and neutralize Philly's tempo attack.

That was a lot to ask the 11 year old veterinarian and Horford took care of himself over the years. Stevens was also measured with Horford's playing time, giving him about 32 minutes a night and resting at strategic intervals throughout the season. This is the maintenance done correctly.

More importantly, Horford will be called upon to play a lot of center to accommodate all these players. At an early age, Horford preferred playing all four and not coping with the constant hammering of the center position. The league's style of play has changed a lot over the years, mainly because of hybrid players like Horford, who can anchor smaller alignments that run these fat men on the field.

But East still has a handful of centers, mainly Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard. On those nights, Stevens has the luxury of deploying Aron Baynes and Theis to ease that burden, which they did last season.

At this point in his career, Horford is at peace with his position. He understands that if the Celtics are to be who they want to be, then his optimal position is at five. He also understands that if sacrifices are made, they begin with him.

After Irving's shot, the reserves still have a chance to win. Stevens prepared a game, but the starters reacted quickly to the action and left the backups with only one bailout option: Baynes at the top of the key. Horford passed the ball from Baynes and secured the win.