Boston Celtics center Al Horford somehow continues to fly under the radar in discussions about NBA greatness.
Horford will turn 39 in June, but he might be Benjamin Button. The guy looks not a day over 30 and is playing some of the best basketball of his career lately.
It’s not often enough that people discuss Horford’s longevity, durability, and evolution as a player through the years.
When Horford came to Boston in 2016, he didn’t shoot threes. Horford has changed his game to keep up with the times, and he remains a crucial player for the reigning champions of the league.
On Tuesday, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons (a noted Celtics expert) talked a little bit about Horford during a new episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, noting that Horford should be considered a lock for the Hall of Fame.
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“He’s so important to this Celtics team again, and I don’t know whether it’s a rejuvenation thing, he stopped eating red meat, what’s going on, but he’s swinging games,” Simmons said.
“Like, everyone talked about that Laker game when he defended LeBron (James) over and over and over again, or Luka … but he’s become really important, and (Boston) figured out how to move him through the season, not put too much wear and tear on him, and he’s gonna be a huge asset for them (in the playoffs).”
“He’s like he’s a guaranteed Hall of Famer now, I think, right?”
Horford is a five-time All-Star and NBA champion whose career statistics — 12.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG — fail to tell the full story of his value.
Besides being the optimal locker room presence, Horford is a big-game player and elite competitor. Time and time again, Big Al has shown that he takes his intensity and focus to another level when the lights are the brightest.
Horford has been a winner his entire basketball career. He won back-to-back national championships at the University of Florida and now has a chance to go back-to-back once again at the pro level.
Simmons is correct about Horford — he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Horford should also have his number retired by the Celtics, regardless of what happens this season.
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