Al Horford has agreed to a deal with the Boston Celtics. They now pose a serious threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
Al Horford and the Boston Celtics have agreed to a four-year, $113 million deal, according to The Vertical‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Having previously brought back forward Amir Johnson, Horford joins a formidable starting rotation with Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. Horford will give the Celtics more flexibility in the front court to pair him with Johnson as the team’s center, or with Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk as a forward-center combination.
His versatility on offense is what creates another dynamic to Brad Stevens’ team in Boston. The 48-34 Celtics will look to improve upon that record thanks to Horford’s versatility.
He has the ability to knock down mid-range shots, hit three-pointers and play in the post. Being able to utilize his face-up game comes in handy when used as the screener in pick-and-roll scenarios. It also allows the Celtics to space the floor.
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Horford, 30, has played his entire nine-year career with the Atlanta Hawks. During his career he is averaging 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. The development of his three-point shot has allowed him to shoot around 34 percent in each of the past three seasons.
Boston was already a playoff team last season, and adding Horford is only going to bolster their chances next year. He brings good playoff experiences, having made the playoffs in eight of his nine NBA seasons.
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The Celtics could create matchup problems for the Cleveland Cavaliers with their big men that can play on the perimeter. If they can use Horford and Sullinger together, it could give Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson fits when playing away from the basket.
Boston’s spacing will allow for Thomas, Bradley and Marcus Smart to have plenty of opportunities to go one-on-one with their defender and get in the paint. It also provides multiple options in the pick-and-roll game with big men that can shoot from distance, mid-range or roll to the basket.
https://twitter.com/Al_Horford/status/749381033968099329
Cleveland doesn’t have the most athletic frontcourt, which is where the Celtics would be able to exploit some mismatches. Meanwhile the backcourt should be given an advantage to the Cavs, since they can match the quickness of the Celtics’ guards and be more physical.
Perhaps going to a smaller lineup could force the Celtics to play their big men less. The Celtics still have the ability to matchup with good guards and versatile players.
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It’s tough to gauge it all on paper, especially without seeing the Celtics play with their new big man, but Boston seems to be even stronger. Horford adds versatility to the front court and could wreck havoc against the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, and in the playoffs.