Boston Celtics to introduce Al Horford

“On behalf of the Hawks organization, I would like to thank Al Horford for his many contributions on the court and in the community”. “I feel like in years to come this will open the doors for many other big free agents”.

A small Celtics contingent visited Horford last Friday night, then a larger pack that included New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Ainge, coach Brad Stevens, co-owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca and players Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk convened in the Hamptons to pitch Durant.

“Under any circumstances”, he said, “we weren’t going to be able to produce Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green”. I’m very motivated. I’m really (ticked) off about last season.

Even though not getting Durant put a damper on the Celtics offseason, Ainge noted that the team continues to look for ways to get better. The numbers on the scoreboards had all been changed to “18” — the next Celtics title.

During a brief quiet moment during the question-and-answer portion of the press conference, Grousbeck pointed to a blank banner that hangs alongside the Celtics’ 17 championship banners. You can’t teach a player how to win, or want it as bad as someone who consistently is always in postseason play, and his physique will just propel this ball club into a team that will be trying to make it out of the First Round of the NBA Playoffs since 2012. “We’re hoping to work together on that”. Boston has signed some big-name free agents in the past Shaquille O’Neal and Dominique Wilkins among them but only at the tail end of their careers. “I had a great situation in Atlanta, great years and I have a lot of respect for their organization, the fans there”, Horford said. That being said, Sullinger has had more than enough time to reach the potential the Celtics believed they saw in him. “That’s a big part of the reason I chose to come here”.

“I think the biggest thing, and it’s a credit to Al, the best thing I can say about a basketball player is he’s a person that constantly enhances his teammates on the floor”, said Stevens. “You have to consider this is a special place and I think people that are open to it they will see how special this place is”. Horford acknowledged that he spoke with Durant during the free agent process.

The Celtics’ 21st overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft averaged 10.3 points, 0.6 shot blocks, and career-highs 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.6 minutes per game last season and was Boston’s number one rebounder despite being an undersized four. And he saw firsthand what the Celtics were building in the playoffs this season, when Atlanta eliminated Boston in six games. I don’t think that there’s a better example out there for our players.