Offseason re-acquisition Al Horford has been a bright spot for the Celtics, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston.
At age 35, Horford says he’s used to people labeling him an elder statesman, but he’s not surprised by his strong play.
“For me, honestly, I’m kind of used to it because when I was 30 here, I feel like people were bringing it up like, ‘Oh, he’s 30!’ and all this stuff. I play how I play, I’ve kind of been kind — I feel really good, physically. I feel really good. I know where I’m at. I know what I can do. And, yeah, I’m 35, but I feel as long as I’m putting in the work — I am putting in the work — I’m doing everything that I need to do and I feel like I can keep playing at a high level,” Horford said.
Forberg writes that Horford has arguably been the team’s best two-way player to start the season, despite missing the first game after battling COVID-19. He’s averaging a career high 2.4 blocks per game, and his 9.0 rebounds are his highest mark in nine seasons.
Hoford is grateful for the time he spent with the Thunder last season, saying they have impressive medical and performance staffs who helped him get healthy.
“[The Thunder medical staff was] great. They just had great support systems, kind of like what we have here now, but they really — looking at my nutrition, helping me with treatments before or after practice, the lift, or the performance stuff, kind of mapping the schedule out and kind of making the player involved in everything that goes into playing the games, which is something that we’re doing here as well,” Horford said.
“And that, for me, that year was very beneficial, for me to feel good again, get healthy, and things like that. They have a great program over there. I was really impressed. And they really helped me be in this position, from a basketball standpoint, health-wise.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- In his latest mailbag, Fred Katz of The Athletic says there’s no clear path to Kevin Knox getting minutes for the Knicks anytime soon. Katz notes that Knox is behind Obi Toppin on the team’s depth chart, and even if they wanted to utilize Knox’s three-point shooting, the Knicks would probably be more inclined to play rookie Quentin Grimes, who Katz says is a superior defender. Knox will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season if the Knicks tender him a qualifying offer, which seems pretty unlikely at this point. If they choose not to, he’ll become unrestricted.
- Chris Boucher has had a poor start to the season for the Raptors, but he’s starting to turn things around, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. Boucher says it’s been tough to get acclimated with his new teammates after undergoing hand surgery in the preseason. “I was doing so good in training camp, and then you get hurt in preseason (and) the team gets chemistry (when) you’re out of it,” said Boucher, “you’ve got to find a way to introduce yourself to the team. … I’m sure a lot of people were disappointed in the way that I’ve been playing and what I’ve been giving this year. I have a good circle and they help me stay within myself and focus on the right things, knowing every day is a new day and coming in with the same energy and being ready to change some games.” Boucher was one of the most improved players in the league last season and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2022.
- Strong play from Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby suggests a bright future for the Raptors, according to Dan Devine of The Ringer. Devine provides stats and video breakdowns of the two Toronto forwards with enormous wingspans.
OG Anunoby is MIP so far
Top tier IQ at his age
20, 6, 3
Top tier defender
OG was just as good last year, better %’s even, shows how much you watch
Ah you edited from “most improved” to “top tier defender” much better, silly man
It still says most improved..
But, OG has always been a great defender basically ever since he entered the league.
Yeah no doubt, I’ve watched him almost every game him whole career
You obviously saw it after it was edited lmao
MIP = most improved player??
Maxey has to be most improved currently.
Went from 8 points off the bench as a rookie to helping lead the Sixers putting up 20 on average. Last two games both 30 points.
If it wasn’t for covid hitting the Sixers we would be the number 1 seed in the east.
However all the media attention is given to the bulls, Brooklyn, Hornets, Wizards and the Ben Simmons situation.
Maxey looked fantastic with basically no help against the raps. Korkmaz looked like he was all over the place too even though his stats might not have shown it.
cole anthony most improved.
Second year players rarely win MIP.
Celtics have some real issues and it seems they have had them for a while. Every second season there seems to be something. First it was Haywoods injury, then Kyrie going crazy, then it was Kemba getting old and who knows.
You have two elite youngsters that are already all stars with Tatum and Brown, you have a former sixth man of the year contender, Marcus smart two time all first team defensive, the return of Horford who is playing great, JRich, and some solid youngsters but they are struggling.
9th seed at 6-6. Had an overtime win today over the bucks without Giannas, Middleton and Lopez.
Marcus smart has already came out and said there is issues.
Trade incoming for sure but I think it’s something deeper than just the roster.
I’m starting to think the rift might be between Brown and Tatum.
Whether accurate or not Brown’s name has at least been in rumors (for Dame, Beal, even Simmons although it seems like that was BS).
It will be interesting to see if Brad pulls the trigger on anything. IMO you could argue Brown is the better player but Tatum seems to have inherited the franchise tag.
Lastly,
Knicks: Okogie
Suns: Knox
TWolves: Smith and a second from Phoenix
Fresh start for all players, all on the last year of their deal.
Knicks get Okogie more defensive minded and could work under Thibs?
Suns get Knox, who is born and raised in Phoenix Arizona. Also signed with puma like Ayton could fit in on the young roster and do well under CP3 and Monty Williams.
TWolves get the worst player but get a pick.
Smith was a 5 star recruit and has potential as a stretch 4/5 and maybe he could learn from KAT, Naz Reid and McDaniels how to get better.
They also lack depth in the bigs area and don’t need Okogie at the 2/3 spot
Makes sense. Only thing I would add is PHX might want a pick on their end too — I’m not sure Kevin Knox is worth giving up a 2nd round pick for.
Especially when it’s likely that they could take a flier this summer on him for the vet min.
Al Ho – 20.2 PER, +4.5 BPM
I would agree that he’s been Boston’s best player so far. Which is impressive for him but also helps explain why they’re hovering around .500 as well
I mean, Brown has missed 4 games, they have played most of their games on the road, definitely too early to worry about “hovering around 500”
Didn’t note anything about worrying about them just noted the statistical correlation but thank you.
Celtics are ok! We must give them at least the 20 games to get their act together. Smart’s outburst helped, not hurt. Our new Coach is respected by all! Horford, Schroder, Langford are playing well. Tatum was lost, everyone telling him to pass & rebound, but he’s found his way. We need his scoring, we need his step back 3-point shooting. Josh Richardson is fitting in. Brown showed he can do it. Celts are doing fine, patience is what’s needed by us fans.
2nd game in a row that all of NYK’s starters posted a negative +/- and all of the reserves had a positive +/-. I don’t know if Knox is the answer but certainly mixing up the rotation (e.g., Rose for Walker) may give them a jolt they need.
“Forberg writes that Horford has arguably been the team’s best two-way player to start the season, despite missing the first game after battling COVID-19.”
I wonder who used to say this here ????
The PG issue is still working out in Boston. New players to rotation. Celtics still finding their chemistry. Big win over Bucks. Could get them going.
Knicks got worse issues than Knox PT.
Mitch is out of shape and not consistent. This hurts their team D most. Randle had a bad gm last night. The chemistry is not there yet. They’ve become a 3PT shooting machine. And stop running the offense. There is no offensive flow right now. And Randle on offense has gone back to his old ways. Holding the ball and trying to take guys off the dribble. Kemba finally had a big gm. But rest of starters had bad game. Thibs is not going to let this go on much further.
As much as I love Obi1. Sure like to use him to try and get Jerami Grant.
I was somewhat encouraged by the Knicks last night. Defense was uneven, but really good in spots (basically, when Walker and Fournier were out of the game).
Opponent’s 3 point FG % has generally (over the Thibs’ era) been the most telling stat measuring the overall effectiveness of our defense. Last night it was 28%; whereas the last two losses it was 52% (MIL) and 54% (CLE). Joke level, particularly this season when 3 point %’s are down across the board. I think we’re about 26th in the league before last night. Last year we were 1st. The 3 game homestand is going to be an telling stretch about where we are.
Toppin played OK, but he seems to have lost confidence in his 3 point shot again (he’s not even looking at the basket). Not surprisingly, even though we used a non-rim protector lineup for about 3-4 minutes down the stretch, it wasn’t with Randle-Toppin, it was with Randle and 4 perimeter guys.