Al Horford has made a considerable impression since joining the Golden State Warriors towards the end of the offseason. The veteran big man is a reliable presence on both sides of the floor. Horford provides some much-needed spacing at the center position, while his defensive versatility has already been on display for Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Interestingly, Horford recently admitted that had he not won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024, it’s unlikely he would have joined the Warriors this summer. Horford was part of the Ime Udoka-coached Celtics that fell to the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, which was the last time Golden State hoisted a banner into the rafters.
“I think it would’ve been too hard for me as a competitor just because of how I operate,” Horford told ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “So I just don’t think I could have.”
In joining the Warriors, Horford has added to an already veteran core. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are all on the wrong side of their 30s. It’s for that reason Horford should have no problem integrating into the team, after all, he’s been going toe-to-toe with some of the talent on Kerr’s roster for close to 20 years.
Horford joined the Warriors in the hopes of contending for another championship. He’s signed a two-year deal with the franchise, with a player option for the second season. The hope will undoubtedly be that he leaves the NBA as a two-time champion, and if things work out that way, then his addition will be viewed as a masterstroke for years to come.
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