Jrue Holiday and Al Horford were only teammates for two seasons with the Boston Celtics, but that was more than enough time for Holiday to understand what makes Horford such a difference-maker.<\/p>\n
As he walked towards the visitors\u2019 locker room inside Chase Center earlier this season, Holiday listed the qualities that have defined the 39-year-old Horford\u2019s NBA career.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat doesn\u2019t he do well?\u201d Holiday told The Athletic of Horford. \u201cHe\u2019s a great leader to start off, holds everybody accountable and to a standard because he is a standard. So, everything he does, he doesn\u2019t take any days off or cut corners, or any of that type of stuff, so he\u2019s able to hold people to that standard, and then, he does everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you need him to score, he\u2019ll score. If you need him to play defense and block shots, he\u2019ll do that. If you need him to switch one through five, he\u2019ll do that. If you need him to knock down a big shot, he\u2019ll do that. He\u2019s like the most reliable leader that I think I\u2019ve ever played with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those qualities are exactly what the Golden State Warriors hoped they were getting when the 18-year veteran signed before the season. And now, just as their season hangs in the balance, they\u2019re getting him back.<\/p>\n
Horford returned to the lineup on Friday, scoring 10 points in 18 minutes in a loss to the Sacramento Kings after missing about a month with a calf strain \u2014 a reappearance that comes just days before the Warriors\u2019 Play-In run begins.<\/p>\n
It took Horford a while to find his rhythm. A lingering sciatica issue and stretch of uneven performances knocked him out off track to start the year. But since Christmas, Horford has rediscovered his form, looking more like the steadying presence that has made him such a respected figure in locker rooms all across the NBA.<\/p>\n
That progress was interrupted again by a calf injury in mid-March, halting what had been his most productive stretch with the Warriors. In the games leading up to the setback, Horford averaged 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 25.4 minutes across five appearances.<\/p>\n
Now, with the Play-In set to begin Wednesday night, the Warriors are counting on Horford to quickly rediscover that form \u2014 adding a steady, veteran presence to a group that will have little margin for error.<\/p>\n
That trust isn\u2019t new. Horford was recently named a finalist for the NBA\u2019s Sportsmanship Award, a reflection of the professionalism and respect he\u2019s commanded throughout his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I care about my teammates,\u201d Horford explained earlier this season \u201cI care about the people around me. But then also, I think everybody senses and feels I always play to win.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m going to do anything on the floor, it may not be the best outcome, or sometimes, I need to do things a little differently, but my intention, in my mind, it\u2019s always to try to help the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warriors swingman Moses Moody is one of the younger players who has leaned on Horford.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old said the conversations he\u2019s had with the veteran big man have helped him understand what it takes to last in the NBA.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see why he\u2019s played so long,\u201d Moody said. \u201cHis attention to detail. He doesn\u2019t get too super excited. He don\u2019t go down. His competitiveness is always there. That\u2019s something I got from him.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the beginning of the season, Horford said the key to his longevity has been forming individual relationships with his teammates. Before signing with the Warriors, he was open about the fact that he had competed against Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, but didn\u2019t know them personally. Since arriving, he has tried to change that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s getting to know the people individually,\u201d Horford said. \u201cI\u2019m always trying to be mindful of what\u2019s going on with the person, and if there\u2019s any way I can help somebody or uplift them.<\/p>\n