‘Ravenous’: fearless chief Al Horford and the Celtics can style it

Moments faraway from the Celtics’ 105-102 Recreation 4 overcome the Pacers on Monday, ESPN reporter Lisa Salters requested Al Horford a simple but illuminating query.

“How hungry are you to lastly get that title?” Salters requested.

“Ravenous. Ravenous,” Horford mentioned. “We prepared for it. We are able to’t wait.”

The Celtics are heading again to the NBA Finals, and they need to get the Recreation 1 t-shirts prepared now: Horford’s screaming face within the middle, “STARVING” on the entrance and “Prepared For It” on the again. Folks may even put on the shirts as an alternative of simply taking them residence.

Horford, who turns 38 every week from Monday, has performed the third most playoff video games all-time (181) with no title, behind solely Karl Malone and John Stockton. He deserves to make the Corridor of Fame whether or not he will get a hoop or not, however nothing can be extra becoming than punctuating his profession with a championship.

He’s a stabilizer, an energizer, a sharpshooter, a rebound machine, a defensive whiz, an inspiring chief and a man everybody trusts and respects.

He averaged 12.8 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals within the sequence. Horford poured in 23 factors on seven 3-pointers in Recreation 3, and when the Pacers denied him extra in Recreation 4, he took simply 4 photographs and had 5 assists. He mentioned his mind-set is just to do no matter it takes to win, and that strategy is on full show each night time.

Horford’s potential to adapt to what the Celtics want is certainly one of his most spectacular attributes. It’s a trait Jrue Vacation and Derrick White share, and certainly one of many causes this Celtics staff is so elite in each side.

In her postgame interview, Salters famous that Horford has sacrificed greater than another Celtic, which is true. On the identical time, he’s stepped up in a serious means with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined this postseason.

Simply because we’ve come to count on it from Horford, doesn’t imply we should always take it without any consideration. The man performed 40 minutes in Recreation 1 and 40 extra in Recreation 4. He hit a clutch 3 in Recreation 3 and helped safe Recreation 4. To him, it’s simply doing his job. To the Celtics, it means a lot extra.

“It’s not a sacrifice in any respect,” Horford mentioned. “It’s a particular group. I’m simply very glad to be on this place.”

In his postgame interview with members of the media, Horford mentioned discovering his son, spouse, and father within the crowd was a particular second.

“It was simply overwhelming,” Horford informed reporters. “Lots of pleasure. Simply grateful to be on this place.”

Horford mentioned the Celtics aren’t happy and are extra mature than they had been two years in the past once they made the Finals. He mentioned they’re “in a greater place” now.

Even with Porzingis again, Horford will probably be instrumental towards both the Mavericks or Timberwolves. Each groups make issues tough with their dimension, however Horford’s versatility permits him to protect publish gamers and stick with guards.

Nobody can completely stick Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, however Horford ought to fare higher than most. His ability is spectacular, however his coronary heart actually units him aside.

If issues get robust within the Finals, Horford will probably be there to offer stability and construction.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla informed reporters it’s laborious to place into phrases what Horford means to the staff.

“He’s only a man who’s the perfect,” Mazzulla mentioned. “His management, his poise, when he brings it to a distinct stage, it’s contagious.

“He’s Al.”