Boston Celtics: 3 wildcards who could go on to win Finals MVP

Boston Celtics player No. 3) Al Horford

After 141 career playoff games, Al Horford has finally managed to advance to the NBA Finals and, anyone who knows him personally or simply as a mere spectator knows that he doesn’t want this to be the end of the ride.

He wants it all, and wants it bad!

Similar to his importance to their second-half surge, the veteran has been arguably been the most valuable player for the Boston Celtics throughout this playoff run and, though some of his teammates are visibly putting up better stat lines and averages than he has, real ones know just how important the 35-year-old has been to their success.

As we’ve stated on numerous occasions already, the difference that Horford makes doesn’t always wind up showing up in the box score. His averages of 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per contest may not scream “MVP-caliber” right on the surface, but it has been the grit, grind, hustle, and simple efficiency that he’s put forth to produce these types of numbers that have really stood out.

From his shooting splits of 50 percent from the floor and 43 percent from deep to his captivating defense that has held players to about a 10 percent worse clip when he’s out guarding them (second-best in the league behind only Draymond Green), the power forward has been an absolute two-way beast for the Boston Celtics, even though the counting stats may not outwardly show this.

Add all this to the fact that he’s been their undeniable leader on the sidelines and when on the floor, holding his players accountable and going out of his way to lift their heads high when they may have sunken low (who else remembers that beautiful moment against Brooklyn where he comforted Jaylen Brown after a messy play that he ultimately wound up saving?!), and you absolutely have the heart and soul of this year’s postseason stretch in the shape of a 6-9 former All-Star.

He may not be the team’s best talent, but there’s an argument to be made that he’s their most valuable player.

Heading into this NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum may be viewed as the betting favorite to take home the honors if the Boston Celtics win, but, if MVP is truly based on value, at the very least Al Horford deserves to be a close second.