Boston Celtics veteran gets real about urgency of a 2023 title run

Boston Celtics veteran Al Horford got real about the urgency of the team’s 2023 postseason run, talking about the temporary nature of any franchise’s supposed title window — noting that “windows close” to Heavy’s Steve Bulpett in an interview published on May 15.

“If you look at it, the reality is that even though a lot of younger guys that think they have opportunities and will have more of them, these doors close,” Horford said “So when we’re in these positions, I think everybody is starting to understand that, you know, even though, ‘Oh, I’m young. I have time,’ and this and that, it’s not guaranteed that you’re going to be in these positions. That’s something that I feel like we understand, and that’s why we’re trying to make the most of it.”

Horford’s defense on Joel Embiid was a big reason this current postseason run is even still going. His pairing with Robert Williams III was unlocked by Joe Mazzulla after being the team’s defensive anchor in Boston’s 2022 Eastern Conference championship run. Even at age 36, Horford gave the Celtics over 31 minutes per game, including a 17-point, seven-rebound performance on 5/7 3-point shooting in Game 3.

Al Horford compliments Boston Celtics veteran backup

Horford gave a shoutout to fellow Boston Celtics veteran Blake Griffin, who is two years younger than No. 42, ahead of the C’s Eastern Conference finals series against the Heat during the interview with Bulpett.

“Having Blake around, having me around, it gives that type of perspective,” Horford said of Griffin, who has played 14 seasons in the Association without yet winning an NBA championship.

Griffin may not have many seasons left in him. Horford for that matter either. Boston not only has the burden of keeping Jaylen Brown satisfied enough to re-sign, but they have veterans who the rest of the team should be honored to win a championship with.