ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Anthony Slater recently did a deep dive on the Golden State Warriors. During their evaluation, the former delivered a dose of reality Boston Celtics fans have grown quite familiar with about Al Horford.
"They add Al Horford, which, if he can stay on the court, will be, I think, a really, really great fit here," said Bontemps. "He will not play in back-to-backs, I'm sure. Everybody danced around that today, but he didn't play in back-to-backs last year for a reason. They need to manage him through the year, but if he can be healthy in the spring, he will be an excellent playoff player for them and will really fit how they want to play."
Playing in both halves of back-to-backs was a rarity for Horford in his second stint with the Celtics. It was akin to spotting Halley's Comet. That's because he returned to Boston at age 35.
However, make no mistake, as Bontemps notes, the 18-year veteran remains quite impactful when he's on the floor. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks last season. He also converted on 36.3 percent of the 5.2 threes he attempted.
Horford's ability to stretch the floor and provide Stephen Curry with a pick-and-pop threat, unlike any he has had before at the center position, will make the Warriors' offense more dynamic.
At the other end of the floor, he can operate as a standalone big. However, the former Florida Gator is also plenty comfortable working in tandem with another true four or a center. He and Draymond Green should combine to create an impressive defensive duo when they're on the court together.
What Horford brings to Golden State and when the team will need him most is why it's paramount that head coach Steve Kerr diligently manages his workload through the upcoming campaign. After years of not participating in both ends of back-to-back games, it would be bizarre if that changed at age 39. Avoiding that scenario is an easy call for Kerr.
Why Al Horford joined the Warriors
Horford probably envisioned spending the duration of a career that is on track to extend into his 40s in Boston. However, Jayson Tatum's injury and the Celtics' roster reset changed the equation.
Leaving, as tough as that may have been, was one matter. However, choosing where to go next was an entirely different calculus.
"It's a great opportunity to compete and to win at a high level," Horford said during his first press conference after joining the Warriors. "When I think about the Warriors, I think about Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] and Steve Kerr and seeing Jimmy Butler here. What he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade, and how they're playing. It wasn't an easy decision for me to leave Boston, but if there was a place that was this one, and it happened, and I happened to give this opportunity, so I jumped at it."
With him signing a multi-year deal that includes a player option, he could have multiple cracks at a championship alongside Curry, Green, and Butler.