What they're saying about Al Horford

It took a while — an NBA record 141 playoff games without ever advancing past the Conference Finals — but at long last Flrodia Gators great Al Horford, the starting big man for the Boston Celtics, is headed to his first NBA Finals. Now in his 15th NBA season, with more than 1,000 regular and playoff games under his belt, Horford will play for a chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

A day later, he turns 36. Back in Gainesville, Horford won two NCAA titles for the orange and blue of then-coach Billy Donovan. Horford entered the NBA as a back-to-back NCAA Champion. But in the league, the wait to reach the finals series went on and on and on. Now, Horford, a five-time NBA All-Star, is just one more step — and four more wins — away from basketball glory.

Here’s what they’re saying

MassLive.com — Al Horford increases salary guarantee by $5 million for next season after Celtics clinch NBA Finals spot

“On top of the jubilation for getting a chance at bringing home his first championship ring, Horford will be getting some extra money in his wallet for next year thanks to the team’s success. The unique contract incentive stems from the contract that Horford signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2019. The four-year deal was worth up to $109 million and had some partially guaranteed money ($14.5 million of $26.5 million) in the final year of the deal. … By making the NBA Finals, Horford has his 2022-23 salary guarantee jump from $14.5 million to $19.5 million. Horford will get the full $26.5 million in his contract guaranteed if the Celtics win the NBA Finals. However, the veteran big man will not need to wait that long to secure that big number. League sources tell MassLive that the Celtics are expected to bring Horford back and guarantee the full $26.5 million no matter what happens in the NBA Finals.”

WCVB-Boston — Boston’s Dominican community shows pride in Celtics’ Al Horford, who will make NBA Finals history

“The native of the Dominican Republic will become the first Dominican player to appear in the NBA Finals. ‘Que en la República se sienta, esto es una celebración,’ Horford said after the Game 7 victory over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, which translates to: ‘For those in the (Dominican Republic), this is a celebration.’ Horford is from a storied family, as his father, Tito Horford, became the first Dominican-born player to appear in the NBA in 1988.

ESPN — Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, and the tense final seconds of Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat

“Horford is the best defender the Celtics have when it comes to contesting shots like the one (Jimmy) Butler was about to attempt (in the final minute). Horford contested 29 more shots than any other Celtic in the series because he’s always in the right spot. … As the contest ended, Horford chucked the game ball into the air. When the Bob Cousy Trophy was awarded to the Celtics as the East’s champions, it was handed to Horford. For all of Butler and the Heat’s disappointment, Horford and his team’s joy was the balance — and the latest chapter in what has already been a rugged playoff ride.”

SKY Sports — Boston Celtics big man’s NBA Finals appearance provides ideal opportunity to cap a 15-year career

“Al Horford must have thought this moment would never come. As he grabbed what would be the final rebound of the Eastern Conference Finals, threw the ball skyward, sprinted to join his teammates in celebration and then dropped to his knees to slap the floor. He realised that he had finally done it. The oldest player – by six years – on the Boston Celtics’ roster will savour this trip to the NBA Finals in ways that his team-mates simply cannot.”

Thunderous Intentions — Revisiting the Al Horford trade as the Celtics earn a trip to the Finals

“On June 18th, the Thunder shipped Al Horford back to Boston. The Organization he desperately wanted to go to and an NBA Finals contender that with his leadership got there this season. OKC attached Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick to Horford to get him to his preferred destination. While taking on Kemba Walker‘s contract. A 2021 First-round pick (Alprene Sengun traded for future draft capital), and a 2025 second-round pick. Moses Brown never played a game for Boston. And played in 40 NBA games during the 2021-22 NBA Season with a stint in Dallas and Cleveland this season. At the end of the day, The OKC Thunder earned a haul from Al Horford’s massive contract. When you factor in both trades and Al Horford got to go to his preferred team and earned a trip to the NBA Finals.”