Chowder and Champions 9 hours ago
Boston Celtics player report card 2016-17: Al Horford
Al Horford was acquired in free agency a year ago by the Boston Celtics as someone who would hopefully lure in Kevin Durant. When Durant ultimately took his talents to Oakland, Horford became the big signing. Boston Celtics center Al Horford showed that he was worth every penny of his 4 year, $113.3 million deal. […] Boston Celtics player report card 2016-17: Al Horford - Chowder and Champions - Chowder and Champions - A Boston Sports Site - Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins and More!
CelticsBlog Jun 21, 2017
CelticsBlog Roundtable: who is in the starting lineup in three years?
Danny Ainge has drafted Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown in the lottery and (for now) has another pick on Thursday night. Will this trio be the future of the Celtics? Keith Smith: Just for fun, since I copped out on the rotation question, I'll put names to this one: Isaiah Thomas, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Blake Griffin, Al Horford. Thomas re-signs after the team adds Hayward and Griffin. Horford is in the last year of his contract. Brown has blossomed into a starter. I also believe Avery Bradley is still around, but has been pushed to the bench to fill a role as a much better shooting...
CelticsBlog Jun 20, 2017
CelticsBlog Roundtable: what’s your dream rotation next season?
Forgive us if we were a little loose with our cap calculations. Keith Smith: Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Wing Addition X, Big Addition Y, Al Horford Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Veteran Big Z I know that is a cop out, but I think the Celtics are going to add at least one major player over the summer. It may end up costing them Jae Crowder and all of their FAs to do it, but it feels like that is the plan. And considering all of the FAs of consequence currently fill roles in the big rotation, they'll add at least a couple of players there. Outside shot they bring back Amir Johnson or Jonas...
Chowder and Champions Jun 14, 2017
Boston Celtics are a big threat to lure Blake Griffin away from L.A.
With free agency just under a month away, the Boston Celtics are considered major suitors for two of the top prizes on the market. Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck promised fireworks a few summers ago. After lighting some fireworks in the summer of 2016 with the signing of Al Horford, the Atlantic Division champions are […] Boston Celtics are a big threat to lure Blake Griffin away from L.A. - Chowder and Champions - Chowder and Champions - A Boston Sports Site - Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins and More!
The Republican Jun 14, 2017
Al Horford recruiting Gordon Hayward to Boston Celtics already? Big man follows free agent on Instagram
It looks like the Boston Celtics have opened their recruitment of Gordon Hayward or are at least flirting with the All-Star from afar.
Hot Hot Hoops Jun 14, 2017
How does Miami Heat overcome 100-1 odds for a NBA title?
Recent ESPN odds has both Miami and Utah as 100-1 underdogs to win it all. Would acquiring Gordon Hayward be enough to vault over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons or Washington Wizards to reach the NBA Finals? Image courtesy of ESPN ESPN earlier listed the Heat at a 100-1 odds for a championship, same as Utah Jazz. What happens if Hayward joins Isiah Thomas and Al Horford to form a diluted version of a “Big 3” to challenge the Cavaliers? Reid Forgrave, in his mock draft, has the Celtics getting Paul George via a draft-day trade for...
Celtics Insider | Boston Herald Jun 13, 2017
Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford follow Gordon Hayward on Instagram
Let the overreacting commence.NBA free agency doesn't open until July 1, but that doesn't appear to be stopping the Celtics from hitting the recruiting trail. At the least, they're stirring the pot on social media.It sounds ridiculous, but this doesn't seem to be a coincidence. One day after Isaiah Thomas followed soon-to-be free agent Gordon Hayward on Instagram, Al Horford has followed suit. Their actions -- the simple pressing of a follow button -- have been noticed.
Boston Herald Jun 6, 2017
After first year, Al Horford embraces high expectations and pressure in Boston
Al Horford didn’t begin his Celtics career in a vacuum. From his friendship with David Ortiz, to conversations Pedro Martinez had with his parents, to a frank warning from his new boss, Danny Ainge, Horford knew all about the Boston market and what happens when big money and impatience drive expectations.“Danny told me things like, ‘Hey, fans here are definitely tough,’ ” Horford said recently of the warnings that came with signing a four-year, $113 million contract with the Celtics last summer.Though Horford is proud of his ability to screen out game-night noises and distractions...
CelticsBlog Jun 3, 2017
Celtics roster review: Al Horford needs more talent around him
Al Horford was just about everything the Celtics could have reasonably asked for this year, but the team still has a long way to go. Al Horford’s performance in 2016-2017 was about as good as anyone could have reasonably expected. He disappointed a bit in the regular season, posting his lowest points per game mark in the last five years, shooting the worst percentage from the field of his career, and continuing a disturbing year-over-year trend of reduced rebounding effectiveness that started in 2013. Horford offset most of those issues by setting a career high in assists and maintaining...
CelticsBlog Jun 2, 2017
Ante Zizic isn’t the (only) solution to the Celtics rebounding issues
Pump those brakes on the hype train. The Celtics badly need help with rebounding and a rotation big man to put next to Al Horford. They happened to draft Ante Zizic last year and he happens to do those things pretty well. In fact, our old friend Kevin O’Connor has stated that his year in Euroleague has elevated his stock to the point where he’d be a top 10 pick in this year’s draft. He even finished 2nd for the Euroleague Rising Star award, trailing only future number 1 pick candidate Luka Doncic. via CSNNE A 20-year-old center out of Croatia, Zizic was chosen 23rd overall by Boston...
CSN New England Jun 1, 2017
Report: Horford, Smart were dealing with injuries in playoffs
We knew about Isaiah Thomas' hip injury that kept him out of the final three games of the Celtics' Eastern Conference finals loss to the
Boston Herald May 31, 2017
Al Horford, Isaiah Thomas see Celtics as an attractive option for free agents this offseason
Roughly a month from today will mark the year anniversary of the most high-priced courtship of Al Horford’s life, with the Celtics, Rockets, Wizards and Hawks all pursuing him from the first day of 2016 free agency.Horford ultimately picked the Celtics because of their promising combination of an emerging scoring star in Isaiah Thomas, one of the best young minds in the NBA in Brad Stevens, a bountiful collection of draft picks and unselfish role players.Horford isn’t aware of anyone specifically looking at the Celtics right now, with the 2017 market set to open on July 1, though he’s...
Boston Herald May 28, 2017
Bulpett: Danny Ainge quite happy with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford
I’m sure if New Orleans calls and offers Anthony Davis, draft picks and Mardi Gras beads for life, the Celtics will likely be willing to part with Isaiah Thomas.But Danny Ainge doesn’t believe the Little Guy is going anywhere — not now nor when his contract expires after next season.The questions from the outside of whether Thomas can be a major part of a title-contending team are almost too silly to answer. But some people wonder whether the Celts will be able to keep all their desired pieces together as Thomas, Avery Bradley and others come up for renewal in this new...
Green Street | WEEI May 26, 2017
Al Horford reflects on his first year in green: ‘I’m proud of our group’
When the Celtics signed Al Horford to a max contract last summer, they knew the 6-foot-10 center would make an immediate impact, but few expected him to help lead the team to the Eastern Conference finals. That’s exactly what he and this Celtics team did, and while they fell short of their ultimate goal, Horford […]
CelticsBlog May 25, 2017
It was a very good year for the Boston Celtics
No banner hung, but don’t hang your head. There will be no banner hung for this season but there’s no need to hang our heads either. The Boston Celtics won 53 games, gained the top seed in the East, advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, and lost to the defending champs. That’s a really good season in itself. Add to that the fact that we saw Isaiah Thomas have one of the best offensive seasons by any Celtics player ever. Brad Stevens cemented his status as one of the best coaches in the game. Al Horford quietly proved that he’s worth every penny of the contract he signed. Avery...
