How Important Is Al Horford to the Celtics?

Having a skilled veteran on your roster is an asset for any NBA team and the Boston Celtics are no different.

Al Horford, a 38-year-old power forward/center with 17 years of NBA experience under his belt.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made the decision to bring Horford back to Boston before the 2021-22 season after a previous three-season (2016-17-2018-19) stint he had with the team.

Horford has been an important part of both NBA Finals runs made by the Celtics in the last three seasons and played a big role in bringing home Banner No. 18.

Horford had to take on a significantly bigger role than anticipated when Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis missed most of the Playoffs due to a leg injury.

Stevens talked about what it was like to see Horford be a part of the Celtics' championship run in an interview with Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe .

"I’ve been asked a lot, “If that shot goes in against Duke [in the 2010 NCAA title game], how different would your life be?” I’m the luckiest guy in the world," Stevens said. "Like, I’m president of the Celtics. If it was better, how could that be possible? So the margins are just small, and for a guy like Al, he deserves that accolade, because he’s been knocking on the door. And the margins are so small that I’m glad people that view it as championship or bust can include Al in the win one category."

Stevens talked about Horford setting an example of wanting to improve for his teammates.

"I think we need to improve individually," Stevens said. "I think everybody is at an age and stage where they can, and I say that with a 38-year-old sixth man [Al Horford] who I watched sit down with [assistant coach] Tony Dobbins at the end of every practice and re-watch film and ask how he can get better and try new things at workouts. When you have a guy like Al setting the tone of, “Hey, I’m not just trying to hang on, I’m trying to improve,” then I think everyone from our 26- and 27-year-olds that are superstars, all the way up and down our roster, they all should be trying to improve."

Horford has earned a spot as a fan-favorite in Boston and will look to help bring home Banner No. 19 in 2024-25.