With the 2016-17 regular season is just weeks away, it’s time for a final goodbye to Al Horford.
Why Now?
This may be seen as a tad overdue. While the loss of All-Star center Al Horford came when we were still hanging out in the water and eating food off the grill, a need to look back has arose. Kobe finished his retirement tour last season, while Tim Duncan fittingly walked out the back door. Since the summer has gone along, Kevin Garnett also announced his retirement. Paul Pierce has recently kicked off his own retirement party.
As the leaves start falling and the preseason begins, the reality of this summers events have also set in. Dwight Howard is the starting center in place of the old Hawks staple. That staple is now wearing rival Celtic garbs. While plenty of the dialogue has been whether Al Horford was worth a max contract or how each affected team will fair, it feels like something has been lost. The big man from the Dominican Republic turned this team around after being drafted 3rd overall in 2007. Nine seasons, nine playoff appearances, four All-Star seasons, and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Its time we stop talking about what Horford is worth or what he can/can’t do, and finally show him the appreciation the Lakers, Spurs, Timberwolves, and Celtics showed their franchise players.
The Resurrection of a Franchise
Al Horford stepped into the association in 2007, averaged a near double-double (10.1ppg, 9.7rpg), and helped bring a lottery team into the playoffs. Most Hawks fans will remember that near upset of the Big 3 Celtics. What followed were several trips to the playoffs, making the small market Hawks a relevant team in the NBA. Although that’s not to say there weren’t disappointments. A plethora of second round exits began to pile up. Josh Smith‘s shot selection and Joe Johnson‘s iso tendencies began to wear on the team’s potential. Al Horford, the consummate professional, never complained. The power forward never publicly groaned when he was asked to play center. Eventually his positive attitude and loyalty to his team would be rewarding.
The Hawks eventually cut ties with their polarizing offensive stars, getting younger and making Al the center of the team. He made sure Atlanta never skipped a beat, even having his best season in 2012, averaging 17 points, 10 boards, and 3 assists per contest. While they lost to a stout Pacers team in the first round that year, Horford validated the investment. However, just when it seemed he was picking up where he left off, a pectoral injury knocked the center out of a promising year. The good news though, was that the best was yet to come.
Horford’s Grand Farewell
The Hawks’ center came back to lead the offensive juggernaut that was the 2014 Hawks squad. While he didn’t have the most points on the team, he changed his playing style to open up that dynamic attack. He was a pick & pop assassin and a newly minted three point threat. He (along with three other starters) was named an Eastern Conference Player of the Month after a 17-0 January record. This season was the closest thing to Horford’s masterpiece as a Hawk. A 19 game winning streak and a 60-win campaign carried them to a top seed in the playoffs. The always clutch Paul Pierce then seemed determined to keep Atlanta from, again, getting out of the second round. Horford answered with a clutch tip in game winner to put Atlanta up 3-2, and they eventually won the series.
It was the Atlanta Hawks first Conference Finals, but sadly they couldn’t follow it with their first NBA Finals. Injuries, sketchy officiating, LeBron James, and…moment of angry silence…Matthew Dellavedova ended the Hawks best season in Atlanta. The Hawks came back the next season hoping to take the next step, but the eventual champion Cavaliers knocked them out in the second round. While a let down, Horford did give fans another All-Star season, amazing defensive play (another identity change to benefit the team), and a fun playoff series victory over the rival Celtics. But, as was the feeling for the most of last season, an era was approaching its end.
A Hawk Leaves the Nest
The aging Hawks had a closing title window and a need to improve, but Horford wanted the money he had rightfully earned. While the front office tried their best to build a new look team WITH the long-tenured big man, the right deals just couldn’t be made. Its fair to say that the Horford era didn’t end in the most glamorous fashion.
That’s no reason not to show appreciation as fans. With all that Al Horford did to bring excitement out of the fans and into the franchise, he deserves at least some praise. While he didn’t win a championship, he won over so many fans. He never acted like a diva or demanded shots. Al just went to work and waited for his time. He embraced Atlanta like it was his home. The departed center didn’t leave the team with their hands empty. The Hawks and Celtics both have plenty to look forward to this upcoming season, so all the harsh backlash or undermining of his legacy should be cast aside. Say it with me Atlanta…
“Thank You Al Horford!”
Any stats used obtained from Basketball Reference