Hawks fans have classy reaction to Celtics' Al Horford winning championship

Al Horford spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Atlanta Hawks, who drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Horford went on to average 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while helping lead the Hawks to nine straight playoff appearances through 2015-16. They even reached the Conference Finals in 2014-15.

It took him another eight years (and two stints with the Boston Celtics) to win a title.

“After 17 seasons and 186 playoff games with the Hawks, Sixers, Thunder and Celtics, our Alfred Joel Horford is an NBA champion! Horford becomes the first Dominican to win champion in the most prestigious basketball league in the world,” ESPN’s Dominican affiliate posted on X on June 17.

In a full-circle moment, especially considering Boston knocked Atlanta out of the playoffs in 2022-23, Hawks fans tipped their cap to the veteran big man.

“Atlanta Hawks legend Al Horford has finally won a NBA Championship. It took him 17 years,” one fan wrote in a post on X.

“As a lifelong Atlanta Hawks fan, I couldn’t be happier for Al Horford. I can’t imagine a more professional, competitive, team-oriented winner that I’d want on my team. Put him in the Hall of Fame. What a career,” a different fan posted.

Sentiments about Horford’s legendary status in Hawks lore were rampant.

Al Horford deemed 'legendary' Hawk

In total, he has amassed five All-Star selections, one All-NBA nod, an All-Defensive team pick, and was a member of the All-Rookie team. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and has even garnered Defensive Player of the Year love throughout his career. 

That is in addition to morphing his game to fit the current trend of 5-out basketball, a key to the Celtics’ attack this season.

It is a trend he began in his final season in Atlanta.

“There’s not a #Hawks fan out there that shouldn’t be HAPPY for Al Horford,” said another fan. “The guy has been a consummate pro his entire career. No one should say a bad word about him.”

A two-time national champion with the Florida Gators, Horford shot 35.9% on a career-high 5.1 attempts from beyond the arc for the Celtics this postseason.

He shot 47.1% on 3.4 attempts in the Finals.

Whether or not Horford makes it to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame remains to be seen. But his resume is perhaps strikingly strong for a one-time NBA champion who has spent time with several organizations in his career.

Whatever happens for Hofford with the Hall of Fame, he will likely be remembered fondly for his time with the Hawks.