There isn’t much that can be gleaned from the first three days of training camp, especially when the only thing we’ve been able to really observe from our media perch is free throw shooting and about 30 seconds of five-on-five scrimmaging.
Everything is being kept under pretty tight wraps, but one thing has become quite obvious.
Al Horford is going to play a major role on this team.
When asked if he’s getting any closer to lineup decisions, head coach Ime Udoka said, “we want to look at everything, honestly. We feel versatility is an asset for us, with the lineups we can start.” But then he went on to gush a bit about Horford.
“A guy like Al is making a huge case obviously, the way he's come in and looked and played, the leadership and things he's brought,” Udoka continued. “I mentioned some of the versatility with what he can do as far as pass the ball, handle it and shoot it, so he's an asset there but it's also finding the right balance for our bench, as well.”
The terminology Udoka has used is painting a very clear picture of Horford starting for the Celtics to begin the season. Of course, it’s early and they haven’t even played a single preseason game, but Udoka’s affinity for Horford is very clear.
“He (looks fresh). It’s noticeable,” Udoka said after practice on Thursday. “Whether he found the fountain of youth or it’s just the time off that he got not playing all the games last year in Oklahoma City ... you can see with his body and how he’s playing, he looks lively, fresh, and looks rejuvenated. We’re loving what we’re seeing from him.”
Udoka had a front-row seat for Horford’s misadventures in Philadelphia. Horford left Boston for much greener contractual pastures, signing a four-year, $109 million contract with the Sixers two seasons ago. The fit, however, was very problematic, and Horford’s time with Philly was a disaster that ultimately led to him being dumped in Oklahoma City.
“A lot of teams put their big players on Ben (Simmons), and then obviously save one for Joel (Embiid). So a lot of times they had 2-guards and small forwards on Al a lot. And I felt we could’ve taken advantage of those, not only putting him in positions, but also getting his mentality right to attack those mismatches. ... Last year in Oklahoma, he was more back to himself. And the two times we played them last year, he played great.”
Horford played well enough that the tanking OKC Thunder sent him home rather than have him help a very young team tread water and win more than they should. Horford became a 15-year veteran in limbo with an uncertain future. That is, until the Kemba Walker trade materialized.
“I got the call from Brad (Stevens) and, and it was all smiles, man. It was a lot of screaming at the house,” Horford told NBC Sports Boston on media day. “We were just very excited. My son that remembers vaguely being here, he was just ecstatic. He was so happy. He was so happy ... my whole family. We're just very, very, very grateful. Very happy.”
Udoka seems to hope Horford can be the matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. If a team decides to throw length at Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, that will leave a smaller guy for Horford to attack. If they use that length to match up with Horford, Udoka hopes it leads to easier opportunities for his two star wings.
That means Horford has to be on the floor with them. So unless Udoka has the best curveball in the coaching game, it seems Horford is going to be starting and/or finishing games for Boston.
OTHER PRACTICE NOTES
PLAYING FAST PART 2
Udoka was asked about Brown’s love for the fast pace in practice and how the team might want to play fast.
“Just the multiple ball handlers that we have, guys that can rebound and push it, including some of our bigs. Al has shown that, throughout open gym and training camp, how he can really push the ball,” Udoka said. “Teams that have a big that can attack really put pressure on other teams. We used Bam (Adebayo) and Draymond (Green) in USA that way, and it puts a tremendous amount of pressure. So we’re encouraging our bigs to rebound – our big wings to rebound – and not just find the point guards every time.”
“Pace is often construed as fast-break basketball, but pace also applies to the half court. Udoka saw wild success in San Antonio’s ‘.5’ philosophy of making quick decisions. Brown and Tatum will need to push the pace in half court sets by trusting teammates to get the ball back to them rather than stand at the 3-point line killing ants.”
Today, Udoka echoed that sentiment.
“I think pace sometimes gets misconstrued with just transition, and we're trying to get them to be making quick decisions,” he said. “We call it point-five, so you either catch and shoot it, catch and pass it, catch and move it. Those are things we want them to improve on in those areas in the halfcourt, and be less ballstoppers.”
BRAD STEVENS GIVING SPACE
Stevens moved into the bigger office at the Auerbach Center, but he’s still finding his way down on the court from time to time.
“I feel like he's giving Coach Udoka his space but he has been around,” Horford said. “If you need to talk to him, he's very accessible. That's the cool thing about it.”
Though, it does lead to some awkward moments for Horford.
“I've always called him 'Coach' so now I see him and I'm like 'Hey!' I don't know what to say yet,” Horford said. “It's nice to have him around, just to see him and any time we have a question or anything, I know I can go talk to him. He sees the game, he understands it, he feels it and knows some of the things I do and how he sees something on the floor. Having him around is just really nice.”
A JUMP ON THINGS
This is when everything is supposed to be all puppy dogs and rainbows in the NBA. The team is happy, guys get along, the energy is at its absolute zenith.
But the Celtics swear there’s something more in the air at the Auerbach Center so far. Maybe it’s because they got a little jump on things earlier this month.
“It’s only the third practice, but most of us were here for a couple of weeks in September, and at that time, getting that continuity and working out together, shooting, on the court, off the court, those things,” Horford said. “When we started on Tuesday it was like back to business, and it feels like everyone is familiar with one another. That being said, we need to build it out and we’ll find out a little more when we get out and play on Monday. But so far I’ve been impressed with how consistent everyone has been and how comfortable everyone is.”
The Celtics are off tomorrow and will practice again over the weekend before facing the Orlando Magic in their first preseason game at the TD Garden on Monday.