NBA Notebook: Al Horford and Billy Donovan remember trying to repeat at Florida

Billy Donovan's experience trying to defend a championship came at a different level, in a different time and an entirely different dynamic for college sports. In 2006-07, the Florida Gators returned nearly their entire roster, including Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Al Horford, from their 2006 NCAA championship. In total, 10 out of that team's 12 players returned and allowed themselves the chance to achieve a repeat that wouldn't happen again until Connecticut's 2023-24 back-to-back. Donovan, looking back at the second season, saw at least some comparison to what Horford and the Boston Celtics are trying to do in 2025. 

"I think there are similarities in all that stuff," Donovan said last month, who had spoken to Bill Belichick about the subject in Chicago at the Bulls' previous game. "I was fortunate, with Coach Belichick, we got a chance to spend a lot of time talking about that, because they obviously did that here in New England ... Coach Riley at Miami was kind enough to spend time with me, because they were right around the same time they won back-to-back championships. I spent a lot of time with a lot of different people, but there's a lot I think you have to deal with there. Because of them being the world champions, Boston, and 82 games, there's an emotional level that you have to get to every single night, and sometimes you can't get there, quite honestly." 

That happened again for the Celtics on Thursday following their first four-game win streak since November. With Jrue Holiday resting a sore shoulder that's plagued him throughout the schedule, the Mavericks leveled the otherwise healthy Celtics without Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II. Boston struggled defensively, Jaylen Brown noted their lack of energy and Klay Thompson lit them up for 25 points in 29 minutes. That's a theme that goes back several seasons for the Celtics, letting down when opponent's best players sit out, but new ones have emerged as they've tried to defend their championship, whether unexpected players going off from three on the other side, a night-to-night intensity from the competition that almost rises to playoff level and perhaps some apathy from the home crowd that just saw a banner go up. The Celtics are 16-10 at home after finishing last season 37-4 inside TD Garden. 

They've dealt with other factors as well, including various ailments that have forced players, headlined by Kristaps Porziņģis, to miss time. Porziņģis' return and integration into the starting lineup came late after offseason surgery, and happened sporadically after multiple minor injuries followed. Shooting performances across the roster didn't stack up to last year's standard, changing their offense, while Sam Hauser, Holiday and Derrick White have played through pain. The team has prioritized rest days, but Holiday said a night off or two won't always heal what's wrong. For Horford, who received back-to-back games off with one night in between for the first time since his return to Boston, this season has provided a new experience despite having gone through a title defense nearly two decades ago. 

"I think the only thing I would say, like you said it's so different, but the only thing, the main point, is just the expectation," Horford told Boston Sports Journal. "Even though, as a Celtic, we're always expected to win here, but after winning (the championship), navigating that and understanding that everybody's giving you their best shot, I think we're getting a taste of that. We've gotten a taste of that all regular season so far, and we know that's how it is, so we're learning how to navigate that." 

Boos rained down at TD Garden for the first time since the championship celebration on Thursday as the Celtics fell behind by 20 points in the second half and eventually sat their starters trailing by 24 with more than nine minutes remaining. Joe Mazzulla, who studied past champions and emphasized that no winner since the Warriors last went back-to-back in 2018 even made it past the second round, arrived at the podium and was asked how his perspective changed from the summer, when he predicted the target would be on Boston's back and asked for it between the eyes. He felt the same way, and quipped that he's having a blast. Thanks for reminding me that, he said. 

Four days earlier, Mazzulla approached the starters, trailing by double-digits at Philadelphia at halftime, and asked if they wanted to sit out the rest of the game, according to Jayson Tatum. They declined, and after falling behind by 26 points into the second half, they summoned 14-for-20 three point shooting and their most intense defensive effort of the season to defeat the Sixers missing Joel Embiid, Paul George and others. Something clicked. Brown said they could've relented and made some excuses to the media, but decided against it. Mazzulla mentioned studying their body language and seeing that they had the win in them. The momentum carried over to Cleveland, where a strong defensive start held the east-leading Cavs to 15 first quarter points before Boston held them at arm's length from that point on. Yet the energy didn't return home, where Payton Pritchard identified a trend this year in the Celtics struggling when they return from road trips. 

"I mean, our record is probably three games off last year at this point," Tatum said on Saturday morning. "I know we're probably expected to win every game, and there are certainly times where we could've played better, but our attention to detail and focus is there. Sometimes it's hard to win in this league, and none of us have ever really been in this position coming off a championship. So didn't know what to expect, just knew it was gonna be tough, and it has been, but we're gonna be up for the challenge in whatever game it is and just take it one game at a time and not look past anybody ... Joe does a great job. He knows when to cuss you out. He knows when to give you a hug. He knows when to push you and motivate you. He knows when to back off and give you a day or whatever. I've really noticed that adjustment or growth from him over the years." 

The Celtics have emphasized peaking at the right time, and Brad Stevens confirmed that standing pat at the trade deadline affirmed to some degree his belief in this team's ability to contend deep into the playoffs again. The field is different, another factor with the Thunder just getting fully healthy after an already monstrous start and the Cavs loading up this week. A battle with New York looms on Saturday night, the Knicks sitting only 1.5 games back for the second seed. While Stevens acknowledges up-and-down play over the last six weeks and a net rating lately that's buoyed by a few blowout wins, he kept the team together in the first place despite some hesitation and belief that teams could use a jolt or an infusion of energy that an offseason move or two can provide. Instead, nearly the entire roster returned from last season like with Horford's Gators in 2006-07. 

That team rolled, not hitting any mid-season malaise like these Celtics have until later in the regular season schedule. They started 6-0, won 17 straight after their second loss, then tailed off for a 2-3 finish before winning the SEC Tournament, which they didn't do the year prior. They finished one game better, three in conference play, and ranked third to close the season compared to 11th the year prior. But when the NCAA Tournament began, they only won two games by double-digits compared to five the year prior. Their postseason path proved harder, as it appears it'll be for this Celtics group. After beating the Cavs on Thursday, they emphasized focusing on themselves over trying to win the one seed. 

"We were not playing well (late in the year)," Donovan remembered about 2007. "We were getting everybody's best shot, then you have to be able to deal with and handle that. So there's a lot that goes into it that you have to deal with and manage. There are a lot of distractions and it's a grind for the players. I don't know if there's any one way you have to go about doing it. I'm sure Joe has thought long and hard about how he wants to handle it. I'm sure he's doing a great job with his team. I don't think there's any question with their team and their experience, and how many Eastern Conference Finals they've had and just winning the NBA championship, they know exactly what they want to do and how they want this play out I would imagine." 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta (24-28): Traded Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Clippers and De'Andre Hunter to the Cavaliers, taking another chunk out of a roster that already lost Jalen Johnson to a season-ending injury. They've lost 9-of-10 and slid to ninth in the east, 2.5 games ahead of the 76ers for a postseason spot. The Hawks did well bringing back Terance Mann alongside Bones Hyland from LA, but needed to include three second-rounders to acquire Mann. The Hunter deal was more perplexing, Atlanta reportedly unsuccessful in trying to bring back Cavs first-rounder Jaylon Tyson or a 2031 first. Instead, they received Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three seconds and two pick swaps. Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr will team up in the all-star skills competition as the top two draft selections. 

Boston (36-16): Traded Jaden Springer alongside a 2030 second-rounder to move off his $4-million salary and $15-million luxury tax hit. Brad Stevens stood pat otherwise on deadline day, set on signing Bulls wing Torrey Craig when Chicago waived him, which happened late on Thursday. Boston's 15th roster spot remains open, and likely will until later in the season, Stevens said. Craig will not play on Saturday, he said, but will hopefully return soon. The Celtics achieved their first four-game win streak since November, coming back from down by 26 points at the Sixers on Sunday and sailing past the Cavs for the second time in three meetings before the Mavs crushed them without Anthony Davis and other regulars. Kyrie Irving, who scored a rare win over his former Celtics, revealed that he, Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum hoped to team up in 2019. Irving and Davis will now play together for the Mavericks. 

Brooklyn (18-34): Waived Ben Simmons, ending his disappointing and injury-prone tenure following his arrival from the 76ers in the 2022 James Harden trade. Simmons reportedly agreed to a deal with the Los Angles Clippers following the buyout. Cam Johnson, who the team didn't heavily shop and ultimately retained, will participate in the three-point contest. Head coach Jordi Fernandez will no longer coach Team Canada. Bojan Bogdanović is worth watching as a buyout option if he's healthy. He hasn't played yet this season after summer surgery. Bogdanović is ineligible to join teams above the tax apron. 

Charlotte (13-36): Acquired Jusuf Nurkić and a first-rounder from the Suns for Cody Martin and Vasilije Micić. Also received Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap and the Lakers' 2031 first for Mark Williams. LaMelo Ball (ankle) was upgraded to questionable on Friday against the Spurs after missing the last five games. 

Chicago (22-30): Did not trade Nikola Vučević despite talks with the Warriors, rounding out another half-measure deadline for the team after receiving Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter in the Zach LaVine trade with the Spurs and Kings. Chicago also returned their first from the DeMar DeRozan trade with San Antonio. Vučević enters the final season of his contract at $21 million next year. Lonzo Ball signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the Bulls. They waived Torrey Craig and Chris Duarte. 

Cleveland (42-10): Traded for Hawks wing De'Andre Hunter after watching Max Strus struggle in his first game against the Celtics this season while Caris LeVert continued to struggle in his return from wrist injury. The Cavs looked thin at the wing again with Dean Wade (knee) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) out. That they kept Wade, Okoro, Jaylon Tyson and their distant future first was a major heist. Hunter, while not a Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum stopper by any means, gives the Cavs their sturdiest defensive wing in years who also emerged as a lethal shooter in his bench minutes with the Hawks, shooting 46.1% from the field and 39.3% from three with 23.8 points per 36 minutes. The question will be whether he can physically handle those many minutes with a history of injuries. Cleveland lost decisively to the Celtics at home on Tuesday, 112-105. They still lead Boston by 6.0 games in the east. They meet again on Feb. 28 in Boston. 

Dallas (27-25)/Lakers (30-19): Shocked the sports world, and perhaps beyond, just after midnight into Sunday last week when they traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. There hadn't been reports that Dončić was available, and Dallas GM Nico Harrison, the mastermind behind the trade, later revealed that he and Lakers head Rob Pelinka talked over three weeks about what a deal would look like. They agreed not to leak anything, and due to the possibility that Dončić and his agency could influence talks, Harrison decided not to shop arguably the best young player league-wide. The deal floored everyone from Dončić to Davis to LeBron James, who had just stepped off the floor at Madison Square Garden. Harrison, explaining the trade, alluded to a tumultuous summer of contract negotiations that loomed, though Dončić later said he gave Dallas no indication he wouldn't sign a roughly $350-million extension this summer. Other reports pointed toward the Mavs' frustrations with Dončić's weight, shape and training staff/regimen. 

The organization had previously ousted members of Dončić's team who oversaw his conditioning, while Dončić fell on Christmas with one of multiple calf injuries he's dealt with in his career and hasn't played since. He's expected to debut for LA sometime over the next week, joining James and young lob threat Mark Williams, who the Lakers acquired to replace Davis at center. Davis, currently injured with an abdominal strain, is expected to make his Mavs debut on Saturday against the Rockets, rejoining former Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd. Dallas reportedly also tried to trade Dončić for Giannis Antetokounmpo, while there's also some buzz that they checked on Nikola Jokić. Executives around the league woke up on Sunday outraged that they never learned of Dončić's availability. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz helped facilitate the trade by taking on Jalen Hood-Schifino and a pair of second-rounders but reportedly didn't know the trade involved Davis and Dončić until its completion. The Mavs and Lakers play in LA on Feb. 25 while Dončić returns to a devastated Dallas on Apr. 9. Former Dallas governor Mark Cuban did not comment on the trade, but many have expressed he never would've approved it. 

Detroit (26-26): Quiet deadline saw them add Dennis Schröder from the Jazz after he landed there in the Jimmy Butler trade. The Pistons had acquired KJ Martin in a salary dump from the 76ers, who moved to Utah in the deal. He's recovering from a foot fracture. Lindy Waters III and a Warriors second also went to the Pistons in the trade, while Josh Richardson, who struggled with injuries on the Heat, joined the Jazz through Detroit. Schröder will help the Pistons persevere through Jaden Ivey's absence as he continues to progress from a scary fibula fracture earlier this season. 

Golden State (25-26)/Miami (25-25): The Jimmy Butler trade saga finally ended this week when the Warriors acquired him for Andrew Wiggins and a protected first round pick. Butler agreed to a two-year, $112.6 million extension after. Kyle Anderson also went to the Heat in the trade, and while he originally seemed headed for the Raptors in a secondary trade, he'll remain with Miami for now. Instead, the Raptors and Heat agreed to a deal for Davion Mitchell to join the Heat's back court. PJ Tucker, who the Clippers traded to Utah early this week, went to the Raptors in the deal. Butler declined to tell his side of the story in his Warriors introduction while The Athletic outlined how the relationship broke down, detailing a meeting where Pat Riley with tears in his eyes pleaded for Butler to stay with the franchise. It only made Butler more sure of his decision to move on. A Heat fan hilariously broke the news of the trade to Jaime Jaquez, Tyler Herro and Kevin Love sitting behind Miami's bench as the three players curiously listened to him outline the details. 

"According to multiple league sources with knowledge of the meeting, tears welled in Riley’s eyes as he attempted to connect with Butler on a human level. Both men had lost their fathers, and Riley’s famed toughness faded in the moment as he thought about Butler mourning his father’s death last season. But Riley’s vulnerability did not land with Butler. The player viewed Riley’s behavior as “unhinged,” a league source close to Butler said."

Houston (32-19): Mostly stood pat at the trade deadline, absorbing Jaden Springer into their mid-level space before waiving him to acquire Cody Zeller from the Hawks, who has sat out all season for personal reasons. The Rockets steered clear of altering their roster as they signaled they would, even with Kevin Durant seemingly available. Houston had acquired the Suns' future draft picks from the Nets, a move that appeared to precede an eventual Durant pursuit. The Rockets have lost four straight games, falling to fourth in the west behind Memphis and Denver while drawing a patented Ime Udoka post-game callout. 

Memphis (35-16): Attached a first-round pick to trade Marcus Smart to the Wizards in a three-team trade that also sent Jake LaRavia, a solid rotation wing and Grizzlies draft success, to the Kings. Smart played only 19 games this season after a 20-game campaign in 2024, arriving from Boston in a shocking three-team trade with Washington. The Grizzlies imagined Smart sustaining them through the Ja Morant suspension and eventually pairing with him as a defensive complement. Neither happened, and Jaylen Wells' ascent to a starting role landed Smart in a bench role earlier this season. Smart had one season left at $21.6 million following this one. Memphis acquired Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis and two second-rounders from the Kings and Wizards in the deal. Bob Myers revealed that the Grizzlies looked into a Kevin Durant trade, but Durant expressed an unwillingness to join the Grizzlies. 

"We made a move that so far to date, hadn't worked," Zach Kleiman said. "I'd much rather own that myself. That starts with me. You cut your losses on a move, and we put ourselves in best position to build the team going forward."

Milwaukee (27-23)/Washington (9-42): Traded Khris Middleton to the Wizards following 12 seasons and a NBA championship with the Bucks for Kyle Kuzma following several difficult injury-riddled seasons for Middleton and a move to the bench this year. He had averaged 12.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 4.4 APG while shooting 51.2% from the field. The Wizards kept Middleton beyond the deadline, who's owed a $34-million player option next season, as a mentor for their young players alongside Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon. Kuzma, who played the last four seasons in Washington after arriving from LA in the Russell Westbrook trade, recently expressed a desire to be himself and not just fit into the Wizards' long-term plans. He had struggled, shooting 42% from the field and 28.1% from three this year, but brings size and some positional versatility to the Bucks' front court. This was mostly a money move though, Kuzma playing on a declining contract worth $23.5 million this year, $21.5 million next and finishing at $19.4 million in 2026-27. AJ Johnson, the Bucks' 2024 first-round pick, also went to the Wizards in the trade alongside a 2028 pick swap. 

New Orleans (12-39): Traded Brandon Ingram to the Raptors for Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown and a first-round pick in what amounted to a solid return for the star who the Pelicans failed to reach a long-term agreement with over the summer. Ingram hasn't played since Dec. 7 with an ankle injury. New Orleans also dealt former Celtic Daniel Theis to the Thunder, who waived him. The Pelicans, losers of seven straight, remain at the bottom of the west standings and are currently the second-worst team in the league, 1.0 game behind the Jazz and 3.0 games above Washington. Toronto sent its first from the Pascal Siakam trade (2026 Pacers) and a 2031 Raptors second-rounder. 

New York (34-17): OG Anunoby enters Saturday night's ABC Celtics-Knicks face-off at Madison Square Garden doubtful with a foot sprain he suffered earlier this month. The game marks Boston and New York's first meeting since the Celtics blew the Knicks out of the building on opening night. Since, New York has won 8-of-10 to stay within 1.5 games of the Celtics in the standings. The Knicks had a quiet deadline, acquiring Delon Wright from the Bucks for Jericho Sims as Mitchell Robinson's (ankle) return looms at center. 

“You guys can read the tea leaves,” Tom Thibodeau said. “We like our team a lot. Obviously, we are excited about Mitch. But we also feel [rookie] Ariel [Hukporti] has done a good job, and Precious [Achiuwa] has done a good job. That’s really how we approach it." 

Oklahoma City (41-9): Mostly stood pat at the trade deadline with a 6.5 game lead in the west standings and Chet Holmgren playing in his first game since Nov. 10, returning from a significant hip injury. Holmgren scored four points on 2-of-5 shooting with two steals and four blocks, joining forces with Isaiah Hartenstein for the first time in double big looks. Hartenstein, now back for six games since his latest ailment, scored 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting as the Thunder blew out the Raptors. The Thunder also converted standout rookie Ajay Mitchell to a standard contract from his two-way.

Philadelphia (20-31): Curiously traded Caleb Martin after signing him to a four-year, $35 million contract over the summer in a deal with the Mavs that brought back Quentin Grimes. The sides later amended the deal to include two second-rounders from Philadelphia after an assessment of Martin's hip injury revealed he would need at least 2-3 more weeks to return. Whether due to saving money or acquiring a rotation player who's active to replace an injured Martin, the 76ers mostly stood pat while signaling confidence they can retain Guerschon Yabusele with their mid-level exception now available this summer. After Joel Embiid returned with a triple-double to beat the Mavs, he sat out the Sixers' loss to the Heat before taking part in their blowout loss at Detroit. Paul George also returned from his injury earlier this week. Philadelphia also dealt Reggie Jackson to Washington in a salary dump. The Wizards later waived Jackson. Yabusele discussed trade rumors and the notion that he could have returned to the Celtics after pouring 21 points on his former team.

Phoenix (25-25): Stood pat to end a baffling deadline month where they relented to shopping Kevin Durant after failing to find a home for Bradley Beal in a potential Jimmy Butler deal. While Beal flexed his no-trade clause to secure his standing with the Suns, Durant reportedly nixed a deal that was close to formulating late on Thursday that would've sent Durant back to the Golden State Warriors while Butler landed in Phoenix. Durant did not want to return to San Francisco after his last tumultuous finish there, according to reports. He also declined to join the Grizzlies in a potential deal while some whispers indicated that a Butler-Durant swap that would've sent Durant to Miami was discussed. A further report surprisingly linked Durant to the Timberwolves, with two of the Suns' three stars exiting the deadline knowing they were widely swapped in a seemingly haphazard attempt to improve the team. ESPN reported an awkward shootaround following the rumors while GM James Jones declined to comment on the Durant reports. 

Sacramento (25-26)/San Antonio (22-27): Will move beyond the De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis era with Zach LaVine after trading Fox to the Spurs this week. The Kings did decent, receiving three first-rounders (Charlotte's in 2025, San Antonio's in 2027 and Minnesota's in 2031), three second-rounders and Sidy Cissoko, who they later traded to acquire Wizards center Jonas Valančiūnas in a potential effort to play bigger. The moves awkwardly reunited DeMar DeRozan and LaVine, who struggled to mesh at times with the Bulls before DeRozan's departure last summer. Jake LaRavia's arrival from Memphis provided them with more front court versatility. They're currently tied for 10th in the west with the Warriors. The Spurs sit 2.0 games behind both and began their playoff push with Fox scoring 24 points with 13 assists in a win over the Hawks. His two floaters nearly handed San Antonio a comeback win over the Hornets on the road before Miles Bridges' three the other way proved to be the game-winner. Fox shot a potential winning three that barely left his fingers too late. Stephon Castle proved he can continue thriving alongside Fox in the back court with 33 points at Charlotte. The Spurs visit Boston on Wednesday night.