Al Horford Deserves A Place In The Hall Of Fame

Al Horford Deserves A Place In The Hall Of Fame

Al Horford is one of the best stories to come out of the Boston Celtics winning their 18th championship at TD Garden last night. The 38-year-old big man faced heartbreak after heartbreak in the playoffs for over a decade. However, all of that is forgotten. In Year 17, the Dominican-born Horford won his first NBA championship, playing a crucial role in the process. With Kristaps Porzingis hurt throughout the playoff Al stepped in as the starting center and played admirably.

I just wrote a post making the same argument for Jrue Holiday that I will for Horford. With a career-defining championship to his name, he should absolutely be in the Basketball Hall of Fame. When you look at his body of work in basketball it is honestly incredibly impressive. He started out as a key piece of the Florida team that won back-to-back NCAA championships in the late 2000’s. He made two All-SEC teams, won SEC Tournament MVP, and made the NCAA all-tournament team for the Gators. That alone gives you some serious consideration for Springfield if you ask me.

Consistent In The Pros

That same success transferred into the NBAs. Horford was on the NBA’s All-Rookie second team in 2008 and it continued from there. In his first 15 seasons in the league, he averaged at least 10 points and 6.5 rebounds in every season. He was a model of consistency, earning five All-Star appearances and an All-NBA Third team selection in the process. You can also sprinkle in an All-Defensive team selection in for 2018. Horford does whatever it takes on both ends of the floor to get the job done.

As he got older and his role diminished, he’s even evolved his game. After those first fifteen seasons I told you about he spent the last two making 43 percent of his threes, helping Joe Mazzulla’s team spread the floor and thrive as a stretch five. Read back all of those accolades I just listed. Is there anyone that has won two college championships, an NBA championship, and an All-NBA team that is not in the Hall of Fame? With that resume, it would be a crime to leave him out.

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Basketball fans around the country are probably not feeling too happy today. However, they should be happy for Al Horford. He played in 168 playoff games before finally reaching the mountaintop with the Boston Celtics. No player has ever played in more before winning their first NBA championship.

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