Al Horford welcomes his second chance in Boston: 'Really, really happy to be back'

Al Horford firmly believes in second chances. It’s exactly what the veteran big man is getting in his return to the Boston Celtics.

Horford couldn’t be happier about the reunion also as the Celtics acquired Horford along with Moses Brown in a trade last week for Kemba Walker and the No. 16 overall pick in this year’s draft. 

“Really, really happy to be back,” Horford said at his introductory press conference Thursday. “Really appreciate how special of a place that Boston is. For me, being away from it, seeing the type of city that it is, what the team is all about, it’s something that I really missed. I feel like I learned a lot and sometimes, in my case, change was for the better. I’m just very grateful to have a second opportunity to be back here and to continue to work on what I started here.” 

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There’s a feeling of unfinished business for Horford after he starred for Boston for three years from 2016-19, including putting together an All-Star campaign during the 2017-18 season. 

During Horford’s last year in Boston, the team went through a rocky season as the Celtics, led then by Kyrie Irving, fell apart in the second round of the playoffs. Horford, along with Irving, exited in free agency after the season but reports surfaced that Horford had reservations about leaving the Celtics. 

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Horford ended up signing with the Philadelphia 76ers but played there for only one season before he was shipped to Oklahoma City. He didn’t have nearly the same level of effectiveness at either spot and, after those two seasons in which Horford said he experienced “a lot of growth,” he’s glad he has a blank slate to work with as he comes back to the Celtics.  

“Obviously, things didn’t end well then, but now I really feel like we have a fresh start,” Horford said. “I can help the team make an impact. I feel like the guys are very driven and we've got a lot of work to do. That’s the reality and I actually embrace that part of it, being able to get to work and getting this fresh opportunity.” 

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Horford played in only 28 games for the Thunder last season, showing some flashes of his old self by tallying 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while also attempting a career-high 5.4 three-point shots per contest. 

But Horford sat out the final month and a half of the regular season, a mutual decision between Horford and the Thunder, with the organization electing to go into tanking mode and not needing the services of the veteran to accomplish that. Horford and Oklahoma City also agreed at the time he would be traded this offseason, and once he heard he was heading back to Boston, he immediately pondered the possibilities of what was to come.  

“Right away, I’m thinking ahead,” Horford said. “I’m thinking of the challenge. I’m thinking of everything we need to do. It’s been pretty surreal.” 

The time off at the end of the season could benefit the Horford, who is 35 and already has accrued a lot of mileage during his career as he gets set for his 15th season in the NBA. Horford didn’t play in back-to-backs this past season but feels equipped to do so next year. 

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“I feel like I’m in a better position physically to get ready for the season,” Horford said about where he is from a physical standpoint compared to when he first joined the Celtics five years ago. “I feel like I’m going to be more prepared now than I was then for the season — the way I’ve been preparing and training and working and I’m going to continue to do it. I feel like I’m in a better place as far as that goes.” 

Horford will work with Williams, Brown

Horford’s role on the Celtics also will include working with the team’s young big men in Robert Williams and Brown. Horford served as a mentor for Williams during the center's  rookie season and Horford said he has been impressed with the strides Williams has made on the floor. 

Horford expects to continue to work closely with Williams to help keep him on his ascending trajectory.   

“He has such a good feel for the game defensively and on offense as well,” Horford said. “Trying to help him be in good positions and I’m going to be in his ear and we’re going to be figuring things out together.

"I’m excited for him. He’s starting to understand everything, taking care of his body, making sure he’s putting in the work. I’m really excited for what’s ahead for Rob.” 

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As Horford begins the next chapter of his career, he does so with the comfort of being in a familiar setting. Horford said when he left the Atlanta Hawks to join the Celtics five years ago, Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens sold him on the team’s culture and trying to win the organization’s 18th championship. 

For Horford, that goal hasn’t changed in his second stint with Boston. “For me, it’s looking at what can I do to accomplish that and I’m lucky enough to get a second shot to be with this group."