Welcome Back AL HORFORD | Celtics Introductory Interview FULL

Questions for Al? We will start with John Corrales. Hey, Al.

Welcome back to Boston. This has been quite a journey for you over the past couple of years. What have you learned about yourself here going through those things and now coming back to Boston in this situation? Yeah, you know, first of all, just, you know, really, really happy to be back. Really appreciate, you know, how special of a place that Boston is. You know, for me, being away from it, seeing, you know, the type of city that it is, what the team's all about, it's something that I, you know, that I really missed. I obviously, I feel like I learned a lot, and sometimes, you know, in my case, change was for the better, and I'm just very grateful to have a second opportunity, you know, to be back here and to continue to work on what I started here.

Ryan, Rob?

Hey, Al, just curious to, you know, what, you know, elaborate on that. What were your reaction, your family's reaction after finding out you were going to be able to come back here? And from a physical standpoint, how are you doing now? I know you obviously had a long time away during OKC as when they were playing the younger guys, but how you feel physically after having all that time off heading into next season?

Yeah. A little surreal, honestly, to be back. You know, excited. You know, I obviously kept up with, you know, with the team and everything, and just really grateful, you know, for this opportunity. And physically, you know, I feel really good. You know, I'm in a really good place in Oklahoma City. The medical staff, you know, did an unbelievable job with me over there, you know, keeping me healthy throughout the year, and just continuing to stay in a positive trend. So I'm really excited where I'm at physically, and I'm just looking forward to, you know, to getting started with the group.

Gary Washburn.

Hey, Al, welcome back. What was it like the last 2 years for you? You go to Philadelphia. It seems like they got title hopes, and you're— you wanted to play the 4, and it just didn't work out there. And then you go to Oklahoma City where you're basically the old guy in a bunch of youngsters. I mean, and you're playing, playing well, and then they shut you down. Like, what was the last 2 years like? What kind of learning experience was it, you know, in terms of your growth?

Yeah, Gary, I mean, it was, for me personally, it was a lot of growth. You know, going, like you said, to a position in Philadelphia, you know, things not panning out there how they needed to be. Then getting to go to Oklahoma City, you know, with a team with a lot of questions and like you said, a lot of younger guys. But one of the things that I was grateful to be in Oklahoma City was getting the opportunity to, you know, to show, you know, You know, the things that I can do again to be put in a position where, you know, where I'm making the most of what I can do and showing what I can do and being able to play at a high level. Also, you know, almost again, getting an appreciation for the game. You know, sometimes, you know, we get so focused on doing things a certain way and, you know, almost going through the motions. And over there, I felt like I really was able to appreciate the game, especially with all, with the pandemic and everything going on. More than ever, I feel like, you know, not taking for granted going to practice, not taking for granted being in shootaround, hanging out with the guys on the bus, you know, all those types of things, putting all that in perspective. And then, you know, when this opportunity came up, You know, for me, it's something that, you know, that I'm really grateful. And this is, you know, this is the place that I want to be. So I'm just happy that, you know, that it has been able to work out.

Mark Murphy.

Hey, Al. You said you wanted to come back to something, finish something you started. I mean, what is that? When you left the Jays initially, where were they then? Where are they now?

Yeah, so, you know, 5 years ago when, you know, when I had to make a tough decision and leave Atlanta, you know, Danny and Brad, they sold me on this, on the culture, what we were trying to build in Boston and winning, getting that Banner 18. And that's something that really excited me, really motivated me, and it was something that we were working towards. And, you know, and I think that obviously I wasn't able to get it done when I was, you know, when I was with the group. And now that this time has passed and I get an opportunity again to do that, For me, it's looking at what, you know, what's my— what kind of purpose, you know, what can I do? What can I do to accomplish that? And I'm lucky enough to get a second shot to be with this group. You know, it was a— I feel like it was a good 3 years for me, but now I— we get a fresh opportunity. It's a huge challenge. I do— I understand that. I know it. But I actually embrace that, and I look forward to getting to work with the group of guys that we have.

Adam Himmelsbach.

Hey, I was just wondering what your experience was like working with Ime in Philadelphia and what you think of him coming here.

Yeah, Ime is a great guy. You know, him and I had a really good relationship. You know, he was always very professional. His views on the game, you know, defensively, him and I spent a lot of time talking about defense and coverages and things that I feel like work, that he feels that worked, and things like that. So I'm excited about him. I'm excited for what he brings. And how he can help our group. So I'm just looking forward to, you know, obviously supporting him and getting this thing going.

Keith Smith.

Hey, Al. Now that you're back in Boston, there had been a lot of reporting that after the fact that you maybe thought about not leaving or maybe things would have gone differently in 2019 had you known how the team was going to come together. What can you say about that now?

Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things that, you know, that's— it's in the past. You know, it was disappointing, you know, for us how we ended 2 years ago with all those expectations and everything. And I personally would have never thought that I was going to— or not I would have never thought, but I just didn't know if I was going to get another opportunity. Her chance to, you know, to be in this position. And obviously things didn't end well then, but now, you know, I feel like I have a— I really feel like we have a fresh start. Like I can help the team, we can impact. I feel like, you know, the guys are very driven and we got a lot of work to do. That's the reality. And I actually embrace, that part of it, you know, being able to get to work and getting this fresh opportunity.

Soichi Terada. Hey, Al.

When news of the trade started to trickle out and went public, did you hear from anybody, your former teammates, and what was that kind of like? Yeah, yeah, it was pretty cool. You know, Jason, JT, reached out to me and Rob, you know, traded messages with him as well. And it was just one of those, you know, kind of surreal moments. I had, you know, former assistant coaches, people around the league that I've known for years just, you know, texting me, congratulating me, things like that. So it was an exciting time.

Yeah.

You know, it was an exciting time for me. And just kind of going through all of that and just right away I'm thinking ahead. You know, I'm thinking ahead. I'm thinking of the challenge. I'm thinking of everything that we need to do. And, and, you know, it's been, you know, it's been pretty surreal.

Jared Weiss.

Al, you were talking about getting a second shot with this team. They were heading to the conference finals a few years in a row. Then last year was a down year. What do you think you need to do to help them get back to that track? Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, for our group, you know, first of all is take advantage of the summer, take advantage of this time, and, you know, guys have to, you know, do their work individually. And once we're able to get together, you know, in September, just start to build it back up. But, you know, the first thing is, You know, making sure that we're putting ourselves in the best position, you know, physically and preparing mentally for the season. Finally, you know, it looks like we're going to have a normal season and with a normal schedule. So I think that's important. But I do believe that, you know, for our team to be the best that it can, you know, we need to put in the work right now. You know, it starts now.

I mean, I've been—

Yeah.

Working for months already and, you know, continue to build in that direction. I was in the facility yesterday and I already saw a lot of our young guys in there, you know, Grant Williams, Taco Fall, some of the other guys that are in there, you know, putting in the work, you know, they're going about it the right way. And that's what we're going to do. We're going to work really hard and prepare and be excited for the challenge. You know, it's— we have a great opportunity in front of us.

Art Murphy.

Sounds like Rob is really excited to have you back. You know, you took him under your wing early. Can you just talk about how much development you see in him right now and how do you further that partnership with him?

Yeah, I really been— I was really impressed this year with Rob and his growth and his progress. You know, I don't know if I would say that I really took him under my wing, but I try to help him, you know, the best way that I could. But, you know, seeing him grow, seeing him do some of the things that he's able to do, and him starting to understand the game and how it's coming together for him, it's huge. It's very— it's been very refreshing to see him. you know, his progression, and he's going to continue to get better. He's going to continue to get better. He has such a good feel for the game, you know, defensively and on offense as well, trying to help him, you know, be in good positions. And I'm going to be in his ear, and we're going to, you know, we're going to be figuring things out together. And I'm excited for him, you know, and he knows, he understands. He's starting to understand everything, taking care of his body. Making sure he's putting in the work. I'm really excited, you know, for, for what's ahead for Rob.

Final 2 questions for Al. We'll go to Gary Washburn.

Hey, 2 things, Al. What's the difference physically between Al Horford at 30 when he got to Boston, when you got to Boston at first, and, and you now? And secondly, what can you tell us about Moses Brown? I know you were probably kind of in his ear last year. Another young big who can probably help this team?

Yeah, so your first question, you know, the difference is I feel like I, I feel like I have a better understanding of the things that I need to do, and physically I actually, I feel like I'm in, in a better position physically to get ready for the season. So I feel like I'm going to be more prepared now than I was then. For the season. You know, the way that I've been preparing and training and working and continue— and I'm going to continue to do it. I feel like I'm in a better place as far as that goes. And then as far as Moses, man, he's a great— he's a great kid. You know, guys are going to love him in the locker room. He listens. You know, he's all about the team. He's trying to play the right way. I really, you know, just try to help him in the short time that I was with him in OKC, you know, in any way that I could defensively, you know, with the big guys usually. I'm usually harping a lot on defense, and those were some of the things that I was talking to him about. And he's somebody that also has a lot of potential as well, but he's going to be great for the locker room. He's a really good guy.

Final question for Al. Brian Robb.

Yeah, first off, you didn't play back-to-backs last year. Do you feel like moving forward— I'm sure you'll talk to some of the training staff— do you feel like that's something you'll be able to be capable of doing in Boston as you progress through your career? And also, just with Robb, Tristan, obviously there's a lot of talented big hitters as well, but you're just— your versatility in terms of playing the 4 in the 5 at this point in your career, do you feel like, you know, you'll be able to match up well with the other guys in this group?

Yeah, so I feel like, you know, I should be good to go. I mean, I'll talk with the, you know, with the medical when the time calls and everything and come up, you know, with whatever it needs to come up, but I feel fine. You know, I should, you know, I don't have any reservations. I feel good physically. So it's one of those things that I don't feel like it's going to hold me. And then with regards to our bigs, I really believe that I have the ability, you know, to play multiple positions still, to be efficient, to be effective. And really, however coach, you know, is going to need me and they want me to play, you know, I'll be able to do. And if we need to go big at times, if we need to go with me at the 5, I'm totally fine and open to it. And I know that I'm, you know, I'm capable enough to do it.

All right. We'll wrap it up right there. Thanks, Al.

Thank you.