Al Horford Made Huge Mistake Leaving Celtics For Warriors
When Al Horford decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors this past offseason rather than return to the Boston Celtics, most fans assumed it was for money reasons.
Brad Stevens wasn’t able to offer Horford a luxurious deal due to Boston’s salary cap constraints, and Horford had a better financial opportunity in Golden State.
However, Horford turned heads later on when he admitted that competitive reasons went into his Golden State move. Horford suggested that once he saw that Jayson Tatum was likely done for the 2025-26 season, it made more sense to go to a place (Golden State) where he had a better chance to win a title.
Horford, however, definitely miscalculated his odds in that regard, and Celtics fans are trolling Horford on social media for it.
The Warriors have been disappointing so far this season, with a 10-10 record (entering Friday) in a stacked Western Conference. Golden State has looked old, tired, and injury-prone.
Meanwhile, the energetic Celtics are 10-8 in a much weaker East, and Tatum is rumored to be on track to return to the court later on in the season.
Had Horford just stuck around and remained loyal to the Celts, he’d be looking at a possible return to the NBA Finals. Boston has been much better than many people expected without JT, and if Tatum can get fully healthy and return for the last stretch of the year, there’s no reason the Celtics can’t beat anyone in a playoff series.
Is Joe Mazzulla the right head coach for this version of the Boston Celtics?
Joe Mazzulla‘s approach to coaching is as philosophical as it is intense. The Boston Celtics head coach uses unique methods, such as having his team study how killer whales hunt their prey and likening it to how an offense should attack opposing defenses.
Celtics fans and media alike have grown accustomed to Mazzulla’s unique qualities, especially his outlook on player development and overcoming the mental hurdles involved. So, it should come as no surprise that Mazzulla was bluntly honest when asked about the joy he found in winning a championship with the Celtics in 2024.
“Just in general, I don’t get joy from winning,” Mazzulla told Jay King of The Athletic. “Not even a championship. … I get the most joy and fulfillment when I feel like it was done right, regardless of if we’ve won or lost. And that’s really it. I’ve left the arena after wins being empty and p—– off. I’ve left the arena after losses, saying, ‘That’s exactly what we have to be.’…“So I don’t want to make it about the championship,” Mazzulla said. “It’s just like I don’t find joy and fulfillment in wins.”
Mazzulla’s ability to disconnect from the ups and downs of an NBA season is likely beneficial behind the scenes. He holds the Celtics to the same standard regardless of their record or the talent on their roster. You can see that approach this season, as he has pulled players for missing rebounds or failing to function within the flow of the offense.
Clearly, Mazzulla’s approach works. He boasts a 190-71 record with the Celtics over 261 regular-season games, and a 33-17 record in the postseason. His methods work, even if they’re unpopular with some sections of the fanbase.
