Al Horford to his first Finals
The moment Billy Donovan knew what kind of competitor Al Horford is remains as clear in his memory as if it happened this week, not 20 years ago.
“I’ll never forget it,” says Donovan, the Chicago Bulls coach who coached Horford at the University of Florida.
Donovan was engaged in a recruiting battle to sign Horford, then a highly rated Michigan prospect, and went to watch him play in the Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas.
Horford’s Michigan Mustangs had made, in his words, an “improbable” run to the championship game, where they faced the Atlanta Celtics, one of the best AAU teams ever assembled, featuring future NBA stars Dwight Howard and Josh Smith. The Mustangs lost by 20 points.
“It was one of those close games,” Horford says now, “but they were the better team.”
Donovan, however, remembers the game for another reason.
“I’m in the gym, walking off the court to leave,” Donovan says, “and [Horford] was on the side of the bleachers, by himself, crying.
“I thought, ‘You know what? Here’s a kid, 17 years old, who cares about winning.’ I can’t express that enough about him. That’s what it’s all about.”
Horford, who left TD Garden on Wednesday night after helping the Boston Celtics win Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors heading into Game 4 of the NBA Finals
“I remember it very vividly,” Horford says. “To me, I’m a great competitor. People channel that in different ways. But I hate losing, and it’s something that really motivates me.”
“[Donovan] shared that moment with me years ago…. We’re built that way. We hate to lose and we do everything we can to win.”
The two would go on to win many games together. Not only did Donovan win that recruiting battle, but he and Horford’s Gators were the last team to repeat as national champions, in 2006 and 2007.
Fast forward through his 15-year NBA career and Horford is now two wins away from his first championship in his first Finals appearance.
However, by this time last season, Horford was sitting at home, watching the playoffs on TV and wondering if what he is currently experiencing would ever be a reality.
“I would look at the pictures on my phone [to see] exactly what I was doing at the time,” Horford said after Boston’s Game 7 victory over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. “I always look back and see where I was day to day.”
Horford’s NBA future before returning to the Celtics couldn’t have been murkier. Two seasons ago, he was plucked from the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting lineup. A trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder and a lost season in OKC followed (the first time he missed the playoffs in 14 seasons); two years remaining on his contract left his situation in limbo.
Horford didn’t know if he’d remain with the Thunder or if he’d be anywhere with a chance to win, but he’s taken full advantage of the lifeline thrown to him by the Celtics, the team he left in free agency three years ago.
“It’s special to be with them and to be able to help them and be a part of this,” Horford said after that Game 7. “I’m very grateful to be in this position.”
