PHILADELPHIA — When Jayson Tatum entered the NBA at just 19 years old, that was going to be a difficult adjustment for any teenager. Luckily for Tatum, he had a veteran in Al Horford who took him under his wing back in the 2017-18 season.
Fast forward six years later, Tatum is one of the best players in the league. Horford is still impressing in his 17th season in the NBA, this time in a great game in the 117-107 win over the 76ers on Wednesday. Tatum gushed about his veteran in Horford, describing the respect he has for the 37-year-old big man.
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“It’s based off respect, the respect I have for him and likewise,” Tatum said. “And we just know we need each other. Even when I was 19 and I am now, he still asks me questions, asks me how I’m feeling, how’s my body. That’s who I sit next to on the plane. So Al’s like my favorite teammate I’ve had.”
The Celtics employ arguably the best top-6 players in the league, but one of those talented players needs to come off the bench consistently. Thus far this season, that has ended up being Horford. The Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown on Wednesday, so that allowed Horford back in the starting lineup.
The big man delivered in a huge way, posting 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks as he turned back the clock. He was a force on both sides of the ball, showcasing he can still make more than an impact. While the C’s don’t need him to perform every night considering the state of their roster, they get the luxury of having a selfless guy like Horford coming off the bench.
“He’s the ultimate professional, the ultimate team guy,” Tatum said. “He does whatever we need him to do on a nightly basis to win. And we all believe in him and the work that he puts in. And sometimes he makes shots, sometimes he don’t. But his level of being poised, his intensity on defense still this late in his career, the way he talks to guys out there on the court. We benefit greatly from having Al on the team.”
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